South Africa’s national Heritage Day celebration is scheduled to take place in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Thursday, 24 September 2026, following a change to the event’s venue.

The Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the national programme at Bongolethu Sport Stadium. The celebration will take place under the theme “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us,” highlighting cultural expression, social cohesion and the sharing of heritage across generations.

The venue change followed an earlier announcement that the national event would be held in George. The Western Cape Government publicly raised concerns about the late change and the consultation process, while the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture later confirmed Oudtshoorn as the site.

Heritage Day marks the culmination of Heritage Month, when communities and cultural institutions across the country celebrate South Africa’s diverse traditions, languages, histories and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.