The global Milk + Cookies Festival is back in Cape Town after attracting over 50,000 attendees at its first two editions. Always bringing an unpredictable lineup of world-famous international stars, the festival is one of the year’s biggest events, kicking off 2027 with a big summer celebration.
Here’s everything music fans need to know.
More about Milk + Cookies
The 2027 edition has just been announced, following on the first two festivals that brought Canadian DJ sensation KAYTRANADA and American rapper Gunna to the Mother City. Both were big successes, letting Cape Town audiences experience two global music sensations live for the very first time.
After weeks of mysterious posts and tons of fan rumours, Milk + Cookies has announced Olivia Dean as its 2027 headliner. The British singer-songwriter took the world by storm in 2025, with hit songs like So Easy (To Fall In Love), Man I Need, and Rein Me In (alongside Sam Fender) cementing her as one of the world’s biggest pop stars, even winning 2026’s Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
It will be Dean’s first show in South Africa, with the Cape Town show being her very first performance in all of Africa.
The first local artist to be announced for 2027 is R&B singer-songwriter Elaine, known for tracks like You’re The One, Risky, and Vele Uyena. She is joined by renowned DJ Chelsea Sloan, herself from Cape Town.
On the Joburg side, singer-songwriter Zee Nxumalo and DJ Jade T have joined the local lineup.
Beyond the headliners, Milk + Cookies continues to platform South African artists, creators, venues, and partners, with 2026 bringing YoungstaCPT and Internet Girl to the stage, while 2025 saw Zakes Bantwini have an unforgettable set.
In addition to the music festival, Milk + Cookies Music Week brings a variety of events and performances at some of Cape Town’s most beloved venues in the lead-up to the big show. The programme highlights food, fashion, art, and design, with panels, workshops, pop-ups, and parties running alongside the traditional acts.
Keep up to date
More South African acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Pre-registration for Cape Town and Joburg is open on Howler on Friday 23 October 2026 at 10:00 SAST until 28 October; sign up for updates on the website.
When: Friday, 29 January 2027 | Sunday, 31 January 2027
Where: Sandringham Farm, just off N1, near Stellenbosch | Johannesburg Expo Centre, cnr Nasrec & Rand Show Rd, Nasrec, Johannesburg
Instagram: @milkcookiesfest
Facebook: milkcookiesfest
Website: milkandcookiesfestival.com
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