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Johannesburg is in for a big week. The Milk + Cookies Festival touches down at the Nasrec Expo Centre this weekend, but the celebrations don’t start or end on festival day. Instead, the global music platform has rolled out a Milk + Cookies Music Week, turning Joburg into a hub of conversations, collaboration and culture from today.
Known for blending music, fashion and youth culture, Milk + Cookies’ Joburg edition goes beyond the stage, creating spaces for creatives, runners, artists and industry insiders to connect across the city.
Music Week kicks off today
The week begins on Tuesday, 7 January, with the Dot Connectors Music Panel at ALX. Running from 10 am to 6 pm, the panel and networking forum brings together leaders across music, media, tech, fashion and culture to unpack career pathways and share real-world insights, a strong nod to Joburg’s reputation as a city of hustlers and tastemakers.
Later this evening, things shift from talk to vibe with the Out The Oven: Merch Pop-Up at Neighbarhood. From 6 pm to 1 am, expect exclusive merch drops, DJs and creator-led energy, a warm-up moment that sets the tone for the rest of the week.
From movement to music
On Friday, 9 January, the focus turns to movement and community with the Wunna Run Club 5K, hosted at the Nasrec Johannesburg Expo Centre by Gunna himself. Starting at 9 am, the run brings together runners, creatives and fans for a shared moment of connection, followed by a relaxed post-run hang that feels very on-brand for Joburg’s growing run-club culture.
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The main event: Milk + Cookies Festival
The highlight arrives on Saturday, 10 January, when the Milk + Cookies Festival Johannesburg takes over the Nasrec Expo Centre. The main festival day is co-headlined by Gunna and Majid Jordan, with a lineup that also spotlights some of South Africa’s top talent. Expect a high-energy blend of hip-hop, R&B and contemporary sounds, delivered with Milk + Cookies’ signature global-meets-local flair.
Beyond the stage
The week wraps up with a private two-day Writing Camp on 12–13 January, bringing together South African and diaspora creatives for songwriting and production sessions. While not open to the public, it underscores the festival’s broader mission: investing in collaboration, skills-sharing and long-term creative growth within the local music ecosystem.
From panel discussions to pop-ups, running clubs to major live performances, Milk + Cookies is transforming this week into more than just a festival stop - it’s a snapshot of Johannesburg’s creative pulse right now.
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