New Cape Town market for makers, unpacked

25+ workshops, buzzing market, live demos, all in 1 weekend

Last updated: Tuesday, 25 August 2025 

At this new weekend-long event, packed with workshops, a buzzing market, live demos, music, and food, you can try making everything from baskets and beer to pepper grinders and ceramic bowls. We have the full schedule with all the information.

Makers Festival is happening from 7 to 9 November 2025, and is for beginners and craft lovers, where you can connect with local makers and learn new DIY tricks. Plus, you get to take home your crafts (and memories) that last long after the weekend ends. 

Makers Festival is the first craft festival in South Africa. Image: Makers Festival

OVER 25 WORKSHOPS, MEET THE MAKERS

There are over 25 beginner-friendly workshops to choose from, so even first-timers can leave with something amazing they made themselves. The workshops range from wood carving, crocheting, and knitting, to beer brewing, blacksmithing, leatherworking and more. 

The festival starts at 5pm on Friday evening with Meet the Makers, an exclusive event for visitors with a camping pass. You can chat to the makers one-on-one and get behind-the-scenes insights on their crafts.  

On Saturday morning, the workshops begin. For kids, there are 10 Mini Makers workshops held in a separate tent that is safe and supervised, so parents can drop their children off and enjoy their own workshops, or stay and watch them get creative. The kids' section has everything from spoon and candle making to canvas painting and embroidery.

Over 25 beginner-friendly workshops to join. Image: Makers Festival

WORKSHOPS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 

At the adults-only blacksmithing workshop with Jack Blacksmith, you’ll heat and shape steel by hand, and the leather session lets you craft something useful, like a wallet you’d normally buy in-store for a lot more than your ticket price. 

A must-try workshop the whole family can do together is ceramics with Calico Ceramics, where everyone gets to mould clay into something unique, like a bowl, mug or little keepsake.

There’s also workshops the whole family can experience together. Image: Makers Festival

MAKERS MARKET WITH 32 VENDORS   

Beyond the workshops, families will love the Makers Market, which will have 32 vendors selling locally made crafts.  

Think handmade watercolour paints, seashell ceramic candles, and rugs which are handcrafted using traditional Punja looms and centuries-old weaving techniques. 

There’s also food vendors with everything from burritos and quesadillas from Didi's Bitchin’ Burritos, to wood-fired pizzas from Earth Fire Pizza, and Asian street food from Lotus Food Truck.

The market will have halaal, vegan and vegetarian food options. Image: Makers Festival

CRAFT DEMOS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS

There’ll be an interesting range of interactive demonstrations and panel discussions too. 

The demonstrations will focus on skills that can be tricky to learn on your own because of the intricate detail, software and machinery involved. You can join a 3D printing demonstration with Pepperfools, a spray paint mural session with Strange Harvest, caricature, cartoon and comic illustrations with Tyler Pike, and more. 

While panel discussions cover topics from social media for makers to practical tips like wood finishing from experts like Rubio Monocoat. The panels give you the chance to engage with industry leaders in a relaxed space where no question is off-limits. 

There’ll be craft demonstrations and panel discussions too. Image: Makers Festival

FESTIVAL VIBE & BEACH CHILL ZONES

The festival playground will be The Ostrich, a dreamy outdoor venue, just 30 minutes from the city. 

With a beach area and wide green lawns, it never feels crowded, even with an expected 2 500 people there. Workshops take place in different tents, spread throughout the venue. 

The vibe will be bustling and exciting, with music playing in the background and something happening everywhere you look, without feeling overwhelming. 

Amidst the buzz, you’ll find shaded seating areas and a beach-style chill zone with sand and swings overlooking the water. 

There’ll be chill zone areas where you can unwind in between activities. Image: Makers Festival

CAMP AT THE MAKERS FESTIVAL   

To make the most of your weekend, you can even camp at the festival. 

Gates open on Friday afternoon at 3pm, when you can pitch your tent. The camping area has hot showers, dedicated toilets for campers, and electricity for charging devices. 

If you prefer something a little more luxurious, glamping options are available. For more details contact warren@makersfestival.co.za. 

Camping tickets are R400 per person for the full weekend (Friday and Saturday night) and do not include access to the festival. 

PARKING, TICKETS & WHAT TO BRING  

Parking is free and is right at the festival entrance. Bring hats, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. 

Tickets start at R400 for a spectator day pass (you get access to the panel discussions, demonstrations and makers market, but not the workshops). Day and weekend passes, which start from R800 for adults and R500 for kids, include workshop access. 

The best value for money is the weekend pass. It’s R1 500 and gives you access to all workshops, panel discussions, demonstrations, and the makers market on Saturday and Sunday.

GET MAKERS FESTIVAL TICKETS 

Makers Festival is happening: From Friday, 7 November at 5pm (campers only), and continues Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 November from 9am.
Find it: The Ostrich, Cape Town Ostrich Ranch
Book: via Makers Festival website
Contact on: warren@makersfestival.co.za, @makersfestival_sa 

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By Saarah Gierdien

MORE THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS 

What to expect at Kamers/Makers this spring and summer 2025.

There’s always 7+ things to do this weekend in our guide.

Here’s our list of 65+ things to do with kids of all ages. 

Plus, see free and pocket-friendly activities kids will love.