Kaleidoscope Festival 2025 – a feast for all the senses
An unmissable three-day musical and culinary experience in Prince Albert
This month, 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 for a three-day musical and culinary experience. This year’s programme – which runs from August 22 to August 24 – proudly 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.
But Kaleidoscope is not just a music festival – it’s a cultural journey that 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 lineup 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.”
Says Louise Lansdown, Kaleidoscope Festival creator:
“Kaleidoscope is a celebration of artistic excellence born from collaboration with our local community, young musicians and world-class performers coming together in one of South Africa’s most inspiring landscapes. As both a Prince Albert resident and someone deeply rooted in international music education, I’m proud to see how this festival bridges worlds – local and global, professional and emerging talent – through shared passion, creativity and a deep love for music.”
You’ve met the artists, now let’s meet the restaurateurs and chefs who will be feeding the guests …
Friday, August 22 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, the programme Songs from Near and Far features Minette du Toit-Pearce (mezzo soprano); Louise Lansdown (viola) and Hendrik Hofmeyr (piano) with an unforgettable evening of 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, the programme 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.
On Saturday, August 23 at 12h00 at The Yellow House, the programme is 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.
Saturday, August 23 at 17h00 at The Old Barn, Gays 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 (pictured above with Gay) now runs the dairy. Enjoy a glass of wine and nibble from Gay’s amazing cheeseboard from 16h30 before the performance starts.
On Saturday, August 23 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. Prior to the concert though, guests can enjoy a sumptuous authentic three-course dinner created by Ronel Pieterse and her team 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. More about the hotel here.
Taking place on Sunday, August 24 at 11h00 at Garfield’s Place, 57 Church Street, is 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! Not to be missed! 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.” More about Jeremy’s here.
Kaleidoscope is thrilled to announce two major partnerships with Wesgro and the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT). Wesgro is the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape and is now a destination partner and sponsor of the Kaleidoscope Festival. Kaleidoscope’s partnership with PACT is born of a shared vision to empower the community of Prince Albert by “creating platforms, programmes and opportunities for previously disadvantaged people through education, upliftment and cultural enterprises.” The partnership began in 2023 with a dream to create a string of teaching outreach projects based permanently within and for the community of Prince Albert. With the indispensable and ongoing support of PACT, the ARCO Project began its work in January 2025, teaching 80 young learners – aged 4 to 13 – the violin, viola, cello and double bass. Kaleidoscope was initiated to support and help grow the ARCO Project within the community in Prince Albert. It is the first all-South African Classical Music Festival and is proud to work alongside PACT, transforming and empowering young lives through music.
Tickets for the Kaleidoscope Festival 2025 are on sale now via Quicket. Whether you’re planning to attend a single concert, with its unique food and wine pairing, or immerse yourself in the full weekend of musical and culinary experiences, there’s a package to suit every preference. Guests can choose from individual event tickets or opt for the Festival Passport, which grants access to multiple performances at discounted rates. Early booking is recommended as seating is limited and demand is high.
For more information, bookings, venue details and programme updates, visit the website or contact info@kaleidoscopefestival.co.za. Join the WhatsApp group for festival-related updates by clicking on the following link here.
