What began as a surprise 40th birthday party in 1990 has evolved into a festival that feels deeply woven into South Africa’s cultural fabric, returning year after year with the same spirit of joy and togetherness.
Western Cape, South Africa (01 February 2026) – There are a few places in South Africa where time seems to slow down just enough for people to remember why music matters, why community matters and why summer feels better when it’s shared. On the banks of the Breede River, with dust on your shoes and a melody drifting across the water, Up The Creek has become one of those rare places.
Up The Creek Outdoor Music Festival isn’t just another date on the festival calendar. Established in 1990, it holds the title of the second-longest-running outdoor music festival in the country, a remarkable achievement in a landscape where trends change quickly and festivals often come and go. Every year, about 23 kilometres outside Swellendam in the Western Cape, the banks of the Breede River come alive with music, laughter and a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back decade after decade.
It All Started With a Birthday Party…
“In 1989, Life Magazine did a story on the original Woodstock Music Festival of 1969. The article featured interviews with people who had been there and iconic photos of many of the legends who performed – think Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix…. My favourite quote from the article came from a festival-goer who was asked what his best memory was. ‘Jimi Hendrix at dawn’ was his reply. This was my inspiration.”
— Annie Sowden, Festival Founder & Owner
That spark of inspiration found its way into real life a year later when Annie’s partner at the time, Anthony, turned 40. The couple shared a deep love for rock ‘n’ roll and ran a river rafting adventure business from the Up The Creek camp. Without Anthony knowing, Annie invited all of his friends to a surprise birthday weekend at the camp, asking each guest to contribute R10 to help pay for three bands, one of them memorably named The Worst.
When around 100 guests arrived, Anthony expected a relaxed weekend of canoeing, spit roasts and catching up with friends. Then the first band arrived and asked a simple question: “Where can we plug in?” In that moment, it became clear that this was no longer just a party.
What followed were three days of continuous music, dancing and joy. That birthday celebration became the first chapter of Up The Creek.
A Festival Where Everyone Belongs
One of the things that sets Up The Creek apart is its complete lack of hierarchy. There’s no VIP area, no fenced-off spaces, no sense that some people matter more than others. Musicians wander the campsite, share meals and often jump into spontaneous jam sessions with fellow Creekers. You can meet your heroes, discover new ones, or simply connect with the person dancing next to you. Everyone is part of the same story.
And over the years, the festival has delivered moments that feel almost impossible to script. Celebrity weddings held under open skies. Opera performances echoing across the river. Laughter yoga sessions at sunrise. Rooftop performances on a Pied Piper-style jam van. Bikini-clad Creekers winning the Anything That Floats competition on a drifting four-poster bed. It’s a place where creativity runs free and the unexpected is welcomed.
With less than a week to go before the gates open, Up The Creek Outdoor Music Festival, amplified by 5FM, has officially entered its final countdown. From the 5th to 8th February 2026, up to 3,000 festival-goers will arrive on the Breede River for four full days and nights of live, local music in an open-air setting. Up The Creek has long been a people-powered summer festival. It’s about bringing music lovers, artists and the wider community together for a shared experience that feels both intimate and expansive. Sunshine, river swims, late-night dances and mornings that begin with music instead of alarms all form part of the magic.
Championing Local Artists, Year After Year
Supporting South African music has always been at the heart of the festival. Each year, more than 50 local bands perform across multiple stages, including the Main Stage, River Stage, Food Court, Jam Van, River Lookout and the Late Night Barn. It’s a space where emerging artists are given a platform and established favourites are celebrated in a setting that strips everything back to the music itself.
The full 2026 lineup has just been released and it’s a powerful mix of homegrown talent and familiar names. Audiences can look forward to performances by Spoegwolf, Crimson House, Plush, Kujenga, The Most Amazing Show with Corné & Twakkie, We Kill Cowboys, Mila Smith, Club Valley, Petrol Station Pies, Pretty Loud, Kayla The Crow, The Tazers, MaxX & Love, Tree63, Rubber Duc, Ross Learmonth and Jeremy Loops, alongside international flavour from Ryan Harris (Canada).
While festival-goers count down the days, the team behind Up The Creek is deep in delivery mode. Stages are being built, production schedules finalised, footpaths marked out and shower blocks constructed. Artist flights and transfers are being coordinated, all with the aim of creating a seamless experience once the music starts.
“We’ve just this week confirmed the position for this year’s River Stage, a highlight for all festival goers! The team on site is hard at work, building shower blocks, putting up stages, marking out footpaths in the campsite – so much goes into making a festival actually happen!” says Festival Director Caitlin Hanley.
At a time when so many people are searching for connection and uplifting experiences, Up The Creek offers something genuinely special. It’s not about spectacle or scale; it’s about shared moments, local culture and the simple joy of music played under open skies. For South Africans, it’s a celebration of creativity, togetherness and the kind of summer memories that stay with you long after the tents are packed away.
As the river readies itself for another influx of music lovers, one thing is clear. The happiest little festival on the river is back, bringing with it four days of music, connection and summer done right.
Tickets and Festival Info
Early Bird tickets for Up The Creek 2026 opened on 19 August 2025 and sold out faster than ever before. Phase 1 tickets are also sold out, while you can still get your hands on Phase 2. For those based in or near Swellendam who want to join the celebration for a day, limited Saturday Day Passes are also on offer. Tickets and accommodation options are available via the festival’s official channels.
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