4 Days Irreecha Festival Tour in Addis Ababa & Bishoftu

Celebrate Ethiopia’s Largest Oromo Cultural Festival

Tour Name – 4 Days Irreecha Festival Tour in Addis Ababa & Bishoftu

No of Day/night – 4 Days & 3 Nights          

Mode of transportation – Car

Destination: Addis Ababa & Bishoftu

Tour Overview

Experience the vibrant spirit of the Irreecha Festival, the annual Oromo Thanksgiving celebration that marks the end of the rainy season and welcomes the season of abundance. The festival is celebrated first at Hora Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) and then at Hora Arsadi Lake in Bishoftu, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants dressed in colorful traditional attire. For 2026, the festival is scheduled for 3 October in Addis Ababa and 4 October in Bishoftu. This itinerary combines the two official celebrations with sightseeing in Addis Ababa, giving visitors an authentic cultural experience and an excellent introduction to Ethiopia’s history and traditions.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional guide from Aman Ethiopia Tour & Travel and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, begin exploring Ethiopia’s vibrant capital by visiting the National Museum, where the famous fossil “Lucy” is displayed, followed by the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum. Continue to Mount Entoto for breathtaking panoramic views of Addis Ababa before enjoying a traditional Ethiopian dinner accompanied by cultural music and dance.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2: Irreecha Celebration at Hora Finfinnee – Addis Ababa

After an early breakfast, travel to Hora Finfinnee, where thousands of Oromo people gather to celebrate the Addis Ababa edition of the Irreecha Festival. Join local families as they celebrate peace, unity, gratitude, and the arrival of the new season through traditional prayers, songs, dances and cultural performances.

Witness participants dressed in beautifully embroidered Oromo cultural clothing carrying fresh green grass and flowers, symbols of thanksgiving and renewal. Throughout the day, enjoy the lively atmosphere, traditional music, local cuisine and countless photography opportunities. In the afternoon, return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 3: Irreecha Festival at Hora Arsadi Lake – Bishoftu

After breakfast, drive approximately one hour southeast to Bishoftu, the home of the main Irreecha celebration. Set beside the scenic Hora Arsadi Lake, this is the largest and most significant gathering of the Oromo Thanksgiving Festival, attracting visitors from across Ethiopia and around the world.  Spend the day immersed in traditional Oromo culture as elders offer blessings, community leaders conduct ceremonial prayers, and thousands of participants sing, dance, and celebrate in colorful traditional dress. Experience authentic Oromo hospitality, sample local foods, and learn about the cultural significance of this important annual festival. Before returning to Addis Ababa, enjoy a short visit to one of Bishoftu’s beautiful crater lakes.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 4: Addis Ababa – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy some free time for shopping at local handicraft markets or visiting artisan workshops if your departure schedule allows. Your guide will then transfer you to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your international flight, marking the end of an unforgettable cultural journey through Ethiopia’s most celebrated thanksgiving festival.

Tour Highlights

• Experience both official Irreecha Festival celebrations in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu
• Witness one of Africa’s largest cultural gatherings
• Learn about Oromo traditions, history, and cultural heritage
• Visit the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Mount Entoto
• Explore the beautiful crater lakes of Bishoftu
• Enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine and cultural performances
• Travel with an experienced English-speaking guide
• Comfortable private transportation throughout the tour

Best Time to Travel

This tour is designed around the annual Irreecha Festival, which is held during the first weekend of October, immediately after Ethiopia’s rainy season when the countryside is lush and green.