Design Week South Africa 2026 in Cape Town: Dates, Programme Highlights and What to See
Published: 17 October 2026
Quick answer: Design Week South Africa, presented by Pinterest, takes place in Cape Town from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 October 2026. The theme is The Shape of Us. The programme spans exhibitions, talks, workshops, product launches and studio tours across the city, covering architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, craft and urban design. The full programme is on the Design Week South Africa website.
Key facts
| Event | Design Week South Africa 2026 – Cape Town Edition |
|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday, 22 October to Sunday, 25 October 2026 |
| Presented by | Pinterest (Title Sponsor) |
| Theme | The Shape of Us |
| Format | City-wide programme of exhibitions, conversations, workshops, product launches and studio experiences |
| Disciplines | Architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, craft and urban design |
| Headline Exhibition | UNBUILT, launching on 23 October 2026 at Shortmarket |
| Programme and Tickets | Official Design Week South Africa website |
| Social Media | @designafricasouthafrica (confirm handle) |
| Johannesburg Edition | 8–11 October 2026 |
What is Design Week South Africa?
Design Week South Africa launched in 2024 as a celebration of the country’s creative disciplines, with two four-day festivals a year, in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Organisers say more than 200 activations, discussions, showcases, workshops and exhibitions have taken place since launch. The programme brings design into studios, galleries, showrooms, retail spaces and public venues, connecting established practices with emerging talent. designweeksouthafrica
What is the 2026 theme?
The Shape of Us looks at how design reflects the people we are, the places we live in and how we live together. It covers architecture and furniture, fashion, textiles, craft and urban design.
Highlights of the Cape Town programme
Architecture and urban design
- UNBUILT: presented by Design Week South Africa and sponsored by dhk Architects, it shows projects, prototypes and ideas on public space, urban infrastructure, mobility and the future of South African precincts. It is hosted at Short MARKET with the Mission For Inner City Cape Town, and launches on 23 October.
- SAOTA, Shaped by Place: 40 Years of Architectural Practice: a look back at four decades of work.
- MŪVEK and CVN: furniture informed by architectural thinking.
- dhk Architects tour of Conradie Park: housing, public space and urban design in Pinelands.
- The MAAK and The Otto Foundation, Dream Library: a library at Dryden Street Primary School, designed in partnership with the school’s learners.
South African design brands
- Weylandts, The With: a bar built around “good living and connection”.
- Haldane and NØDE, il Noir Edition: a sculptural reimagining of the Galapagos outdoor kitchen island.
- Pedersen + Lennard, The Industry Dialogue: local design brands and creative leaders discuss the country’s design landscape.
- PICHULIK and Piano Terra, SASSO: a collaboration between jewellery and design.
- Superella and Third Floor Studios: a collaboration.
International presence
- Objects by Eight (OBE), Dubai, with TSL: a collectible design exhibition by independent artist-designers and makers from Africa and the Middle East.
- Molteni&C: its Cape Town showroom hosts South African artists and makers, with circuit-bent digital works, handwoven textiles, sculpture and live music.
- Sun Stories (London and Accra): David Obeng Adane’s In My Family House series and studio pieces at Curación Gallerie.
Talks and tours
- Cape Town Morning Sessions: makers, thinkers and practitioners on design, fashion, sustainability and urbanism. Speakers include Pinterest’s Eoin Carrigan, designer Atang Tshikare and Tanya Slater of Artclub and Friends.
- Open studios and guided tours, including those led by aēsplore.
Pinterest Predicts 2026 activations
As title sponsor, Pinterest is working with local designers and makers in Johannesburg and Cape Town on activities inspired by its annual Pinterest Predicts trend report, reinterpreting selected 2026 trends through a South African lens.
- Koooooos x Nammu: live mural and collection launch. Nammu Ceramics and Cape Town artist Koooooos launch vessels in the tradition of collaboration between potter and painter, plus a new mural on an outer wall of Nammu’s new East City studio. The mural, commissioned by Design Week, combines khaki tones, for Nammu’s earth-toned clay, with blues, one of Koooooos’s signature colours.
- A Decade of Inspiration: 10 Years of Good Good Good. The Cape Town fashion brand marks a decade of locally made design by inviting nine collaborators and design leaders to share their Pinterest boards. Named participants include Jana Hamman, Kgabo Mametja (Saint Rose), Shaun Hill, Karabo Poppy, Russell Abrahams (Yay Abe) and Wanda Lephoto. [Add the remaining three names if available.] The three-day rotating exhibition also includes works from past collaborators and archival items.
Is this the same as Pan Afrikan Design Week?
No. Pan Afrikan Design Week (PADW) is a separate event running close to the same dates. It takes place from 21 to 24 October at Workshop17 at the V&A Waterfront, with main conference days on 21 to 23 October, and it is convened by the Pan Afrikan Design Institute. Design Week South Africa’s Cape Town programme is a city-wide programme running 22 to 25 October. You can attend both, but they have separate programmes and ticketing. Book tickets for Pan Afrikan Design Week 2026 +2
How to plan your visit
- Open the official programme at designweeksouthafrica.com and bookmark the events you want.
- Group by area. The programme is spread across the city, so plan routes by neighbourhood: for example Pinelands (Conradie Park tour), the East City (Nammu mural) and the inner city (UNBUILT at Short MARKET).
- Check each event for booking requirements, times and venues. The release doesn’t list them. [Add ticket and entry details once confirmed.]
- Start on 23 October if you want to catch the UNBUILT launch.
- Follow the official channels for updates.
Frequently asked questions
When is Design Week South Africa 2026 in Cape Town?
Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 October 2026.
What is the theme?
The Shape of Us.
Who presents it?
Pinterest is the title sponsor and presenting partner.
What is UNBUILT?
An exhibition of projects, prototypes and ideas on public space, urban infrastructure, mobility and the future of South African precincts. It launches on 23 October at Short MARKET.
Where can I see the full programme?
On the Design Week South Africa website, designweeksouthafrica.com.
Is Design Week South Africa free?
The announcement doesn’t say. Check each event’s listing for entry and booking details.
Is there also a Johannesburg edition?
Yes. This year’s Johannesburg edition ran from 8 to 11 October.
Is it the same as Pan Afrikan Design Week?
No. PADW is a separate conference at the V&A Waterfront, running 21 to 24 October.
What is Pinterest Predicts?
Pinterest’s annual trend report. Design Week activations reinterpret selected trends through local design.
Which international brands are involved?
Objects by Eight (Dubai), Molteni&C (Italy) and Sun Stories (London and Accra).
