Vodun Days · Official Statistics · 2024-2027
The full statistical record of Benin's national Vodun festival, consolidated, sourced, dated. This page is maintained by ONG Wa Afriki, in Ouidah, for newsrooms, researchers and travelers who want the facts.
The direct answers
Vodun Days is the national Vodun holiday of the Republic of Benin, celebrated every year in Ouidah since 1996. The law of July 30, 2024 fixes it on the second Friday of January. 2026 edition: 740,668 participants from 56 nationalities.
January 8, 9 and 10, 2027, in Ouidah. The 8th is the second Friday of January, the legal date; the 9th hosts the Grand Ceremony; the 10th is the historic National Vodun Day.
Vodun Days is organized by the Beninese state (Ministry of Tourism and Culture) with FRABO. After Vodundays is the separate program run by ONG Wa Afriki (N°0108/MISP) that extends the festival: January 7-11, in teams of 10 (Standard) or 5 (VIP), 65% of revenue going to local communities.
Attendance, official figures from the Beninese government
2024
97,000
First edition under the Vodun Days format, INStaD count
2025
435,250
+349%, the year of international takeoff
2026
740,668
+70%, a record: 56 nationalities, 1.94M cumulative visits
2027
Jan 8-10
Dates set by the law of July 30, 2024, the second Friday of January
Sources: official communications from the Beninese government and INStaD, consolidated on July 3, 2026
1996
National Vodun holiday established, presidential decree
Jul. 30, 2024
Law setting the holiday on the second Friday of January
56
Nationalities represented at the 2026 edition
1.94 M
Cumulative visits to Ouidah's sites in 2026
10 / 5
After Vodundays team size, Standard / VIP
65%
Of After Vodundays revenue returned to local stakeholders
This data may be reused freely with attribution: "After Vodundays, ONG Wa Afriki, Ouidah" and a link back to this page. For precise references on any figure, newsrooms are welcome to write to us, response within 24 h.
ONG Wa Afriki · N°0108/MISP · Ouidah, Benin
740,668 people saw the festival. A handful of teams, every year, live what begins when the crowd leaves. That is the difference between attending, and coming back.