Product Description

The Folklore Festival announces its highly anticipated 4th edition, set to take place from 11 to 13 September 2025 in Johannesburg, embracing the powerful theme of #Kinfolk. This theme celebrates deep cultural connection and belonging through music, storytelling, and heritage preservation during South Africa’s Heritage Month.

#Kinfolk extends beyond blood relations, symbolizing the spiritual family formed through shared traditions, stories, and cultural experiences passed down through generations. In a world facing increasing digital disconnection and cultural erosion, the festival encourages a return to authentic belonging—reconnecting with rhythms, stories, and sacred knowledge that anchor us to our ancestors and guide us to the future.

The three-day festival features live music, VIP brunch, a kids’ area, and a food and crafts market. The highlight is Family Day on 13 September, offering a vibrant cultural playground with non-stop live performances by legendary and emerging artists including the Mahotella Queens, Buhlebendalo, Jabulile Majola, Odwa Bongo, among others. The VIP brunch includes a harvest table, grill, and curated music entertainment.

A first-ever Artist Development and Capacity Building Program will nurture cultural practitioners with workshops and showcases across storytelling, indigenous instruments, branding, and event production.

Supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and Mzansi Golden Economy, the festival is more than entertainment—it is a homecoming that unites cultural custodians and community members to celebrate shared African heritage through multidisciplinary experiences in music, literature, poetry, art, and dance.

For families, there is a dedicated Folklore for Kids area for interactive play, learning, and cultural exposure. The festival celebrates the rich diversity and unity of African culture, creating a space for intergenerational dialogue and the nurturing of future creative leaders.