Braam Culture Fest 2025 to showcase Joburg’s urban culture

Supported by the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the one-day event joins established festivals such as Hey Neighbour, Cotton Fest and Spring Fiesta, offering a Johannesburg-focused perspective on contemporary urban culture.

The festival will feature performances across three stages. Headliners include Thulani Way, Fresh by Caddy and Khuzani, alongside emerging acts such as 031 Choppa and W4DE. Genres on the bill include amapiano, hip hop, gqom and Afro-house.

Level 1 will host amapiano and hip hop, Level 2 will focus on gqom and Afro-house, while Level 3 will provide a platform for underground and emerging artists.

Festival co-founder Siyabonga Mahlangu said the event “mirrors the energy of Johannesburg – fast-moving, diverse, and unapologetically creative.”

Braamfontein was chosen as the festival’s location for its cultural significance. “Every street here carries art, music and history,” co-founder Khona Mdaki said.

In addition to music, the event will include fashion showcases, sneaker culture exhibitions, art installations and a food market offering both gourmet street food and township-inspired dishes. Local vendors, designers and small businesses will be involved in the programming.

The festival was founded by Mahlangu and Mdaki as an annual platform for musicians, designers and other creatives, with a focus on both cultural and economic development in Johannesburg.

Tickets to the event are available here.