The many music festivals in South Africa celebrate all sounds, from jazz and Afrobeats to psytrance and classical music. If you’re from South Africa or planning to travel there, here are the best South African music festivals to add to your list no matter what you like to dance to.
We’ve got South African music festivals you can attend in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and even in some of the best natural sceneries in the country, so you are sure to find a festival you love.
Splashy Fen
Where: Drakensberg
When: Early/Mid April
With over 30 years in the running, Splashy Fen is known as one of South Africa’s “Friendliest Music Festivals,” welcoming over 150,000 people since its inception. The festival lasts between three to five days each year and is held on the Splashy Fen Farm in the Drakensberg National Heritage Site, next to some of the most incredible mountains and hikes in the world (such as the Tugela Falls hike).
There are four stages, so you can enjoy a variety of tunes while exploring the festival grounds. With its location, there are plenty of camping options available, from riverside camping to glamping with epic views.
Parklive Festival
Where: Johannesburg, Cape Town, & Durban
When: Dates vary, usually August or later in the year
ParkLive is one of the music festivals in South Africa, perfect for a day trip — no camping or overnight accommodations needed! The festival goes from one city to the next, so you can catch the festival nearby, although the artists may vary. The festival features international and local musicians across genres such as pop and electronic.
AfrikaBurn
Where: Tankwa Karoo, South Africa
When: Late April
While AfrikaBurn is technically not a music festival but a burn built upon the principles of Burning Man. Regardless, it’s an event with incredible art and music and deserves a spot on this list!
The week-long event, includes music performances, theme camps, art installations, and workshops. As stated on their official website, “there are no DJ or live band lineups, and no headliners,” meaning each camp is fully responsible for organizing their own events, workshops, and shows, which you can either come upon them randomly or check the Burn schedule.
It’s an intense week so come prepared with all the gear you’ll need to camp — including your friends and best outfits! To learn more about gLearn more about traveling to Afrikaburn here.
National Arts Festival
Where: Makhanda
When: End of July to Early July
If you’re interested in the arts that will immerse you in South African culture, this is the festival to note! The Grahamstown National Arts Festival isn’t one of your usual music festivals in South Africa because it isn’t just a music festival but celebrates arts from music and dance to theatre and comedy. Lasting 11 days, it’s a great festival to stop for a few days while traveling the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Park Acoustics
Where: Durban
When: A Few Times a Year
Park Acoustics has been bringing big names in South Africa, such as Matthew Mole, Mango Groove, and Spoegwolf, to Durban for 10 years now. The South African music festival is a day event, so bring along a blanket, chairs, and your favorite drinks and picnic foods to enjoy with friends while jamming out. Check out their website to view upcoming shows, and maybe you can catch one when visiting Durban!
Cotton Fest
Where: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Durban
When: Date vary by year and location
Cotton Fest is one of the largest South African music festivals celebrating up-and-coming local talents, especially in hip hop and amapiano. So if you’re ready to dance until you can’t anymore to Afrobeats, this is the festival for you. The dates for the festival occur at varying times of the year across different locations, so be sure to give them a follow on Instagram for the latest updates.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Where: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town
When: November to April, almost weekly concerts & during holidays
If there’s any place to be over the summer in Cape Town, it’s the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts. While not exactly one of the South African music festivals you stay and camp overnight, these summer concerts are ideal for spending an evening with friends on the lawn of the gardens and enjoying local musical talent. Plus, you don’t have to plan a trip around them as they happen the entire summer!
While in Cape Town, be sure to do some exploring – see the best things to do in Cape Town, wine tasting and even shark diving.
Ultra Music Festival South Africa
Where: Cape Town & Johannesburg, South Africa
When: Dates may vary, usually Febraury/Early March
Ultra South Africa is an EDM festival that takes place over two days, starting in Cape Town the first day and moving to Johannesburg the second. This festival brings the biggest names in the electronic dance music industry to one place, with past line ups featuring Steve Aoki, Tiesto, and Afrojack.
