Cape Coast is gearing up for an even more electrifying cultural explosion as Afro Torch returns for its second edition from 24–26 December 2025. Conceived as a vibrant celebration of African heritage, creativity, spirituality and community, the festival is set to illuminate the Central Region with renewed energy—and its organisers say this year will be bigger, bolder and deeply immersive.
Following a highly successful maiden edition, the anticipation surrounding Afro Torch 2025 has been extraordinary. Preparations have stretched across continents with official launches in Ghana, South Africa and the United States, signalling its growing global appeal. The team has also completed two major activation campaigns featuring captivating performances by the Elmina Dance Academy and the Abura Dancers, igniting excitement among cultural enthusiasts both at home and abroad.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Michael Orleans, CEO of Torch Light Tours and lead organiser, said this year’s edition is designed to elevate the festival’s mission and impact.
“This year’s Afro Torch builds on the success of the maiden edition,” he said. “We are assuring all patrons of a better and more exciting experience. The event will provide a greater platform for creative and artistic expression while giving revellers a truly immersive encounter with our culture.”
Orleans emphasised that the festival remains committed to championing authentic African storytelling and preserving cultural memory, while also embracing innovation, tourism growth and Afrocentric unity.
“Afro Torch is more than an event—it is a movement,” he stressed. “We want people from across the continent and the diaspora to feel the heartbeat of Cape Coast, to reconnect with identity and to witness the beauty of our heritage in the most engaging way possible.”
Afro Torch 2025 promises a dynamic blend of cultural, historical and entertainment experiences across Cape Coast, Elmina and their surrounding communities. Over the three days, patrons will journey through some of Ghana’s most iconic heritage sites, beginning with a visit to the Assin Manso Slave River, where many enslaved Africans took their “Last Bath” before being transported across the Atlantic. Participants will also explore the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles (slave dungeons), immersing themselves in centuries of history and reflection.
In true celebratory spirit, the festival will host an All-Black Beach Party designed to highlight Afrocentric unity and expression, alongside a star-studded musical concert showcasing top talents and performers from Cape Coast and close communities. The itinerary also includes a memorable tour of Kakum National Park with its signature canopy walkway, complemented by a lively culture fair filled with traditional foods, crafts and textiles. Creative expression will further unfold through thought-provoking art installations, while diaspora attendees will have the opportunity to partake in traditional naming ceremonies—an emotional and symbolic reconnection with ancestral identity.
With its blend of history, music, art, nature and spiritual symbolism, Afro Torch’s ultimate aim is to position Cape Coast as a premier destination for heritage tourism. Organisers say the festival’s second edition will strengthen its identity as a landmark event that unites people through shared heritage.
As Orleans put it: “Afro Torch is here to stay. Each year, we aim to give the world a reason to come home—and to feel at home.”