This year, the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival invites families to experience one of Southern Africa’s most family-friendly festival weekends, where imagination takes flight and African storytelling comes alive. Taking place from Saturday 1st to Sunday 2 August 2026 at House On Fire in Eswatini’s Malkerns Valley, The Beehive forms part of Luju’s broader family experience, returning as an immersive children’s village inspired by the theme Inganekwane (the siSwati expression for Folktales).
Open from 10 AM to 8 PM on both festival days, The Beehive offers a vibrant programme of storytelling, creative play and hands-on experiences designed for children and their guardians.
ENTER THE WORLD OF INGANEKWANE
Inspired by Luju’s overarching theme, A Return to the African Future, and this year’s fashion theme, Kwasukasukela (Once Upon A Time), Inganekwane celebrates the African oral traditions that have entertained, educated and preserved cultural wisdom for generations.
THE EAT. SWAY. LOVE EXPERIENCE
The Beehive brings Luju’s #EatSwayLove experiential offerings to life with family-friendly food favourites, interactive games, karaoke and creative workshops.
Families will also enjoy quad bikes, jumping castles, bumper cars, a ferris wheel, carousel rides, the Bubble House, a Kids Spa, VR gaming and the Honey Spelling Bee.
STAGE HIGHLIGHTS
The Beehive Stage will be abuzz with an exciting programme featuring Storytelling sessions, Karaoke, Bee’s Got Talent, Meet the Maker creative workshops, Meet the Keeper, family games, and the Great Honey Spelling Bee for children and parents alike.
New highlights for 2026 include the Little Legends Parade, where children can showcase their most imaginative looks in the Kiddies Best Dressed Competition, bringing creativity and self-expression into the heart of the Beehive experience.
“The Beehive has become one of Luju’s most cherished family experiences because it reminds us that every great journey begins with a story,” says Festival Director, Jiggs Thorne. “Through this year’s ‘Inganekwane’ theme, children won’t simply listen to African folktales. They will step inside them. They’ll create, imagine, explore and discover that the stories passed down through generations still have the power to inspire the dreamers, creators and leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
The Beehive is brought to life in partnership with a vibrant community of local creators, including the Eswatini National Spelling Bee, Swazi Ceramics, ToyJoy and other partners delivering educational activities, creative workshops, immersive experiences and family entertainment.
KIDS’ TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Families are encouraged to secure their tickets early and experience everything Luju has to offer together, with The Beehive forming just one part of an unforgettable weekend of world-class food, fashion, music and family entertainment.
Kids’ tickets are available for children aged 6 to 12. Children aged 5 years and under enter for free. For adults, Luju Gardens and Premium Lounge tickets are available at www.lujufestival.com and at Standard Bank Eswatini branches in Mbabane (The Corporate Place), Ezulwini (The Gables) and Manzini (opposite Bhunu Mall), as well as Dala Spaces at Malandela’s Lifestyle.
Eswatini residents can also purchase tickets via the Unayo Ticketing Service on WhatsApp. Send “Hi” to 7805 6364 and follow the prompts.
