Every year for 15 days, over 50 000 people flock to the small town of Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival, and is considered the second largest arts festival after Edinburgh. Known commonly as the Grahamstown Arts Festival, the festival includes music, drama, opera, visual art, lectures, and many different types of street performers.

Approximately 50 venues around the City are used for productions and performances, with the biggest venue being the 1820 Settlers National Monument.