IN A NUTSHELL
• South Africa is one of the hottest festive season destinations with a packed calendar of music festivals and major events
• Cape Town takes center stage for December and January celebrations similar to Lagos and Accra during Detty December
• Highlights include Milk and Cookies, WAV Festival, Black Coffee LIVE, Balcony Mix Africa and Kunye
• International acts visiting SA this season include Gunna, Sabrina Claudio, DVSN, Asake and Mariah the Scientist
The festive season has officially arrived and there is no better way to embrace it than being outdoors surrounded by music culture and unforgettable energy. South Africa has become a global magnet for event promoters during this time of year with both Cape Town and Joburg hosting an impressive lineup of festivals concerts and major experiences.
For this guide we have curated the must see events worth checking out from mid December into early January. The list features standout music festivals including Milk and Cookies, WAV Festival, Black Coffee LIVE, Balcony Mix Africa and Kunye all of which continue to shape the country’s festive identity. Cape Town in particular is set to dominate the season echoing the same spirited wave seen in Lagos and Accra where the Detty December culture draws crowds from around the world.
This year South Africa has also seen a spike in international artists choosing the country as a tour stop. Names like Gunna, Sabrina Claudio, DVSN, Asake and Mariah the Scientist are all confirmed to perform between December and January adding even more star power to the entertainment landscape.
This guide expands beyond music and includes major sporting events for fans looking for variety. The SA20 cricket league returns with high energy match days followed by two major global spectacles happening in Cape Town the Heineken World Tour F1 Experience and the debut of the FIM World Supercross Championship.
With music culture sport and global events all converging this summer be sure to mark your calendar
Heineken World Tour
30 November @ DHL Stadium Precinct, Cape Town
YFM Lyfe: Sabrina Claudio
06 December @ Marks Park, Orange Road, Emmarentia
Once Upon A Time In Joburg: DVSN
07 December @ Marks Park Sports Club, Emmarentia
Pantone Sundays x H&M
07 December @ Kromdraai Creativity & Impact Hub
Everyday People
15 December @ The Empire 16 Empire Rd, Parktown (JHB) | 20 December @ Grand Africa Cafe and Beach (CPT)
Good Morning
13 December @ Constitution Hill
GO! Festival Joburg
13 December @ James and Ethel Gray Park, Melrose
BLOMA by DJ Kent
13 December @ Cabo Beach, Cape Town
2025 FIM World Supercross Championship
13 December @ DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Corona Sunsets Summer Tour
14 December @ Grand Africa Café & Beach, Cape Town
Between Friends Festival
16 December @ The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock
Best of Both Worlds
16 December @ Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria
Black Coffee EXCLUSIVE – Cape Town
19 December @ Cabo Beach, Cape Town
Friends Like Me
21 December @ Loftus Park
SA20 League Tournament
26 December – 25 January @ Multiple Venues
Balcony Mix Africa
27 December @ Black River Park Sports Complex
Paradisco On Island
27 December @ Island Beach Bar
Kunye Cape Town
29 December @ Cabo Beach, Cape Town
Piano People Cape Town
30 December @ Cabo Beach, Cape Town
Jerk x Jollof
30 -31 December @ Cape Town
Milk & Cookies Festival
3 January @ Kenilworth Racecourse (CPT) | 10 January @ Nasrec Expo (JHB)
WAV Festival: Mariah the Scientist
2 January @ Green Point Track
AfroFuture Curated By Culture: ASAKE
03 January @ Goldrush Dome, FNB Stadium
Are you looking forward to these festivals? Let us know!
