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If you need to get your coffee fix, Durban has something brewing!
Creative Coffee Week is returning to Durban from 28 to 30 July 2026 at various locations, bringing one of the biggest coffee events on the African calendar. Café regulars, home brewers, baristas, roasters or straight-up coffee lovers will find something to get them excited at this three-day event.
This year's theme, Back to your Roots, celebrates the journey of coffee from farm to cup while exploring where the industry is heading next.
Presented by YOCO, Creative Coffee Week has become one of the continent’s speciality coffee gatherings, bringing together global coffee experts alongside South Africa's most passionate café owners, roasters, green coffee buyers, and industry innovators.
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World-class coffee talent comes to Durban
Durban is welcoming some of the biggest names in international coffee, giving local professionals and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to learn directly from the best. This year's line-up includes:
- Jack Simpson (Australia) – Current World Barista Champion
- Dara Santana (Canary Islands, Spain) – Internationally respected water and coffee specialist
- Niccolò Rossi (Italy) – Coffee technology innovator and equipment expert
You can look forward to:
- Engaging keynote talks
- Practical workshops
- Panel discussions
- Demonstrations of brewing techniques, roasting, sensory science and coffee preparation.
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More than just a conference
Beyond the presentations, Creative Coffee Week is bringing activities to keep you percolating. Throughout the event, you can enjoy coffee cuppings, equipment showcases, live demonstrations, and business networking sessions where ideas flow almost as freely as the espresso.
It's also an ideal introduction for anyone curious about joining the coffee industry, offering a concentrated dose of knowledge from professionals working across every stage of the coffee journey.
Away from the formal programme, some of the best conversations happen over a freshly brewed cup.
Roasters compare roast profiles. Café owners swap ideas. Green coffee buyers discuss new origins. Baristas connect with fellow coffee enthusiasts. It's these moments that often spark collaborations long after the last cup has been poured.
As organiser Melanie Winter explains: "Great coffee has always been built on people sharing knowledge. Our goal is to create an environment where international expertise inspires South African businesses, while also celebrating the incredible talent that already exists within our own coffee community."
A spotlight on sustainability
This year's programme also shines a light on coffee's roots, including the people and places behind every cup. One of the highlights is a visit to Bonakude Agro-ecological Farm, showcasing coffee grown in rural KwaZulu-Natal and demonstrating how local agriculture, sustainability and community development are becoming part of South Africa's evolving coffee story.
Some of the standout events include:
- 28 July: Women in Coffee networking event at The Chairman (6pm–9pm)
- 29 July: Full-day Creative Coffee Conference featuring international speakers
- 30 July: Bonakude Agro-ecological Farm Tour exploring coffee production in KwaZulu-Natal
What you need to know
- Event: Creative Coffee Week Durban 2026
- Dates: 28–30 July 2026
- Tickets: Via Creative Coffee Week
If you’re looking to sharpen your brewing skills, discover new beans, improve your café business, mix with coffee lovers, book your spot for Creative Coffee Week.
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