How to celebrate Freedom Day in Joburg

17 Apr 2025

Take advantage of Constitution Hill's free tours on Freedom Day. Photo: Supplied.

Food at the Bedfordview night market. Photo: Bedfordview night market via Facebook.

celebrating all types of freedom at the Same Sex Saturday Party. Photo: Other village People via Instagram.

There's also free entry at Apartheid museum of Freedom Day. Photo: Apartheid Museum via Facebook.

Marking South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, the Freedom Day public holiday every 27 April celebrates the country's successful fight for freedom and democracy. This year's Freedom Day falls on a Sunday, and signifies 31 years of democracy.

If you've decided to spend the long weekend in Joburg, there's no shortage of events, tours, festivals, and more to mark this milestone. Here's our guide to some of the best. For a full list of all that's happening head to our weekly events guide.

Authentic experiences

Sat, Apr 26 – Fashion, art, and DJ sets collide at Freedom Writes 2025 at The Artivist in Braamfontein, where nine bold creatives remix cubism to reimagine what freedom looks and sounds like.

Sat, Apr 26 – From poetry to pottery and beats to bites, Focus On The Art Today (FOTAT) brings a creative takeover to Weed Lovers Market in Marshalltown.

Sun, Apr 27 – Commemorate Freedom Day by learning more about South Africa's history and heritage with free tours of Constitution Hill.

Sun, Apr 27 – Mark Freedom Day with free entry to the Apartheid Museum, a powerful journey through South Africa’s 20th-century history and the fight for liberation.

Markets and outdoors

Fri, Apr 25 – Street food, live music, and sugar-dusted fun at the Bedfordview Night Market at Bedfordview Country Club.

Fri, Apr 25 –Sat, Apr 26 – Celebrate South Africa's rich history, art, food, fashion, music, and heritage with guided tours at the Orlando West Art Fair at the Hector Pieterson Memorial.

For other markets in the city, check out our guide to Joburg's best markets.

Get into your groove

Fri, Apr 25 – Cape Town’s Afro-fusion powerhouses Abavuki bring a rhythmic sound storm to Chiesa di Pazzo Lupi in Melville, fusing marimbas, brass, and beats.

Fri, Apr 25 – Dance through the diaspora at Gbedu Nights at Democracy Bar, with Afrobeats, Afrohouse, Bongo, Dancehall, Kuduro, and more celebrating Africa’s rich rhythms.

Sat, Apr 26 – An electric celebration of South African talent with a powerhouse line-up of artists, DJs, and rappers at the sixth edition of Cotton Fest at The Station in Newtown.

Sat, Apr 25 – Celebrate freedom, fun, and fabulous energy at Same Sex Saturday – a night of music, self-expression, and community vibes by Other Village People at Mamakashaka & Friends in Braamfontein.