Festival Tips
Etiquette and good manners
The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees is an inclusive melting pot of opinions, backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. We create a platform with the hope and aim of finding and celebrating unity – and one another – through diverse expression and our shared experiences. In the spirit of our festival theme, Share, we ask that you respect fellow festivalgoers and engage with differing views in a constructive way.
Please switch off your mobile phone before all shows, leave the baby and the dog with the sitter, visit the restroom before you take your seat, and share your stories and opinions once the show has ended. No latecomers are admitted to performances. Food stalls and cash bars are available at most venues. Please support our suppliers. Your own food and drink is not permitted in venues. Allow at least 30 minutes to purchase refreshments and drinks before shows.
Stay on top of things
Follow the Woordfees on Facebook, Instagram or our WhatsApp channel, and subscribe to our newsletter. Visit our website for information, updates, additional shows, programme changes and news. You can also enjoy our festival newspaper, INK, featuring reviews, profiles and commentary, free of charge during the festival at woordfees.co.za.
Electricity
Power schedules can change at very short notice. The Woordfees uses generators in most venues and shows continue when the power goes out. Shows will rarely be cancelled or postponed due to load shedding. Shows will rarely be cancelled or postponed due to load shedding.
Cashless with Standard Bank
The Woordfees is a cashless festival. The Woordfees is a cashless festival. Pay with any debit or credit card, or use SnapScan.
Toyota Shuttle Service and Koch Street Parking
Stellenbosch is an old town with narrow streets and very limited parking. Allow enough time to get from one show to another.
Koch Street Parking:
R25 per day | R100 for the full festival
Toyota Shuttle Service:
R60 per day | R250 for the full festival
*Children under 12 travel free on the shuttle.
Tickets available via Quicket or at Kochstraat/Ryneveld.
Shuttle contact: 072 752 3194
Wheelchair reservations
With the exception of one space, all of the Woordfees venues are equipped for people in wheelchairs. Only the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is not accessible to wheelchairs. It is essential to make arrangements in advance for assistance with access and especially parking on 079 256 0398.
Weather
October is spring, and Stellenbosch can be warm during the day. Bring a sun hat and sunscreen, and remember to drink plenty of water. Even when the days are warm, temperatures can drop quickly once the sun sets. Bring warm clothing or a blanket for outdoor performances.
Woordtrofees Awards
A panel of experts attends performances throughout the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees to recognise outstanding artists and productions across 30 subcategories. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in November.
Emergency numbers
Emergency services from any cell phone: 112
Netcare: 082 911
ER24: 084 124
Mediclinic Stellenbosch (ongevalle): 021 861 2094
Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital (emergency): 021 808 6100
Campus Health: 021 808 3494/6
SU Campus Security (emergency):
021 808 2333
Stellenbosch Municipality Emergency
24/7: 021 808 8890
Stellenbosch Fire Department: 021 808 8888
SAPD
Emergencies (national): 10111 Stellenbosch: 021 809 5000 / 5015 / 5012
Woordfees Office (general enquiries): 079 256 0398 | navrae@woordfees.co.za
Wheelchair Reservations: 079 256 0398
Festival Rules
Tickets | Customer Service
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In accordance with the festival and Quicket’s policy, no refunds are possible, unless a production is cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
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Once a show has commenced, doors will be closed, and no latecomers will be permitted to enter. Applicable to all ticketed venues, excluding the Jan Marais Nature Reserve and After Party (Conservatorium Amphitheatre).
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No children under the age of 18 are allowed at The Daisy Jones Bar without parental supervision.
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For inquiries regarding your tickets, email support@quicket or dial 021 424 9308.
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Admission for children under the age of 7 is free at the Jan Marais Nature Reserve.
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In the case of a production being cancelled or a venue change, Quicket will contact you in advance via email or SMS.
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Sometimes performances may have to be cancelled or may not be completed. In such cases, you will receive communication from Quicket outlining the arrangements for your refund.
