The Royal Opera House gives itself over to this annual festival wholeheartedly. There's loads of unusual, participative and free stuff going on all around the building and it's a great opportunity for new visitors to step inside this prestigious opera house and see it as the welcoming, un-stuffy, exciting place it really is.
Daytime activities are free, from drumming, dance and storytelling workshops to al fresco film on the Piazza. Watch free performances by the fantastic Tavaziva Dance company or attend a recital by tenor Sipho Fubesi.
Friday evening's opening concert is by legendary drummer, composer and song writer Tony Allen and the Niaja Centric Orchestra "bringing the rousing sounds of Afrobeat to the Linbury Studio Theatre" with special guests Damon Albarn and Martina Topley Bird (tickets £25/£20) and Saturday night is club night with Radio 1Xtra DJ Edu playing hip hop, R&B, dancehall and garage (tickets £10/£12 on the door).
Africa Weekend is 31 August - 2 September at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. To attend free daytime events on Saturday and/or Sunday you must reserve tickets via the Royal Opera House website.
