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Hey Neighbour Festival returns with Doja Cat, Central Cee and big energy

One of South Africa’s biggest festivals returns this August, and it’s loaded.

Liesl Bartlett
Written by
Liesl Bartlett
City Editor, Time Out Johannesburg & Pretoria
Hey Neighbour
Hey Neighbour
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Looking for a weekend escape packed with international music stars, local talent and summer-festival energy (in the middle of winter)? The Hey Neighbour Festival returns to Pretoria from 30 to 31 August 2025, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest music festivals near Johannesburg this year.

Whether you’re after chart-topping global acts or local legends, this is the kind of weekend that deserves a place in your calendar, and maybe even your group chat.

What is the Hey Neighbour Festival

Set on the lush Legends Adventure Farm just outside Pretoria, Hey Neighbour is more than just a music fest. It’s a two-day lifestyle and cultural gathering that brings people together for epic performances, great food, and full-on festival fun, think multiple stages, curated food and drink zones, glamping options, and good vibes all around.

After making a huge splash in 2023 with names like Kendrick Lamar, H.E.R, and Swedish House Mafia, the festival is back with a more compact, high-impact format, dialled in for a massive weekend escape.

The 2025 line-up highlights

The line-up is seriously stacked, with global stars and local favourites lighting up the stage across two epic days. Central Cee, one of the UK’s biggest rap exports, takes the stage on Day 1 while international sensation Doja Cat headlines Day 2, marking her first major festival appearance in South Africa. Leon Thomas, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actor, will also bring his unique sound to the stage on Day 2. 

Hey Neighbour is dropping act after act on their social media, with more artists still to be announced, so keep an eye out for the full phase 2 line-up. Expect genre-hopping sets that include Amapiano, Afrobeats, hip-hop, pop and electronic music, plus surprise appearances and rising stars. 

Ticket info and festival packages

There’s a ticket to suit every vibe, from day visitors to die-hard campers:

Single-day passes

  • General Access: R1 599
  • VIP Access: R2 199

Full weekend passes

  • General Access: R2 899
  • VIP Access: R3 799

Camping and Glamping Options

From bring-your-own gear to fully decked-out luxury bungalows, The Neighbour’s Park has a range of camping options for those looking to soak up the full weekend experience. Check-in starts on Friday, 29 August at 2 PM.

Park-and-Ride & Transport

Shuttle options and limited parking are available. Pre-booking is essential via TicketPro.

Need-to-know details

Where: Legends Adventure Farm, R515, Rhino Park, Pretoria

When: Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 August 2025

Time: Gates open at noon and close at 10 PM daily

Cashless Festival: All transactions are done via loaded wristbands, so preload your credits before arriving or top up on-site.

Why you should go to Hey Neighbour 

If you’re hunting for things to do near Johannesburg this August, Hey Neighbour 2025 is worth the short trip. It’s got the star power, the setting, and the kind of contagious energy that makes you forget winter’s even a thing.

Plus, it’s all about community. The festival is focused on creating an inclusive space, with sign-language interpreters, a diverse line-up, and moments that go beyond the music.

Looking for more things to do in Johannesburg this July? Check out Events: What’s on in Johannesburg

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