Kota Festival 2025 complete guide: Venue list, ticket prices & dates
Nothing screams 'Mzansi living' like enjoying a tasty loaded Kota amongst friends under the warm African sun, and the annual Kota Festival offers locals that experience along with a plethora of other entertainment. Expect energetic live music, wholesome entertainment, and all types of Kotas you can think of (and more!).
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- The Jozi Kota Festival is an annual celebration of street food
- The first Kota Festival of the year took place in March in Johannesburg's East Rand
- Newtown was where the first edition of the Jozi Kota Festival was held in April
- Mpumalanga enjoyed all that the Kota Festival offers in May
- The eThekwini Kota Festival will captivate Durbanites in August
- The Vaal Kota Festival will dazzle attendees at the Emerald Coast & Casino
- Capetonians can look forward to the Kota Festival in September
- The highly anticipated 2025 Soweto Kota Festival also takes place in September
- Eswatini will get to experience the joy of the Kota Festival in September
- Free State foodies can look forward to their Kota Festival in October
- The Lesotho Kota festival in November is expected to draw in many
- Pretoria's Kota Festival takes place at Fountains Valley in November
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact information
- Wrapping up
Key takeaways
- For those who do not know, a Kota, or a 'sphatlho', is a South African street food consisting of a hollowed-out quarter loaf of bread filled with ingredients such as chips, cheese, polony, sauces, and atchar.
- 'Kota Day' is a special day of celebration for South African foodies who love the local sandwich, and is held annually on the first Saturday of December.
- Although multiple provinces have already experienced the Kota Festival, the remaining Kota Festival 2025 dates are in August, September, October, and November in multiple provinces.
- Kota Festival tickets and prices can be found on Computicket, Webtickets or directly on their website.
The Jozi Kota Festival is an annual celebration of street food
- Date: October 4, 2025
- Time: 10h00–00h00
- Location: FNB Stadium, Soccer City Avenue, Nasrec, Johannesburg
Although known by most as the 'Jozi Kota Festival', the organisation has multiple legs which span nationwide throughout the year. Johannesburg's segment offers a variety of delectable Kotas and other food for those looking for something different, with scheduled performances by Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele.
Source: UGC
The first Kota Festival of the year took place in March in Johannesburg's East Rand
- Date: March 1, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Emperors Palace, 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park, Johannesburg
The popular food and cultural festival kicked off at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, with the day jam-packed with entertainment. DJ Tira, Lwah Ndlunkulu, and Somizi kept the crowd going on-stage, with a dance-off and eating competition included in the day's activities.
Newtown was where the first edition of the Jozi Kota Festival was held in April
- Date: April 5, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: The Station ZA, 140 Carr Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
There are two segments of the Jozi Kota Festival. The April edition was held on April 5, 2025, at The Station ZA in Newtown and was considered a big success. Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele performed, with Somizi acting as an ambassador for the festival nationwide.
Mpumalanga enjoyed all that the Kota Festival offers in May
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Lowveld National Botanical Garden, Emnotweni Avenue, Riverside Park, Mbombela
Source: UGC
The Mpulamlaga Kota Festival took place in the heart of Nelspruit in early May, featuring national beloved Kota stalls while spotlighting local food talent. Attendees also enjoyed an array of local music, including Mlindo the Vocalist, Mawelele, and Sam Marshall Music.
The eThekwini Kota Festival will captivate Durbanites in August
- Date: August 2, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Kings Park Stadium, Jacko Jackson Drive, Stamford Hill, Durban
The next scheduled festival that has yet to take place at the time of writing is the eThekwini Kota Festival. Foodies can look forward to around 30 kota stalls and local music. VisitDurban confirmed that patrons can look forward to a kids' section featuring slides, a jumping castle, rock climbing and PlayStation areas.
The Vaal Kota Festival will dazzle attendees at the Emerald Coast & Casino
- Date: August 30, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Emerald Coast & Casino, 777 Frikkie Meyer Blvd, Vanderbijlpark
Attendees in the Vaal can look forward to a day of delicious food and good music at Emerald Coast & Casino. Those attending can look forward to artists including Eduh Samkelo, Pfu NA NI II, Ntombikhona Ntombi and Thembi Mncwabe on the bill.
