Hello, December! (And if Dlala Mapantsula immediately started playing in your head, we can be friends)
Dezemba is here! And if you’ve been seeing 'Dezemba' everywhere and wondering whether South Africans have collectively decided to misspell 'December', let’s clear it up real quick.
No typos here – Dezemba is a feeling.
It’s those late-night beach visits, that unmistakable smell in the air, that moment when you realise the year’s hard work is finally behind you and it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your grind. Dezemba is a whole lifestyle: family braais, endless days by the ocean, sloffie (sandal) tans, laughter, sunshine, and an undeniable sense of freedom.
It’s not just December, it’s Dezemba, and it hits different. To help you make the most of it and carry that energy into the new year, we’ve rounded up the best summer festivals happening in Durban.
TIME OUT RECOMMENDS:
📍 The best things to do in Durban
😋 The best restaurants in Durban
🏨 The best hotels in Durban
🛏️ Where to stay in Durban
Delivering Afrohouse music, high-energy dance, and pure exhilaration, Anywhere Festival Season 8 returns for one unforgettable night at People’s Park. While the official line-up remains under wraps, Durban’s premier Afrohouse festival promises an experience you won’t want to miss.
Also read: The best clubs and nightlife in Durban
BollyRave is wrapping up 2025 with a serious bang, and Durban’s about to feel the heat. If you want a little teaser, stalk their socials, but fair warning: your hips and shoulders may start moving involuntarily.
Also read: The best Indian restaurants in Durban
Nothing says summer quite like fresh fruit, and the 20th Annual Litchi Festival is ready to satisfy every craving over 10 days. Every ticket includes a tractor ride into the orchard, where you can enjoy unlimited litchis straight from the tree. If you plan to walk in, please note that only cash is accepted and card payments are not available.
Time Out Insider Info: If litchis are still available after 23 December, the festival will continue on 26 December. Check their social media for the latest updates.
Also read: The best markets in Durban
SharksFest, one of Durban’s biggest parties, is back, and this year the waters will be anything but calm as the Sharks face off against their rivals, the Vodacom Bulls, in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (VURC). Expect live music, good food, great drinks, and rugby that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Also read: Where to find the wild ones near durban
Ring, ring, Ibiza is calling! No, really – that’s the theme of this year’s Hunter’s Paradise Beach Club festival. The festival returns with seven days of non-stop music and a line-up that’s impossible to ignore. Think Young Stunna, DBN Gogo, and DJ Kent (whose Horns in the Sun might just be one of South Africa's summer anthems). With New Beach as the backdrop, it’s hard to imagine a better way to celebrate Dezemba.
Also read: The best beaches in Durban
Who says music festivals are just for adults? KZN Summer is bringing the vibes for the whole family with free entry for kids under 12, loads of fun activities, chill-out zones, and, of course, live music from some of South Africa’s hottest artists, including Matthew Mole, Lady Zamar, Will Linley, and Jeremy Loops, all happening at The Lawns in Ballito.
As someone who can barely handle a mild bunny chow, I’m sitting this one out. But if you can handle the heat, literally, this festival is calling your name! Expect gourmet food stalls, exciting challenges, the hottest bunny chow competition, and so much more.
Also read: The best pubs and bars in Durban
Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.
Discover Time Out original video
