Celebrate music, family, nature, community … at Splashy Fen
Splashy Fen. It’s more than just a music festival. Held on the splendid Splash Fen farm in a UNESCO World Heritage site, and surrounded by breath-taking scenery, it’s a celebration of music, yes, but also of art, nature, community, connection. It’s where ageing rockers rub shoulders with hip musos and dads swing tweens up onto their shoulders to see what’s happening on the stage. It’s craft markets and drumming circles and cocktails. It’s soulful acoustic sets and electrifying DJ performances. It’s beers with mates and dips in icy berg waters and connecting with your teens. What started as a gathering of around 400 music fans way back in 1990 is now one of our most iconic festivals and it is, say everyone who’s ever been, an unforgettable experience.
Go for the music …
Six stages – besides the main stage, there’s a river stage, acoustic stage, treehouse stage, electric boma stage and fortress of funk – are curated to offer a varied, holistic music experience. More than 300 musicians will entertain from 10am through until 1am … names like Darren Kiely from Ireland, making his South African festival debut, GoodLuck – dance-floor anthems and electrifying performances from this chart-topping trio will have the crowd moving under the stars, Ard Matthews Trio – the iconic voice of Just Jinjer returns with a soulful acoustic twist, and Sunset Sweatshop – feel-good vibes and rock-infused energy from this South African favourite.
Go with the festival flow
Embrace the whole festival lifestyle with yoga, belly dancing, meditation circles, drumming and didgeridoo workshops, craft markets and a wellness zone.
Go camping. Go Glamping!
Camping never looked this much fun! Festival tickets include access to the site and camping in the general camping areas. So just arrive, find a good spot and set up camp. Top festival tip: Arrive early for the best spots. You can, if you’re more into glamping (us … obvs) upgrade with river campsites, powered campsites, specific family camp sites and the Harambee Glamping Village – we’re talking double beds and hot showers and bedside lamps and plug points and a chill zone. Food wise … there’ll be everything-on-it breakfast buns and burritos and wood-fired-up pizzas, smoothies and falafel amaze-balls and vegan curries, gourmet burgers and waffles and wraps. Hungry is not an option!
Go with the whole family
There really is something for everyone. Families can get together for river rafting, mountain climbing, trail runs.
And for those with younger children, there’s a dedicated areas for children and a fully supervised kids’ zone.
Go get your tickets
General passes for the entire event cost from R1560, kids younger than four R20, four to 12 R600, with day and weekend passes also available. Tickets include access to the entire festival site for the whole festival, four nights camping with hot showers, serviced loos and running water. There’s a dedicated medical zone, one of SA’s best festival security setups, mobile phone charging stations and Red Frogs (a welcoming space for anyone and everyone).
Details: splashyfen.co.za • Facebook @splashyfen • Instagram @splashyfenfest • TikTok @splashyfenfest
