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Rooted in the idea of umakhelwane – the neighbours you treat like family – Makhelwane Festival (from the organisers of Locrate Market) celebrates the creative hustle and sense of community that define everyday life in Soweto. It’s built around reviving the goodness of an earlier age of township culture, when neighbours once opened their homes to one another, and a sense of community was nurtured through shared meals and conversation. This year, the theme is Welcome Home: expect open doors, street culture, music, and plenty of local talent on display.
Where it all happens
The festival stretches across two key spots:– Thesis Concept Store hosts a free opening night on Fri, Dec 12
– Poka Street, Orlando West is the heart of the main festival on Sun, Dec 13 and Sun, Dec 14
Opening night: Fri, Dec 12
The weekend kicks off with The Art of Starting: Retla Bona Ko Pele – a networking and creative industry session focused on entrepreneurship and resilience. Expect inspiring conversations, plus a lineup of live performances and DJ sets to ease you into the weekend. This evening is free to attend.Festival days: Sun, Dec 13 and Sun, Dec 14
LIVE MUSIC AND DJ LINEUPSA festival highlight every year, this edition brings a mix of headliners, emerging artists, and local favourites, including Monique Bingham, Njelic, Nicky B, Kitchen Mess, Skywalker, Lochive, Russell Zuma, and DJ Jaws on Saturday, WAV Gardn, Saul Madiope, Ndumiso Beloved, and Thandonje on Sunday, with additional acts to be announced closer to the date.
THE MAKERS MARKET
A celebration of local artisans, designers, food stalls, and creators – with many SMMEs supported by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, Gauteng Tourism Authority, and Joburg Tourism. Vendors get free showcasing space, and visitors get to buy directly from the entrepreneurs shaping Soweto’s creative economy.
THE LEMONADE STAND (KIDDIES MARKET)
A dedicated space for entrepreneurs aged 15 and under, featuring food stalls, games, workshops, and storytelling sessions. A great addition for families and a lovely gateway for mini-moguls in the making.
STREET ART EXHIBITION
Curated in partnership with The Arts Company Soweto (TACS), the exhibition gives up-and-coming Soweto artists a platform to show (and sell) their work, connecting them with collectors and new audiences.
FOOD, DRINKS, AND LIFESTYLE
Expect gourmet street food, easy-going outdoor dining, tuk-tuk tours, art pop-ups, and that unmistakable neighbourhood energy that makes Makhelwane such a feel-good event. It’s the kind of weekend where you wander, taste, mingle – and inevitably stay longer than you planned.
Book your tickets
Celebrate Soweto’s resilience, creativity, and community spirit at Makhelwane Festival from Fri, Dec 12 – Sat, Dec, 14 2025. Tickets are R100 – R180 p.p. Get your tickets here.Want to make a weekend of it? Here's how to spend 48 hours in Soweto.
