THE Durban Street Food Festival returns at The Pavilion Shopping Centre with a great line-up of music.
Making a rare trip to Durban is one of South Africa’s most beloved bands, Freshly Ground, which is the headline act of the festival. This three-day celebration of food, culture, and music brings together over 70 food, craft, and lifestyle vendors. It will take place at Entrance 5 Banking Hall from September 5 to 7.
Since its inception, the Durban Street Food Festival has become one of KZN’s most-loved events, attracting more than 8 000 visitors annually. Hosted by Uber Cool Events, the festival is committed to uplifting SMMEs, promoting local talent, and creating a platform for food, music, and culture to thrive.
The festival is a vibrant showcase of Durban’s culinary diversity — from sizzling African braais and fragrant Indian curries to mouth-watering Asian street-eats and artisanal treats. It returns after a five-year hiatus.
Also Read: WIN: Durban Street Food Festival takes foodies ‘around the world’
Known for their distinctive fusion of African and contemporary styles, Freshly Ground introduces a new lead vocalist, Mbali Makhoba, who brings her powerful, soulful voice and dynamic stage presence to the group, marking a significant evolution in the band’s celebrated journey. Freshly Ground, now a six-piece ensemble, is touring again – with one of their first stops being the Durban Street Food Festival where they will perform on Saturday, September 6 at 19:00.
Freshy Ground headline a full and varied weekend music line-up, hosted by Dave Guselli, which complements the 70 or so food stalls offering a myriad delicious and unusual dining options – as well as some great things to snack on and drink. There will be crafts and collectables too. Kickstart the weekend and come for after work/school sundowners on Friday evening. First up at 17:00 is Vinyl and Vibes, a collective of music lovers, DJs and vinyl enthusiasts who bring people together through analogue music.
A solo set follows with Zoe Wright at 18:00. The Durban singer / guitarist will sing her heartfelt set of beautiful ballads; her sound is a gentle blend of acoustic simplicity and heartfelt performance. From 19:00 until 20:00 is the KZN Youth Orchestra – 80 or so talented young classical musicians, aged between 12 and 22 from across KZN who play a wide range of classical, contemporary and African music. The 40-year-old orchestra is affiliated to the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and is led by Lykele Temmingh and Cathy Peacock.
One of the KZN Youth Orchestra’s alumni is classical violinist Jane Magner, who together with Liam Magner are Veranda Panda. This proudly Durban creative duo has been active since 2010. Jane plays electric violin, and Liam makes use of samplers and effects pads during the set. Much of their music is their own production, bootleg or remix. They will be performing after the KZNYO. In fact, Jane will be joining the orchestra for a number. Wrapping up the evening will be DJ Breezy V – a late-night hip-hop artist, well known on the olde school club circuit.
Saturday the doors open bright and early at 08:00 for breakfast and a strong coffee, to get punters going for the day with the Springbok/All Blacks game on the big screen from 09:00.
A full day of music awaits with Many Moore, an acoustic trio from Pietermaritzburg doing a laid-back brunch two-hour set from noon. At 14:00, the Fela Fela Band take to the stage with their take on the sounds inspired by Afrobeat jazz icon, Fela Kuti. They are followed at 15:00 by popular Westville band, intriguingly called Painting So Serve, performing their playlist featuring rock fusion with brass influence.
Next up is Durban rock, punk rock, RnB, and pop band Wah Wah Baby from 16:00 until 17:00. Their repertoire is known for their fresh arrangements of global Billboard Hits such as Anaconda (Niki Minaj), Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Whithers), Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes), and Come Together (The Beatles).
Taking over the spotlight from 17:00 will be Rocc Lobsters who have recently relocated to Cape Town but return to their home ground to join the line-up. Rocc Lobsters AKA Evan Williams, Jordan Mangoss, Yaseen Margro and Dylan Mangoss are a reggae / blues influenced band with a lively stage presence and an air of improvisation, who play an original set and sometimes a few covers.
Ahead of the main act, regular collaborators, Tim Lewis, established saxophonist, pianist and producer, and Matt Davies, pianist, guitarist and singer, will be on stage together. Heavily influenced by the ’60s era, their soulful funky / house / pop songs draw inspiration from personal life experiences.
Freshly Ground is the featured act from 15:00 till 20:00. Followed by DJ Bizzo at 20:00, and DJ Zim Dollah at 21:00 to wrap up the evening.
Sunday is the perfect day for either a hearty breakfast, or a lazy Sunday lunch, and afternoon tea and sweet treats. Whatever your menu, there is great food to enjoy.
Vinyl and Vibes return with a jazzy vinyl set from noon. At 13:00, is the turn of DJ Baraka; then follows Tristan Cole Boltman, who aims to create pop that infuses other genres of musical influence at 14:00; 1dle at 15:00; DJ Sanks and the Wiz doing an SA-inspired set at 16:00; Blended SA follow with a two-hour set from 17:00, and the evening wraps up with Tarriq Sewps at 19:00.
Festival Director Georgios Kretsos from Uber Cool Events said: “This festival is about more than great food. It’s about community, culture, and celebrating the vibrant spirit of Durban. We want people to come hungry, leave happy, and take home unforgettable memories.”
Tickets: Available now on fixr.co.
WIN! You can also be part of the festival by entering the competition below, where you stand a chance of winning five sets of tickets for Friday, September 5.
Competition closes on September 3.
Durban Street Food Festival 2025
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