Summer Tides 2026 came to a close after three days of music, beach parties and entertainment at Lost Beach Club in Malindi.
Held from July 2 to 4, the festival attracted thousands of revellers from across Kenya and beyond, reinforcing its reputation as one of Africa's biggest beach music festivals.
This year's edition, the first to be held in Malindi, featured a packed entertainment lineup.
Thursday's opening night saw performances by Redbone, Joe Mfalme, Azeezah, Foozak, Daochild and Creme de la Creme. Friday's programme featured Big Nyagz, City Girl, Wandat, Kaneda, Hiribae and Tina Ardor, while Saturday closed with G Money, MC Gogo, DJ Daffy, Chipi, Suraj, Tophaz, Kym Nickdee, Ruffest DJ Moh and Kasey.
Beyond the music, revellers enjoyed beach games, water sports, food courts, beach bars and Indian Ocean sunsets.
Hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues also benefited from the influx of visitors throughout the weekend.
Many attendees described the performances as the highlight of the festival.
"My favourite performance was G Money on Saturday," said Stacy, one of the revellers.
"The energy was unbelievable. Everyone was singing, dancing and enjoying the beach atmosphere. It was definitely the highlight of my weekend," she added.
Mike, another reveller, praised the diverse lineup.
"I loved Joe Mfalme's opening set, but Suraj completely stole the show for me on the final day. The music, the crowd and the sunset created the perfect ending to the festival," he said.
For Angel, relocating the festival to Malindi offered a fresh experience.
"The scenery was beautiful, and there was so much to do besides the music. From the beach activities to the food and meeting new people, it felt like a complete holiday. Tina Ardor's performance was my favourite because she really connected with the audience," she said.
"What stood out for me was how the festival brought people together. The DJs, beach games, sunset sessions and nightlife created an amazing atmosphere. DJ Daffy's set was my highlight because the energy never dropped," said Victor, a reveller.
Despite the vibrant atmosphere, some attendees raised concerns over accommodation shortages, inflated room rates, traffic congestion and long queues, as the record turnout stretched local infrastructure.
Founded in 2019 by Kenyan entrepreneur and DJ Kasey as a student-focused beach event, Summer Tides has grown into a multi-day festival produced by Airbeat Global.
It is now regarded as one of Africa's largest annual beach music festivals.
Unlike many coastal events staged during peak holiday periods, Summer Tides is held during Kenya's traditionally low tourism season under the #SayNoToLowSeason campaign.
The initiative seeks to boost business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators and small traders while promoting the Kenyan coast across Kilifi, Watamu and Malindi.