Splash Festival Attracts Over 200,000 Visitors in a Safe and Successful Celebration of Culture, Creativity and Entertainment

Nelson Mandela Bay’s iconic Splash Festival made a spectacular comeback this Easter weekend, drawing in over 200,000 excited festival-goers to the city’s buzzing beachfront. The 2025 edition of the event was undoubtedly one of the most successful in recent years, offering a packed four-day program filled with family-friendly fun, world-class entertainment, and a strong sense of community. Early figures suggest the festival provided a major economic boost to local tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors, with accommodations booked out and both formal and informal traders seeing a surge in foot traffic and sales.

What stood out the most, however, was the complete absence of crime. This was made possible by careful planning and seamless collaboration between the municipality, law enforcement, security teams, and community safety organizations. The result? A safe, welcoming atmosphere that contributed significantly to the overall success of the festival.

The event was a whirlwind of exciting activities and performances, including:

1. Live Music & Entertainment Across Four Stages: Festival-goers were treated to sensational performances, including Sun-El Musician’s electrifying set on Saturday night and Mango Groove’s high-energy show on Sunday evening, which had the crowd dancing long into the night.

2. SPAR WE’RE FOR FLAVOURS Food Demonstration Tent: Foodies had their taste buds tantalized as top chefs Pete Gaffe-Wood and Justine Drake showcased their culinary skills in live cooking demonstrations.

3. The GALAXY BINGO Beach Arena: The action was non-stop, with thrilling five-a-side soccer and beach volleyball tournaments keeping sports fans on their toes.

4. Family Fun: The beachfront came alive with family-focused activities, from the adrenaline-pumping FUN4U Fun Fair to the ever-popular SPAR Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, which had both kids and adults grinning from ear to ear.

5. Live Comedy & More: Laughter echoed across the festival grounds with a standout comedy set by Stuart Taylor, while visitors explored vibrant craft markets, indulged in street food from food trucks, and checked out a variety of lifestyle pop-ups.

6. Local Talent Showcase: The festival proudly spotlighted Nelson Mandela Bay’s burgeoning creative scene, with 40 performance slots dedicated to emerging local artists.

7. Secret Sunrise Party: For early risers, Saturday morning kicked off with the one-of-a-kind Secret Sunrise Party—a unique fusion of dance and mindfulness that set an energizing tone for the rest of the weekend.

In addition to these headline events, creative activities such as sandcastle-building competitions, live street art demos, drumming circles, and children’s art workshops added layers of interactivity and color, ensuring that visitors of all ages were entertained and inspired.

Although the festival ran smoothly for the most part, there was a brief hiccup with a sewage spill near the precinct. However, the City responded promptly, and thanks to swift action from municipal teams, the issue was contained with minimal disruption. There was no significant impact on public health, safety, or festival attendance, and clear, transparent communication kept the public’s confidence high.

Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe expressed her pride in the festival’s success, saying, “We are incredibly proud of what the 2025 Splash Festival has achieved. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the thousands of residents and visitors who came out to support us, the dedicated organizers and City teams working behind the scenes, and our amazing performers—especially Sun-El Musician and Mango Groove—along with the incredible local talent that made this event so memorable. This was more than just a festival; it was a celebration of unity, culture, and the spirit of Nelson Mandela Bay.”

The triumphant return of the 2025 Splash Festival reaffirms Nelson Mandela Bay’s status as a premier event destination, showcasing the city’s growing ability to host large-scale, inclusive, and secure public celebrations that not only create unforgettable memories but also bring lasting social and economic benefits.