Vodun Days 2027 will take place from 2 to 9 January 2027 in Ouidah, over eight days instead of three. The festival's official website confirms these dates. If you are travelling from Belgium, now is the time to book: here are the essentials for planning your trip.
Vodun Days 2027: why eight days?
Government spokesman Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji presented this calendar on 5 August 2026. He gave several reasons. First, the festival follows the year-end holidays, which should allow visitors from the diaspora to extend their stay. Second, a spread-out programme makes it easier to welcome visitors. Finally, the major ceremonies fall at the weekend.
| Date | Status |
|---|---|
| Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January | First days of the festival |
| Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 January | Ordinary working days |
| Thursday 7 and Friday 8 January | Paid public holidays |
| Saturday 9 January | Last day of the festival |
Friday 8 January is the second Friday of January, the legal date of the festival of endogenous religions. To understand its meaning, read our article Vodun in Benin: origins and national festival.
A typical programme
The detailed 2027 programme has not yet been published. The official website does, however, describe the festival format:
- during the day: events on Place Maro, on the esplanade of the French Fort and in the Sacred Forest, plus visits to convents;
- in the evening: concerts by Beninese and international artists;
- the highlight: the great Vodun ceremony, attended by senior dignitaries;
- on the beach: the Ouidah Arena, set to stage new shows for its inauguration.
Expect mask processions too, such as the Zangbeto and the Egungun. Tickets and merchandise are handled through the official website, vodundays.bj.
Visa: e-Visa for non-ECOWAS nationals
With a Belgian passport, you need an entry visa. It is issued online only, on evisa.gouv.bj, for stays of up to 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Above all, avoid intermediary websites, which add fees: our entry visa (e-Visa) page explains the procedure. Beninese nationals simply check that their passport is valid.
Health: yellow fever and malaria
Since 16 September 2026, vaccination certificates are no longer checked at Benin's borders. The Ministry of Health nevertheless still recommends yellow fever vaccination. It also states that these rules may be revised in the event of an international health emergency. Malaria, moreover, is present all year round. See a travel health clinic a few weeks before departure, and read our article Vaccines for Benin.
Brussels-Cotonou flights and getting to Ouidah
Brussels Airlines links Brussels with Cotonou airport several times a week. Other airlines connect via Paris, Casablanca, Addis Ababa or Lomé. Demand is high in early January, so book early.
Ouidah lies about forty kilometres from Cotonou, roughly an hour's drive. Ideally, take the Route des Pêches, which runs along beaches and fishing villages. Allow extra time during the festival, as traffic is heavy.
Accommodation
Capacity in Ouidah is limited during the festival. Many visitors therefore stay in Cotonou and travel back and forth. The official website also offers camping options, listed at 7,000 FCFA a night with your own tent and 20,000 FCFA with a rented tent. Check these rates for 2027 when you book.
Our practical tips
- Respect sacred places: ask before photographing a ceremony or a convent.
- Carry CFA francs in cash for small purchases and transport.
- Make the most of your stay by visiting the Ouidah Slave Route and the Door of No Return.
- Read the travel advice of the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs before you leave.
What this means for travellers from Belgium
With eight days of festival, one week of leave after the holidays is enough to experience the essentials. For budget, flights and money, read our guide Travelling to Benin from Belgium. For background, see the announcement of Vodun Days extended to eight days. Finally, our Visiting Benin page offers itinerary ideas.
Sources
- Vodun Days: Official festival website (2027 dates, format, camping)
- Benin360: Vodun Days 2027 (programme, masks)
- Bénin Web TV: Les raisons de la prolongation des Vodun Days 2027 (August 2026)
- Benin, a world of splendours: Vodun Days 2026
- SRTB: Le contrôle du carnet de vaccination supprimé aux frontières (September 2026)
- Republic of Benin: Official e-Visa platform
- Brussels Airlines: Brussels-Cotonou flights
