Winter is about to end. And it is almost time to get outside to celebrate the good weather. There is no better place to do that than at a music festival. South Africa hosts a lot of festivals throughout the seasons. To make sure you don’t miss one. We have created a list of all the must-see festivals in the country. Drink, dance, and have fun with friends and strangers at the best festivals in South Africa. From progressive psytrance music to Hardcore punk or relaxed jazz. There is something for everyone on this list. So, you can dance and party throughout the year on spectacular terrains with colorful decorations.
September
Park Acoustics
Enjoy live artists in the sun during the spring edition of the Park Acoustics festival. The festival celebrates the music of local artists with food and drinks. Different entertainment is offered as well, there is a particular stage for local comedians. When you don’t feel like dancing, you can lay in the grass, set-up a picknick, and laugh at South African comedians. Park Acoustics is a relaxed festival with parties and picknicks.
Date: 1 September
Price: R155
Location: Pretoria
Lentedag
The biggest student-friendly festival is back for 2019! Like previous years, the prices are affordable. This year the event will be cashless, this means that you can pay with your wristband, after you have transferred money to it online. The festival is filled with fun small activities such as games and a silent disco. and you can dance at the three large stages with various live artists.
Date: 11 September
Price: R180, Wristband included.
Location: Pretoria
Into the Wild: Moonchild
Reconnect with mother nature at Into the Wild’s spring festival; Moonchild. The progressive trance music pump beats between the trees which create magical vibes in a spectacular area close to a riverside. This festival is a must-visit for trance music lovers. Mainly due to the exclusive decorations and projections.
Date: 28 – 29 September
Price: R380
Location: Cape Town
October
Rocking the Daisies
The largest festival in Cape Town returns for its 14th edition. Rocking the Daisies takes place in the Cloof Wine Estate, this excellent wine is served at the festival. And this year double the number of bars is available on site. The festival is for everyone with a wide range of music from rap to rock and hip-hop, Rocking the daisies makes sure everybody has a blast.
Date: 4 – 6 October
Price: R995
Location: Cape Town
Smalltown Beat
Located in a small town close to Hermanus, also known as the whale capital, Smalltown Beat presents a not so small festival. The festival is organized by collective groups to make sure this festival stays up to the same standard as its first edition last year. There will be three stages available so you can dance all night long!
Date: 4 – 6 October
Price: R650
Location: Cape Town
Rocktober Lifestyle 9
Enjoy the live music of artists and DJ’s at Rocktober. The festival is organized in Langa Township, which makes it a real vibrant township experience. Taste the food of local chefs and celebrate the rich culture of South Africa. This cultural and dynamic experience is something you will never forget.
Date: 6 October
Price: R140-450
Location: Cape Town
November
Endless Daze
On a sea-side venue with a perfect breeze lays the festival of Endless Daze. It is only a 40 min ride from Cape Town, and a campsite is available for a multiple-day fiesta. The artists come from all over the world. But local artists perform as well, which create an alternative music vibe. Swim in the sea by daylight and party all night long at Endless Daze.
Date: 1 – 3 November
Price: R800
Location: Cape Town
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is known for its wide variety in plants and spectacular views. However, on sunny Sunday afternoons, the garden transforms into a picknick place with live local and international artists. Bring your picknick basket or pre-order one at the teahouse located in the garden and start relaxing. The music varies from jazz to rock and hip-hop. So, there will be music for all ages, sit back and enjoy the picknick with live music.
Date: Every Sunday Afternoon from November 2019 to March 2020
Price: R150-450, depends on artists
Location: Cape Town
PlettRage
Before the real-world hits you, you can enjoy a final blast at PlettRage. The Springbreak festival of South Africa hosted in the small town of Plettenberg Bay. The student festival is filled with like-minded students who erupt the small town with pumping music and live DJ performances. The festival parties on for a week to celebrate the end of high-school and a new chapter in life. This is not your typical festival, it’s more like the whole town is turned into an open area of clubs and vibrant nightlife. PlettRage organizes parties on a beach as well as stages at night. But you can party everywhere in the smalltown.
Date: 29 November – 6 December
Price: R2900
Location: Plettenberg Bay
December
Vortex Open Source
The must-go festival of the year. People from all over the world come to visit this festival. This trance party is fully decorated with breathtaking and colorful themes. The sun, together with the decorations, is used for spectacular effects on the stages and the dance floor. An absolute authentic festival for trance and psychedelic music lovers.
Date: 12 – 16 December
Price: R900
Location: Cape Town
Kinky Summer New Years Eve Party
End 2019 with a bang at Kinky Summer NYE Party. Located in Franschhoek Valley, there is no better place to be when the clock strikes into the new year. There will be three stages that playhouse, techno, disco, and electronica. With enough bars and a campsite, you can celebrate the new year until the following morning.
