Just Geekin'  Brings Dungeons & Dragons, Cosplay AND E-Sports to the 34th Hilton Arts Festival

Geek Culture gets its own stage this August, with tabletop gaming, an Artist's Alley, a cosplay competition and more - running all weekend at Hilton College.

Geek Culture is officially joining the programme at this year's Hilton Arts Festival. Just Geekin' , a brand-new addition to the 34th Hilton Arts Festival, from 7 to 9 August 2026 at Hilton College, bringing three days of tabletop roleplaying, Esports gaming, cosplay and comics to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Curated by award-winning, multidisciplinary South African graffiti and hip hop artist, poet, and activist Ewok (aka Iain Robinson) and well-known artist and musician Daniel Sheldon, the Just Geekin’ Festival hopes to attract a new audience of creative thinkers, gamers, artists and performers.

Festival programme

Just Geekin’ takes place in the Hilton Theatre complex, with a packed 3 days programme that includes:

Tabletop Roleplaying Games, including Dungeons & Dragons sessions for new and experienced players

The Artist's Alley, showcasing comic and concept art from local creators

E-Sports Tournaments, and free-play stations (entry fees apply for play) in collaboration with Konke Gamers, led by Durban-based gamer and adaptive surfer, David Williams. Konke creates accessible spaces for people with disabilities, bringing adaptive controllers and accessible gaming setups to disabled gamers. Williams teams up with the festival to champion esports for people with disabilities, opening up competitive gaming to a community too often left out of it.

Celebrity Games -  with local celebrities (experienced or not) will try their hand at Tabletop Roleplaying Games-  including whacky musician Veranda Panda, theatre personalities radio presenter from PlayZN Keri Miller, and Steven Stead. These games can be viewed from arena styled seating or watch on the big screen at the fest or on Twitch .

A Cosplay Masquerade in partnership with GES-Cosplay, on Sunday 9 August, is open to all (experienced pros, beginners, adults, children and the elderly too) - with incredible prizes to be won. These include goodies from the Just Geekin’ Market, a Les Gateaux voucher, and tickets to ICON Durban, the Renfaire Hellfire Gala and to rAge Expo.

A comic book launch, film screening, workshops and discussions as well as various live art activations and a rotating line-up of other geekin’ activities.

Young Gunz and Trail Blazers

Young Gunz and Trail Blazers is an opportunity for artists between the ages of 12 and 23 to attend and exhibit at the festival, with prizes including an Inscape Graphic Design course, courses from Dweba School, and a signed comic book . This is through a partnership with Dweba School – the online school for artists and creators, that will also be doing hands-on workshops and giveaways, including illustration courses, sticker packs,digital drawing tablets. Just Geekin' @ The Hilton Arts Festival, is curated for newcomers and lifelong enthusiasts in equal measure, offering a complete Geek Culture experience including a Geek Market for geek-styled retail therapy within one of South Africa’s most established cultural calendar events.

Tickets and enquiries

A ticket unlocks a whole day. Day tickets are R75, with a full weekend pass available for R100, and both grant access to the Geek Lounge with a variety of activities, with no restriction on coming and going as you please. Additional ticketed activations and add-ons will be available in the Geek Lounge as well.

Follow for updates and programme on social media:

Instagram: justgeekinza

Facebook: Just-Geekin

Website: https://hiltonfestival.co.za/geekin/

For participant, vendor and media enquiries, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.