Refunds are only issued if a performance is cancelled in advance or within the first 30 minutes. -
Once you have paid for a ticket, it cannot be exchanged for another performance, but only for the same performance on a different date.
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When a production is in progress, no one may leave the venue, except in the case of children’s theatre productions.
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Client Services will be available at the festival office at Erfurthuis, 37 Ryneveldt Street.
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Please do not hesitate to email us with any inquiries at navrae@woordfees.co.za.
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The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees is a cashless festival. Pay with any debit or credit card, or use SnapScan.
- The Spier Amphitheatre is not a theatre venue this year. Spier is merely the sponsor of the festival’s theatre programme. Please check your ticket for the performance location. The correct venues are also indicated in the festival guide.
Access to performances
- A valid ticket, either in physical or digital format, is required for entry to all events and productions.
- Please have your ticket ready to be scanned at the entrance of each venue.
- Once a ticket has been scanned, it cannot be used again for re-entry to the same event.
- Except for performances at the Jan Marais Nature Reserve and The Daisy Jones Bar, all venue doors close when the performance begins and latecomers will not be admitted.
- Except for children’s theatre, no exiting and re-entry during a performance is allowed.
- No children under the age of 18 are allowed at The Daisy Jones Bar without parental supervision.
- Admission for children under the age of 7 is free at the Jan Marais Nature Reserve.
- Food or drinks not purchased at the venue are not allowed into the venue.
- The Spier Amphitheatre is not a theatre venue this year. Spier is merely the sponsor of the festival’s theatre programme. Please check your ticket for the performance location. The correct venues are also indicated in the festival guide.
Toyota Shuttle Service | Traffic
- Use of the Toyota Shuttle Service at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees (“Woordfees”) is at your own risk and you indemnify the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees and the driver from any responsibility for any injury to yourself, property damage, loss of your belongings, or liability that may occur whilst making use of the shuttle service.
- Parking is extremely limited during the festival week. Make sure you purchase your parking or shuttle ticket in advance and plan carefully to arrive at your performance on time.
Patrons:
- Pendelkaartjie word vereis: Alle feesgangers moet ’n geldige daag- of weekkaartjies om te pendel toon vir
Shuttle ticket required: All patrons must present a valid day or week ticket for access to this service. General festival accreditation is not a valid ticket for shuttle access. - Right of admission is reserved: Anyone displaying disruptive or intoxicated behavior may be denied entry.
- Queueing: Please wait in the designated shuttle queueing area and board in an orderly fashion.
- Instructions: Follow all instructions from the shuttle driver and festival staff.
Artists and crew:
- Artist accreditation: Artists and crew using the shuttle service are required to display their accreditation for access.
- No accreditation, no access: If you do not have your accreditation, you will be required to purchase a day or week ticket to use the service.
On-board conduct:
- Respectful behaviour: Please be respectful to the driver, festival staff, and all fellow passengers.
- Remain seated: Please remain seated while the shuttle is in motion. Do not stand in the aisles or block the doors.
- Personal belongings: Keep all personal belongings on your lap or under the seat. Do not block the aisles with large bags, coolers, or other items.
- No smoking: Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vapes, is strictly prohibited in all vehicles.
Prohibited items: No weapons, illegal substances, or glass containers are permitted on board.
Traffic and parking:
• Use designated parking areas only and follow all traffic instructions from our teams.
• Directions: Please follow all directional, safety and information signage throughout the festival grounds and at venues.
Spaar Bar
- At the Spaar Bar you can buy half-price tickets for certain performances taking place within four hours. For example, if you are at the Spaar Bar at 9:00, you can buy half-price tickets for certain performances until 13:00 that day.
- The Spaar Bar is open from 3 to 11 October, 09:00–16:00, at Erfurthuis, 37 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, or online via Quicket.
- This offer excludes lifestyle items where food and drinks are served.
- Applicable only on selected productions.
- Discounts do not apply to tickets purchased at other festival venues.
- Time management is important to avoid disappointment due to long queues.
