Creativity in Action at the Royal Show Crafts Marquee
Among the livestock, machinery and action of the 2026 Royal Show, the Crafts Marquee offers visitors a different kind of Show experience — one built around creativity, patience, skill and the pleasure of watching something being made by hand.
From Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October, the Crafts Marquee at the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Howick, will bring together artists, makers and craft groups, with scheduled demonstrations from Wednesday to Friday and informal activity at individual stalls throughout the Show.
It is an area made for browsing slowly: watching an artist at work, discovering the detail involved in cake decorating, exploring the possibilities of wool and yarn, or giving children a chance to try something creative.
Meet the makers
Participating groups include the Federation of Women’s Institutes, the South African Cake Decorators’ Guild (SACDG), Independent Midlands Artists, Midlands Quilters Guild, Amber Camera Club and Golden Crafters, whose activities include wool spinning and crochet.
The confirmed exhibitor line-up also includes Endeavour Alpacas, the National Wool Growers Association of South Africa (NWGA), Wool Haven, Yarn Stash and Karen’s Hub – Mosaics, adding further variety to the displays and stalls.
Close by, the Midlands Woodworkers’ Guild and Woodcrafters Association Durban (WAD) will share a separate, smaller marquee. This gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy woodworking demonstrations while keeping the noise and dust apart from activities inside the Crafts Marquee.
Watch creativity take shape
From Wednesday to Friday, the central demonstration area inside the Crafts Marquee will host a daily programme of art and cake-decorating sessions. Local artists will demonstrate in small groups, giving visitors opportunities to observe their techniques and interact with them as they work.
On Wednesday 7 October, cake-decorating demonstrations by the South African Cake Decorators’ Guild take place at 10:00 and 14:00, with Pastel Art at 11:00, Pencil Sketching at 12:00, Abstract Painting at 13:00 and Children’s Pastel at 15:00.
On Thursday 8 October, the programme features Watercolour Painting at 11:00, Mosaic at 12:00 and Clay Birds at 13:00, alongside the Guild’s cake-decorating demonstrations at 10:00 and 14:00. Children’s Clay Animals & Birds follows at 15:00.
On Friday 9 October, visitors can enjoy Acrylic Painting at 11:00, Pencil Sketching at 12:00 and Art with Appliqué at 13:00. Cake-decorating demonstrations again take place at 10:00 and 14:00, with Children’s Craft at 15:00.
The children’s sessions are interactive, with volunteers on hand to assist young participants.
Beyond these scheduled sessions, informal demonstrations will take place at individual stalls throughout each day. Golden Crafters will demonstrate spinning and crochet, the Federation of Women’s Institutes will share craft skills, and the cake decorators and artists will offer further opportunities to watch them at work.
A knitting table is also planned for visitors who would like to stop and knit.
Programme times and details may be subject to change.
A weekend of browsing and discovery
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October, informal art and craft demonstrations will continue at individual stalls throughout the day.
The central demonstration area will make way for additional seating for the Crafts Marquee Tea Garden over the weekend, offering visitors more room to pause between exploring the displays and meeting the makers. Woodworking demonstrations will take place in the separate marquee nearby.
Coffee, cake and a chance to linger
Because exploring a marquee full of crafts is even better with something delicious close at hand, N-Squared Bakery will also be in the Crafts Marquee throughout the Show.
Nova Challinor will already be a familiar face to many regular visitors to Tweedie Hall, where she runs the popular Royal Tea Garden on Tuesday mornings.
At the Show, N-Squared Bakery will be serving coffee and tea alongside pastries, doughnuts, cream scones, a cake of the day and other sweet treats — making the Crafts Marquee an ideal place to pause, refresh and refuel before continuing your day around the Showgrounds.
It is an especially inviting combination: browse the displays, meet the makers, stop for a demonstration, give the children a chance to discover something creative, and settle down for a cup of coffee and something freshly baked.
Skills worth celebrating
Agriculture has always encompassed more than what happens in the field. Rural and community life is also shaped by practical skills, creative traditions and knowledge shared between generations.
As the Royal Agricultural Society celebrates its 175th anniversary and begins a new chapter at Tweedie, the Crafts Marquee brings a hands-on dimension to the 2026 theme, Innovation in Agriculture — Past. Present. Future.
Come and see what skilled hands can create.
2026 Royal Agricultural Show
7–11 October 2026
New Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Howick
