Highlights for the 2025 edition of Design Week in Johannesburg include creative workshops, immersive sound experiences, and multidisciplinary exhibitions. Through this curated roster of events, the organisers strive to showcase "the future of South African design through knowledge-sharing, inclusivity, and support."
This year also marks the launch of the Design Directory – a new, open-access platform highlighting South African designers across disciplines. The directory aims to be a centralised resource for discovering and connecting with designers across disciplines within the creative sector.
Take a look at the full programme for Design Week South Africa here. Or, keep reading for a few of the activations in Joburg that have caught our eye.
Highlights at Design Week in Joburg
1) Thu, Oct 9 at 09:00 – Sun, Oct 12 at 10:30: Design Week morning sessions
Kick off each day of Design Week with conversations over coffee at here.joburg in Rosebank. Hosted by design expert Simone Schultz, each session features local and international design leaders who will be unpacking key industry topics. Tickets are free, with registration required.
2) Thu, Oct 9 at 11:00 – Sun, Oct 12 at 16:00: Mapping Memories
Taking place in the AA Gallery at 27 Boxes, Melville, Mapping Memories consists of two parts: a large-scale interactive map where visitors can pin meaningful locations and share memories around Joburg, and a creative workshop that uses writing and design to explore the city’s sensory and emotional landscape. Tickets are free, with RSVP required.
3) Thu, Oct 9 – Sat, Oct 11 from 10:00 – 17:00 and Sun, Oct 12 from 10:00 – 14:00: Threads of Renewal II
Curated by Tandekile Mkize, Threads of Renewal II will be on show at The Library of Things We Forgot To Remember at 44 Stanley. A selection of African textiles, fashion, and crafts will be available to purchase at the exhibition. Free entry.
4) Thu, Oct 9 and Fri, Oct 10 from 18:00 – 22:00; Sat, Oct 11 from 09:00 – 14:00 and Sun, Oct 12 from 10:00 – 14:00: Ari’s Listening Room
Join photographer Andile Buka for the launch of Ari’s Listening Room at the stylish TONIC showroom in Parktown North. Each presentation offers an interactive listening experience, taking you on a journey through a soundscape designed by various artists. Tickets are free, with registration required.
5) Thu, Oct 9 at 15:00 and Sat, Oct 11 at 16:30: Tour of Structures at Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation
Join a guided tour of Structures at JCAF in Forest Town, an exhibition that explores both physical and conceptual forms and examines the relationship between people and the built environment. RSVP here.
6) Fri, Oct 10 and Sat, Oct 11 from 17:00 – 22:30: Reel To Reality Film Festival
The Reel to Reality Film Festival takes place at Lang de Moun Mon in Observatory, transforming the outdoor cinema experience into a space for connection and community, blending African and diasporic stories with nature, escapism, and multidisciplinary art. Book your ticket for R150 here.
7) Sat, Oct 11 from 09:00 – 22:00: The Annual Kasiology Festival
Creative20 and Jozi My Jozi launch The Annual Kasiology Festival – a dynamic, township-based design, creativity, and lifestyle festival for the community and residents of Soweto. Taking place at Eyethu Heritage Hall, this activation includes exhibitions, panels, tours, and performances. Tickets are free, with registration required.
8) Sat, Oct 11 from 10:00 – 11:30: Site Visit to Lilian Ngoyi Street with Young Urbanists
Young Urbanists host a guided walk to Lilian Ngoyi Street. Participants will meet at Park Station, take the Gautrain together, and walk down Rissik Street to the site. This tour highlights how urban design and civil engineering are being applied to improve safety, mobility, and public space in Johannesburg. Tickets are free, with registration required.
9) Sat, Oct 11 at 12:00 – 17:00: What Is African Streetwear? exhibition
Join FRNDLY SA for a brand-led conversation exploring the breakdown of their styles, graphics, and art movements through their ongoing dialogue, What is African Streetwear?, at VictoriaYards. Free entry.
10) Sat, Oct 11 at 12:00 – 19:00, three slots with each session being two hours: Tufting Workshop with FybRe Studios
As part of Design Week, Klink Art Wine Experience will host a special workshop at 223 Creative Hub. Participants will have the opportunity to design their own wine-inspired tufted artwork during a guided two-hour session. Workshops are R400 p.p. and tickets can be booked here. Note: Please use e-hailing, as there will be no parking available. Tickets for Klink are sold separately.
11) Sun, Oct 12 at 10:00 – 12:00: Garden and Design Celebration with Garden Day
This Garden Day, join Siyabonga Ndlangamandla, an urban farmer, for a unique tour of the green spaces, creativity, and community of Victoria Yards. In partnership with Design Week South Africa, this special event offers participants an immersive architectural and garden tour, flower crown making, and the chance to eat, drink, and connect with fellow design lovers and plant enthusiasts. Experiences are R320 p.p. and tickets can be booked here.
12) Sun, Oct 12 at 13:00 – 15:30: Babize Bonke panel discussion
Join creative leaders and community champions Jozi My Jozi for a conversation on how storytelling and collaborative design are reshaping Johannesburg at Nando's Central Kitchen in Lorentzville. Tickets are free, with registration required.
As Design Week South Africa returns for its second edition, it reaffirms design’s power to shape how we live, think, and connect. Across exhibitions, workshops, talks, and citywide activations, the full programme highlights creativity not just as an aesthetic pursuit but as a driver of social change, cultural storytelling, and urban transformation. From reimagining Johannesburg’s future and mapping its collective memory to celebrating local talent and amplifying community voices, this year’s edition is both a showcase of South African design excellence and an invitation to participate in shaping its next chapter. Follow @designweeksouthafrica on Instagram to stay in the loop.
