Curtain Up on the 45th National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival is taking place in Makhanda (formally known as Grahamstown) from the 27th of June to the 7th of July.

What is showing?

Click HERE to download the full festival programme.

How To Book?

Click HERE to select and book shows.

According to the National Arts Festival website, " The Festival traces its origins to back to 1974 when the 1820 Settlers National Monument was officially opened. Conceived as a living memorial to the 1820 British settlers, and built on a hillside overlooking Makhanda, the Monument building housed the inaugural festival that same year. It has effectively remained the heart of the Festival since then. Following a fire in 1994, it was rebuilt and officially re-dedicated by Nelson Mandela in May 1996"

Now in its 45th year, the festival runs over 11 days in about 90 different venues.

The festival celebrates an array of art forms presented by South Africans and selected international performers.

The festivals key programme consists of two main programmes:

The Main

"The Main Programme showcases curated works that have been selected by an Artistic Committee after a lengthy application and consideration period." - NAF Website

The Fringe

" The Fringe, with is diverse mix of works across genres, is on an equal footing with the Main programme." - NAF Website

There are over 500 productions on the festivals programme this year. Festival goers and artists are guaranteed to have an incredible time exploring what South Africa has to offer.