As many of the African music festivals in this list feature Africa’s biggest names, those seeking a festival with the world’s biggest DJ’s need to add Ultra South Africa to their lists.
Rocking the Daisies
Where: Johannesburg & Capetown, South Africa
When: Early October
Rocking the Daises is another South African music festival that brings the world’s biggest names to the stages — but it’s not just EDM, unlike Ultra Festival! The festival comes to both Cape Town and Johannesburg and features music from a variety of genres such as hip-hop and electronic to indie and soul – usually with a few globally famous headliners and talented support.
Past lineups have featured artists like Stormzy, Shekhinah, and Clean Bandit. Happening over the South African spring time, it’s the perfect festival to ring in the arrival of the summer heat!
Johannesburg Mozart Festival
Where: Johannesburg
When: Late January/Early February
The Mozart Festival celebrates classical sounds such as chamber, vocal, and piano music. Over the week, the festival features pieces that include classical works by Mozart, Beethoven, and more influential composers in history. The concerts are held at various locations around Johannesburg, so check out the program to get your tickets and get more information on the acts at one of the only classical music festivals in South Africa!
Kunda Valley Festival
Where: Elgin, Western Cape
When: Dates vary by year
Kunda Valley is a three-day South African music festival that brings you to one of South Africa’s most stunning natural reserves: The Diepklowe Conservancy. Stimulate your senses and enjoy sounds across genres, including acoustic, electronic, and traditional music. The festival aims to be more than just a celebration of music but also a celebration of diversity and connection with talks, yoga, and ceremonies.
WolfKop Weekend
Where: Citrusdal
When: Multiple times a year
The WolfKop Weekender is a getaway from reality and an escape into the outdoors of South Africa. With river parties, camping, delicious foods, and captivating sounds, this intimate festival will cool you off in the South African summer heat. It seems the festival is held multiple times throughout the year, so be sure to follow their Instagram page for the latest information and dates.
Earthdance
Where: Johannesburg & Cape Town, South Africa
When: Early October
Earthdance brings the best techno and psytrance DJs from Cape Town for an epic two-day transformational event. Aside from music, you can also enjoy yoga, qigong, and meditation at this South African music festival. So grab your best colorful and creative outfits and get ready to immerse yourself in an unforgettable time.
Bloom Festival
Where: Magaliesburg
When: Late September
The Bloom Festival is the one of the best South African music festivals for those seeking a transformational and creative experience. The three-day festival features more than music but includes a guided hike, sound baths, a burn ceremony, and reiki.
So come along, bring your camping gear (or pay for a glamping tent!), and bring your best intentions to immerse yourself in this festival that will bring you a greater connection to yourself and others.
Organik
Where: Kromrivier Farm, Western Cape
When: Mid-October (Gaian Dream) / Early May (Love Project)
The Organik family brings two of the best electronic music festivals in South Africa to the Western Cape each year. The sounds feature psychedelic trance, house, and techno beats, making this an excellent festival for ravers all over. Held on a farm over three days, it’s the perfect location to reconnect with mother nature while dancing the days and nights away.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
When: Late March/Early April
While we might not hear Jazz on the radio these days, the Cape Town Jazz Festival makes sure this music genre lives strong and in person! The two-day event celebrates an international and local line-up, bringing acts from countries like India and Brazil.
Known as the largest music event in Sub-Saharan Africa, it’s a festival not to be missed by Jazz lovers. If you’re a musician yourself, the event hosts workshops just for you, so sign up here to keep in the loop on information!
Afropunk
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa
When: December 30th & 31st
Afropunk is a music festival that intersects creativity, social change, and transformation. Come here to dance your heart out, connect with others, and shed your social roles — the word “Punk” isn’t in the name of this South African music festival for no reason! The festival brings both international and local talent to the stage — past line ups featuring artists like Solange and Goldlink.
On top of the tunes, take part in other valuable experiences the festival offers, including attending social change panels, visiting the local marketplace, and cheering on bands at their battle of the bands event!
