Music and culture take over the runway
More than 4,000 festival-goers gathered at Wonderboom National Airport this past weekend as the first-ever Wonder Fest made its debut.
Held on Saturday, 7 March 2026, the event transformed the airport’s runway into a vibrant cultural space celebrating music, fashion, food and local creativity. The inaugural festival carried the theme “The Flight Experience – Not Flying, But Elevating Culture,” bringing together entertainment and lifestyle experiences in a unique aviation-inspired setting.
Festival launches 90-year milestone for the airport
The event also marked the beginning of celebrations for the 90-year legacy of Wonderboom National Airport, one of Tshwane’s key public assets.
Speaking during the event, Tlangi Mogale, City of Tshwane MMC for Roads and Transport, thanked the organisers and partners involved in bringing the festival to life.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to airport management, the event organisers, emergency services, law enforcement and community partners who collaborated to make this event possible. Wonder Fest is a powerful demonstration of how the legacy of Wonderboom National Airport can continue to support local traders while allowing visitors to experience the aviation and cultural offering of this unique venue.”
Mogale also highlighted the city’s broader vision for the airport as a hub for both the aviation and creative industries.
Star-studded lineup electrifies the crowd
The festival featured a strong lineup of South African artists, including DJ Maphorisa, Sun-El Musician, Mörda, Vigro Deep and Ms Cosmo. The programme also included performances from Transmicsoul, Silly Bean and Kyotic DJ.
The show was hosted by media personalities Mpumi Landan and Mfana Gogo, keeping the crowd energised throughout the day and into the evening.
One of the most memorable moments came when rising artist Shandesh arrived dramatically by helicopter as her hit track Chopper played to the crowd, a moment that perfectly captured the festival’s aviation theme.
A platform for local culture and entrepreneurs
Beyond the music, festival-goers also explored food stalls, fashion expressions and lifestyle installations, while local traders and vendors benefited from the strong turnout.
The event was supported by several major brands including Courvoisier, Flying Fish, Graham Beck, Vuse, Gordon’s Gin, Johnnie Walker and Red Bull.
A new cultural moment for Tshwane
With its successful debut, Wonder Fest has established itself as a new cultural event in the capital, blending aviation heritage with contemporary music and lifestyle culture.
Scene Feed Thought:
Turning an airport runway into a festival stage might sound unusual, but for thousands of fans in Tshwane, Wonder Fest proved that culture can take off anywhere.