Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026: Lucky Daye, Smino & Baby Rose Lead the Lineup
Once Upon A Time is bringing it back to Johannesburg on 5 December 2026, with Lucky Daye, Smino and Baby Rose leading the lineup at Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia. Tickets are now live from R750, with more artists still to be announced.
Centurion was the previous chapter. Now, Once Upon A Time returns to Joburg for a new daytime edition, with a new venue, a bigger lineup, and international R&B and hip-hop names on the bill.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 Lineup
The first lineup announcement features Lucky Daye, Smino and Baby Rose, with more artists still to come.
Lucky Daye
Lucky Daye heads to Johannesburg as one of the main acts on the bill. The New Orleans-born R&B artist is known for his contemporary take on soul and R&B, combining classic influences with modern production and songwriting — adding genuine international R&B headline presence to the December festival.
Smino
Chicago artist Smino joins Lucky Daye on the lineup, bringing his distinctive mix of hip-hop, R&B, soul and funk. Known for unconventional flows and genre-blending sound, Smino has built a strong international following across his solo projects and collaborations.
Baby Rose
Baby Rose completes the first announcement. The Atlanta singer has built her sound around soulful vocals, contemporary R&B and emotionally driven songwriting — a natural fit for Once Upon A Time’s live music-focused lineup.
More artists are still to be announced. This page will be updated as additional names are confirmed ahead of the 5 December event.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 Tickets
Tickets are now live via Howler, having gone on sale 1 October 2026.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 General Admission | R750 |
| Phase 1 Group of 4 | R2,800 |
| VIP | R1,500 |
| VIP Table | R7,000 |
| VVIP | R6,000 |
| VVIP Group of 4 | R26,000 |
🎟️ Buy tickets: Howler
With Phase 1 tickets starting at R750, fans can choose between General Admission, group packages, and premium VIP or VVIP options.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026: Date & Venue
- Date: Saturday, 5 December 2026
- Venue: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia
- City: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Format: Daytime festival
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens provides the setting for the new edition, positioned as a daytime music experience — a shift from the festival’s previous Centurion chapter.
What to Expect at Once Upon A Time Joburg
The 2026 Johannesburg edition is built around a daytime festival format, combining live performances with a lineup moving through R&B, hip-hop, soul and contemporary Black music. The first three names already give the event a distinctly international feel, with Lucky Daye, Smino and Baby Rose each bringing a different sound to the bill.
Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Once Upon A Time in Joburg |
| Date | 5 December 2026 |
| Venue | Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia |
| Format | Daytime festival |
| Lineup | Lucky Daye, Smino, Baby Rose + more |
| Tickets | From R750 |
| Ticket platform | Howler |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Once Upon A Time in Joburg? Saturday, 5 December 2026.
Where is it happening? Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia.
Who is performing? The first confirmed artists are Lucky Daye, Smino and Baby Rose, with more still to be announced.
How much are tickets? Phase 1 General Admission starts at R750; a Phase 1 Group of 4 is R2,800. VIP (R1,500), VIP Table (R7,000), VVIP (R6,000) and VVIP Group of 4 (R26,000) are also available.
How much is VIP? R1,500 for a standard VIP ticket; R7,000 for a VIP Table.
How much is VVIP? R6,000 individually, or R26,000 for a Group of 4.
When did tickets go on sale? 1 October 2026.
Where can I buy tickets? Through Howler.
Will more artists be announced? Yes — the current lineup (Lucky Daye, Smino, Baby Rose) is the first announcement, with more names still to come.
