What started as a small gathering built around one of Port Harcourt’s most recognisable local dishes has grown into one of the city’s notable food and entertainment experiences.
Bole Festival has marked its 10th anniversary with a three-day celebration bringing together music, food, culture, brands, vendors and festival-goers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The anniversary edition was held under the theme “Power of X.”
The festival’s story began in 2016, when about 300 people gathered around a fire and a bole seller. Bole, made from roasted plantain typically served with fish and sauce, is closely associated with Port Harcourt and the wider Rivers State food culture.
Over the years, the gathering has developed beyond its food origins, creating a larger platform where entertainment, businesses and local culture meet.
The 10th anniversary programme reflected that growth with different musical experiences spread across three days. The opening day featured reggae and old-school sounds, while the second day moved toward soul and contemporary music. The final day brought together a larger selection of established and emerging Nigerian artists.
Among the performers were Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Faze, Peruzzi, 1Da Banton, Beri Tigga, Dan Dizzy, Mavo, Guchi, EF Moon and Carter Efe. Savy Henry, Johnny Drille and Magixx were also part of the programme, while Terry G performed during the opening day.
The festival also maintained a strong cultural component. Nigerian artist Wizard Chan brought his signature masquerade performance to the celebration, adding a traditional element to an event otherwise filled with contemporary music and entertainment.
Beyond the performances, the anniversary highlighted the network of businesses and partners that has developed around Bole Festival. Sponsors and partners included International Breweries, Moniepoint, Pernod Ricard, Red Bull and Trashcoin, among others.
The journey has not been without interruption. The festival paused in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning the following year. Organisers said the returning edition attracted an audience twice the size recorded in 2019.
Now entering its second decade, the festival is looking beyond its Port Harcourt roots. Organisers say they want to expand its presence across Nigeria and into other African markets, while developing what they describe as a new experience for the region.
That ambition could give Bole Festival a broader identity in the years ahead, but its foundation remains the same: food, music, community and culture.
From a gathering of about 300 people around a fire to a major three-day celebration featuring Nigerian music stars, food entrepreneurs, brands and cultural performers, Bole Festival has built a story around a simple local tradition.
As it begins its next chapter, the festival is taking that Port Harcourt identity with it while exploring how far the experience can travel.