Heading to the National Arts Festival from Johannesburg? Here's what you need to know

For over five decades, the National Arts Festival has provided South African creatives with the chance to showcase their talents across various fields.

From theatre and comedy to music and magic, Makhanda (also known as Grahamstown) has become the epicentre for all things creative in Mzansi.

Once again the festival is ready to showcase our country's talent from 25 June to 5 July 2026, with visitors from all parts of the country heading down to the Eastern Cape to immerse themselves in the spectacle.

So, Joburgers, are you ready to get involved? While some of you reading this would have already secured your tickets and cemented your travel plans, for others the opportunity is not lost.

How to get to the National Arts Festival from Johannesburg

The most seamless way to get to the festival from Johannesburg is by catching a flight into Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and grabbing a hire car to complete the remaining 124km of the journey.

Most airlines have daily scheduled flights from OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. A return airfare will cost roughly R2,300.

Jumping in the car and heading off on a road trip is another option. The 978km journey takes you down to Bloemfontein, before weaving your wave along the N6 down to the Eastern Cape and Makhanda.

The drive is roughly 11 hours in total. Thanks to the current state of the petrol price, you will need to part with an estimated R3,800 for the return trip, but this makes sense if more than one person is heading to the festival.

There are also bus services which operate between Johannesburg and the festival, but the length of time it will take you to get to Makhanda is not ideal, making this method of transport the least practical.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Book tickets for the National Arts Festival here.

This article is sponsored by Standard Bank

Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city.

RECOMMENDED:

📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg
🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg
🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg
🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg
🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg