24/06/2026
Kirkwood Festival is a absolute FANTASTIC FEST. you have to come see for yourself. But book your accommodation very early.🎉🔥❤️🥰
Get ready for Die Dikste Baljaar at the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees
It’s all systems go for the 23rd annual Kirkwood Wildsfees as final preparations transform what was once empty land with newly planted grass into a bustling festival hub at the Sentraal-Suid Koöperasie, known as SSK Agriland, in Kirkwood.
Running from Friday, 26 June until Sunday, 28 June, the region's wildest family festival is set to benefit from a relatively mild winter weekend, with daytime temperatures reaching comfortable highs of 23°C to 25°C and dropping to a crisp 12°C at night, creating the perfect climate for all-day exploration and evening "kuiering".
This year’s festival theme seamlessly integrates conservation and tourism through the massively expanded Walk on the Wildside pavilion, which hosts 15 conservation exhibitors and 26 tourism exhibitors from Addo, Tsitsikamma, and beyond. Visitors to the marquee can experience live snake-handling demonstrations and owl conservation talks with Mark Marshall, participate in a live bee-hive observation with the Wonderful World of Bees, and explore exhibits dedicated to the protection of sharks, penguins, vultures, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, and the Blue Crane. Families can also help bring a giant recycled cardboard owl to life by adding a paper feather and environmental message courtesy of APL Packaging, while children enjoy the Kiddies Conservation Corner featuring storytelling with Tippie and author Reinette Lombard, playdough modelling with Animals 4 Africa, and interactive Foot Golf with Monkeyland. Best of all, visitors stand a chance to win over R100,000 in lucky draw prizes, with the grand winners announced on the South African Tourism Main Stage on Sunday.
Thrilling live action will take place daily in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality Demo Arena, including precision herding displays by the JABAS Working Dog and Duck team, high-speed equestrian action from Horse Barrel Racing South Africa, and a specialised SANParks K-9 Anti-Poaching demonstration on Saturday afternoon. Families can also enjoy wild rides in the Family Play Park, all-day jumping at the Bubblehouse Bounce Park, and a chance to meet the festival's official mascot, Kallie the Wildsfees kuDUDE, alongside popular kykNET celebrities. For a true taste of local culture, festivalgoers can look forward to browsing over 300 specialist stalls selling handcrafts, décor, clothing, and freshly prepared delicacies, enjoying wine tastings at the kykNET WynPlein, or joining the Isuzu team to test out their vehicles on the brand-new, purpose-built ISUZU Dry Dam 4x4 Track. Car enthusiasts can also view an exclusive display by the Eastern Cape Porsche Club on Sunday morning.
Entertainment hits an all-time high with over 26 national stars performing live on the giant South African Tourism Main Stage over the weekend. On Friday, the music kicks off with local talent Jack 'n Jill and Mario Plaashond, followed by sensational live sets from Liezel Pieters, Jak de Priester, Gerhard Steyn, Juan Boucher, Biggy, Early B, and Emo Adams.
Saturday's main stage line-up features a powerhouse roster including The Sensationals, Rick Mulder, Jennifer Zamudio, Prop, Lianie May, Brendan Peyper, Nicholis Louw, Dirk van der Westuizen, Appel, Loufi, and Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels.
Sunday offers a stellar closing line-up featuring Die Baaienaars, Wicus van der Merwe, Ray Dylan, Nádine, Bobby van Jaarsveld, and Ruhan du Toit. Beyond the main stage, the all-new ATKV-Sit-Russtasie stage will showcase local artists, while the ATKV-Kalmeerkraal will host daily intimate interviews with your favorite celebrities and local farmers.
The late-night festivities continue at the popular Lagerville Beertent, where partygoers can experience the epic Lagerville Laataand Partytjie on Friday night alongside Early B and Biggy, followed by another massive after-party on Saturday night featuring Dirk van der Westhuizen and Loufi.
Festival gates open daily at 09:00 at SSK Agriland in Kirkwood. Day passes are priced at R250 for Friday, R250 for Saturday, and R200 for Sunday, while a full Weekend Package is available for R500. Tickets for children aged 7 to 17 are priced at R120 per day or R250 for the weekend, while children under the age of 7 enter for free when accompanied by an adult. Pensioners aged 65 and older can access a special half-price rate of R100 on Sunday only, provided they present a valid South African ID. All tickets grant full access to the festival grounds, all exhibition pavilions, the SBDM Arena displays, and all live main stage music performances.
Planning a visit to the Greater Addo region?
Visit the Addo Tourism website at www.addotourism.co.za for more information on accommodation, restaurants and activities
