festivals-and-events-in-Lalibela, Ethiopia

Travel advisory, as of October 2026. Lalibela is in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel and the US government tells its citizens not to travel. Fighting has resumed across northern Ethiopia, flights to Lalibela have been suspended since 24 September 2026 with no restart date announced, and there is no safe overland route. Nothing described here can be booked now; this page describes the town for a future visit once advisories change. Read the FCDO advice and the US State Department before making any plans.

Festivals in Lalibela

Genna is on 7 January 2027 and Timkat on 19 January 2027, with the eve procession on 18 January. These are pilgrim festivals, and travellers should not plan around them until advisories change.

Lalibela’s population swells several-fold at Genna. The town depends on pilgrims and visitors returning.

Conduct

• Take shoes off at every church, cover shoulders and knees, and keep voices low. Women cover their heads. Ask before taking any photo, use no flash during prayer, and do not touch the carvings.
• Women may not enter Biete Golgotha.