Nelson Mandela Bay’s beloved Splash Festival made a triumphant return this Easter weekend, drawing over 200,000 visitors to the city’s bustling beachfront — and setting the bar sky-high for future events.
With four days packed full of family fun, world-class entertainment, and a true spirit of community, the 2025 edition has already been hailed as one of the most successful in recent years. Accommodation across the city was fully booked, and both informal and formal traders reported a welcome boost in foot traffic and sales — a ripple effect that’s set to give tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors a major economic lift.
A Safe Space for Fun A standout feature? The entire event was proudly crime-free. Careful planning and strong collaboration between the municipality, law enforcement, private security, and community safety structures created a secure, family-friendly atmosphere — laying the foundation for a memorable weekend for all.
Entertainment That Hit Every Note Across four vibrant stages, the Splash Festival treated crowds to a non-stop lineup of live entertainment. Sun-El Musician had the beachfront dancing on Saturday night, while Mango Groove’s electric Sunday evening set proved once again why they’re national treasures.
Highlights included:
- SPAR WE’RE FOR FLAVOURS Food Tent: Celebrity chefs Pete Goffe-Wood and Justine Drake dazzled foodies with live demonstrations.
- GALAXY BINGO Beach Arena: Action-packed five-a-side soccer and beach volleyball tournaments kept the energy levels high.
- Family Attractions: The FUN4U Fun Fair and the popular SPAR Easter Egg Treasure Hunt created unforgettable moments for young and old alike.
- Laughs & Lifestyle: Stuart Taylor brought the laughs, while bustling craft markets, gourmet street food trucks, and lifestyle pop-ups offered something for every taste.
- Local Talent Spotlight: With 40 performance slots reserved for up-and-coming artists, Splash proudly championed Nelson Mandela Bay’s creative heartbeat.
- Secret Sunrise Party: Early birds gathered for a magical dance and mindfulness session that kicked off Saturday’s festivities on a soulful note.
Adding even more colour to the beachfront were sandcastle competitions, street art installations, drumming circles, and art workshops for children — ensuring every corner of the festival was buzzing with creativity and community spirit.
Swift Action When It Mattered While the event unfolded almost seamlessly, the City acted quickly to address a sewage spill near the precinct. Thanks to the rapid response of municipal teams, the situation was contained with minimal impact. Transparent communication kept festivalgoers reassured, and the festivities continued without disruption.
A Celebration of Unity Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe captured the spirit of the weekend, saying:
“We are incredibly proud of what the 2025 Splash Festival has achieved. This was more than just a festival — it was a celebration of unity, culture, and the spirit of Nelson Mandela Bay. Thank you to the residents, visitors, hardworking organisers, City teams, and our incredible performers who made it so special.”
A Bright Future Ahead The success of Splash Festival 2025 not only reaffirms Nelson Mandela Bay’s place on the national events map — it highlights the City’s growing ability to host large-scale, inclusive, and safe public celebrations that leave a lasting impact socially and economically.
Here’s to an even bigger and brighter Splash in 2026!
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