Zuma Rock hosts Zuma Plein Air Week from 2 to 7 November
Published on 10/18/2026 at 07:26 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Zuma Rock will frame Zuma Plein Air Week from 2 to 7 November 2026 near Abuja, Nigeria. The outdoor painting convention places artists beneath the monolith for a programme that also includes public viewing and a closing exhibition.
Zuma Plein Air Week brings painting to Zuma Rock
The organiser describes the event as Nigeria’s first outdoor painting convention. Professional artists, emerging artists and cultural institutions are due to work from the landscape, with the programme moving between the rock and locations in Abuja.
The schedule begins on 2 November 2026 with artist arrival, registration and canvas stamping. On 3 November 2026, the Zuma Rock Paint-Out is planned at the base of the monolith, alongside masterclass demonstrations by Nigerian landscape painters. The programme continues with city and architecture work on 4 November and sunset and nocturne sessions on 5 November. The organiser’s programme gives the full sequence.
The monolith becomes the week’s first subject
The event’s opening outdoor session is tied directly to the rock rather than using it as a distant backdrop. Artists are scheduled to paint at its base on 3 November 2026, linking the first full day of work to the landmark’s monolithic form.
The landmark stands in Madalla, Niger State, north of Abuja, on one of the main approaches to the capital. It is a large igneous rock formation with a human-face contour on its surface. The location and that physical description are recorded by Independent Newspapers Nigeria. The event therefore offers a defined view of the formation at the point where its landscape and artistic programme meet.
Public viewing is scheduled before the closing exhibition
The programme adds a reader-facing moment on 6 November 2026. A Quick Draw competition is planned in a designated zone and is described as open to public viewing, while immediate judging is also scheduled.
On 7 November 2026, the Grand Exhibition and Gala is due to open the wet-paint exhibition. The programme also lists an awards ceremony, collector previews and a closing celebration. These items follow the earlier sessions in Abuja, where the event’s wider focus includes architecture and the city’s cultural landmarks.
Visiting Zuma Rock: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Zuma Plein Air Week runs from 2 to 7 November 2026 beneath Zuma Rock, with the paint-out at the base on 3 November 2026.
- Public viewing is specifically listed for the Quick Draw competition on 6 November 2026. The closing exhibition opens on 7 November 2026.
- The landmark is in Madalla, Niger State, north of Abuja. It lies on an approach to the capital, so the location should be distinguished from venues within central Abuja.
- The programme is built around outdoor work at the base of a monolithic rock formation. Visitors should expect an open landscape rather than an indoor gallery for the paint-out.
- English is Nigeria’s official language, and the national currency is the naira.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Zuma Rock on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Zuma Rock
When does Zuma Plein Air Week take place at Zuma Rock?
The event runs from 2 to 7 November 2026. Its Zuma Rock Paint-Out is scheduled for 3 November 2026.
What can visitors see at Zuma Rock on 6 November 2026?
The Quick Draw competition is scheduled for 6 November 2026 and is open to public viewing. The wet-paint exhibition opens on 7 November 2026.
Where is Zuma Rock and how do you get there?
The landmark is in Madalla, Niger State, north of Abuja, on an approach to Nigeria’s capital. The event page places the opening paint-out at the base of the monolith.
