Next location: Norman Henshilwood High · Doors open in 12 Dec 2026

Debut fest at Norman Henshilwood High School

12 December 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Cape Fest Market 2026

A rotating festival held on school grounds across the Western Cape, opening at Norman Henshilwood High School. Every market pays a share of its revenue straight to the host school for a capital project it chooses.

Show up. Build schools.

R10student entry
R0kids’ play parks
5towns on the first route

Venue & vendors

See you at Norman Henshilwood. Bring your stall.

Host school · Debut fest

Norman Henshilwood High School crest: Knowledge & Integrity

Norman Henshilwood High School

Date
12 December 2026
Hours
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry
Student R10 · Adult R20 · Family bundle R40

Cape Fest Market opens on the Norman Henshilwood High School grounds, and the school receives a share of the day’s market revenue for its own capital projects.

Safety, compliance and risk

Cape Fest Market holds full responsibility for the safety and legal compliance of the event, and will not open the gates until every permit and safety sign-off is in place.

  • Permits. We apply to the City of Cape Town for an events permit, and for grading under the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act if expected attendance requires it.
  • Event management plan. A written plan covering crowd capacity, emergency evacuation routes, medical cover, fire safety, security and traffic is shared with the SGB before the event.
  • Security. Registered security officers at the gate, across the site and in the service yard, with a dedicated team protecting school buildings, which remain closed to the public.
  • Medical. A first aid station staffed for the full trading day and evening.
  • Learner safeguarding. Learners attending as visitors are the responsibility of their parents; any learners volunteering do so under named adult supervision.
  • Neighbours. Residents near the school receive a letter before the event with times, parking guidance and a contact number. Amplified sound is managed to the City’s noise by-law and closes by 21:30.
  • Weather. Marquees and shade for vendors and seating; a wind and rain plan with clear criteria for scaling back or postponing.

For vendors

Join as a vendor

  1. Register your business and contact details.
  2. Describe what you sell and what your stall needs.
  3. Upload product photos and confirm compliance.
  4. Our team verifies you and offers a stall on the route.

How the rotation works

Phase 1

One festival, many school grounds

Cape Fest Market moves between schools in the Western Cape. Each school that hosts gets its own festival weekend on its own field.

Scroll to follow the route

Financial impact matrix

What one weekend can build

Set the size of a festival and see what the school’s share pays for. The figures start from an example festival; change them to explore.

Festival revenue

Example inputs
Daily stall fees run from R700 to R2 900 depending on the type of business. The average is R1 250.
Parking, partner sponsorship, food court levies.

School payout

Paid after the weekend

The rest of the revenue runs the festival: the stage, artists, staffing, security and the free kids’ play parks.

Pick the school’s capital projects

Filled in order

Project costs are indicative Western Cape estimates for planning. Each school confirms its own quotes.

The festival experience

Four things every Cape Fest has

Entry is built around showing up. Families come for the music, the makers and the food, and the kids’ play parks are free.

Live Music & Performances

A main stage programmed with local bands, DJs, choirs and school performers, running from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

Main Stage

Unique Artisanal Vendors

Independent makers, growers and food traders from across the province, chosen so no two stalls sell the same thing.

Vendor Grid

Immersive Brand Activations

Purpose-built arenas where brands meet families through games, demos and experiences, and help fund the school share.

Activation Arenas

100% Free Kids Play Parks

A fenced, supervised play zone with jumping castles, climbing frames and activities. Children never pay to play.

Kids Play Zone · Free

Gate tickets

Pay at the gate on the day. The kids’ play parks inside are free.

StudentEntry for one studentR10
AdultEntry for one adultR20
Family bundleOne ticket for the familyR40