Lost property
All lost property must either be handed to the venue manager of the venue where it was found or submitted at the Woordfees Office at Erfurthuis. If you have lost something, please inquire either at the venue or at Erfurthuis.
Alcoholic beverages
- No person under the age of 18 is permitted to consume or purchase alcohol. ID checks will be conducted at all bars.
- No alcohol or glass containers purchased outside the festival will be allowed on site.
Prohibited items
- No alcohol or glass containers purchased outside the festival will be allowed on site.
- No weapons or dangerous items are permitted anywhere on the festival grounds.
- Your own food and drinks are not permitted in venues.
Drugs and prohibited substances
The use, possession, or sale of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
Smoking and smoking areas
Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is only permitted in designated smoking areas. No smoking is allowed in any indoor venues or crowded areas.
Environmental responsibility
- Help us keep the festival grounds clean by using the provided rubbish and recycling bins.
- Respect the venue: Do not damage any property, structures, or natural elements at any of the venues.
Health and safety
- Security: Respect and follow all instructions from our security and safety personnel.
- Medical assistance: For any medical emergency or concern, please find a medic or festival staff member immediately.
- General safety: Be aware of your surroundings, do not climb on any structures or fences, and report any safety hazards or suspicious behaviour to staff.
General Questions
When and where will the festival guide be available?
The free printed festival guide is available at the Woordfees Offices at Erfurthuis (37 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch) and at various libraries, bookshops, tourist offices and guesthouses across the Western Cape.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are on sale at quicket.co.za. For special attention, advice and guidance, visit our ticketing office at the Erfurthuis, 37 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch. Office hours are from Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:00. During the festival, this office is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00.
Will I be able to buy food and drink at the festival?
Food stalls and cash bars are available at the majority of the venues. Picnic baskets and outside drinks are not allowed at outdoor concerts.
When and where can I submit an application to operate a food or beverage stall at the festival?
Vendor applications are currently closed.
What happens if I am late for a performance?
- Latecomers will not be allowed to enter performances. Allow at least 30 minutes for purchasing refreshments and drinks before the start of performances.
- The Spier Amphitheatre is not a theatre venue this year. Spier is merely the sponsor of the festival’s theatre programme. Please check your ticket for the performance location. The correct venues are also indicated in the festival guide.
Can I pay with cash during the festival?
No. The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees is cashless. Pay with any debit or credit card, or use SnapScan.
Is the festival wheelchair-friendly?
With the exception of one venue, all Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees venues are wheelchair accessible. The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is the only venue that is not accessible to wheelchair users. Please make arrangements in advance at all venues if you require assistance with access, particularly with parking. Call 079 256 0398.
Know your venues
Open Window
Open Window is located at Onder Papegaaiberg. Road behind the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre
Idas Valley Primary
Use the entrance in Rustenburg Way. Parking will be next to the hall.
Jan Marais Nature Reserve
Free entry for children under the age of 7.
No food or beverages will be permitted – there will be vendors.
You are allowed to take chairs and blankets to the venue.
HMS Bloemhof School Hall & Centre
HMS Bloemhof has two venues. Make sure you are at the right one. Look out for directions
The Daisy Jones Bar
- Turn off at the Summerhill Wine Estate on the R44 and follow the Woordfees directions.
Paul Roos Theatre
The Paul Roos Theatre is a new venue. It is not the centre or the large school hall, but the smaller theatre.
Drostdy Theatre
Paid underground parking is available. The entrance is on Merriman Avenue. A lift is available for festivalgoers using wheelchairs.
Endler / Conservatory
Standard Bank Endler, the Fismer, and Amphiteatre. Late night programme takes place at the Amphiteatre.
Roadhouse Cinema / Neelsie
The Roadhouse Cinema is located in the Neelsie Centre.
Hofmeyer Hall
The entrance is located in Church Street. Parking is limited.
EasyEquities Writers’ Room
The venue is located at the Khaya in Ryneveld Street.
Netwerk24 Discourse Tent
The venue is located behind the Sasol Museum in Ryneveld Street.