Experience a hassle-free Festival by keeping a few basic guidelines in mind when planning your programme. Here is a short list of tips for first-time adventurers.

	FESTIVAL FIRST-TIMERS should plan carefully. Book some shows ahead. Allow enough time to view exhibitions, take a tour, to shop at the craft fairs and to fit in any hit shows that are creating a buzz.
	THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME contains all information on both Main and Fringe events and everything else you need to know to make sure your stay is a happy one. Purchase a copy on arrival in Grahamstown at any of the Information Centres.
	FREE OFFERINGS Sundowner Concerts (17:00 daily Monument Foyer); Art Exhibitions; Street Theatre; and “craft gazing” at the  Village Green Fair and Church Square.
	A VENUE MAP is and the Festival Programme, and loose copies are available at Information Centres, hotels and residences. Detailed maps of Grahamstown may be purchased at the Makana Tourism Office at 63 High Street.
	HOPPER BUSES The timetable for the Festival Hopper service is printed on the back of the loose venue map.
	A CARRY-ALL is useful for carrying your programme, souvenirs, umbrella, sunscreen etc.

	FOOD Apart from the restaurants and food stalls on the streets, most venues offer a steady supply of sustenance at all hours. Alcoholic beverages are on sale at many venues.
	CUE The daily Festival Newspaper contains reviews and articles by leading arts writers, daily schedules, updates and programme changes. Find out what’s hot and what’s not in the Cue Clips section.
	DRESS CODE Informal but do anticipate unpredictable weather. Comfortable shoes are essential. Dress in layers and keep coats and scarves at hand as it may become bitterly cold.
	PROGRAMME CHANGES These will be prominently displayed at the Booking Offices, as well as Cue, and will keep you updated on changes and cancellations. Starting times are adhered to as strictly as possible but please allow at least 50 minutes between performances. We regret that no refunds on tickets can be made for late arrivals.
	TICKETS If still available, tickets may also be bought at performance venues 30 minutes prior to starting times.

Fringe tips

On the edge and very central to many a festino’s programme, The Fringe invades Grahamstown’s CBD with a huge variety of arts offerings that see seasoned pros and feisty newcomers united in the spirit of expression. They come from all nine provinces of South Africa as well as Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, the UK, the USA, and the Netherlands.

Last year there were around 230 productions and 35 visual art exhibitions on the programme.

Your tips

Do you have any festival tips to add to our list? Email us at friends@nationalartsfestival.co.za and we'll put them up on the site.

 Pick up a Booking Kit and see how many fascinating bits of the Fringe you can fit into your Festival puzzle.