Today marks the official opening of the 2025 National Arts Festival, a powerful showcase of South African creativity and one of the continent’s most anticipated cultural events. Over the next 11 days, the small town of Makhanda will once again become a national stage, welcoming thousands of artists, performers and art lovers for a celebration of bold expression, collaboration and imagination.
Now in its 51st year, the Festival enters a new era, building on five decades of fearless storytelling and artistic excellence while pushing further into the future of performance and participation.
From hard-hitting theatre to joyful dance, experimental music to thought-provoking installations, and the ever-vibrant Village Green, the National Arts Festival is once again ready to challenge, charm and connect.
50 Years of Legacy, and the Next Chapter Begins
After commemorating its golden milestone in 2024, the Festival steps confidently into its next chapter. What began in 1974 as a small gathering of classical performers has become a cornerstone of South African cultural life, known for hosting cutting-edge new work, launching careers, and giving space to voices that provoke and inspire.
At its heart, the Festival is a collective creation—built by artists, producers, curators, crew members, vendors, staff, partners, and audiences who continue to shape what it is and what it can become.
“The Festival’s role has always been more than entertainment,” say organisers. “It’s a space where we interrogate, heal, reflect and transform through the power of the arts.”
Eastern Cape, Global Reach
Rooted firmly in Makhanda—a town known for its history, resilience and creative energy—the Festival is both a hometown favourite and a global gathering. It has consistently brought together artists from all over South Africa and the world, becoming a launchpad for ideas and innovation.
Makhanda’s theatres, halls, galleries, churches and public spaces will once again be transformed into spaces of performance and conversation. Artists and audiences will meet face-to-face, and art—sometimes quiet, sometimes loud—will do what it does best: make us feel and think.
The Village Green, a beloved feature of the Festival, is back in full swing too, offering crafts, fashion, food, and free-flowing entertainment that adds texture and joy to the experience.
More Than Art: A Mirror to Our Time
The 2025 programme continues the Festival’s commitment to platforming diverse voices, urgent themes and boundary-pushing formats. Whether you’re drawn to protest theatre, avant-garde jazz, digital storytelling, stand-up comedy or visual art, this year’s lineup promises a little of everything—and a lot to think about.
With a world in flux, the Festival offers both escape and engagement: a chance to reflect on where we are and imagine where we might go next.
Festival Info at a Glance
- Dates: 26 June – 6 July 2025
- Where: Makhanda (Grahamstown), Eastern Cape
- Festival website: https://nationalartsfestival.co.za
- Visit info and programme: https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/visit
As the 2025 National Arts Festival begins, one thing is certain: the spirit of South African creativity is alive and thriving. For the artists who bring their stories, and the audiences ready to receive them, Makhanda is once again where it all comes together.
Let the festival begin.
(Picture: Between the Past and the Future BPF – Rhythmic emitted Fellas)
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