Zuma Rock hosts Plein Air Week from 2 to 7 November

Zuma Rock hosts Zuma Plein Air Week from 2 to 7 November 2026, bringing outdoor painting to the landmark near Abuja in Nigeria. The programme includes a dedicated paint-out at the base of the monolith on 3 November and a public viewing session on 6 November.

Zuma Plein Air Week puts the monolith at centre stage

The event is presented as Nigeria’s first outdoor painting convention. The organiser says professional artists, emerging talents and cultural institutions will work from the landscape around Abuja during the six-day programme.

The opening day on 2 November is reserved for artist arrivals and canvas stamping. On 3 November, the schedule moves to the Zuma Rock Paint-Out, described as a full day of painting at the base of the monolith, with demonstrations by Nigerian landscape painters. The programme then turns to Abuja’s city and architecture on 4 November, followed by sunset and nocturne sessions on 5 November. The organiser’s six-day programme ends on 7 November with an exhibition of wet paintings, an awards ceremony and a closing celebration.

The rock north of Abuja shapes outdoor painting

The event’s relationship with the landmark is more specific than a backdrop in the programme. The 3 November paint-out is planned at the base of Zuma Rock, making the rock itself the subject of direct observation before the artists move into Abuja for the following day’s city and architecture sessions.

The natural landmark is in Madalla, Niger State, north of Abuja, rather than in the city centre. Independent Newspaper describes it as a monolithic inselberg with a human-face formation and records its location along the northern approach to the Federal Capital Territory. The landmark’s location and form explain why the programme can combine a rural rock setting with later sessions in the Nigerian capital.

From the paint-out to the public viewing

The published schedule separates the artists’ work at the rock from the parts specifically described as public-facing. The Quick Draw Competition on 6 November is listed as open to public viewing and includes immediate judging in a designated zone. The closing exhibition on 7 November is described as displaying wet paintings, alongside awards and a closing celebration.

The organiser also lists the National Gallery of Art as an endorser and Alliance Française Nigeria as a cultural supporter. The programme’s stated focus is direct work from the landscape, with the rock serving as the clearest meeting point between the event’s art theme and the destination.

Visiting Zuma Rock: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Zuma Plein Air Week runs from 2 to 7 November 2026, with the Zuma Rock Paint-Out scheduled for 3 November at the base of the monolith.
• The organiser specifically lists public viewing for the Quick Draw Competition on 6 November; the published programme does not describe general visitor access for every session.
• The landmark is in Madalla, Niger State, north of Abuja, and the programme also includes sessions in Abuja on 4 November.
• The 3 November activity is an outdoor painting session at the base of a natural monolith, while the 6 November Quick Draw takes place in a designated zone.
• 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.

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Frequently asked questions about Zuma Rock

When does Zuma Plein Air Week take place at Zuma Rock?

The programme runs from 2 to 7 November 2026. Its dedicated Zuma Rock Paint-Out is scheduled for 3 November.

Where is Zuma Rock and how do you get there?

Zuma Rock is in Madalla, Niger State, north of Abuja. The event information links the landmark with Abuja, while the published programme does not specify a station or public transport route.

What is planned at Zuma Rock during the event?

Artists are scheduled to paint at the base of the monolith on 3 November, and the organiser lists a public viewing session for the Quick Draw Competition on 6 November.