The Kaleidoscope Festival 2025 in the small town of Prince Albert is an unmissable three-day musical and culinary experience.
From 22 August to 24 August, the heart of the Karoo comes alive with the sounds of music, the aromas of curated cuisine and the shared joy of community celebration, as the Kaleidoscope Festival 2025 takes over the town of Prince Albert. This year’s programme celebrates South African music and musicians, with a focus on new commissions and world premieres that spotlight the country’s rich and diverse musical landscape.
Kaleidoscope blends world-class classical and chamber music with food and wine inspired by the heritage of the Karoo. From intimate concerts in historic buildings to gourmet pairings under wide Karoo skies, each day has something exciting to offer. The music line-up includes performances by renowned artists such as Hendrik Hofmeyr, Minette du Toit-Pearce, the ARCO Youth Orchestra and members of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The programme also features performances by celebrated musicians such as Schalk Joubert, Nick Turner and Tony Alcock. Concerts will be held at iconic venues including The Swartberg Pass, The Yellow House and Gays Dairy, each offering a unique atmosphere that enhances the musical experience.
The restaurateurs and chefs who will be feeding you
Friday, 22 August at 12h30 at the PACT Youth Centre
Programme features the ARCO Project Youth Orchestras. String orchestras from Blink Begin, Prince Albert Primary School, Kweekvallei and Albert College play an enchanting programme of South African and children’s music. Dis Heerlik Lente, Vat jou goed en trek, Shosholoza and more. Wilbur Klaaste, the Speel and Leer Coordinator at the Prince Albert Community Trust, and Barista at the Hope Warriors Coffee Bar situated at the PACT Youth Centre will be brewing up the coffee with his colleague Antonio from 12h00 onwards. Support Prince Albert’s budding young musicians and get your coffee and crumpets from the Hope Warriors Coffee Shop! Book here.
Friday, August 22 at 19h30 at The Showroom
Songs from Near and Far features Minette du Toit-Pearce (mezzo soprano); Louise Lansdown (viola) and Hendrik Hofmeyr (piano), and songs by Loeffler, Dale, Hofmeyr, Bridge and Brahms. From 17h30 onwards, visitors can savour specially designed pizzas with avo, biltong, feta and olives accompanied by fabulous wines at The Langhuis, which is located opposite the venue. Both venues are owned by PACT and managed by the PACT youth staff. Melony Moos, a local Prince Albert resident, who has worked in the museum sector for over thirteen years, is the manager of The Langhuis. Book here.
Saturday, August 23 at 10h00 at The Dance Floor*, Eerste Water, Swartberg Pass
Round the World with Four Violas features Rory Africa, Louise Lansdown, Emma Farnsworth & Klara Rüttimann in a concert with music by Bach, Reed, Florence Price, Bokwe, Hofmeyr, Sibelius and the Beatles. Book here. For hungry guests, The Lazy Lizard will be serving a sensational breakfast at The Dance Floor from 09h30. The Lazy Lizard is a popular spot owned by Juan Pastrana, a Peruvian, and his South African wife Caryn. The restaurant offers an extensive menu with delicious options including favourites like the health bowl of homemade nut granola, fruit salad and Gay’s dairy yoghurt and the fresh croissants that come stuffed with bacon and Gay’s dairy cheese or cherry tomatoes and Gay’s dairy cheese or mushroom and cherry tomatoes. A selection of warm drinks are available with a variety of breakfast muffins and mini quiches. www.lazylizardprincealbert.co.za
*About The Dance Floor (as seen in main image): Eerste Water, located on the Swartberg Pass, is a significant landmark known as “First Water” due to its role as a watering point for oxen and horses before the ascent to the pass’s summit. This location was historically important as a camp site. The area became known as “Die Dansbaan” (The Dance Floor) due to its popularity for New Year’s Eve celebrations, where farmers would gather in their carts and wagons to celebrate.