Date: 31 December 2019 – 1 January 2020
Price: TBA
Location: Cape Town
Secrets of Summer New Years Eve Festival
Celebrate the New Year at Cape Town’s biggest NYE party. This year the line-up will be of significant size, consisting of local and international artists like Kyle Watson, Locnville and Shapeless. Enjoy the Man-Made Beach with soft beach sand, palm trees, and DJ lifeguard towers. The party is located in Observery with stunning views of Table Mountain and fireworks.
Date: 31 December 2019 – 1 January 2020
Price: R420
Location: Cape Town
January
Into the Wild: Raised by Wolves
The second festival of Into the Wild on this list. And for the right reasons. The summer edition “Raised by Wolves” brings together techno and psytrance into the wildlands of the Stellenbosch Wine Estate. At night the 3D visual effects are turned on for a stunning view of the sky. As well as the naturally crafted decorations.
Date: TBA
Price: TBA
Location: Cape Town
Origin
Origin is located in the breathtaking valley on the Elandskloof farm. Origin celebrates the psychedelic art, music, and culture through spectacular decorations and pumping music. A percentage of the profit is donated to development projects as an appreciation for life. The main stage hosts a marvelous dance floor with the best psychedelic music. The other stages range from deep house, techno, trance, and local arts.
Date: 31 January – 2 February
Price: TBA
Location: Elandskloof Farm, 125 km from Cape Town.
February
Up the Creek
The absolute best outdoor festival experience. Up the Creek is located in a long-standing river camp near Swellendam. And the ”’dance floors”” are located in the water, which makes it a truly authentic festival. Make sure to bring your lilo (air mattress) and float while celebrating the art of South African musicians. A campsite is available to rest, but for the rest of the time, you will be in the water. There is also a land stage, so you can dance instead of splash.
Date: 6 – 9 February
Price: R1140
Location: Swellendam
Equinox Experience: Enchanted forest
Equinox takes place in a forest. Which will be turned upside down with hard beats of techno, house, and progressive psytrance. This festival is a must-visit for its extensive and high-quality team of visual effects. As well as the local and international artists who will play at this festival. The forest will become genuinely magical.
Date: 14 – 16 February
Price: TBA
Location: Cape Town
Ultra
The largest dance music festival in South Africa. But most famous all around the world. This party brings a lot of well-known international artists. The line-up for this year is to be announced, but last year artists consisted of Martin Garrix and the Chainsmokers. Make sure to get your ticket fast. On 28 February Ultra will be in Cape Town and on the 29th the party goes on in Johannesburg.
Date: 28 February – 29 February
Price: R750
Location: 28 February in Cape Town, 29 Febraury in Johannesburg
Cape Town Electronic Music Festival (CTEMF)
CTEMF has gained recognition due to its line-up of international artists. However, in the previous year, they have decided to give more opportunities to the local artists. But this doesn’t change the experience of CTEMF. The party is a one-day event, and its location is to be announced. But from previous editions, it has been in the Castle of Good Hope and the City Hall. Those places turned upside down for hard pumping electronic beats and special light effects.
Date: TBA
Price: TBA
Location: Cape Town
March
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
The International Jazz festival is hosted in and around Cape Town’s International Convention Center. Jazz artists from all around the world come and play during this celebration of jazz. There will be five stages which host forty national and international jazz players. Sit back and relax with jazz music from all over the world.
Date: 27 – 28 March
Price: TBA
Location: Cape Town
RamFest
RamFest South Africa’s rock, metal and hardcore punk festival returned in 2019. It is not sure it will return for 2020. But if it does, this is a must-visit for the people who adore headbanging rock and punk. For the ones who like the old school classics of electronic music, this festival got you covered with its own designated stage for electronic beats.
Date: TBA
Price: TBA
Location: TBA
Alien Safari Masqued Ball
Alien Safari got canceled last year, but it was announced to return in 2020. This spectacular show/festival is known for its colorful and decorative stages as well as the terrain. It is not guaranteed that Alien Safari will return, however, if it does this is a party you cannot miss.
Date: TBA
Price: TBA
Location: TBA
April
Splashy Fen
South Africa’s oldest music festival has its 31st edition. And it’s the only festival that allows campfires. The founders believe that the camping experience should be fun as well. They allow more space between the tents so that bonfires can bring people together. This festival welcomes people of all ages.
Date: 9 – 13 April
Price: TBA
Location: Durban
AfrikaBurn
AfrikaBurn is an open and empty area, where creativity runs free. You can build your own wooden structures and when the time is over. You can burn and celebrate it. This is an extraordinary festival, and you don’t have to be a scientist or architect. Everyone is welcome to build their imagination.
Date: 27 April – 3 May
Price: TBA
Location: Tankwa Karoo, Northern Cape
Misty Waters Music Festival
Located at Lake Umuzi with its lakes, green lawns and perfect atmosphere makes it an excellent place for live South African performers. Misty Waters has the best of rock, blues, and folk performances to keep you entertained under the sun.
Date: 30 April – 2 May
Price: TBA
Location: Johannesburg
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