The Ultimate Outdoor Music Celebration
Loyal Creekers, New Creekers and everyone in between. Up the Creek is making it’s return from 5-8 February 2026!!
Established in 1990, Up the Creek is the second longest-running outdoor music festival in South Africa. Set annually on the banks of the magical Breede River, about 23km outside Swellendam in the Western Cape.
Grab your festie besties and enjoy four days of great music, good food, chilled vibes, short queues, and a whole lot of gees.
The first batch of artists has been announced, head over to our Line Up page
Tickets are limited to 2 500.
Don’t be kak, be lekker!
Get Your Tickets
Only 2 500 are available!
Secure your shotgun seat to South Africa’s most unique outdoor music experience – four days, four stages and more than 50 of South Africa’s best acts.
Curate Your Creek
Up The Creek loves hearing from you and really values your constructive feedback. Your opinions on things like the line-up and food vendors matter. It helps us to tailor-make a fun and unique festival experience for all Creekers. Who would you like to see at the festival?
Submit your favourite:
Are You a Camper or a Glamper?
We cater for both at Up the Creek! Just make sure to buy your festival ticket AND camping/glamping ticket.
Want to camp yourself?
You can choose between a Grassed Camping ticket, where no vehicles are allowed, or one of the three options (Hillbilly, Platteland
or Powered Campsites) where you can have your vehicle right beside you.
Prefer to glamp and arrive to a pre-pitched tent?
You can book yourself into one of the options with Heartbreak Motel or a Riverbank Dome tent.
GRASSED CAMPING (no vehicles)
Grab yourself a Grassed Camping ticket (limited due to space constraints), which will allow you access to any of the three areas; Hilton, Ellis Park and Country Club. Hot showers and flushing toilets are available as well as portable toilets! Easy walking distance to the Main Arena, Food Court etc.
VIEW OPTION
CAMPING WITH VEHICLES
If you plan to camp with a rooftop tent, sleep in your bakkie canopy or bring a campervan or motorhome please make sure you choose one of the three options to camp WITH your vehicle; Hillbilly, Platteland and Powered Campsites.
Hillbilly is the OG of the Creek - the notorious hilly site is loved by many. If you are a regular camper and come prepared this is a great spot for you. Hot showers and plenty toilets provided.
Platteland is our new addition since the 2025 festival and was well received. As it's name suggests is a much flatter option and this year we are working hard to get rid of the thorns! But again, this camping option is for seasoned campers. A flimsy nylon tent won't cut it. Hot showers and plenty toilets provided. A bit further away from the stages, this is a quieter option!
Powered Campsites are prime, end of story. Demarcated so no need to rush and arrive early, your spot is secure. Three walls around your space offer great protection from any wind and dust, and your own 15Amp distro board is supplied. You can choose from 2 sizes; a 4 or 10 pax campsite.
GLAMPING
If you prefer a little luxury, and want to arrive to everything set up for you, glamping is where you need to go. Heartbreak Motel has 4 options this year; Cadillac, Graceland A & B
and Memphis down by the river. All options are for 2 pax sharing, Thursday-Sunday and includes breakfast and coffee every morning.
Riverbank glamping is an option again this year, and although a little walk this space offers privacy and tranquility like no other. These tents are for 2 pax sharing, Thursday-Sunday, but no breakfast included.
Details of each tent can be found on our Accommodation page
or via our ticketing platform (hyperlink).
So Where Is Up The Creek Exactly?
Up The Creek is hosted at it’s namesake, a long standing river camp, about 23 kilometres outside of South Africa’s fourth oldest town, Swellendam.
Perched on the banks of the Breede River overlooking a tranquil creek, this fantastic location is surrounded by the majestic mountain ranges of the Overberg district – less than a 3-hour drive from Cape Town or George in the Western Cape.
Countdown to Up The Creek
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