Absa Delicious Festival 2027: Dates, Tickets & Everything That’s Changed
Formerly the DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival
Delicious Festival is skipping 2026 entirely. The event — one of Johannesburg’s biggest food and music weekends for over a decade — returns as the Absa Delicious Festival, in partnership with the SABC, on 10-11 April 2027 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Here’s everything confirmed so far, and what it means if you were expecting the usual September edition.
What’s Actually Changed
| Details | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Headline Sponsor | DStv (12-year partnership) | Absa |
| Broadcast Partner | DStv | SABC |
| Usual Dates | September (Heritage Month) | April |
| 2026 Edition | — | Cancelled / Skipped |
| Next Edition | — | 10–11 April 2027 |
| Venue | Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit | Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit |
| Location | Midrand, Gauteng | Midrand, Gauteng |
| Event Status | Annual September event | Returning in April 2027 |
| Sponsorship Era | DStv era | Absa era |
| Broadcasting Era | DStv | SABC |
| 2027 Edition | Not applicable | 10–11 April 2027 |
Why the 2026 Edition Isn’t Happening
Earlier in 2026, DStv ended its 12-year headline sponsorship of the festival. Organisers initially reassured fans the show would go on independently, announcing dates of 19-20 September 2026 — the festival’s traditional Heritage Month slot. That plan has since been scrapped entirely. As organisers put it in an Instagram announcement: “We’re still here. We’re simply turning the page.”
Instead of September 2026, the festival is skipping straight to April 2027 for what it’s calling a new era — with Absa now on board as headline sponsor and the SABC as broadcast partner.
When Is the Absa Delicious Festival 2027?
Saturday, 10 April and Sunday, 11 April 2027, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand, Johannesburg — the same venue the festival has used in recent years.
Why the Move to April?
Organisers have framed the shift as intentional, not just a consequence of losing DStv’s sponsorship. According to the festival, April offers “more intention and more room to grow” compared to the previous September slot. The festival has stressed it remains independently owned and produced, with the new sponsorship and broadcast deal positioned as an evolution rather than a rescue.
About the Absa Partnership
Absa has stepped in as headline sponsor, with the brand describing the partnership as going beyond simply attaching its name to the event — aiming to create access, value, and experiences for its customers in spaces where South Africans gather to celebrate and connect. This isn’t Absa’s first major South African festival sponsorship; the bank has also backed the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) for 30 years and runs its own Absa Champagne in Africa Festival.
What About Tickets and the Lineup?
As of the announcement, the full 2027 lineup and programme haven’t been revealed yet, and ticket sales haven’t opened. Given the festival’s history — typically drawing major South African and international acts across food, music, fashion, and culture — expect artist and vendor announcements to ramp up as the April 2027 date approaches.
We’ll update this page the moment ticket sales, pricing, and lineup details are confirmed.
Festival History: From Open Fields to Kyalami
Delicious Festival first launched in 2013, initially held on open government-owned parkland in Johannesburg before growing into the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit fixture it’s known as today. Over more than a decade, it built a reputation combining South African, Asian, Middle-Eastern, European, and American food culture with major music line-ups — everything from kotas and yiros to gourmet burgers, alongside headline performances that have included international names like Busta Rhymes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delicious Festival happening in 2026? No. The 2026 edition, originally planned for 19-20 September, has been cancelled. The festival returns 10-11 April 2027 as the Absa Delicious Festival.
When is the Absa Delicious Festival 2027? Saturday 10 April and Sunday 11 April 2027, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
Why did Delicious Festival change its name to Absa Delicious Festival? DStv ended its 12-year sponsorship in 2026. Absa has taken over as headline sponsor, with SABC as the new broadcast partner.
Is Delicious Festival still on DStv? No — DStv’s sponsorship and broadcast involvement has ended. SABC is now the festival’s official broadcast partner.
Why did the festival move from September to April? Organisers describe it as a deliberate shift for “more intention and more room to grow” alongside the new Absa partnership, not simply a consequence of losing DStv.
Where can I buy tickets for Absa Delicious Festival 2027? Ticket sales haven’t opened yet. Check the festival’s official channels for on-sale dates once announced.
Bottom Line
If you were expecting Delicious Festival this September, it’s not happening — mark your calendar instead for 10-11 April 2027, when the newly-named Absa Delicious Festival returns to Kyalami with the SABC as its new broadcast home. Lineup and ticket details are still to come; we’ll update this page as soon as they land.
Want the full backstory on the sponsorship change? Read our news coverage of the DStv-to-Absa transition here.
