With less than two months to go and summer officially here, the countdown to Up The Creek 2026 is moving faster than a lilo drifting down the river. Early Bird tickets sold out within hours, and only a limited number of Phase 1 tickets remain available for the four-day summer festival.
Up The Creek 2026 kicked off with a major ticket rush and a solid first lineup announcement, with plenty more still to be revealed. Festivalgoers can also choose from a range of camping and glamping options, whether they’re after comfort and convenience or a more back-to-nature experience.
Uplifting Local Talent at Up The Creek
Festival organisers and co-owners Jeremy Loops and Damon Forbes of BreakOut Events are continuing their mission to uplift South Africa’s local music scene by creating opportunities for new and emerging artists to perform at Up The Creek.
This commitment takes shape with the launch of the #CreekerArtistSearch, amplified by 5FM. One winning artist or band will earn a performance slot on the River Stage on Friday, 6 February 2026, playing to an audience of over 2,500 festivalgoers.
How to Enter the #CreekerArtistSearch
Artists and bands looking for their big break are invited to submit a video to their social media platforms explaining why they deserve a spot at Up The Creek 2026. Entries must tag @5FM and @upthecreek_festival and include the hashtag #5FMxUpTheCreek.
Competition Terms and Key Dates
The winning artist or band will be announced by 17 January 2026. The selected act must be available to perform in Swellendam on Friday, 6 February 2026.
The winner will receive full travel reimbursement and basic on-site accommodation.
Official Launch Post
The official launch post for the #CreekerArtistSearch is available on Instagram.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on SA Music Zone.
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