Music stars Winky D and Nutty O delivered some of the standout performances at the Castle Lager National Braai Day Festival, which drew thousands of music, braai and drink lovers to Glamis Arena in Harare on Saturday, October 17, for this annual record breaking big braai celebration.
The 2026 edition of the annual festival blended Zimbabwe’s popular braai culture with live music, bringing together established performers, emerging artistes and music lovers for a day-long event that stretched into the night and the early hours of Sunday.
Among the major attractions was Nutty O, whose set featured prominently in post-event coverage. The contemporary musician, known for his energetic delivery and popular sing-along songs, was part of a line-up that sustained the festival’s lively atmosphere. His performance contributed to a programme that appealed to audiences across different musical tastes, reinforcing the growing presence of younger performers at major entertainment events.
Nutty O shared the stage with a strong collection of local talent, including dancehall musicians, urban grooves artistes and DJs, giving the festival a broad musical identity rather than confining it to a single genre. Other performers included Ex-Q, Enzo Ishalland Queen Kadijah while a supporting DJ line-up kept the entertainment flowing between live sets.
Two of the festival’s rising female artistes, Atenda Chinx and Tammy Moyo, commanded the stage and delivered an impressive performance, winning the approval of the crowd and underlining the depth of emerging talent on the programme.
Dancehall heavyweight Winky D, popularly known as the Gafa, provided one of the festival’s most memorable moments when he took to the stage in the early hours of Sunday. He held the attention of a massive audience, showing his ability to turn a concert into a collective musical experience.
In one of the evening’s highlights, Winky D played the introductions to popular songs and then handed the choruses to the crowd. Thousands of fans sang along, transforming the set into a mass chorus that underlined the enduring popularity of his music. The moment showcased his gift for connecting with audiences through familiar songs and a performance style that invites participation rather than passive observation.
His appearance was also visually striking. Dressed in a red-and-black stage outfit, complete with a red fedora and patterned jacket, he performed against colourful concert lighting and a crowd illuminated by mobile-phone screens.
The performance reinforced his standing as one of Zimbabwe’s prominent live entertainers, particularly within the local dancehall scene, where audience engagement and familiarity with popular tracks remain key ingredients of a successful show.
While Winky D’s crowd-engaging set emerged as a defining moment of the night, Nutty O and other younger performers also featured strongly in post-event assessments. The presence of emerging musicians alongside established stars illustrated the range of talent within Zimbabwe’s music industry and the importance of major festivals as platforms for exposure. For performers, the gathering offered access to large audiences, while newer acts had the chance to share a programme with established names.
The 2026 festival also highlighted the role of DJs and supporting performers in sustaining the momentum of a large-scale music event.
Beyond the headline acts, Castle Lager National Braai Day offered revellers an opportunity to enjoy food, drinks and social interaction in an outdoor festival environment. The event ran under the theme “Live It. Feel It. Share It.”, reflecting the organisers’ emphasis on shared experiences, music and Zimbabwe’s longstanding tradition of gathering around the fire to prepare food.
One addition to this year’s programme was Castle Braai O’Clock, an interactive afternoon activation featuring the Ultimate Braai Master competition and other activities designed to involve attendees in the festivities. The initiative sought to make braai culture an active part of the entertainment, with competitions and prizes complementing the musical performances.
Castle braai organisers also allowed empty cooler boxes into the venue and provided free ice, adding to the relaxed outdoor atmosphere. The event was restricted to adults aged 18 and above.
The combination of food, music and social activities helped position the festival as more than a conventional concert, drawing together different strands of Zimbabwean leisure culture.
As the celebrations wound down in the early hours of Sunday, the Castle Lager National Braai Day Festival had once again demonstrated the pull of pairing live Zimbabwean music with the country’s cherished braai tradition. With Winky D’s memorable sing-along moments, Nutty O’s contribution and a diverse line-up of supporting artistes, the Glamis Arena gathering offered a showcase of Zimbabwean entertainment and the continuing appeal of large-scale lifestyle festivals.
