Welcome to the Vrystaat Arts Festival, one of the key arts festivals on the African continent that has been offering national and international work in a range of genres for the past 21 years. The festival’s vision is centred on the principle of ‘One festival, many stories,’ with its mission to support the development and presentation of great art in the Free State for all.

The festival is the first and only South African cultural entity to follow Khoi-San protocol, recognising the First Nations people and traditional owners of the land in public platforms and the festival programme. The festival boasts 9 initiatives that focus on innovative art, literature, dance, health, exchange and marketplaces.