The anticipated Hey Neighbour Festival 2025, which was originally scheduled for August and then postponed to December, has officially been cancelled for this year.
Issuing an official statement on social media on 30 September, the festival outlined that the reasons for the cancellation of the 2025 event are to ensure that it bounces back in 2026 with a stellar line-up and adequate funding to ensure it is a standout event for the community it has built.
Glen Netshipise, CEO of Hey Neighbour, shared a candid statement, emphasising that the decision was made with great care and to ensure that they provide an event that is true to the brand's offering.
"Our promise has always been to throw the ultimate neighbourhood block party, one that lives up to the incredible loyalty of our Hey Neighbour family. Rushing the process with current constraints would compromise the very heart of what makes this event special. This difficult but necessary decision allows us the time to build a solid foundation for a spectacular celebration in 2026."
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With fans eagerly awaiting performances by international music sensations such as Doja Cat, Central Cee, Leon Thomas, and renowned South African DJ and record producer Black Coffee in 2025, the announcement has been received with mixed emotions by attendees, with some sharing empathy with the festival team while others expressed their disappointment.
Some comments on the post include, "My heart goes out to everyone involved. I’m sure this hasn’t been easy…kuzolunga kodwa", while others shared, "I can’t believe you took Cench and Doja from me."
Ticket refunds
With the question on many attendees' minds whether they will be issued a refund or not, Hey Neighbour Festival indicated that all ticket holders will be contacted via email with a list of options regarding refunds.
Additionally, the festival shared, "Tickets will also be automatically valid for the next festival should holders choose to keep them."
To request a refund, Hey Neighbour has outlined a step-by-step guide here:
Tickets that have been allocated to individuals will be refunded to the original purchaser, while transferred ticket holders will receive their refund directly.
While Hey Neighbour Festival has not issued a statement about the 2026 event details and potential headliners, we will keep you updated on this developing story.
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