The late Riky Rick didn’t just co-create—he poured his heart, vision, and signature into what’s now one of South Africa’s biggest youth culture festivals-COTTON FEST.
Cotton Fest returns on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at The Station (Newtown) in the heart of Johannesburg. It’s a one-day celebration of everything the culture breathes—music, fashion, sport, and a whole lot of personality—spread across three stages and stacked with culture-defining artists.
Whether you’re pulling up for headliners like Babalwa M, Cassper Nyovest, 25K, Makhadzi, Qwellers, Sjava, Young Stunna, Shekhinah, and Big Zulu, or vibing to the heavy amapiano DJ lineup including Kabza De Small, Major League DJz, Shakes & Les, Workaholics, Mdu aka TRP, and Mellow & Sleazy—you already know—it’s gonna go off!
Whether you’re a day-one fan or pulling up for the first time, we’ve got the guide to help you make the most of your time.
Where and when is Cotton Fest this year?
Cotton Fest 2025 is set to take place on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at The Station (Old Park Station) in Newtown, Johannesburg.
The Station has been the heart and home of Cotton Fest since it first launched in 2019, and it’s once again the backdrop for a full day of music, fashion, art, and culture—true to the legacy started by Riky Rick.
Doors open at 12:00 PM, and the festival is strictly for attendees aged 18 and over (ROAR – Right of Admission Reserved). The festival will end at 2am.
Who’s on this year’s Cotton Fest lineup?
This year’s Cotton Fest will feature three epic stages, each packed with a genre-blending mix of sounds—from hip hop and amapiano to house, R&B, trap, and gqom.
Headliners include heavy-hitters like Babalwa M, Cassper Nyovest, 25K, Makhadzi, Qwellers, Sjava, Young Stunna, Shekhinah, and Big Zulu, bringing major energy to the stage.
And if it’s piano you came for, the DJ lineup is stacked with names like Kabza De Small, Major League DJz, Shakes & Les, Workaholics, Mdu aka TRP, and Mellow & Sleazy.
The full 2025 Cotton Fest line-up:
016 BANGER BOYZ, 031 CHOPPA, 25k, 2SHOES, A-REECE, ANCHORBEE, ASIANWOKSTAR, ASVNTE, BABALWA M, BABBLE HUME, BABY DAIZ, BABYLOWSKI, BIG ZULU, BILLY G, BLXCKIE, , BROTHERKUPA, BUZZI LEE, CADDY, CALEB MXRCH, CASSPER NYOVEST, CH’CCO, CHAISE WILLIAMS, CHLEY, COW BOII, DBN GOGO, DEE KOALA, DIORSANTANA, DJ BIZA, DJ CAPITAL, DJ DOOWAP, DJ HARVEY, DJ KAYMOWORLD, DJ PEDABOTIC, DJ SLIQE, DJ TSHEGU, DJ ZINHLE, DOCTOR PLUG,DR PEPPA, DRIHANNA, DUKII GONE GREEN, DUSSE WAVY, EEQUE, FAE FAE, FLOW JONES, FOCALISTIC, FRANK, CASINO, GGOLDIE, GOLDMAX,HEMUSTBEFABULOUS, HOUDINI CHILD, HUEY MAGICMAN, ICE BEATS, INTERNATIONAL PANTSULA, JÄGERMISTER BRASS CARTEL, JAYKATANA, JOEY XL, K.KEED, K.O, K1LLBRADY, KABZA DE SMALL, KAMO MPHELA, KANE KEID, KIDDO CSA, KINDLYNXSH, KMAT, LEE MCKRAZY, LEEZY LINDOKUHLE, LERAI, LESEDI THE DJ, LIA BUTLER, LOATINOVER POUNDS, LOVE TUMI, LUCAS RAPS, LULA ODIBA, MAJOR STEEZ, MAKHADZI, MASH BEATZ, MDU AKA TRP, MELLOW & SLEAZY, MFANATOUCHLINE, MILKYWAYS, MISS SHELLEY, MONEY BADOO, MOOZLIE, MR NATION THINGZ, MR JAZZIQ, N&F LECTURERS, NADIA NAKAI, NAE THE BAE, NALEDI APHIWE,NANETTE, NOTBENJAMIN, NVCHO, OKMALUMKOOLKAT, OMAGOQA, PABI COOPER, PARKERVS, PHODII DJ, QWELLERS, RARRI, RATISUPREMACY, REA DA SOUL, RISKY T RSA, ROBOT BOII, ROYAL MUSIQ, SCOTTS MAPHUMA, SCUMIE, SFARZO RTEE, SHAKES & LES, SHEKHINAH, SIXBY9INE, SJAVA, SONWABILE, SBUDA MA LEATHER, SUCCESS, SUPERCYE, TBO, THABA NYABA, THAKZIN, THEE BUHLE, TONY DAYIMANE, TOSS, TR3.LXGY, UNCLE VINNY, USIMAMANE, UUNATHI, VENOM, VIGRO DEEP, WORDZ, WORKAHOLICS, XOLISA RODGERS, YOUNG STUNNA, YUMBS, AND ZIGGY4X
How to get tickets to Cotton Fest?
With 90% of tickets already sold, this is your final call to lock in your spot at the University of Cotton Fest. Tickets are available online via Webtickets, but hurry—discounted Nedbank Cardholder tickets (R245) and Early Bird Day Passes (R250) are already sold out. General Admission tickets are still up for grabs at R350.
Beyond the Music: What to Expect at Cotton Fest?
Those coming through can look forward to the merch drop at The Tuckshop, live skateboarding action at the Sports Arena, top local food vendors at The University Cafeteria, plus customization stations and live art installations. All of this unfolds alongside three non-stop music stages, each powered by some of SA’s biggest lifestyle brands.
This year’s Cotton Fest is powered by Coke Studio, Youth X by Nedbank, Flying Fish, Extreme, Klipdrift, Johannesburg Housing Company, Jägermeister, Play Energy, Vuse, and Velo—with MTV Base and Y
Fits and Fashion at Cotton Fest
Since its inception, Cotton Fest has become more than just a music event—it’s a full-blown fashion moment. Every year, attendees pull up in their boldest, freshest fits, turning The Station into a runway of streetwear, Y2K throwbacks, vintage gems, and locally designed drip. It’s one of the most anticipated parts of the festival, with photographers capturing standout looks and new trends as they unfold right in the heart of the culture.
If you’re not sure what to wear, check out some of our best fit shots from past Cotton Fest editions—you might just catch the perfect idea to curate your look.
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