Bénin Tourisme announced that Vodun Days 2027 will take place from 2 January to 9 January 2027 in Ouidah. As part of the event preparations, the organization opened applications for restaurateurs to participate in the food court. Interested applicants may submit their documentation starting 15 October 2026. The registration window closes on 10 November 2026 at 17:30.
Growth of Vodun Days
Attendance figures for Vodun Days have expanded significantly since the inaugural event. The first edition of the festival in January 2024 recorded nearly 100,000 participants. Attendance growth continued in 2025, when the event attracted more than 435,000 visitors.
Official data from INStaD confirms that the 2026 edition, held from 8 January to 10 January 2026, reached 740,668 participants. This final figure represented a 70.2% increase compared to the previous year.
Application Requirements and Process
Bénin Tourisme requires all food court participants to be legally established entities within Bénin. Applicants must submit a complete set of documentation to verify their business status and compliance with national regulations.
Required materials include a current Identifiant Fiscal Unique (IFU) and a valid Registre de Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier (RCCM) document. Businesses must also provide official tax attestations and social security filings to confirm their standing with the relevant authorities. These documents ensure that all vendors operating within the event space meet the legal standards set for commercial participants in Ouidah.
Bénin Tourisme will evaluate each submission based on the completeness and accuracy of these filings. Failure to provide the full set of required documentation by the 10 November 2026 deadline will result in an automatic rejection of the application. The organization manages the selection process to maintain compliance for all services provided at the festival.
Operational Standards and Conventions
Selected restaurateurs must sign a convention with Bénin Tourisme to formalize their participation in the event. This agreement mandates strict adherence to a specific set of requirements established by the organization to ensure consistent standards across the food court.
Vendors are obligated to follow defined protocols regarding menu pricing and food quality throughout the festival duration. These measures aim to maintain the service standards expected by attendees gathering at Place Maro. Bénin Tourisme monitors compliance with these contractual terms to ensure that all participating businesses operate according to the regulations set for the 2027 edition. Failure to observe the agreed-upon standards may result in the termination of a vendor's participation status. The convention serves as the primary regulatory instrument for managing food operations during the event in Ouidah.