Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
This July, all roads once again lead to the heart of the Karoo and the historic town of Middelburg in the Eastern Cape. Just 15km outside town, the working sheep farm Dwarsvlei Farm will come alive with the return of the Karoo Winter Wool Festival.
Taking place from Friday 3 July to Saturday 4 July 2026, the festival celebrates its fifth year, welcoming visitors from across South Africa who share a passion for wool, natural fibres, and the distinctive culture of the Karoo.
2026 festival highlights
The 2026 edition promises to be the most vibrant yet, featuring:
- A fully expanded exhibitor line-up with more vendors than ever before.
- An enhanced workshop programme offering hands-on creative experiences.
- Wool World presents: Karoo Kraal, a curated wool, natural fibre, design and fashion exhibition by VIVIERS studio and Hoven.
- Engaging speaker sessions across both festival days.
- The high-energy WolJol celebration, headlined by Dodo Nyoka and Rooksein.
Together, these elements combine agriculture, design, lifestyle, learning, and entertainment in a uniquely Karoo setting.
A festival rooted in wool and the land
Wool and the full natural fibre value chain take centre stage. From Merino studs and wool producers to designers and makers, visitors can follow the journey of this remarkable natural fibre from farm to finished product.
Live demonstrations will include shearing, spinning, weaving, and wool handling, alongside immersive farm experiences that bring Karoo life into focus.
Karoo hospitality remains a cornerstone of the festival, with a lively selection of food stalls, local wines, coffee, and regionally inspired cuisine available throughout the weekend.
Programme overview
All public festival activities take place at Dwarsvlei Farm on 3 to 4 July 2026.
FRIDAY: Industry insights, design and connection
Friday brings together agriculture, creativity and conversation.
- The Natural Fibre Market runs across both festival days, showcasing one of South Africa’s largest selections of wool and natural fibre products.
- Karoo Kraal by Wool World presents a design and fashion exhibition curated by VIVIERS studio and Hoven, celebrating innovation in natural materials.
A key highlight is the National Wool Growers’ Association Boerepraatjies programme, bringing wool producers and industry leaders together to explore what the future holds for wool production – from global trends to sustainability and technological change.
The morning session, “What’s real and what’s trending?”, features Pieter du Toit, News24 investigative journalist, Johann Kotzé, CEO of Agri SA, and Ivor Price, co-founder and managing director of Food for Mzansi, unpacking current trends and credibility in the agricultural landscape.
The afternoon session explores innovation, with a panel comprising Johan Coetzee, Dr Glen Taylor, Prof JW Swanepoel, Deon Saayman, and Frikkie Fouché, examining how technology is shaping the future of wool production.
Visitors can also enjoy pre-booked workshops, agricultural displays, and the launch of Luca the Lamb, a children’s book following a hand-reared lamb’s festival adventure.
A Wine and Design panel will explore design, authenticity, and materials, and how stories are shaped by the source, with recognised designers sharing their experience of working with natural fibres.
The day concludes with the much-loved Kampvuur Kuier, where live music and storytelling unfold around the fire under the Karoo night sky.
SATURDAY: Family fun, flavours, and festivities
Saturday delivers a full day of experiences for all ages, from the veld to the festival arena.
The Family veld walk / run invites participants to explore the Karoo veld on foot, soak up the open landscape and get the blood flowing. This event is also in aid of the Emmanuel Children’s Home, reinforcing the festival’s strong community focus.
The BKB Youth Show is always a festival favourite, offering children a hands-on opportunity to learn about Karoo livestock – and the care and respect animals deserve.
The Karoo Good News Programme spotlights positive stories emerging from the region. Dr Johan van Rooyen will present a case study on partnerships with small-scale cattle producers, while Prof Bruce Rubidge shares insights from his groundbreaking work at Karoo Origins. A panel will honour the Karoo woman – dynamic, resourceful and central to building thriving communities.
A culinary highlight includes potjiekos demonstrations by Chef Ollie, bringing Karoo ingredients and storytelling together over slow cooking.
As evening approaches, festivalgoers can enjoy live screening of the Springbok rugby test, before the weekend concludes with the signature WolJol celebration, featuring headline performances by Dodo Nyoka and Rooksein.
Workshops and community projects
The festival offers a diverse workshop programme including weaving, felting, knitting, natural dyeing, raw fleece processing, lanolin-based skincare, and winter floral décor. Workshops are booked directly with facilitators.
Community engagement remains central, with the return of the Knit a Square initiative, encouraging visitors to knit items such as scarves, beanies, and squares for donation to communities across the Karoo.
More events during festival week
Festival week kicks off on Thursday, 2 July 2026, with an invitation-only gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony at Rusoord Farm. The evening celebrates excellence in the wool industry and recognises outstanding achievements across key sectors.
Visitor information
The full programme, workshop information and booking details are available at: www.karoowinterwoolfestival.com
Tickets can be purchased online via Quicket:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/353840-2026-karoo-winter-wool-festival/#
For enquiries, contact:
info@karoowinterwoolfestival.com
For Knit a Square enquiries: Di Trollip: 065 056 1113
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
The 2026 Karoo Winter Wool Festival is proudly presented in partnership with Cape Wools South Africa as the main sponsor and partner.
Additional sponsors and partners include:
