Milk and Cookies Music Week Returns 24 December 2025 – 14 January 2026 to Celebrate and Amplify South Africa’s Rich Creative Culture
SA Legends DJ Kent and Vigro Deep Bring Local Energy to Global Stage, With More Acts to Come
Milk + Cookies, the Atlanta-based production powerhouse founded by four Morehouse College alumni, is thrilled to announce the return of Milk + Cookies Music Week South Africa in 2026, with multi-platinum hip-hop sensation Gunna as headliner. Building on the groundbreaking 2025 debut – headlined by Kaytranada – which drew 20,000 attendees, the 21-day cultural celebration runs from 24 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, across Cape Town and Johannesburg, blending music, creativity, and community in a festival that honours South Africa’s vibrant heritage while forging deeper Atlanta-SA connections.
Gunna, known for chart-topping hits like “Drip Too Hard” and “Push Up,” will deliver electrifying performances at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town on Saturday 3 January 2026, and at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday 10 January 2026. Joining him on the line-up are SA icons DJ Kent in Johannesburg and Vigro Deep in Cape Town, whose dynamic sets fuse global hip-hop with SA’s amapiano and house rhythms, showcasing how these genres shape international sounds. This fusion reinforces South Africa as a global hub of creative culture, with Cape Town contributing its vibrant lifestyle and creative flair, while Johannesburg brings industry scale and urban energy.
This year’s return underscores Milk + Cookies’ commitment to community, creativity, and connection – the core mission that has defined the brand since 2009. From its Atlanta roots curating events for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Summer Walker, Milk + Cookies has evolved into a global force, and the return to South Africa reflects a deeper commitment and pledge to empower, uplift and amplify the cultural and creative communities of the country.
“We’re coming back to South Africa because its culture sets the pace for the world, and we’ve felt that energy since day one,” said Chase Freeman, Head of Marketing at Milk + Cookies. “Last year, we saw how Atlanta’s hustle blends so naturally with SA’s incredible culture – it’s a partnership that just works. Now, with Gunna headlining alongside DJ Kent and Vigro Deep, we’re here to not only uplift local talent, but to reinforce to the world how South Africa is shaping global culture.”
Milk and Cookies Music Week goes beyond the stage, offering experiences that empower South Africa’s creative ecosystem. Highlights include educational workshops like writing camps for aspiring producers and writers, educational panels that bridge North American and South African industry insights, and industry events honoring and celebrating creative professionals from diverse backgrounds. Merch pop-ups will showcase South African clothing brands, while community givebacks and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives ensure economic uplift, creating jobs and supporting local growth across South Africa’s creative communities.
“We’re committed to going beyond the stage because that’s where the real magic happens – empowering South Africa’s next generation of creatives through hands-on programming like writing camps and panels,” said Jhordan Gibbs, Director of Business Development and Strategy at Milk + Cookies. “These initiatives provide young South African creatives with the tools, resources, and connections to enter creative industries confidently and authentically – because true creativity thrives when we invest in people.”
Additional local and global acts, along with Milk & Cookies Music Week programming details, will be announced in the coming weeks, so stay locked into Milk + Cookies’ social channels for the latest updates.
Fans can secure tickets starting Friday, 10 October 2025 at 8:30 AM SAST. Sign up HERE for early access tickets.
General tickets available for purchase via Howler: Cape Town or Johannesburg. This event is open to ages 18+ only.
More information and announcements at Milkandcookiesfestival.com
For high-res images, visit Dropbox Assets.
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Instagram: @milkcookiesfest
TikTok: @milkcookiesfest
Twitter: @milkcookiesfest
