Two summer festivals to restore your faith in fun and community connection
Swap your screens for real connection: learn a skill from a top crafter, learn (or improve) your skills on the dance floor, or just float down a river to live music and make new friends
1. They say that 20 nations meet at this dance celebration (what could be more sexy than Afro-Latin vibes?)
The Akoma International Afro-Latin Dance Festival brings together dancers, teachers and enthusiasts from across Africa and beyond for five days of uninhibited and joyful movement, music and connection in Johannesburg. (Don’t be despondent, Capetonians – there’s an Afro-Latin Dance Festival in your town early next year).
Workshops are at the heart of the experience. Dancers of every level can learn salsa, bachata, kizomba, semba and traditional African dance styles from an international line-up of instructors. There are technique classes, partner-work sessions and themed evenings with performance and social dancing. Each day ends with a social event, with live DJs and performers.
Beyond the rhythm and colour, Akoma is very focused on community. Regional ‘pre-Akoma’ weekends in cities around Africa, including Nairobi, Accra and Maputo, keep the network alive year-round, while the organisers say the main festival draws over 20 nationalities.
Date Johannesburg: 26-30 November; Cape Town: 28 Jan-3 February, 2026.
Price Johannesburg: tickets start at R3 000; Cape Town: tickets start at R1 380
Website International Akoma Dance Spirit Festival; salsavida.com
2. Why this year's Up The Creek is the one to make
Last year, Up The Creek made the big announcement that well-loved musician Jeremy Loops and events organiser Damon Forbes had bought into the Creek business, and this year they take full ownership of the popular event.
So this might be the Up The Creek to get to because first-timers are sure to pull out the stops to make their mark. It will be interesting to see what their partnership brings to the event (we predict good things).
Held near Swellendam on the banks of the Breede River, this music event is one of the country’s most enduring (it was established in 1990). It has a loyal following because it’s relaxed and everyone regresses to their childhood (in a good way) and brings fantastical lilos to float the days away on the water and join in the water fights.
This year’s line-up has Spoegwolf, Crimson House, Ross Learmonth, Plush, Kujenga, The Tazers, Mila Smith and international musician Ryan Harris, from Canada. Early bird tickets have sold out, so book soon to not miss out on the fun.
Date 5-8 February, 2026
Price Start at R1 895 (note that tickets no longer include general camping)
Where Swellendam (the site has directions here)
Website upthecreek.co.za