Source: UGC
Capetonians can look forward to the Kota Festival in September
- Date: September 6, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: The Castle of Good Hope, Castle Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
The Cape Town edition of the Kota Festival has a theme, 'tropical Hawaiian'. There will be an array of entertainment for the whole family, including a jumping castle and bumper rides, as well as multiple local artists performing.
The highly anticipated 2025 Soweto Kota Festival also takes place in September
- Date: September 6 and 7, 2025
- Time: 11h00–20h00
- Location: Dobsonville Rugby Grounds
Foodies can pencil in the weekend of September 6 and 7 for a two-day event at the Dobsonville Rugby Grounds, next to Dobsonville Stadium. Although the musical performances have yet to be announced, expect an appearance from event spokesperson Somizi, along with fun for the whole family.
Eswatini will get to experience the joy of the Kota Festival in September
- Date: September 27, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Malkerns Country Club, Malkerns, Eswatini
Eswatini is one of the two landlocked countries within South Africa scheduled to also enjoy the nationwide shenanigans, with undisclosed South African artists and family-friendly fun expected. LABA SAUCE is one of the vendors confirmed for the day.
Source: UGC
Free State foodies can look forward to their Kota Festival in October
- Date: October 25, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Ramblers Club Venue, 52 Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein Central, Bloemfontein
Kota-lovers can look forward to all that the beloved national festival offers at the end of October, with the vendor MAPS EATERY confirmed at the time of writing. Although the musical line-up remains unconfirmed, patrons can look forward to a display of local provincial culture.
The Lesotho Kota festival in November is expected to draw in many
- Date: November 1, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Maseru Club, 12 United Nations Road, Maseru, Lesotho
The second landlocked country on the tour is Lesotho, with the confirmed theme for this instalment also being tropical Hawaiian. The event will showcase both South African and Lesotho kotas, with family-friendly fun high on the agenda.
Source: UGC
Pretoria's Kota Festival takes place at Fountains Valley in November
- Date: November 29, 2025
- Time: 10h00–20h00
- Location: Fountains Valley, Christian de Witt Avenue, Groenkloof, Pretoria
The last Kota Festival of 2025 is the 'Pitori' instalment, with no theme stated thus far. However, foodies can still anticipate a lively day filled with local vendors showcasing their delicious recipes and multiple kid-friendly activities.
Frequently asked questions
Once you have decided to experience all that the nationwide Kota Festival has to offer, there is essential information for attendees to consider before visiting. Tickets cannot be purchased at the door, and there are prohibited items you cannot bring into the venue.
Where can you buy Kota Festival tickets?
You can find Kota Festival tickets at Webtickets or any Computicket outlet, such as Checkers and Shoprite. Alternatively, you can buy tickets directly on the Kota Festival website. Prices range from R80 to R580.
Source: Getty Images
Is alcohol allowed at the Kota Festival?
Alcohol is not allowed to be brought into the venue, but patrons can purchase alcohol at the venue, or through a pre-order system via ebevs.co.za. Other items that are prohibited include:
- Hubblys
- Cooler boxes
- No pass-outs after 19h00
Contact information
Get hold of the Kota Festival team for further information or queries via the following contact details:
- Phone number: 071 739 5886 or 060 946 6937
- Email address: bheki@kotafestival.co.za, sidwell@kotafestival.co.za or lesego@kotafestival.co.za
Wrapping up
The Kota Festival is best known for its Johannesburg instalment, but the well-loved event travels nationwide throughout the year to spread delicious food and joy to all corners of the country. Patrons can expect an array of unique Kota menus, family-friendly entertainment and talented local artists to create the perfect atmosphere.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.
READ MORE: Kota Joe menu: Latest prices and top dishes at a glance
Briefly.co.za wrote an article detailing the Kota Joe menu. The fast food chain's menu focuses on the traditional South African street food, but adds a unique twist to each dish.
Those wanting something different can tuck into burgers, loaded hot dogs, wraps and more. Finish off your meal with a sweet treat like ice creams and milkshakes with flavours of Cadbury Top Deck, Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, and Oreo.
Source: Briefly News
