Castle of Good Hope Heritage and Tourism Month events calendar

Heritage Month 2025 carries the theme “Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom,”  a reminder of the men and women who sacrificed everything in the fight against apartheid.

This year’s commemorations run parallel with Tourism Month, which highlights sustainable transformation and encourages South Africans to explore and preserve the treasures on their own doorstep.

One site that embodies this dual focus on remembrance and transformation is the Castle of Good Hope, the country’s oldest surviving colonial building. 

According to Castle CEO Calvyn Gilfellan, the historic landmark has undergone a “deep, transformative and decolonial process” involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders. 

These include Khoi and San revivalist movements, descendants of enslaved people, military veterans, youth, survivors of intergenerational trauma, and victims of gender-based violence.

Gilfellan explained that the Castle’s exhibitions, displays, cultural events, educational programmes, and free tours reflect this collective effort to redefine the site. 

“All speak to this concerted effort to genuinely transform this former bastion of armed colonial conquest into a symbol of learning, healing, reconciliation and nation-building,” he said.

With South Africa still grappling with inequality, violence, and social unrest, Heritage Month offers a chance to pause and reflect on the country’s journey. 

“Given our turbulent present, heritage month offers us a moment to reflect on where we are coming from, and where we are going to,” Gilfellan added.

The Castle has invited the public to participate in its bumper 2025 Heritage and Tourism Month Programme, with most events open to everyone.

Heritage Month programme 2025

Mondays weekly: 18h00 – 20h00: Drawing Classes, Khoena Art Institute

Mondays and Saturdays weekly: Russian Language Classes, Chapel and Conference Centre. Mondays: 12h00 – 13h30, 09h00 – 18h00, Saturdays 18h00-20h00

Daily events

• 04-09-25 - Film screening “The Wizard of the Emerald City”, Castle Chapel, 17h00 – 20h00
• 06-09-25 - KOTA (Food and music) Festival, Front courtyard, 09h00 – 20h00
• 12-09-25 - Official opening of the inner-city tourism route – Urban Safaris Bus (formerly Red Bus), 08h20 – 10h30
• 12-09-25 - African Religious & Traditional Leaders Committee Heritage Month event, 10H00 – 16H00
• 13-09-25 - Imperfectly perfect book launch, Chapel (Author Natascha Williams), 15h00 – 17h00
• 13-09-25 - Racial Healing through our musical cultural heritage, 12h30 – 14h30
• 17-09-25 - International Health and Ethics Conference, Chapel, by invitation only, 09h30 – 17h00
• 20-09-25 - Edward Hudson illustrated presentations, Lady Anne Banquet Hall, 09h30 – 14h00
• 20-09-25 - Doek on Fleek, Front courtyard, 10h00 – 20h00
• 23-09-25 to 25-09-25 - 16h00 Heritage Day programme, various venues
• 24-09-25 - Book launch (From District 6 to Antarctica) Mustakim Gerdien by invitation, 12h00 - 16h00
• 26-09-25 - Russian Cultural event, front courtyard, Chapel, 12h00 – 22h00
• 27-09-25 - Music event, Dolphin pool, 12h00 – 23h59
• 28-09-25 - Russian cultural festival, courtyards, 09h00 – 16h00
• 26-09-25 to 28-09-25 - International Nama Cultural Festival SA (Carnarvon, Northern Cape), 09h00 – 18h00

Updates on individual activities will be released as needed, ensuring broad community participation.

IOL Travel

Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.