Forget the conventional art fair as a single destination, because on 29 and 30 August 2026, Contra.Joburg invites visitors to experience Johannesburg through the artists, makers, performers and creative communities who make the city South Africa’s richest creative and cultural destination.
More than 170 artists. 16 creative spaces. Two very different days. One city to explore.
Now in its fifth year, Contra.Joburg brings together emerging and established artists across studios, galleries, creative spaces and heritage buildings – with Rosebank joining the route this year.
What makes Contra different is that the art stays close to the people and places where it is made. Visitors can step into working studios, meet artists, see performances in unexpected places, make things themselves, eat, drink and discover parts of Johannesburg they may never normally encounter.
And the two days are deliberately different.
Saturday is for spectacle. Sunday is for getting closer.
Saturday takes visitors into the energy of the city, with live performance, dance, art, architecture, making and music.
Start at the historic Rand Club, where Thabo Pie’s RDP (Redevelopment & Deconstruction Programme) brings live performance into one of Johannesburg’s most distinctive heritage spaces. Explore contemporary African photography on the fourth floor, before Joburg Ballet transforms the Rand Club into a living stage at 14:30.
From there, head to Jozi Gold Brewing Company for a brewery tour and tasting with the master brewer, before ending the day with acclaimed bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli performing live at 18:30.
There is also plenty to discover along the Saturday route, including Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Asisebenze Art Gallery, The Bus Factory, Little Artists School, Play Braamfontein and Creative Uprising at Transwerke – where visitors can meet artists and makers and, along the way, make their own resistance poster.
Sunday gets closer to the creative heart of the city.
Start at August House, where the Kids’ Area offers art-making, face painting and hands-on creative activities, while A Gritty Fairytale, live music from DJ Jupiter King and the Different Is Good Market bring the building to life. Child minders will be available at the Kids’ Area, and activities are free for children attending Contra.
At Ellis House, visitors can explore five floors of open studios, while at Victoria Yards become part of BodyWeaving, an interactive artwork made with people, movement and thread.
The Sunday route also includes Living Artists Emporium, Oovookoo and the working studio of renowned artist Usha Seejarim, offering a rare opportunity to see artists in their own creative environments.
For those who want to shop, collect or simply browse, there are local markets and makers, plus 74 artworks on auction entitled “Collect Contra”, in partnership with Stephan Welz & Co. Visitors can also discover conservation framing, iconic USM modular furniture and chocolates that look like miniature artworks at 223 Jan Smuts.
“Different is good because Johannesburg itself is different,” says Contra.Joburg founder Sara Hallatt. “There is no single way to experience the city, and there shouldn’t be a single way to experience its art. Contra.Joburg is about meeting artists where they work, while discovering parts of the city you might not otherwise encounter.”
What kind of Contra person are you?
The Studio Snooper will want to see unfinished work, paint-splattered floors and where the ideas happen. The Maker can create a resistance poster, try mosaicing and become part of BodyWeaving. The Performance Person can build a weekend around Thabo Pie, Joburg Ballet, Moving into Dance Mophatong Trust and Imbali Visual Literacy Project dance collaboration, award-winning bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli and DJ and musician Jupiter King.
Family Explorers will love the August House Kids’ Area and BodyWeaving on Sunday. And for anyone who wants a bit of everything, there is always the weekend pass.
Contra is designed to be enjoyed at your own pace. Spend an hour in a studio, discover a new gallery, meet a maker, walk into a building you have never visited, buy an artwork, have lunch or catch a performance – then hop on a shuttle and see where Joburg takes you next.
Book the full weekend. You will not see the same Contra twice.
The festival’s hop-on-hop-off shuttle service is included in the ticket price, operating every 20 minutes from 10:00, with two loops running east and west. Shuttles operate to and from Candice Berman Gallery at 223 Creative Hub in Rosebank and Stephan Welz & Co in Waverley.
Note: Joburg Ballet at Rand Club and Herbie Tsoaeli at Jozi Brewing Company require additional tickets.
In a nutshell
Contra.Joburg Art Festival
29–30 August 2026 | 10:00–17:00
More than 170 artists and makers
Inner city, Braamfontein and Rosebank
Hop-on-hop-off shuttles included in ticket price
Family-friendly, with dedicated activities for children
Tickets: Book Contra.Joburg tickets
Website: See the full programme at Contra.Joburg
Instagram: @contra.joburg
