Book your tickets for this year’s Hilton Arts Festival!

If you’re looking for the perfect long weekend escape from Zululand, book your tickets for the 34th Hilton Arts Festival, taking place from 7 to 9 August at Hilton College in the KZN Midlands.

Considered KwaZulu-Natal’s premier community-focused arts festival, the annual event attracts more than 25 000 visitors and transforms the picturesque Hilton College campus into a celebration of South African creativity.

You can enjoy world-class theatre, comedy, music, visual arts, family entertainment, films, artisan markets, and much more.

What’s new in 2026?This year’s festival introduces two exciting attractions:

1. KZN Art Fair: A professionally curated exhibition showcasing some of KwaZulu-Natal’s finest artists, galleries and collectors.

2. Just Geekin’: A new pop culture experience featuring cosplay, gaming, comics, eSports, table top games, workshops, film screenings and an Artist Alley.

Theatre highlights this year

Drama lovers are spoilt for choice with acclaimed productions, including:

· Constellations by Nick Payne
· Master Harold…and the Boys by Athol Fugard
· Midnight in Parys by Paul Slabolepszy
· Shackleton
· Out of Bounds starring Rajesh Gopie
· The Opera Singer
· Weightless
· Epilogue with Tim Plewman
· And the Girls in their Sunday Dresses
· The Tramp, celebrating Charlie Chaplin

Comedy fans can enjoy performances from some of South Africa’s biggest names, including:

· Dalin Oliver – Stuck in Dubai
· Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert – Bump & Grind
· Rob van Vuuren LIVE!
· Dead Dad starring Louw Venter
· Rugby Mad
· The Most Amazing Show with Corné and Twakkie
· Netflix featuring Sophie Joans

Must-see live music

Music lovers are equally well catered for, with an incredible line-up featuring:

· Arno Carstens performing live with his band
· The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir
· Jagged Little Tribute – The Music of Alanis Morissette
· Britney in the Underworld
· Karen and Me
· Better Together – A Jack Johnson Tribute
· Going South
· The Mississippi & Me
· Melanie Lowe
· Guy Buttery
· Homegrown
· Opera Trios: Love Triangle
· Songs of Praise in the Festival Chapel

The full festival programme can be found at www.hiltonfestival.co.za.

Fashion, spectacle and unforgettable performances

One of the most talked-about productions this year is Behind the Crimson Door, an extraordinary theatrical fashion experience created by celebrated designer Gert-Johan Coetzee in collaboration with The Cirk.

Combining couture fashion, aerial performance, dance and storytelling, it promises to be one of the visual highlights of the festival.

Other festival elements include:
· Birding experiences with Rockjumper
· Artisan food and drink
· Local fashion and pop culture experiences
· Children’s theatre
· Interactive workshops
· Film Festival Supported by KZN Tourism & Film
· Design & Makers Quarter
· The Craft Market

Best-selling author John van de Ruit will also launch the final instalment of the beloved Spud series, Spud: Two for the Road, giving festivalgoers the chance to buy signed copies before the official release.

Parking and festival entrance

A once-off entrance fee of R100 per vehicle applies. This fee covers all three days of the festival, allowing visitors to come and go throughout the weekend.

Book your tickets through Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Client.aspx?clientcode=hiltonartsfest

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page  and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 060 784 2695

Instagram – zululand_observer

TikTok – @zululand_observer