×

Côte d’Ivoire🇨🇮 | festivalsMASAPan-African performing arts market, Treichville, MASA Off, biennial | things to do and best time to go

Explore Fêtes des ignamesExplore Carnival of Bouaké

Backpacking in MASA
🌟 Highlightfestival ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Somewhere behind the Palais de la Culture a drummer warms his skins over a flame, and Treichville smells of diesel, grilled fish and lagoon damp. Inside, a kora player runs a soundcheck while a dance troupe sweats in the corridor. This is MASA, the pan-African performing arts market in Abidjan, in the south of Côte d’Ivoire, across the lagoon from Plateau. Dance, music, theater, storytelling and puppetry fill about a week. Programmers and artists do the deals, but travelers are welcome. Traffic on the bridges can double a taxi fare and eat an hour, so leave early. Shows start late, so keep evenings loose. Rooms near Treichville fill fast, so book early. Before going, confirm the dates, because MASA is held every two years.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Côte d’Ivoire Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 festival in Côte d’IvoireThe unique appeal for travelers

MASA gathers performers from across the continent in one Abidjan neighborhood, and that concentration is the whole argument. You can watch a Sahelian griot, a Central African dance company and a Francophone theater troupe in a single day without changing cities. Most of the week is free or cheap, which beats any comparable African festival circuit where each act means a new border and a new ticket. The Palais de la Culture in Treichville acts as a meeting point, so you end up talking to musicians in the courtyard between shows, and a few conversations turn into invitations to concerts in Dakar, Bamako or Kinshasa. The biennial schedule makes it easy to plan around, and the early-in-the-year timing fits a West Africa loop through Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali. French helps a lot here, but music and dance need no translation.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Palais de la Culture Bernard B. Dadié: The main hub in Treichville, with a large hall, outdoor spaces and a steady flow of artists, buyers and spectators. Start here to get your bearings and pick up the programme.
  2. Official showcase performances: Selected companies present short, polished sets in front of programmers, so the quality is high and the pace is brisk. Dance and music pieces from different regions run back to back.
  3. Professional meetings and exhibition spaces: Stands and encounters where artists, managers and cultural agencies trade contacts. Wander through for instruments, costumes and conversations you will not find at a normal concert.
  4. MASA Off performances around Abidjan: Side shows in bars, cultural centers and open spaces take the festival beyond the main venue. They are looser
… read more 👉
  1. Palais de la Culture Bernard B. Dadié: The main hub in Treichville, with a large hall, outdoor spaces and a steady flow of artists, buyers and spectators. Start here to get your bearings and pick up the programme.
  2. Official showcase performances: Selected companies present short, polished sets in front of programmers, so the quality is high and the pace is brisk. Dance and music pieces from different regions run back to back.
  3. Professional meetings and exhibition spaces: Stands and encounters where artists, managers and cultural agencies trade contacts. Wander through for instruments, costumes and conversations you will not find at a normal concert.
  4. MASA Off performances around Abidjan: Side shows in bars, cultural centers and open spaces take the festival beyond the main venue. They are looser and more local, and often where you will find the most surprising acts.
  5. Evening concerts: Night sets bring the crowds, with Ivorian and visiting bands playing everything from coupé-décalé to traditional rhythms. Bring cash for drinks, and expect late starts and dancing in the aisles.
MASA is easy to dip into for two or three days, but a full week lets you cover the showcases, side events and nights out without rushing.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near MASA

Découverte Bini Lagune

Découverte Bini Lagune

4.6(49)
From €150
per personViator
Abidjan Walking Tour (French and English)

Abidjan Walking Tour (French and English)

4.3(46) 2h
From €61
per personViator
Abidjan and Grand Bassam A Tour of Two Cities

Abidjan and Grand Bassam A Tour of Two Cities

4.8(21) 7h
From €163
per personViator
Alternative City Tour

Alternative City Tour

4.4(19)
From €29
per personViator
Grand Bassam City Tour & Workshop

Grand Bassam City Tour & Workshop

4.7(15) 4h
From €98
per personViator
Private Tour of Abidjan

Private Tour of Abidjan

4.5(15)
From €195
per personViator
Our Lady of Peace Basilica Yamoussoukro Private Tour

Our Lady of Peace Basilica Yamoussoukro Private Tour

5.0(5)
From €254
per personViator
Yamoussoukro - Largest Cathedral in the World (Francais or English)

Yamoussoukro - Largest Cathedral in the World (Francais or English)

4.8(4)
From €600
per personViator
Hippos Watching Tour

Hippos Watching Tour

4.0(3) 7h
From €250
per personViator
8-Day Cultural and Historical Ivory Coast Tour

8-Day Cultural and Historical Ivory Coast Tour

5.0(1) 192h
From €4,800
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of MASA?

