The 2026 Newcastle Winter Festival is almost here, promising four days of fun, excitement and a packed line-up of some of South Africa’s top artists.

Festivalgoers can look forward to performances by Benzo, Elandré, Prime Circle, Uncool, Jakkals Vibe and many more, ensuring something for every musical taste.

Tickets and attractions offer something for everyone

Entrance fees are affordable, making the event accessible to all:

• Children up to five years: Free
• Children aged six to 17: R50
• Adults aged 18 to 61: R100
• Pensioners (61+): R20

To avoid long queues, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance via Computicket.

Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy adrenaline-fuelled rides, a wide variety of food stalls and entertainment suitable for the whole family.

Festival programme:

Thursday, 30 April:

• 09:00 – Gates open
• 10:00 – 14:30: School groups: Reptile Educational Encounter, Factory Plaza mascot entertainment, Fire Brigade and fire safety demonstrations, Colour run, Coco Melon, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Rides and Inflatables.
• 14:30 – Sharne Dheochand: Talk on bullying
• 14:45 – Sound check
• 15:45 – Mr and Miss Winter Festival 2026
• 18:00 – Zaan Sonnekus
• 19:00 – Elandré
• 20:30 – Entertainment: Bhangra ‘Under the Stars’, DJ Sanesh, DJ Geesquare, DJ Amir, DJ Shamir and DJ Tash.

Gallery Programme:

• 15:00 to 16:00 – NH Art Studio art workshop / Art & Craft workshop
• 18:00 to 18:30 – Solo performers
• 18:40 to19:00 – Ferrum High School group

Friday, 1 May:

• 07:00 – Potjiekos competition starts
• 09:00 – Gates open
• 09:15 – Reptile Educational Encounter
• 10:00 – Hutties Trompoppies
• 10:30 – Body 5000 and Coastal Tool Hire interactive gym display
• 11:30 – Brian Capper FMX Extreme Bike Show
• 12:00 – Mascot obstacle race
• 13:00 – Drakensberg Primary School line-up: Drakies Dans Poppies, Drakies Pom-pom Poppies and Drakies Trompoppies.
• 13:30 – Zoé
• 14:45 – Brian Capper FMX Extreme Bike Show
• 15:15 – Sound check
• 16:15 – Jakkals Vibe
• 17:30 – Mista Smith
• 18:15 – GSTRiNG
• 19:30 – Tamlyn Wessels
• 20:30 – Prime Circle
• 22:00 – Andeon: Afterparty in the beer tent

Gallery Programme:

• 11:00 – Solo performers
• 11:30 – Arbor Park Musical
• 12:00 – Dance
• 13:00 – Ferrum High School group
• 13:30 – Bucket drumming circle
• 14:00 – Ferrum High School
• 14:00 to 16:00 – NH Art Studio art workshop / Art & Craft workshop
• 16:00 – Bucket drumming

Saturday, 2 May:

• 09:00 – Gates open
• 09:15 – En-Stage Dance Studio
• 09:45 – Ferrum Cheerleaders
• 10:00 – Rugby clinic with Springbok player Ruan Combrink
• 10:00 – Body 5000 and Coastal Tool Hire interactive gym display
• 11:00 – Brian Capper FMX Extreme Bike Show
• 12:00 – Open mic
• 14:00 to 21:00 – DJ line-up: DJ Souljork, DJ Candy, Cee Jay Msendra, DJ Soul Gee, DJ Fellowman, DJ Wiz Nakhado, Phil, Rey Oceans, DJ Lafesto, DJ Vasoul, DJ Thulas, DJ Sonke, Sox DaRapper, Seemorh, Wase_State, DJ Slee, DJ Carpo, Abafana Bombhaqo, Tiecoon, Alvin, Master C Gplat, Boy NBM, HeavySuhn, Vxbesra, Majorman, Cruise IV, SBS, Mbali Majola, Punky SA, Nate Bruna, Stinooh SA and Qkaysway,
• 21:00 to 21:30 – Uncool MC
• 21:30 to 22:00 – Handsome Khuthuza
• 22:00 to 22:30 – Bassie
• 22:30 to 23:00 – Boohle
• 23:00 to 00:00 – Benzoo

Gallery Programme:

• 12:00 – Ferrum High School group
• 12:10 – Solo performers
• 12:30 – Bucket drumming

Sunday, May 3:

Praise and Worship

With a diverse programme and something for all ages, the Newcastle Winter Festival is set to be one of the town’s most standout events of the year.

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel