Milk + Cookies today announces the final line-up for Milk + Cookies Music Week South Africa 2026, with rising global stars Odeal and Elmiene officially joining this year’s festival. Odeal will perform on the Cape Town main stage, while Elmiene will make his Johannesburg debut – rounding out a diverse, world-class roster that reflects the growing cultural bridge between South Africa and the global creative diaspora.
This final announcement completes a 2026 festival line-up anchored by a headline performance from Gunna and special appearances from Majid Jordan in both cities – marking Milk + Cookies’ most expansive South African edition yet. Following a debut that drew more than 20,000 attendees in 2025, the 2026 return stretches into a month-long celebration of music, culture, industry exchange, and community uplift across Cape Town and Johannesburg from 17 December 2025 to 13 January 2026.
Odeal and Elmiene bring fresh, modern layers to this year’s musical landscape. Odeal, celebrated for his distinctive blend of alt-soul, Afrobeats, and UK contemporary sound, adds a diasporic richness to Cape Town’s lineup – harmonizing beautifully with SA’s own soulful roots and evolving sonic identity. In Johannesburg, Elmiene introduces his widely acclaimed, textured R&B to the SA stage, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience one of the UK’s most compelling new voices.
FINAL 2026 FESTIVAL LINE-UP
CAPE TOWN — SATURDAY, 3 JANUARY 2026
Kenilworth Racecourse
● MAIN STAGE
Gunna • Majid Jordan • Odeal • Nasty C • Dlala Thukzin • YoungstaCPT • Vigro Deep • TenOceans • 2woBunnies • Mshayi • Rarri • Bella Worldwide
● MOVE MZANSI STAGE — POWERED BY EXTREME
Que DJ • Shamiso • Summer Heynes • Not A She • Pierre Johnson • GGOLDIE • Fort Noks • Internet Girl • DJ Abu • Mashup Sessions
JOHANNESBURG — SATURDAY, 10 JANUARY 2026
Nasrec Expo Centre
● MAIN STAGE
Gunna • Majid Jordan • Elmiene • A-Reece • Blxckie • DJ Speedsta • DJ Kent • Jazzwrld & Thukuthela • Dwson • Fiflaaa • Pona x Nkly • Jinji
● MOVE MZANSI STAGE — POWERED BY EXTREME
DJ Capital • Tango Supreme • Stixx • Omagoqa • Lelowhatsgood • Uncle Partytime • ASVNTE • Baby Whitz • Kaygo • Baptiste
BEYOND THE STAGE – MILK & COOKIES MUSIC WEEK 2026 COMMUNITY + CREATIVE PROGRAMMING
Milk + Cookies Music Week continues to reshape South Africa’s festival landscape by expanding beyond a single headline moment into a sustained cultural program. The 2026 edition features a curated schedule of music, fashion, community, and industry experiences across Cape Town and Johannesburg, designed to accelerate talent, build networks, and celebrate creativity at every level.
The program convenes artists, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs and emerging voices for experiences that drive connection, collaboration and creative development. Writing Camps enable producers and songwriters to work with peers from across the continent. Dot Connector panels link global and local industry leaders with rising talent, creating space for mentorship, networking and deal flow. Fashion, lifestyle and music events spotlight new creative identities, while community-centred initiatives deliver meaningful impact directly to neighbourhoods.
Together, Milk + Cookies Music Week reflects a commitment to cultural investment, creative development and community upliftment. The program is built on the belief that the most meaningful impact often happens off the main stage, in the conversations, collaborations and communities that surround it.
General tickets available for purchase via Howler: Cape Town or Johannesburg. This event is open to ages 18+ only.
More information and announcements at Milkandcookiesfestival.com
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