Hey Neighbour Festival 2025 Officially Cancelled, Organisers Aim for 2026 Return
The highly anticipated Hey Neighbour Festival, initially slated for August and later postponed to December 2025, has been officially cancelled. Organisers have announced plans to relaunch the music festival in 2026, promising a bigger and better event.
Reasons for Cancellation
According to festival CEO Glen Netshipise, the decision to cancel the 2025 edition was a "difficult but necessary" one. The primary reason is to allow adequate time to secure the necessary artist lineup, funding, and partnerships to deliver an experience that meets the high standards set by the festival’s inaugural edition. Netshipise stated that "Rushing the process with current constraints would compromise the very heart of what makes this event special."
The organisers aim to build a solid foundation for a "spectacular celebration" in 2026, focusing on recreating the "event's signature spirit of community and connection." The festival, which debuted in 2023, set a high bar with headliners like Kendrick Lamar, H.E.R, and Khalid.
What This Means for Ticket Holders: Refunds and Options
Hey Neighbour Festival has assured ticket holders that they will not lose their money. Current ticket holders will be contacted directly via email with several options: they can request a full refund, or their tickets will automatically remain valid for the rescheduled festival in 2026. Importantly, there is no deadline to request a refund.
To request a refund, ticket holders must log in to their account at tickets.heyneighbour.co.za, select their order, and choose the bank account refund option. The festival has emphasised that providing accurate banking details is crucial as they cannot be corrected once submitted. Refunds are issued to the current ticket holder; however, tickets allocated to individuals by someone else will have the refund processed to the original purchaser.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While the cancellation of the 2025 festival is undoubtedly disappointing, the organisers are focusing on securing sponsors, partnerships, and a stellar artist lineup for the 2026 edition. They intend to deliver a festival that lives up to the "incredible loyalty of our Hey Neighbour family." Ticket holders are advised to monitor the official festival website and social media channels for further updates.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Request a Refund | Log in at tickets.heyneighbour.co.za, select your order, and choose the bank account refund option. |
| Keep Your Ticket | Your ticket will automatically be valid for the 2026 festival. |
| Refund Deadline | There is no deadline to request a refund. |
