Johannesburg – The MILK + COOKIES MUSIC festival 2026 has switched things up by dedicating a month to celebrating the South African creative ecosystem with events in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The festival, which initially began as an Atlanta-based venture, has evolved into a cross-continental movement.
This year, the festival returns to South Africa from 17 December 2025 to 13 January 2026, reinforcing its mission to go beyond the stage.
“Returning to South Africa feels like coming home for us; its culture has this incredible pull that we’ve felt from the start, shaping how we approach everything,” said Jhordan Gibbs, Director of Artist and Sponsor Relations at Milk + Cookies.
The headliners this year will be global hip-hop icon Gunna and R&B duo Majid Jordan.
The two high-energy stages are set to bridge Atlanta’s bold creativity with South Africa’s rich traditions.
With events happening throughout the festive season in Cape Town aimed at capturing the city’s vibrant lifestyle, blending celebration with empowerment to foster SA’s artistic resurgence.
And the Johannesburg events channeling the city’s industry scale, emphasising empowerment and community-driven impact to inspire SA’s next generation.
“These events, like the writing camps and panels, are our way to truly give back, connecting aspiring creatives with real tools and networks to build their futures,” Gibbs said.
“It’s beautiful seeing young SA artists light up with possibilities; we’re here to empower them because SA’s creative spirit deserves that respect and investment…”