MASA (Marché des Arts du Spectacle d’Abidjan) is a biennial performing arts market held in Abidjan, usually in early March, lasting about one week, with main venues at the Palais de la Culture in Treichville and other stages around the city.
  • Best days: The opening parade and first weekend carry the most energy, with big concerts and crowded showcases. Midweek days are calmer, so you can see more shows and talk to artists.
  • Weather: Expect hot, humid days around 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), warm nights near 25°C (77°F) and occasional showers. Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen, a refillable bottle and breathable clothes.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead. Rates in Treichville, Marcory and Plateau can climb 20 to 40 percent during the festival.
  • Crowds and roads: Traffic across the Houphouët-Boigny
… read more 👉
MASA (Marché des Arts du Spectacle d’Abidjan) is a biennial performing arts market held in Abidjan, usually in early March, lasting about one week, with main venues at the Palais de la Culture in Treichville and other stages around the city.
  • Best days: The opening parade and first weekend carry the most energy, with big concerts and crowded showcases. Midweek days are calmer, so you can see more shows and talk to artists.
  • Weather: Expect hot, humid days around 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), warm nights near 25°C (77°F) and occasional showers. Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen, a refillable bottle and breathable clothes.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead. Rates in Treichville, Marcory and Plateau can climb 20 to 40 percent during the festival.
  • Crowds and roads: Traffic across the Houphouët-Boigny and De Gaulle bridges jams badly from late afternoon. Cross the lagoon before 4 pm and leave shows early or late.
Arrive the day before the opening so you can collect accreditation without rushing.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCôte d’Ivoire Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Côte d’Ivoire
The digital guide (279 pages) contains:
✅ 64 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Treichville is the most practical base, because the Palais de la Culture, the main MASA venue, sits right there and you can walk to many shows. It is lively, loud and full of maquis (open-air restaurants), and it is easy to meet artists and fellow travelers. Take taxis after dark rather than walking late.

Marcory is a short ride away and calmer. It has a lot of small guesthouses and apartment rentals, plus supermarkets and cafes for slower mornings. It suits solo travelers who want quiet sleep after long festival nights, and shared taxis connect it quickly to Treichville.

Plateau, the business … read more 👉
Treichville is the most practical base, because the Palais de la Culture, the main MASA venue, sits right there and you can walk to many shows. It is lively, loud and full of maquis (open-air restaurants), and it is easy to meet artists and fellow travelers. Take taxis after dark rather than walking late.

Marcory is a short ride away and calmer. It has a lot of small guesthouses and apartment rentals, plus supermarkets and cafes for slower mornings. It suits solo travelers who want quiet sleep after long festival nights, and shared taxis connect it quickly to Treichville.

Plateau, the business district, puts you near some venues and offers the safest streets at night, though it is quiet after office hours and mostly pricier. It makes sense if you want orderly surroundings and easy bridge access.

Cocody, especially around Riviera and Deux Plateaux, has a young, social crowd with bars, restaurants and rooms in private homes. It is farther from the main stages, so budget for a ride across the lagoon, and avoid the evening rush when bridges clog.

Whichever area you choose, book early, since rooms near the venues disappear first.
Best hostels in Côte d’Ivoire


