Out Of Africa: Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) Gears Up For 2025 Edition

The Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) is set to return for its 2025 edition.

Recognised as one of Africa’s major international theatre events, LITF 2025 aims to transform Lagos, Nigeria into a global stage for world-class performance, artistic dialogue and cultural exchange. From red-carpet galas and premieres to immersive street theatre, the festival intends to capture the vibrant spirit of Lagos and showcase the creative pulse of a continent redefining contemporary storytelling.

This year’s edition will feature 20 productions across five stages, with representatives from Nigeria, South Africa and the United States. Alongside the performances, the programme will include masterclasses, networking events and cultural showcases.

Audiences can look forward to pop-up performances, live music, food stalls, and creative markets.

Festival Highlights

• Monday 10th November – Theatre Meets Food: A curated evening of gourmet dining, cocktails, live performances and networking with Lagos’s cultural tastemakers.
• Tuesday 11th November – Director’s Night: A gathering of visionary directors and creatives celebrating artistic innovation and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Wednesday 12th November – LITF x U.S. Embassy Night: An exclusive outdoor evening of short performances by the U.S. delegation and cocktails under the stars.
• Thursday 13th November – Conversations & Culture: A masterclass series featuring theatre luminaries Aubrey Sekhabi (South African State Theatre), Ms. Valerie Green, Executive Director at Dance Entropy Inc & Green Space, Professor Segun Ojewuyi (Southern Illinois University), Professor Jaemin Park (Southern Illinois University), and Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder of LITF.
• Friday 14th November – Opening Night Gala: A red-carpet evening of artistry and elegance, featuring performances from BAP Productions, award presentations and appearances by leading figures in the arts and culture sectors.
• Saturday & Sunday (15th-16th) November – Main Events: Two full days of theatre across multiple stages, including family-friendly performances, creative workshops and over 20 vendors offering food, drinks, art and crafts, culminating in a grand finale celebration.

“This is more than a celebration of the arts; it is a platform for creative exchange and cultural diplomacy. Each year, local and international artists come together to collaborate, perform and tell stories that resonate across borders“, said Bolanle Austen-Peters, founder of LITF. “The festival embodies the ambition of a new creative era in Africa, anchoring Lagos as a global cultural hub. Through LITF and Terra Kulture, I am deeply committed to nurturing African talent, celebrating our stories, and ensuring our voices are heard on the world stage. This is how Nigeria’s rich heritage meets global imagination, and how the next generation of creatives will lead the future of the arts in Africa and beyond.”

Vanessa Jev, Festival Director, also noted: “This year’s festival celebrates the power of storytelling to connect people. LITF 2025 is where creativity, culture and community collide, a space where Lagos meets the world. The festival embodies the energy and ambition of a new generation of African creatives shaping the future of global theatre. It is a platform for dialogue, collaboration and discovery, showcasing how Nigerian talent continues to inspire audiences across the globe.”

Find out more about LITF here.