From May 15 to May 17, 2026, the Franschhoek Literary Festival will take place in one of South Africa’s most stunning literary settings, offering audiences a weekend full of ideas, storytelling, and captivating interactions.
Set in the heart of the Cape winelands, the annual festival promises a packed weekend of storytelling, ideas and engaging discussions featuring both local and international authors. Alongside the headline events, this year’s programme also includes family-focused sessions, wildlife photography showcases, food conversations and deeply personal memoir discussions.
Festivalgoers wanting to kick-start the weekend on a celebratory note can attend the annual Rock for Reading fundraiser on Friday evening at the Barnyard Theatre at Bridge House School.
The popular event combines live music, dancing and food while raising funds for the FLF School Reading Programme, which supports libraries and literacy initiatives at four under-resourced schools in the Franschhoek Valley. Local band Uncorked is set to entertain audiences with classic hits ranging from ABBA to Coldplay, with tickets including a light dinner.
Families visiting Franschhoek on Saturday, 16 May, can also look forward to the festival’s first-ever Children’s Programme. The initiative has been designed to encourage curiosity, nurture a love for reading and create a more inclusive literary experience for younger audiences.
One of the highlights of the children’s line-up is storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, who will present Mother of Books, a storytelling session celebrating imagination and the power of stories. Mhlophe has long been recognised for inspiring generations of young South African readers through her poetry, books and storytelling.
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Adventure author Riaan Manser will also take to the stage with Big Dreams, Big Adventures, where he will share stories of courage, travel and exploration aimed at inspiring young readers to dream bigger.
For parents, Real Parenting in 2026 brings together Dr Claudia Gray and Craig Wilkinson in conversation with Pippa Hudson about raising resilient children in a fast-changing world.
The broader adult programme will continue these family-centred themes with Lessons from My Father. The session sees Gcina Mhlophe joined by Lindiwe Hani to reflect on fatherhood, identity and the lessons passed down through generations. Craig Wilkinson will moderate the discussion.
Meanwhile, audiences interested in personal storytelling can attend Unleashed, where veterinarian Dr Caitlin Venniker will speak to Karen Lane about the emotional highs and lows of working in animal care, based on stories from her memoir.
Nature enthusiasts can look forward to Wild Earth, where acclaimed photographers Peter Pickford and Beverly Pickford will showcase striking images from their books Wild Land and Wild Ocean. Their presentation explores the connections between land, sea and wildlife through photography and storytelling.
Food lovers and social media fans are also in for a treat with A Seat at the South African Table. Digital food creators Fehmz, Lila Lerie and Sinoyolo Sifo will discuss how their online communities and passion for food led to their first cookbooks. The discussion will be moderated by Ilse van der Merwe.
With plenty of conversations, performances and experiences planned across the weekend, the Franschhoek Literary Festival once again aims to celebrate the enduring power of books and storytelling to bring people together across generations. More information about the festival programme and tickets is available here.
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Picture: Supplied
