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FynArts 2026 marks a season of renewal with new leadership and a bold multidisciplinary programme
The Hermanus FynArts Festival will return from 6 to 14 June 2026 with a programme that blends world-class music, literature, theatre, visual art, food, wine and community celebration — while also marking a significant moment of transition for one of the Overberg’s best-known cultural events.
Under the theme “Renaissance” — described in the programme as “revival”, “renewal” and “reawakening” — this year’s festival introduces Eon de Vos as the new Festival Director following the departure of founding director Mary Faure after 13 years at the helm.
A new chapter for FynArts
In his chairman’s message, Richard King reflected on Faure’s contribution to transforming Hermanus into a recognised arts destination.
“Beginning in 2013, while on the tourism committee, Mary conceived of an idea that would do something to bring a new interest to Hermanus,” King wrote. “For the next thirteen years Mary created, promoted and managed what has become a source of entertainment, inspiration and encouragement bringing joy to thousands.”
King said the festival now enters “something of a new beginning”.
“We welcome Eon de Vos as our new director. He brings a wealth of experience and will take FynArts forward in the confidence that it is built on a sound foundation,” he said. “While change can be uncertain, it also brings opportunity.”
For De Vos, the 2026 programme deliberately sharpens the focus on the arts while responding to audience feedback.
“For 2026 we narrowed our focus on the Arts in particular,” De Vos wrote in his festival welcome. “We listened to your concerns and eliminated having events overlap as much as possible. You should now be able to attend any and all of our events and exhibitions.”
He added that the festival has also adjusted its schedule to better suit winter in Hermanus.
“Winter in Hermanus means early sunsets, so all our evening events will start at 17h00 to allow our patrons to relax and have a meal at one of our many excellent Hermanus restaurants after the day’s experiences.”
Music takes centre stage
Music remains central to the festival’s identity, with the internationally acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir opening the festival at Curro School Hall on Saturday 6 June. The choir, which rose to global fame through America’s Got Talent, is described in the programme as “one of the world’s most treasured groups”.
Other major music highlights include:
- Mozart, Mambo & Merlot featuring the Charl du Plessis Trio and conductor Richard Cock
- Cinema Serenade with Louise Howlett, Albert Combrink and Dylan Tabisher
- Now That’s What I Call Jazz! led by Andrew Ford and Abigail Petersen
- The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s Festival Closing Concert on 14 June
The programme also includes family and educational performances such as Meet the Orchestra, Meet the Marimba and Pedro Espi-Sanchis’s interactive production The Mermaid from Zanzibar.
Books, politics and big conversations
Literature and current affairs once again feature strongly through partnerships with News24, Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers.
Among the headline discussions are:
- State of the Shadow Nation, featuring journalists Micah Reddy, Jeff Wicks and Kyle Cowan examining organised crime, corruption and whistleblowing
- Politics for Breakfast, where Adriaan Basson, Max du Preez and Pieter du Toit unpack South Africa’s political future ahead of local government elections
- Breaking Banking, exploring financial innovation and economic change in Africa
- Stargazing, hosted at SANSA and featuring Dr Adriana Marais and Penny Haw discussing space exploration and storytelling
The festival also includes writing workshops, literary debates and even a Silent Book Club gathering.
Sculpture, ceramics and visual art
Visual art continues to shape the identity of FynArts, with Sculpture on the Cliffs returning to Gearing’s Point with a curated exhibition featuring 11 artists.
The curatorial statement notes that this year’s selection aims to “transcend the conventional parameters of sculpture-making” by bringing together artists, architects, craftspeople and academics.
The festival’s growing Sculptors’ Legacy Walk along High Street also continues to expand Hermanus’s public art footprint.
Other major exhibitions include:
- Reappearing Forms, a ceramics exhibition featuring 32 artists exploring memory and transformation through clay
- Unearthed, a fibre art exhibition curated by Dal Botha focused on history, identity and memory
- Time and Tide: Expressions of Hermanus and the Coastal Overberg, curated by Strauss & Co
Food, wine and festival atmosphere
Food and wine experiences are woven throughout the programme, from Italian cooking demonstrations at Dal-Italia Deli to immersive chef experiences with adventurer David Grier.
La Pentola will host two five-course food and wine experiences with chef Shane Sauvage, paired with wines from Benguela Cove and Alexander Wines.
Beyond formal venues, visitors can also expect pop-up performances, drumming circles, youth choirs and street music throughout Hermanus during the festival.
Planning your festival
Fine Music Radio will once again broadcast live from the festival throughout the week, with veteran broadcaster Rodney Trudgeon interviewing artists and authors from Burgundy Restaurant.
Tickets are available through Webtickets, Pick n Pay stores, the Hermanus Tourism Bureau and the FynArts Gallery. Early bird ticket sales close on 20 March 2026.
More information and the full programme are available at the official Hermanus FynArts website.
