The Suidoosterfees 2026 expands beyond the stage with a rich programme of cultural offerings at Iziko Museums, creating the opportunity for festivalgoers to explore art, history, science and storytelling between performances. From 29 April to 3 May, six Iziko venues across Cape Town open their doors with a diverse array of activities that deepen the festival’s theme Home by inviting audiences to discover where heritage, creativity and belonging intersect.
The programme spans theatrical performances and dance, poetry events, curator-led tours, hands-on workshops, planetarium shows and family activities across multiple historic sites in the heart of Cape Town.
Performances and artistic expression
The Iziko South African National Gallery presents Freedom of Expression, a bilingual performance featuring Wynberg High School performers and guest artist Peter Butler, exploring themes of voice, identity and liberation. At the Iziko Slave Lodge, two powerful dance works take the stage: Red-Extended: Reclaiming the Power examines spiritual agency and identity, while Whispers offers a contemplative dance theatre experience.
The Iziko South African Museum hosts You’re Safe Here, a theatrical performance addressing mental health and creating safe spaces for vulnerable voices. These performances create homes for important conversations about freedom, healing and self-expression.
Poetry and creative writing
The Iziko Old Town House Museum on Green Market Square becomes a gathering place for poets with the Golden Hour Poetry Slam, offering a platform for spoken word artists to share their voices. The Poetry Whisperer workshop invites participants to craft their own poems under expert guidance, making poetry accessible to all who wish to explore this art form.
Guided tours and exhibitions
Curator walkabouts at the Iziko Old Town House, South African Museum and Slave Lodge offer intimate encounters with collections and exhibitions. At the Old Town House, the Reflections exhibition showcases the Michaelis Collection, woodcuts from around the world, and trade ceramics that speak to cultural exchange across centuries. These guided experiences provide context and deeper understanding of heritage and artistic traditions.
Workshops and hands-on learning
The Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum offers Arabic Calligraphy Writing workshops, including both Arabic Chinese Calligraphy and Traditional Thuluth Calligraphy sessions, celebrating the cultural heritage of the Bo-Kaap community. At the Iziko South African Museum, the Full STEAM into the FUTURE workshop introduces young people aged 11-15 to robotics, electronics and mechanics, while the Buzz of the Bees programme offers live hive demonstrations and honey tasting.
Family experiences
Families find a home in the Iziko South African Museum’s Discovery Room, exploring the Sea and Us exhibition with hands-on activities. The Puppet Planet programme offers a full afternoon of creativity, beginning with puppet-making, followed by a picnic, storytelling and music, culminating in a puppet procession and performance. These activities create space for intergenerational learning and shared joy.
Planetarium shows
The Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome transports audiences beyond Earth with five spectacular shows: Infinity Express, Polaris, Perfect Little Planet, Our Sun: The Living Star, and DESI: 5 000 Eyes, which explores the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. Each show combines stunning visuals with live sky talks, offering wonder and scientific discovery.
Practical information
The Suidoosterfees at Iziko Museums of South Africa programme runs on Wednesday and Thursday, 29-30 April, and Saturday and Sunday, 2-3 May 2026. Activities are spread across six venues: Iziko South African Museum, Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome (both at 25 Queen Victoria Street), Iziko South African National Gallery (1 Government Avenue), Iziko Old Town House (Green Market Square), Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum (Wale Street), and Iziko Slave Lodge (corner of Adderley and Wale Street).
Standard Iziko entry fees apply, with separate pricing for Planetarium shows. International visitors pay R100-R150 depending on venue, while South African citizens with ID pay R40-R100. Children, pensioners and students receive reduced rates. Tickets are available online via Webtickets or any Iziko museum site. The complete Iziko Museums programme with detailed schedules is available on suidoosterfees.com. For enquiries, contact info@iziko.org.za.
The Iziko Museums programme is presented in partnership with the Suidoosterfees. The main sponsors of the Suidoosterfees are the Western Cape Government and its Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the City of Cape Town, Netwerk24, Die Burger, NATi, kykNET, the ATKV, Artscape and dotsure.co.za. Smile FM is the festival’s official radio station.
