CLARENS – The Clarens Arts Festival will this year take place from 24 to 27 April, bringing four days of visual arts exhibitions, live performances and book talks to the village of Clarens in the Eastern Free State, in addition to creative workshops, nature outings and events for children. 

Hosted for a fifth time, the festival has developed into an established cultural event that attracts visitors, writers, performers and art enthusiasts from across South Africa. The village of Clarens becomes the canvas, with events taking place across multiple venues with galleries, restaurants, studios and public spaces participating. 

Located in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, Clarens has long been recognised for its strong arts culture and thriving gallery community. During the festival, the village becomes a walkable arts destination where visitors can move between four different exhibition spaces, attend live performances, sit in on book discussions and get their creative side going with hands-on workshops hosted throughout the town. 

The festival has added to its programme by including events specifically designed to engage children and experience the natural wonder and beauty Clarens has to offer. 

Each year the festival attracts audiences from major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Bloemfontein, contributing to the region’s cultural tourism and creative economy. 

Programming is presented in Afrikaans, English and Sotho, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Free State. This multilingual approach forms an important part of the festival’s commitment to accessibility and cultural representation. 

Exhibitions 

Visual arts remain a central component of the Clarens Arts Festival. The 2026 exhibitions programme will feature curated presentations that highlight both contemporary artistic practice and cultural heritage. 

This year, visitors can look forward to a feature collection from world renown artist and sculptor Anton Smit, titled Chronicles of Faith, as well as a carefully curated ceramic art exhibition titled Highveld Ceramics showing the work of Eugene Hon, John Shirley and Michelle Legg. 

The festival will also present a curated Basotho blanket exhibition, celebrating the cultural significance of the Basotho heritage blanket. The exhibition includes designs created by young Basotho designers, as well as works from the My Africa Designer Collection, showcasing the historical and symbolic importance of these textiles. The exhibition will be hosted on the Clarens Village Square during the festival. 

Another of the exhibitions on offer presents a collection of artworks that reflect a variety of mediums and artistic approaches from artists residing across South Africa.  

Performing arts  

The performing arts programme forms an important part of the festival’s cultural offering and aims to showcase a variety of disciplines while maintaining an accessible and intimate setting for audiences. 

Festivalgoers can expect a range of performances, including jazz and Latin music from Josh Mokoena and Heinrich Pelser; theatre with the Afrikaans productions Seun and Ingrid: ‘n Vlam in die Sneeu; as well as a one of a kind performance by the Odeion String Quartet with world-renowned soprano Nonzwakazi and pianist Megan Geoffry-Prins. 

Seun will be one of the performing arts highlights of the festival, on 25 April, while an eagerly anticipated performance on 26 April is be The Hills are Alive! – a celebration of song with the Bloemfontein Children’s Choir. 

Literature and public dialogue 

The festival’s literary programme provides opportunities for audiences to engage with writers, journalists and commentators through talks, panel discussions, poetry and readings. There is also opportunity to sit across the dinner table from some of the authors, with the “Dining with the Writers” and “Eet saam met die skrywers” events.  

Sessions cover a wide range of topics including South African politics, travel writing, memoir, fiction and contemporary cultural issues.  

One of the highlights of the festival will be a public talk with acclaimed author Antjie Krog, who will be chatting with former Carte Blanche anchor and journalist Ruda Landman.  

There will also be a free poetry session on 24 April, which will includes performances by Helena Hettema, Professor Rethabile Possa, Siphokazi Jonas and Zama Madinana. This is the opening event of the Clarens Arts Festival and is a real celebration of heritage and culture – all are welcome to attend for free.  

On 25 April a public dialogue is hosted with acclaimed economist Dawie Roodt on the future of the South African economy.  

Workshops  

A number of creative writing and cooking workshops are also presented during the festival, providing participants with opportunities to explore creative disciplines such as painting with a sip and paint workshop, as well as exploring the foundations of pottery.

Visitors can also develop their practical skills with a grief writing workshop hosted by Melinda Ferguson and a cooking demo and lunch with Elmarie Berry.  

Children’s Programme 

This year, the Clarens Arts Festival has included something for every member of the family.  

With the puppet show and Hooked on Books events appealing to the smaller kids, older children can also be involved in a creative kids workshops or enjoy a night at the museum learning all about the Clarens Dinosaurs. 

Nature events 

For the first time, festival goers will get the opportunity to be emersed in the natural beauty surrounding the village of Clarens. 

Visitors can choose from a guided experience in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park with Dr Gideon Groenewald; a historic tour looking at Surrender Hill and the Boer War with Charl Wessels; or they can enjoy a poetic and visual journey through the stars with Clarens Stargazing Tours.   

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