AfrikaBurn

BUILD artworks, theme camps, mutant vehicles.

Workshop / open build

26 Apr–2 May 2027Next date

23 Oct 2026Next deadline / key date

Late April-early MayUsual timing

Tankwa Karoo, Western Cape, South AfricaWhere

01 · How to take part

Your way in

Buy ticket; register a theme camp (Sep-Feb); apply for creative grants (open Sep, close late Oct).

Workshop / open build

Build an artwork, theme camp or mutant vehicle

Buy a ticket and bring or build something. Register a theme camp (Sep–Feb; Form 2 due in January).

Workshop / open build

Apply for a Creative Grant

You build or use: BUILD artworks, theme camps, mutant vehicles
Participation: Build (open, ticketed)
Entry and deadlines: Theme camp forms due Jan; grants close late Oct
Where: Tankwa Karoo (Quaggafontein), Western Cape, South Africa

02 · Dates

Dates and deadlines, Oct 2026 to Dec 2027

Usual timing: Late April-early May. Dates are only shown where a source publishes them; everything else is marked TBC.

23 Oct 2026AfrikaBurn 2027 Creative Grant applications (midnight)Official timeline: 23 October, midnight (SAST). · sourceDeadline / key dateWorkshop / open build
Jan 2027 · date TBCAfrikaBurn theme camp Form 2 due (January)Month only; no exact date found. · sourceDeadline / key dateDate TBCWorkshop / open build
15 Feb 2027AfrikaBurn Art Form II (M.A.K.E.) project detailsOfficial timeline says '15 Feb'. Burn/sound pieces must be registered by end of Feb. · sourceDeadline / key dateWorkshop / open build
26 Apr–2 May 2027AfrikaBurn 2027Tankwa Karoo, South Africa. · sourceWorkshop / open build

See it on the calendar →

03 · Skills you'll need

Skills you'll need

What to learn and practise before you go. Each resource is marked Official or Community-accepted and names its publisher. Difficulty and prep time are our estimate.

Core skill

Artwork structural safety (drawings and install/de-install plans scaled to height)

Also useful:

Fire safety: contained fires only, extinguishers, burn approval and perimeters
MOOP and Leave No Trace in the Tankwa Karoo
(Optional) Mutant Vehicle design and DMV licensing

Difficulty our estimateSome practice (artwork or vehicle: Skilled team)

Prep time our estimate2–4 weeks of camp prep; 3–6 months for an artwork

Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures.

Refresher

Register your artwork early; burns need approval, and placement or sound need registration.
Structural safety scales with height: under 1.5 m needs a diagram, materials list and install/de-install plans; 3–6 m needs a compulsory 3D model, construction drawings and a project timeline. Light your artwork at night.
No open, uncontained ground fires ever: use a fire drum or raised pit, never leave it unattended, and keep a serviced extinguisher visible in camp.
When burning structures, keep a safety perimeter of at least three times the sculpture's height (more in wind), marked with lights or tape.
MOOP includes glitter, feathers, cable ties, cigarette butts, ash, wood chips and even fruit peels. Prep materials at home, secure everything against wind, and bring magnets, rakes and bags.
After building, events and burns, clean your site and get it signed off by the MOOP/LNT team.
Mutant vehicles must be significantly modified, pass DMV testing and drive at walking pace (10 km/h max).

Practise before you go

Draw your artwork with dimensions and a de-install plan; build a scale model.
Test-assemble and disassemble the piece at home; count every fastener so you can account for them on site.
Do a MOOP walk at a local park clean-up to train your eye.

Safety notes

No uncontained ground fires; extinguisher visible in every camp.
Burn perimeter of at least 3× the artwork height.
Desert heat, cold nights and wind: anchor structures; light artworks at night.
MOOP: everything you bring leaves with you.