Best quality hotels in Côte d’Ivoire

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

MASA costs a backpacker roughly €0 to 15 a day in Abidjan, with a total daily budget of about €60 for a mid-range week.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival tickets€0 to 15Many showcases and street events are free or low-cost. Headline concerts at the Palais de la Culture can cost a bit more, and accreditation for professionals is priced separately.
Accommodation€15 to 30 (low season), €25 to 45 (high season)Simple rooms and guesthouses in Treichville or Marcory fill early, and prices rise during the festival.
Local transport€3 to 8Shared taxis (woro-woro) cost under €1 per ride, while private taxis across the lagoon cost about €3 to 8 depending on traffic and bargaining.
Food & drinks€8 to 15Garba and grilled fish at maquis cost €1.50 to 5, and a large beer about €1.50 to 2.50.
Miscellaneous
… read more 👉
MASA costs a backpacker roughly €0 to 15 a day in Abidjan, with a total daily budget of about €60 for a mid-range week.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival tickets€0 to 15Many showcases and street events are free or low-cost. Headline concerts at the Palais de la Culture can cost a bit more, and accreditation for professionals is priced separately.
Accommodation€15 to 30 (low season), €25 to 45 (high season)Simple rooms and guesthouses in Treichville or Marcory fill early, and prices rise during the festival.
Local transport€3 to 8Shared taxis (woro-woro) cost under €1 per ride, while private taxis across the lagoon cost about €3 to 8 depending on traffic and bargaining.
Food & drinks€8 to 15Garba and grilled fish at maquis cost €1.50 to 5, and a large beer about €1.50 to 2.50.
Miscellaneous expenses€3 to 8Mobile data, small tips, water, sunscreen and handicraft purchases at the market.
Total Daily Budget€54 to 106About €60 for a mid-range day, assuming a shared room and mostly street food.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Around MASA, food is Abidjan street cooking at its most sociable. Stalls and nearby maquis grill braised fish (often tilapia or carp) and chicken over charcoal, served with onions, tomato and fiery pepper sauce. Pair it with attiéké, the fine steamed cassava couscous, or alloco, fried ripe plantain, crisp and sweet at the edges.

For something quick between shows, look for garba, fried tuna with attiéké, a cheap, filling lunch beloved by locals at roughly €1.50 to 3. Kedjenou, a slow-cooked chicken stew, shows up in sit-down spots and is worth a proper evening. Snack on brochettes (grilled meat skewers) and fresh fruit like pineapple and mango from vendors outside the venues.

Drinks are simple and cold. Try bissap (hibiscus), gnamakoudji (ginger juice) and local beers like Bock or Flag, usually … read more 👉
Around MASA, food is Abidjan street cooking at its most sociable. Stalls and nearby maquis grill braised fish (often tilapia or carp) and chicken over charcoal, served with onions, tomato and fiery pepper sauce. Pair it with attiéké, the fine steamed cassava couscous, or alloco, fried ripe plantain, crisp and sweet at the edges.

For something quick between shows, look for garba, fried tuna with attiéké, a cheap, filling lunch beloved by locals at roughly €1.50 to 3. Kedjenou, a slow-cooked chicken stew, shows up in sit-down spots and is worth a proper evening. Snack on brochettes (grilled meat skewers) and fresh fruit like pineapple and mango from vendors outside the venues.

Drinks are simple and cold. Try bissap (hibiscus), gnamakoudji (ginger juice) and local beers like Bock or Flag, usually served in large bottles meant for sharing.

Cash is king, in small notes, and payments are made in the local currency. Pepper is serious, so ask for sauce on the side. Lines are informal, so catch the vendor’s eye and call out your order. Eating from shared bowls with new friends is normal, and choosing busy stalls is the safest bet.

FAQTraveler FAQ

MASA is held every two years in Abidjan, normally in early March, and runs for about one week. Main venues include the Palais de la Culture in Treichville, with additional stages around the city. Check the exact dates a few months ahead, since the schedule can shift between editions.
Attending MASA can be cheap, with many shows free and ticketed concerts typically costing around €0 to 15. A backpacker budget in Abidjan runs about €40 to 75 a day including a bed at €25 to 45 during the festival. Meals at street stalls cost €1.50 to 5, and taxis across the lagoon about €3 to 8.
For MASA, tickets are not usually needed far in advance, since many performances are free or sold at the venue on the day. Bigger concerts at the Palais de la Culture may sell out, so buy a few days ahead where possible. The thing to book early is your bed, ideally three to four weeks before the festival in Treichville, Marcory or Plateau.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ivorian festivals near MASA

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Côte d’Ivoire including MASA and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Côte d’Ivoire has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Côte d’Ivoire
Country photo of Côte d’Ivoire
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

MASA rewards four or five days, enough to see the showcases, chase the side shows and still have a free afternoon in Treichville. A single day only gives you the crowds. I would book a room in Treichville or Marcory, carry small cash, and keep your final night free for whatever concert everyone is whispering about.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Côte d’Ivoire. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story