Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, 3 – 11 October 2026: Programme Available

The 2026 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees programme was officially launched on Thursday evening 11 June during an exclusive preview event at the Asara Wine Estate. The theme for this year is: It’s About Time!

“Time is a scarce commodity,” says Saartjie Botha, Director of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, explaining the inspiration behind the theme. “That is why it is high time we invest in the arts, by allowing ourselves the time to forge new memories with friends, family, and even strangers, fully immersing ourselves in the magical world of the arts. It is a space where moments gather momentum, begin to flow, and ultimately wash over you with an energy that suspends time itself.”

Boasting a staggering 444 items, it remains the largest arts festival programme in the country. This abundance serves as a vital lifeline in an arts sector currently facing immense pressure. Navigating this extensive lineup is made effortless. While the full festival programme is available for download online, the free printed festival guide remains an invaluable tool for curating your perfect itinerary. This year, Aramex has once again partnered with the festival to handle logistics and deliver the guide straight to your door. Simply register on the website at woordfees.co.za/en, and they will ship it to you. No destination in South Africa is too remote. Ticket sales open to the general public on 18 June and are already open to members of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Loyalty Programme. (Visit the festival website for further details on the various loyalty packages available).

“With 15 weeks left to prepare, now is the perfect time to grab a festival guide and start planning a unique experience. With exceptional work from our premier artists, there truly is something for everyone,” says Saartjie.

Unwind in your camping chair at the open-air concerts at the Jan Marais Nature Reserve, featuring the sounds of Jeremy Loops, Booshle G., Zaan Sonnekus, Tasché, and Spoegwolf.
Jazz at the Konserve: Bring your own instrument to this series for post-show jam sessions with the performing artists.
Amanda Strydom celebrates her 70th birthday alongside the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in what promises to be an unforgettable showcase. Meanwhile, Anton Goosen shatters any notion of slowing down with his energetic show, Magtig, kyk wie’s 80 (Goodness, Look Who’s 80).
Tickets are expected to fly for productions featuring Vusi Mahlasela, Jak de Priester, Glaskas, Stille vuur (with Coenie de Villiers and Frieda van den Heever), Joshua na die Reën, and Prima!, a swing tribute to Louis Prima starring Bianca Flanders, Dean Balie, and the SU Brass Band under the baton of Ramon Alexander.
The prestigious Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees and Strauss & Co. art auction moves to the Town Hall this year, shining a spotlight on artistic excellence and contemporary trends.
The Spier Theatre programme boasts nine highly anticipated debuts this year: My kind druip (Shimmy Isaacs), Skanse (Dawid Minnaar), Vlindervry (Cindy Swanepoel), ’n Middel (Tinarie van Wyk Loots) – winner of the 2026 Reinet Nagtegaal Text Prize, Grootmeisie (Daneel van der Walt), Krapp se laaste band (Carel Nel), I Lord Hamlet ( Carlo Daniels), Wie call die shots? (Miché van Wyk), and Elke briljante ding (Albert Pretorius).
This year, the EasyEquities Writers’ Festival offers over 50 engaging sessions. Readers, critical thinkers, and bibliophiles can look forward to dynamic discussions spanning rugby, literary reviews, finance, history, marriage, dogs, and the realities of forging a life on an empty plot of land in the Karoo.
The Lifestyle programme serves up a rich smorgasbord of tastes, featuring 13 live demonstrations from brand-new cookbooks. Watch your favorite TV food personalities, social media influencers, and food writers take to the stage in the Hofmeyr Hall demo kitchen.
The Spier Theatre programme delivers top-tier comedy with heavyweights like Marc Lottering,
Marianne Thamm, Marion Holm, Nik Rabinowitz, and Schalk Bezuidenhout.
The expressive power of dance takes center stage with acclaimed ensembles including Darkroom Contemporary, Reach for the Stars, SboNdaba Dance, Jazzart Dance Theatre, Figure of 8 Dance Theatre, the Stellenbosch Ballet Association, and the Garage Dance Ensemble.
Jaco van der Merwe has curated another stellar, budget-friendly film festival featuring 17 feature films and nine short films, with selections from the 2026 kykNET Silwerskermfees, Nico Scheepers’ thriller Hen, “poetic” documentaries (described as “docu-fiction”), horror-gore, hip-hop, and more. Most short films are free to attend, while feature films are highly affordable at just R60 to R70. Follow the smell of popcorn to the Road House Cinema in the Neelsie and rediscover the magic of the silver screen.