Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 Lineup & Tickets: Lucky Daye, Smino, Baby Rose
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 is returning 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 is heading to Johannesburg as one of the main acts on the Once Upon A Time lineup.
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.
His Johannesburg appearance adds an 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 his unconventional flows and genre-blending sound, Smino has developed a strong international following across his solo projects and collaborations.
Baby Rose
Baby Rose completes the first artist announcement.
The Atlanta singer has built her sound around soulful vocals, contemporary R&B and emotionally driven songwriting, making her a natural fit for Once Upon A Time’s live music-focused lineup.
More artists are still to be announced
The current lineup is only the first announcement, with more artists still to come.
Once Upon A Time is expected to expand the bill ahead of the 5 December event, so this page will be updated as additional names are confirmed.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 Tickets
Tickets are now live for Once Upon A Time in Joburg.
Phase 1 General Admission starts at R750, while group, VIP and VVIP options are also available.
Once Upon A Time Ticket Prices
| 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 |
Tickets went live on 1 October 2026.
🎟️ Buy tickets: Howler
With Phase 1 tickets available from R750, fans can choose between General Admission, group packages and premium VIP and VVIP options.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 Date & Venue
Once Upon A Time returns to Johannesburg on:
Date: Saturday, 5 December 2026
Venue: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia
City: Johannesburg, South Africa
Format: Daytime festival
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens will provide the setting for the new edition, with the event positioned as a daytime music experience.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 Lineup
The confirmed lineup currently includes:
Lucky Daye
Smino
Baby Rose
More artists to be announced.
As further names are revealed, the lineup will be updated here.
What to Expect at Once Upon A Time Joburg
The 2026 Johannesburg edition is being presented around a daytime festival format, combining live performances with a lineup that moves 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.
The festival is also returning to Johannesburg with a new venue, following its previous Centurion edition.
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026: Quick Details
Event: Once Upon A Time in Joburg
Date: 5 December 2026
Venue: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia
Doors/Event: Daytime festival
Lineup: Lucky Daye, Smino, Baby Rose + more
Tickets: From R750
Ticket platform: Howler
Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 FAQs
When is Once Upon A Time in Joburg?
Once Upon A Time takes place on Saturday, 5 December 2026.
Where is Once Upon A Time in Joburg 2026 happening?
The festival will take place at Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia.
Who is performing at Once Upon A Time in Joburg?
The first confirmed artists are Lucky Daye, Smino and Baby Rose, with more artists still to be announced.
How much are Once Upon A Time in Joburg tickets?
Phase 1 General Admission starts at R750, while a Phase 1 Group of 4 costs R2,800. VIP, VIP Table, VVIP and VVIP Group of 4 options are also available.
How much is VIP for Once Upon A Time in Joburg?
A VIP ticket costs R1,500.
How much is a VIP table?
A VIP Table costs R7,000.
How much is VVIP?
A VVIP ticket costs R6,000, while the VVIP Group of 4 option costs R26,000.
When did tickets go on sale?
Tickets went live on 1 October 2026.
Where can I buy Once Upon A Time Joburg tickets?
Tickets are available through Howler.
Will more artists be announced?
Yes. The current announcement includes Lucky Daye, Smino and Baby Rose, with more artists still to come.
