Nairobi is the Arts and Entertainment hub of East and Central Africa. So, if you love art and entertainment this is the place to be. With numerous cinemas, galleries, museums, clubs and cultural centres, your hunger for art and entertainment will always be satiated. Due to the numerous numbers of entertainment spots in Nairobi. I have made a “Top 10 Arts and Entertainment Spots in Nairobi” list with a diverse selection of art and entertainment spots. This will help you out the next time you want to have fun out in the city.
1) IMAX Kenya
This is the first on my list because everyone loves movies. And IMAX screens their movies on the biggest screens and loudest speakers in the country. IMAX Cinemas are undoubtedly the best cinemas in the world, and the two IMAX Theatres in Nairobi are not an exception. At IMAX you get a chance to catch the latest blockbusters in a relaxing environment that was specifically designed to ensure you’ll have the best movie experience possible. There are two IMAX theatres in Kenya, one in the 20th Century Building along Mama Ngina Street and one in Garden City Mall.
2) Nairobi National Museum
Nairobi National Museum is located on Museum Hill, about a 10-minute drive from the Nairobi CBD. This is the flagship museum of the National Museums of Kenya. Therefore, it showcases all the best artwork and historical artefacts owned by the Kenyan National Government. Other than the art gallery and exhibitions, Nairobi National Museum has other attractions such as the botanical gardens and nature trail, and shopping and dining facilities.
3) Dance Centre Kenya
If you enjoy dancing and watching dance performances, then a visit to Dance Centre Kenya should be on your itinerary. Dance Centre Kenya offers a variety of dance classes at its 3 locations including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, yoga, musical theatre, pilates, capoeira, Zumba, kizomba, African jazz, salsa and gymnastics. Dance Centre Kenya also organizes galas, musical performances and dance performances at Kenya National Theatre and other locations around Nairobi. This closes out the top 3 of my Top 10 Arts and Entertainment Spots in Nairobi list.
4) Bomas of Kenya
Boma is the Swahili word for homestead. And Bomas of Kenya was built to showcase traditional villages and homesteads belonging to Kenyan communities. Bomas of Kenya hosts daily traditional Kenyan music and dances and is the best place to witness these performances for lovers of traditional Kenyan music. Bomas of Kenya is home to one of the largest auditoriums in Africa, which was built with acoustics in mind. Thus, making it perfect for listening to live music performed by traditional musicians.
5) Kenya National Archives
Located right in the middle of the Nairobi Central Business District, the Kenya National Archives building holds numerous records and artefacts of national importance to Kenya. This is the best place to visit if you love history, as all the records imaginable are found here. There are thousands of photos of historical significance present within this imposing yet beautiful building. The Murumbi Art Gallery is located within this building and holds art and artefacts sold by Joseph Murumbi (2nd vice president of Kenya) to the Archives. National Archives of Kenya also has Audio Visual collections which are accessible to the public. The National Archives of Kenya is a treasure trove of art, artefacts and information and there is always something mind-blowing to discover within this building.
6) Nairobi Gallery
The Nairobi Gallery is located on the Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway intersection in Nairobi city. This building was fondly referred to as “Hatches, Matches and Dispatches” as it was the Old PC’s office and births, marriages and deaths were recorded here. The building is presently a national monument due to its historical significance and is in itself a work of art. It is divided into 6 main rooms, each containing a different collection of art and artefacts. It is also Point Zero from which all distances were measured in Kenya. The Murumbi African Heritage Collection is also hosted here. Nairobi Gallery contains Sheila Murumbi’s stamp collection. Which by the time of her death in 2000 was said to rival that of the Queen of England.
7) Anselm’s Kitengela Hot Glass
If you love glass art you need to make a visit to Anselm’s Kitengela Hot Glass. Located on the edge of Nairobi National Park along Masai Lodge Road, where you get to view the artisans blow glass and create their masterpieces live. Kitengela Hot Glass is located within a planetarium that was built by Anselm and his first local artisans, who started out as masons then became, he’s first apprentices in glass blowing. The history behind this glass studio is really interesting and adds to the experience. And this is why it has made it to my Top 10 Arts and Entertainment Spots in Nairobi list.
8) Polka Dot Art Gallery
Polka Dot Art Gallery is a gallery located in the leafy suburbs of Karen. It showcases art from East African artists and select international artists. Despite being a new gallery Polka Dot Art Gallery has built a name for itself and holds regular openings of different artists. Polka Dot Art Gallery exhibits all kinds of art pieces including photography, paintings, sculptures and prints.
9) Kenya Cultural Centre – Kenya National Theatre
If you love watching plays, then a visit to the Kenya National Theatre should be top on your to-do-list. Located on Harry Thuku Road in Nairobi, this 345-seater modern auditorium with 67 Balcony seats is home to the best theatrical performances in the country. Here you get a chance to watch creative processes and performances covering drama, live musical concerts, physical theatre, images projection, dance and movement.
10) Karen Blixen Museum
Located in the house of Karen Blixen, author of the autobiographical New York Times Best Seller “Out of Africa”, and the winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture “Out of Africa” starring Oscar winner Meryl Streep. This museum is filled with a lot of history surrounding the autobiographical novel and movie “Out of Africa”. Because of this, it is a popular tourist attraction among fans of both the movie and novel. A lot of original décor and film props are in the house. The 4500-acre farm on which the museum (then a farmhouse) is located, was later divided into plots and sold. Forming the now upscale leafy suburb of Karen. However, most of the film was filmed in Blixen’s first farmhouse in Mbagathi nearby. Where she lived between 1914 and 1917.
These closes out my Top 10 Arts and Entertainment Spots in Nairobi list.
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I’m a 25-year-old adrenaline junkie from Nairobi. I love travelling, attending music festivals and hiking. You can always find me at K1 Klub House playing pool and enjoying a drink with my friends.
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