Popular South African Music Festival Called Off
One of South Africa’s biggest music festivals, Rocking the Daisies, has officially been cancelled for 2026 after organisers announced they could no longer move forward with this year’s event.
The cancellation comes as disappointing news for thousands of fans who had been eagerly awaiting the annual festival at Cloof Wine Estate in Cape Town. The event was scheduled to take place from October 2 to 4 and had already announced major international acts, including British singer Jorja Smith and American rapper Isaiah Rashad.
In a statement shared on social media, organisers said the difficult decision was made because of several unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.
“Despite multiple attempts to find solutions, a number of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control have made it impossible for Rocking the Daisies to proceed in 2026,” the organisers said.
They added that the decision was made only after exhausting every possible option and thanked fans, artists, sponsors and partners for their continued support.
Ticket Holders to Receive Automatic Refunds
Festival organisers confirmed that everyone who purchased tickets will automatically receive a full refund.
According to the announcement, refunds will be processed without requiring any action from ticket holders, with payments expected to appear in customers’ accounts within one to three business days.
The organisers apologised for the disappointment and thanked fans for their patience and understanding during the unexpected cancellation.
‘In The City’ Concerts to Replace Festival
Although Rocking the Daisies will not take place this year, music lovers will still have the chance to enjoy live performances through the In The City concert series.
Instead of the three-day festival, organisers will host one-day events in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, featuring a combination of international and local artists.
Tickets for the concerts are expected to go on sale on Friday, with additional details to be shared on the official Rocking the Daisies and In The City social media platforms.
Isaiah Rashad is still expected to perform as part of the new concert series, alongside several South African artists.
Uncertainty Over Jorja Smith’s South African Debut
It remains unclear whether British singer Jorja Smith will still travel to South Africa following the cancellation of the festival.
Smith had been announced earlier this year as the first international headliner for Rocking the Daisies 2026, with fans eagerly anticipating her long-awaited debut performance in the country.
No official announcement has been made regarding her participation in the In The City concerts.
The original festival lineup also featured popular South African artists including Nasty C, Shekhinah, Lordkez and Mi Casa.
A Festival With a Lasting Legacy
Over the years, Rocking the Daisies has become one of Africa’s most recognised music festivals, attracting thousands of fans while hosting some of the biggest names in global music.
Past editions have welcomed artists such as Stormzy, Summer Walker, Ayra Starr, JID, Snoh Aalegra, Black Coffee, Clean Bandit and the late Mac Miller.
Meanwhile, In The City, launched in 2018, has grown into a successful live music platform, bringing international performers and local talent to more intimate venues across Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Although fans will miss this year’s festival, organisers hope the replacement concerts will continue delivering memorable live music experiences while keeping the spirit of Rocking the Daisies alive.
