If you’re new to South Africa’s trade show scene, there’s one word you’re bound to hear at some point: Decorex.
As far as top South Africa Exhibitions go, Decorex is a longstanding and unique event held biennially in two of Mzansi’s top destinations: Cape Town and Johannesburg. As a CEO or Marketing Manager of a local or international company, we would not be surprised if you were wondering which of these two shows is the best to attend.
With critical ROI at stake, read on to uncover all you need to know about Decorex South Africa, and discover whether Johannesburg or Cape Town is the right edition for your business.
What Is Decorex?
Decorex is South Africa’s premier trade show event for design, lifestyle, and interior/exterior décor. The show was first held as a small-scale specialist event back in 1994, but has become a popular local and regional phenomenon.
Just under 60,000 visitors were recorded at Decorex Johannesburg and Decorex Cape Town combined in 2025.
Decorex Major Exhibitors
A few household names that frequently exhibit at Decorex Cape Town and Decorex Joburg include:
Decorex Joburg And Decorex Cape Town Compared
Both Decorex Joburg and Decorex offer immense value for exhibitors in the design and home renovation space, but not all exhibitors have the opportunity to attend both. Depending on your location, background, and goals, prioritising one specific show can work out to be better value for your business.
Here’s what some previous stats say:
| Decorex Johannesburg | Decorex Cape Town | |
| Venue | Sandton Convention Centre | CTICC |
| Date | 30 July – 2 August 2026 | 25-28 June 2026 |
| Visitors (2025) | 34,782 | 24,572 |
| Visitor Growth (2024-2025) | 22% | 19% |
| Exhibitors (2025) | 370 | 230 |
| Ticket Cost (Online) | R160 | R150 |
| PR Exposure Value (2025) | R62 million | R93 million |
| Media Guests | 268 | 248 |
Trade Visitor Breakdown
Source: Decorex 2025 post-show reports
Stats Explained
Overall, Decorex Johannesburg attracts a larger crowd of exhibitors and visitors each year. That being said, Decorex Cape Town recorded a higher PR Exposure Value for 2025, giving it a higher value in media reach if that remains a goal for your business. This means that:
- Journalists, editors, stylists, and influencers attend Decorex Cape Town at a higher rate relative to the general public.
- Trade and lifestyle media (magazines, blogs, broadcast) are actively covering the event to a greater extent than Decorex Joburg.
- The Cape Town audience is smaller but might be higher in influence.
Decorex Joburg attracted a higher proportion of interior designers and furniture manufacturers, whereas Decorex Cape Town attracted a higher proportion of architects and hospitality representatives.
Location
Both Decorex events cater to their respective local audiences. If your business is based in Cape Town, it’s usually a wiser idea to attend your local Decorex than make a pricy expedition to the Jozi (and vice versa).
Keep in mind that the two different exhibition venues also come with their own advantages and disadvantages; you can find a comparison between them on our CTICC venue guide.
Johannesburg and Cape Town are also quite different cities. Cape Town is one of the most desirable cities in the country with an increasing presence of foreign visitors, and it can be expensive to live in. Johannesburg, meanwhile, maintains its local flair, is more affordable on a daily basis, and is the largest city in the country.
Both cities suffer crime, although Cape Town experiences more violent crime restricted to specific areas, whereas Johannesburg is known for opportunistic crimes that are spread out more around the whole city.
Weather
Where you choose to exhibit might also be influenced by your weather preferences, especially if you’re a foreign exhibitor who’s never been to South Africa before. Decorex Cape Town, a top CTICC event, takes place in June when the Cape’s winter season starts becoming wet and frigid. Decorex Johannesburg, on the other hand, takes place in late July when the city experiences mild sunny days with cold nights.
Design Tips For Decorex Exhibition Stands
As a design-centric event, Decorex is one trade show where going all out can beat classic design minimalism. Consider a bespoke custom exhibition booth to really stick out and “wow” your audience.
Tall exhibition stands, similar to the Afropari display built by Booth Exhibits™ at SiGMA Africa, also invite visitors from afar to explore and experience your designs.
South Africa’s Decorex Events: The Verdict
Decorex Johannesburg is a top Sandton Convention Centre event that attracts more visitors and exhibitors than Decorex Cape Town. The Cape Town event does, however, attract more industry PR exposure and could attract crowds of higher quality.
If you’re a local exhibitor based in the Western Cape or are targeting architects and hospitality executives, then Decorex at the CTICC is probably the better option. Otherwise, Decorex Joburg is the event to visit and exhibit at.
Now that you know which event suits your business best, why not complete the process with a stunning expo display? Contact us at Booth Exhibits™ for a curated custom or modular stand design that’ll win you business at your next Decorex show.
How much is a Decorex ticket?
Standard tickets for Decorex Cape Town can be purchased online for R150, while similar tickets for the Johannesburg edition go for R160.
Can anyone go to Decorex?
Decorex is open to both the general public and trade visitors.
Where is Decorex held?
Decorex Joburg is held at the Sandton Convention Centre while Decorex Cape Town is held at the CTICC.
