Ring in the new year at the Smoking Dragon festival
The Smoking Dragon New Year’s Eve Festival 2015 is unique in that it offers families the opportunity to celebrate the parting of the old year, and the arrival of the new one in a safe, beautiful environment, while listening to top South African artists.
Smoking Dragon will celebrate its fifth New Year’s Eve Festival with a three-day event hosted by the Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge from December 29 to January 1.
The Smoking Dragon New Year’s Eve Festival 2015 is unique in that it offers families the opportunity to celebrate the parting of the old year, and the arrival of the new one in a safe, beautiful environment, while listening to top South African artists.
“The line-up is always very carefully selected where we try and take the audience on an auditory journey, seamlessly crossing through the different music categories from folk all the way to electronic, in this way no genre dominates, so everyone is catered for,” said event organiser, Ilsa Roberts.
Ms Roberts said the idea was to increase exposure and revenue for local musicians and crafters over the period.
“The festival tries to support local, more established businesses in the Northern Berg by encouraging people to support the wide range of accommodation and activities on offer. As the first and second of January are in fact a Friday and a Saturday we are hoping that families will chill with us for a while longer than normal,” she explained.
The incredible entertainment line-up includes the following musicians: The Kiffness, Haezer, Das Kapital, Majozi, Albert Frost, Damage Inc, Phizisist, Household Funk, Ruby Gill, We Are Charlie, The Accidentals, The Meditators, Tidal Waves, Existing Consciousness, BCUC, The Brother Moves On, Devin Harmer, Tim Parr, Gugz & The Bam Bam, Acoustic Groove Machine, The Hezron Chetty Band, Sutherland, BOO!, Yorke, Heroine, Diamond Thug, Jack Rolling Dandy’s, Zebra & Giraffe, Napalma, Diamond Thug, Michael Lesar, Icurus and Rain, 2lani The Warrior, The General, Nomad, Headroom, Hippie Mafia, Chee, Damage inc, T-Stack and Vin Groovin.
Camping with a festival ticket is free, with access to two dams, a river, clean ablutions, a children’s zone, food and craft stalls, as well as that fabulous view of the Amphitheatre all the way to Cathkin Peak.
For those who would like a bit of extra comfort, there is also the option to stay in the Amphitheatre Backpacker’s Lodge campground at R135 per night. Here you can enjoy their restaurant, bar, free sauna, jacuzzi, bouldering cave, internet cafe and rock pool.
The tickets prices are as follows:
– Pre-sale: R700.
– At the gate: R800.
– Children under 12 years old: R250.
Day tickets are also available at R300 per day, which includes one night’s free camping. Arrive at any time on the date of arrival, and depart by 10am the following day.
Shuttle services: The Bazbus is a hop on, hop off, door-to-door bus service linking all backpacking venues across the country. Although used primarily by foreign tourists without their own vehicles, why not hop on board, and be chauffeured to your destination of choice. There is also a shuttle service for those travelling by mainline coach from Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban (Harrismith being the pick up town). Bookings can be made through the Smoking Dragon Travel Store.
The event will take place from 10am on December 29, to 1pm on January 1.
Tickets are available from www.smokingdragon.co.za.
