Wiggles, Wonders & Whoa! Family Highlights at NAF 2025
Saturday, 7th June 2025
The National Arts Festival 2025 is set to deliver an inspiring, engaging and thoroughly entertaining experience for families. This year’s programme is rich with theatre, storytelling, dance, puppetry, and circus designed especially for children. Here are some highlights of what families can expect—and how to secure your tickets.
Children’s Theatre, Puppetry & Circus: Top Picks for Young Audiences
The Festival’s diverse lineup includes a range of performances that blend fun with meaningful messages. These shows are ideal for children of all ages:
Theatre/Puppetry – Ka‑BOOM!
A puppet-led environmental adventure about two quirky sea creatures saving their ocean from plastic waste. Recommended for ages 7 to 11.
Puppetry – I Don’t Believe in Dinosaurs
A delightful puppetry tale filled with friendship, surprises, and prehistoric twists.
Physical Theatre – Grommels
A whimsical and wordless journey into an imaginative world—perfect for younger children and curious minds.
Interactive Theatre – Light and Darkness
An interactive show exploring the balance of day and night through a playful sibling narrative.
Dance Theatre – My Grandfather’s Dancing Shoes
A story about generational legacy and the rhythms that connect us, told through movement and music.
Theatre – The Fairy Tale Detective Agency
Classic tales take unexpected turns in this clever performance where fairy-tale mysteries are solved in real time.
Contemporary Dance – The Forest
A sensory-rich contemporary dance experience that invites children to explore nature through movement.
Puppetry/Fantasy Theatre – The Tower & the Tree
This multi-award-winning story, presented as a puppet show, is a wonderfully funny and poignant modern fairy tale about love and friendship.
Circus/Physical Theatre – Malo and the Moon Maiden
A poetic journey blending breathtaking aerial artistry, fantastical acrobatics, slapstick comedy, and heartfelt storytelling.
Audiences of all ages will be swept into a dreamlike world filled with a colourful parade of clowns and gravity-defying acts.
Storytelling and Reading: Eastern Cape Literature Festival
The Eastern Cape Literature Festival’s children’s programme provides literary magic for families who love stories. Highlights include:
Storytelling & Activities – Children’s Corner: Read, Please, Dream! (with Nal’ibali)
A 60-minute session filled with storytelling, live performance, music, games, and a mini book fair. Kids can win books and take part in creative activities.
Author-Led Experience – The Wanda World Way
Led by award-winning author Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni-Bikitsha, each session offers something special from lively storytelling to music, games, and creative learning.
Spoken Word – Poetry for Young Voices
A chance to experience poetry that’s fun, rhythmic and relevant for children—delivered by both new and established voices.
Meet & Greet – Meet the Authors
Drop-in sessions where children can connect with writers and illustrators, ask questions, and get books signed.
How to Book Tickets
Online Booking
Tickets are available now through the official National Arts Festival ticket portal:
https://tickets.nationalartsfestival.co.za/en
This site allows you to search by genre, date, venue or audience type, making it easy to plan your family's itinerary.
On Site Box Office
The on site Box Office at The Monument in Makhanda is now open for in-person ticket purchases.
Location: The Monument, Fort Selwyn Drive, Makhanda.
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 16:30
Special Saturdays:
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14 June: 09:00 – 14:00
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21 June: 09:00 – 14:00
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22 June: 09:00 – 14:00
Please note that the Box Office is closed on Saturday 7, Sunday 8, and Sunday 15 June.
Whether you prefer planning your schedule in advance or making spontaneous choices on the day, the Box Office is ready to assist.
Why NAF 2025 Is a Must for Families
NAF 2025 offers something extraordinary for every age group, and this year’s children’s programming is no exception. With inspiring stories, interactive performances, and cultural exploration on offer, it’s the perfect way to ignite a love for the arts in young audiences.
The festival runs from 26 June to 6 July 2025. Families are encouraged to book early, plan thoughtfully, and immerse themselves in one of the country’s most vibrant celebrations of creativity.
For more information, day plans or ticketing assistance, visit National Arts Festival Tickets.
