Youth Day is a time to honour the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising and celebrate the power of young people to shape South Africa's future. From theatre productions and exhibitions to live performances and community events, Johannesburg is marking the occasion with a packed programme of commemorative and youth-focused experiences. Here's what's happening around the city for Youth Day 2026.
Rise '76: The Story of June 16th
Date: 5 to 28 June
Venue: The Market Theatre, Newtown
The Market Theatre has teamed up with the Baxter Theatre to co-produce a brand new play, RISE ’76: The Story of June 16th, that honours the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. This production draws on the testimonies of over forty individuals, archival material, literature, and public records. Drawing on testimonies from over 40 individuals, alongside archival material, literature, and public record, RISE ’76 reimagines June 16 not only as a day of protest, but as a lived, intimate experience one marked by courage, confusion, and collective awakening.
Tickets are available on Webtickets.
1976 at 50 Exhibition at Wits Art Museum
Date: 19 May to 20 June
Venue: Wits Art Museum, Braamfontein
1976 at 50 presents two powerful bodies of work reflecting on the Soweto Uprising: Silent Witness and Wits 76. Silent Witness is a short film by Kevin Harris built from archival footage and testimonies of witnesses to the events of 16 June 1976, including journalists, activists, and family members of victims. Wits 76 is a photographic essay by Paul Laufer documenting Soweto schools before the uprising and student protests in Braamfontein shortly after, capturing the immediate political response from university students.
76 Hours in Soweto
Date: 13 to 16 June
Venue: various venues throughout Soweto
Through curated stay‑overs, guided walks, markets, performances, exhibitions, dialogues and community‑led experiences, visitors are pushed to stay longer, spend local and plug into the living history and culture of Soweto. The 4-day festival includes the Biyo Festival on 13 June and the Youth Day edition of the Locrate Market on 14 June.
Register for free online.
Gwetje Monday: 50th Commemoration of the 1976 Youth Uprising
Date: 15 June
Venue: Lebo's Soweto Backpackers, Soweto
On the eve of Youth Day, Lebo's Soweto Backpackers invites visitors to gather around a communal bonfire for a special edition of its popular Gwetje Monday series, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising. Set in the heart of Soweto, this commemorative evening will bring history to life through powerful storytelling, first-hand accounts, and narratives passed down from the generation that lived through the events of 1976. Alongside the stories, expect music, spoken word, and moments of reflection that honour the courage, resilience, and spirit of resistance that helped shape South Africa's future.
Serving For a Purpose Padel TOurnament
Date: 16 June
Venue: The Campus, Bryanston
Join PadelNation this Youth Day for an exciting and purpose-driven Padel Charity Tournament, where sport, community, and impact come together for a meaningful cause. This event aims to raise funds for a charity initiative focused on alleviating period poverty by providing sanitary supplies to girls in underprivileged communities. Through every match played and every ticket purchased, we are helping restore dignity, confidence, and opportunity to young girls in need.
Tickets are available on Webtickets.
Homies & Girlies Youth Day Ride
Date: 16 June
Venue: Thesis Lifestyle, Soweto
This Youth Day, Girls On Bikes and Banditz Bicycle Club invite you to cycle through the streets of Soweto. The very streets that hold so much history, resilience, and hope. Together, we will remember those lives and celebrate their legacy in the best way we know how: in community, in movement, and with purpose.
Tickets are available on Quicket.
In the Footsteps of Giants - June 16 Commemorative Walk
Date: 13 June
Venue: Sunnyside Park Hotel, Parktown
To commemorate Youth Day, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation is hosting a special walking tour. Participants will retrace the original route of the student march in 1976, alongside struggle hero Seth Mazibuko, one of the original student organisers who was subsequently imprisoned for ten months for his actions. Do not miss this rare opportunity to walk with Seth as he shares the story of the march from his unique insider perspective. The walk concludes at the Hector Pietersen Museum for a guided tour led by Seth, with admission included in the ticket price.
Tickets are available on Quicket.
The Soweto Theatre Youth Day Commemoration
Date: 16 June
Venue: The Soweto Theatre, Soweto
The Soweto Theatre Youth Day Commemoration is a powerful cultural gathering that honours the legacy of the youth of 1976 and their enduring contribution to South Africa’s democratic journey. Hosted at Soweto Theatre, the event brings together a vibrant programme of performance, reflection, and celebration through the arts. At the heart of the commemoration is a special headline performance featuring the legendary and new cast of Sarafina!, the iconic musical that continues to echo the struggles, courage, and voice of young people during the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Their collaboration serves as a bridge between generations, connecting past resistance with present-day expression.
Tickets are available on Webtickets.