Saturday, 23 August at 12h00 at The Yellow House
Brass Tastic: artists include the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Brass Quintet; Louise Loeb van Zuilenburg (French horn); Rebecca Abraham and Keano Solomons (trumpet); Wilmar Niehaus (trombone) and Kaleb Adams (tuba). This feel-good concert will have you smiling and tapping your feet! Book here. The Yellow House is a working almond and citrus farm. Most of the buildings date from around 1885, the same period when Thomas Bain was constructing the Swartberg Pass. Following the performance Yellow House’s restaurant EAT will be serving up a variety of their superb wood-fired pizzas which can be enjoyed alongside a glass of Devil’s Peak draught beer, a glass of wine (a choice of seven varietals) or a mocktail or two. Visit yellowhouse.co.za/restaurant for more info.
Saturday, 23 August 23 at 17h00 at The Old Barn, Gay’s Guernsey Dairy
Catch the African String Quartet with the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra String Quartet as they present a uniquely African string quartet programme packed with music from Nigeria and South Africa. Artists include Corban Beukes (violin); Jason Oppelt (viola); John Minnaar (cello); Tony Alcock (double bass) and Loren Ehlers (violin/accordion), who will perform on the accordion in one of his own works. Book here. Gay van Hasselt started what is now known as Gay’s Guernsey Dairy in 1990 when she started milking three cows in a stone kraal. She soon discovered that there was a demand for fresh milk in the community and started selling to a few customers who would arrive with their empty containers and get their daily supply of milk while on their morning walks. The dairy has become an institution and a meeting point for locals and visitors to enjoy fabulous handmade dairy products and get a real taste of farm life. All the products are made using full-cream, raw Guernsey milk from the Van Hasselt’s own herd. Gay believes that the core of her success lies in the quality of the milk they use, making the products deliciously creamy and steeped in natural flavour. The family and staff of Gay’s Dairy place a huge emphasis on their herd of free ranging, happy Guernsey cows. Claudia van Hasselt now runs the dairy. Enjoy a glass of wine and nibble from Gay’s amazing cheeseboard from 16h30 before the performance starts. www.gaysguernseydairy.com
Saturday, 23 August at 20h00 at The Swartberg Hotel
Nick Turner (singer, song writer, guitarist) and Schalk Joubert (bass guitar) serve up a slew of infectious ear worms from Turner’s rich and eclectic oeuvre. Together they will take the audience on a riveting musical journey in a programme called Breakfast in Cape Town, Lunch in New York, Dinner in Prince Albert. Book here. Before the concert though, guests can enjoy a sumptuous authentic three-course dinner created by Ronel Pieterse and her team at the Swartberg Hotel that will be served at 18h00. For starters, choose between thin slices of smoked ostrich carpaccio with a truffle oil dressing, topped with sliced parmesan cheese or thick and creamy biltong soup, filled with the richness of biltong-infused broth and velvety cheese. Mains is an option of two lamb chops crusted with lemon and herb panko crumbs served with creamy mashed potatoes and balsamic baby beets or a slow-cooked lamb shank with a full-bodied red wine sauce served with mashed peas and balsamic baby beets. Desserts are poached pears with maple cream or milk tart – a rich and creamy cinnamon infused vanilla custard with crushed cinnamon meringue and crumbled baked crust. www.corktreecollection.co.za/swartberg-hotel
Sunday, 24 August at 11h00 at Garfield’s Place, 57 Church Street
Long Walk to Freedom with artists Louise Lansdown and Emma Farnsworth on viola, Elliot Tingley on cello, and Tony Alcock on double bass. The concert remembers the struggle and highlights the Rivonia Trial with Monthati Masebe’s Trials that Trail. Two world premieres by South African composers Arthur Feder and Jan-Hendrik Harley, both inspired by the Karoo, and the concert closes with three Argentinian and Uruguayan tangos. The concert will be followed by a specially curated menu at Jeremy’s restaurant (located next door), inspired by Madiba’s love of simplicity and generosity. Book here. Says owner Jeremy Freemantle: “Dinner will consist of traditional African dishes combing favourites of Madiba and Ahmed Kathrada and will be based on authentic recipes with some contemporary twists. The format will be feasting, African style.” jeremys.co.za
Tickets for the Kaleidoscope Classical Music and Food Festival are on sale now via Quicket. Early booking is highly recommended as seating is limited, and demand is high. kaleidoscopefestival.co.za
