Rand Show

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Religious & SpiritualJohannesburg
Dates25–29 March 2027Confirmed listing
Duration5 daysListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 80,000 people
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageLongevity is the Rand Show's defining
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: ZAR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Rand Show in Johannesburg

The Rand Show is South Africa's longest-running consumer exhibition, founded in 1894 and now in its 131st year. Held over five days at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, formerly known as the Rand Easter Show, it combines shopping halls, a crafted-goods market, a music festival stage, a kids' zone and an adrenaline-themed fairground, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each edition.

When the Rand Show first opened its gates in 1894, Johannesburg was a young mining boomtown less than a decade old, and the show existed to display the products and industry of a rapidly growing region to its own residents.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Longevity is the Rand Show's defining feature: established in 1894, it markets itself as South Africa's longest-running and most iconic consumer exhibition, with the current edition explicitly badged as 131 years of connecting people, brands and experiences

02

The mystery stays covered

Each year it draws over 400 exhibitors and more than 80,000 visitors across five days at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec

03

The city starts moving

The show has evolved from its original identity as the Rand Easter Show into a multi-zone event: Hall 6 for mainstream consumer brands, Hall 7 for crafted goods including a Bridal Fair and Matric Dance Fair, a Music Festival stage, a Kids Zone with an inflatable Big Bounce, and an Adrenaline Zone with drifting and bungee trampolines

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Rand Show's tradition is that of the classic industrial-era trade and consumer exhibition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

tracing back to 1894 and long known as the Rand Easter Show for its traditional timing around the Easter long weekend

The sacred route

Living ritual

Its persistence through more than a century of South African economic and political change

The local code

Living ritual

including its relocation to the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec

Tradition 5

Living ritual

reflects a continuing role as a showcase where brands and the public meet directly

Tradition 6

Living ritual

a format inherited from 19th-century industrial exhibitions rather than any single cultural ritual

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

25–29 March 2027

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Johannesburg you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes and casual layered clothing suit the mix of indoor exhibition halls and an outdoor fairground; a light jacket helps for cooler Johannesburg autumn evenings.

Safety

Rand Show is best approached as a guest: follow local crowd guidance and avoid blocking participants.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Rand Show runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

ZAR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map26.20 S, 28.04 EOpen in Google Maps

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Nearest airportJNB — O.R. Tambo
TransportStay close enough to the part of Johannesburg you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Rand Show runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Johannesburg via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Johannesburg, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable walking shoes and casual layered clothing suit the mix of indoor exhibition halls and an outdoor fairground; a light jacket helps for cooler Johannesburg autumn evenings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for South Africa and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Rand Show?

Rand Show is listed for 25–29 March 2027. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Rand Show take place?

The festival is listed in Johannesburg, South Africa. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

How big is it?

Medium: 80000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLrandshow.co.za
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates25–29 March 2027
Source statusOfficial source linked
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