The much-anticipated Hey Neighbour Festival 2025 has officially been cancelled. The festival’s Instagram page shared the news, saying, “Organizers of Hey Neighbour today announced the cancellation of the music festival set to take place later this year, with plans to return in 2026. This shift is to allow adequate time to secure the necessary artist lineup, funding and to build an experience that truly captures the event’s signature spirit of community and connection.”
Glen Netshipise, a spokesperson for Hey Neighbour, explained the reasoning behind the tough decision. He said, “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. We’re committed to creating a festival worth the wait.”
For ticket holders, the festival organisers reassured fans that they will be looked after. “All current ticket holders will be contacted directly via email with detailed options. There is no deadline to request a refund. Tickets will also be automatically valid for the next festival should holders choose to keep them,” the announcement said. Refunds can be requested at tickets.heyneighbour.co.za.
Earlier in May, the festival had already been postponed from its original August dates to December 2025. Music lovers were eagerly anticipating performances by global stars like Doja Cat, Central Cee, Black Coffee, and Leon Thomas. However, with the cancellation, fans will now have to wait until 2026 to experience the festival’s signature vibe.
The organisers noted that the decision was made to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Hey Neighbour. Unfortunately for fans hoping to see Doja Cat at the festival, she will no longer be performing, as she has just announced the dates for her 2026 Tour Ma Vie world tour. The tour will begin on February 5 in São Paulo, Brazil, with stops in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico City.
While disappointment is understandable, Hey Neighbour’s team assures fans that this pause is a step toward creating an even more spectacular festival experience. Organisers promise that when the festival returns in 2026, it will truly live up to the excitement and energy that fans have come to expect.
