It’s important to have things to look forward to, occasions or getaways, or, in this part of the world, festivals, that break the mundane. And so, as we roll into 2026, here are some Garden Route festival offerings to put on your calendar for the first part of the year. The KKNK (Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees) is an annual arts festival in Oudtshoorn featuring theatre, music, comedy, visual arts and more, and it is one of South Africa’s largest arts festivals, attracting 80,804 festival-goers in 2025.
“With an estimated annual economic impact on Oudtshoorn of between R72m and R89m, the KKNK remains the largest economic stimulator in Oudtshoorn,” KKNK CEO and artistic director Hugo Theart said. “Furthermore, the KKNK is a key contributor and active role-player in the local economy and tourism, with an estimated annual economic impact of between R161m and R178m in the Western Cape. “In addition, the KKNK makes a substantial, though immeasurable, annual impact on Oudtshoorn, including spending by sponsors, artists, partners, festivalgoers and the KKNK itself.
The highlights of the KKNK lie in its remarkable mix of theatre productions, comedy, music, art, dance and literary talks, as well as a festival atmosphere that spills through the streets of Oudtshoorn for a full week. Each year the festival premieres new South African plays that often go on to national acclaim, while leading comedians and cabaret artists test fresh material before packed theatres. Alongside the formal programme, the festival village, with its food stalls, wine tents and open-air performances, creates the social heartbeat of the event. “We invite everyone to the special birthday celebration in the heart of the Klein Karoo,” Theart said.
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