Design Week South Africa 2026

Design Week South Africa 2026 is a festival of South African design that takes place in two cities: Johannesburg from 8 to 11 October and Cape Town from 22 to 25 October 2026. The 2026 theme is "The Shape of Us". Rather than filling one venue, the programme spreads across each city, with events hosted by design studios, galleries, shops, restaurants and hotels.

About the Festival

Design Week South Africa describes itself as a multidisciplinary platform for the country's creative disciplines. Its aim is to bring the design community together and to strengthen collaboration, knowledge-sharing and creative exchange across the country's design sectors.

The two city editions work in the same way: participants open their own spaces and host their own events, and the festival gathers them into one programme. That makes each edition a way to see the cities' design scenes from the inside, in the studios and showrooms where the work is made and sold.

What to Expect

• Exhibitions and installations in galleries, showrooms and public spaces
• Studio and urban tours through design neighbourhoods
• Product launches from South African designers and brands
• Panel discussions and workshops on design practice and the industry
• Two cities, two weeks apart, so visitors can follow the festival from Johannesburg to Cape Town

2026 Programme

The Johannesburg edition runs from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 October 2026, and the Cape Town edition from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 October 2026. Each city has its own programme page on the official website, listing the participating venues, times and any booking details. Because events are hosted by individual participants, opening times and access differ from one event to the next.

Who Is It For?

• Designers, architects and makers who want to meet the South African design community
• Students of design, architecture and craft
• Collectors and buyers of contemporary South African furniture, objects and craft
• Visitors to Johannesburg or Cape Town in October looking for a design-led route through the city

Tickets

There is no single festival ticket. Entry depends on the event: some are open to drop-in visitors, while talks, workshops and tours may need booking. Check each event on the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme before you go.

Things to Know

• Plan by neighbourhood. Events are spread across each city, so group the ones you want to see by area and allow travel time between them.
• Book the popular events early. Tours, talks and workshops often have limited places.
• Two different weeks. The Johannesburg edition has ended by the time Cape Town begins, so check which city a listing belongs to.
• Not the same as Pan Afrikan Design Week. A separate event, Pan Afrikan Design Week, also takes place in Cape Town in October 2026; check the organiser before you book.
• Getting around Johannesburg: O.R. Tambo International Airport is linked to Sandton and Rosebank by the Gautrain rapid rail; most design venues are easiest to reach by car or ride-hailing app.
• Getting around Cape Town: Cape Town International Airport is about 20 km from the city centre; the MyCiTi bus network and ride-hailing apps cover the central neighbourhoods where many events take place.
• Follow the official channels for programme updates, as participants can add or change events close to the dates.

Attend Design Week South Africa 2026

Planning a visit?

Visit Design Week South Africa 2026

The Johannesburg and Cape Town programmes, with venues and booking details, are on the official Design Week South Africa website.

Looking for more to see? Browse all events, festivals and exhibitions on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 10, 2026