Bloemfontein is preparing for a major weekend of live entertainment as Lemo Fest 2026 opens at Lemo Green Park in Heidedal from Friday, 9 October, to Sunday, 11 October.
The three-day event will bring together music lovers for performances spanning R&B, soul, jazz and gospel, offering a varied programme for audiences across the Free State.
However, festivalgoers will need to familiarise themselves with the event’s entry requirements before arriving. Organisers have prohibited several everyday items, including outside food, drinks and cooler boxes, while children aged 12 and younger will not be admitted.
Lemo Fest Takes on a New Role in Bloemfontein’s October Calendar
For many years, October was closely associated with the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe), one of Bloemfontein’s best-known cultural celebrations.
The festival calendar has since changed. The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation scheduled the 2026 edition of Macufe for 3 to 13 September, following its relaunch in 2025.
Lemo Fest has also become part of the city’s festival landscape. In 2024, when Macufe was suspended, Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ntombizanele Sifuba encouraged the public to support Lemo Festival, which was held during Macufe’s traditional period.
Established in 2023, Lemo Fest is staging its fourth edition this year. Its organisers aim to promote music, art, fashion and community activities while strengthening Bloemfontein’s reputation as a cultural destination.
Friday Opens With R&B, Soul and House Music
The festival begins with its Lovers & Friends theme on Friday, offering an all-male line-up focused on soul, R&B and house music.
According to festival and Radio Bloem social media announcements, the performers include Mi Casa, Sun-El Musician and DJ Ash.
Gates will open at 17:00, with the show scheduled to run from 19:00 until 02:00. Friday tickets start at R350.
The opening night is expected to set the tone for a weekend built around different musical styles and audiences.
Saturday Brings Afro Soul, Jazz and a Hugh Masekela Tribute
Saturday’s programme shifts towards Afro soul and jazz, with performances from Judith Sephuma, Sihle Zulu, Maleh, Khuthala and Selimo Thabane.
The programme will also include a tribute to the late Hugh Masekela, the celebrated South African trumpeter and musician whose contribution to the country’s musical heritage remains widely recognised.
Gates open at 12:00, and performances are scheduled to run from 14:00 until midnight. Tickets start at R380.
The day’s combination of established performers and a tribute to Masekela is expected to appeal to fans of South African jazz and soul.
Sunday Closes the Festival With Gospel Music
Gospel takes centre stage on Sunday as Lemo Fest concludes its three-day programme with the Gospel Experience.
The advertised performers include Dr Rebecca Malope, Dr Lusanda Mcinga, Dr Winnie Mashaba, Sechaba Pali, Bucy Radebe, Sipho Makhabane, Mthunzi Namba, Takie Ndou, Ayanda Ntanzi, Minister Spokes Lusanda, Beja and Ncebakazi Msomi.
Sunday’s gates open at 12:00, with the show running from 14:00 until 00:00. Tickets start at R380.
Organisers have warned that the advertised line-up and schedule may change without prior notice, so attendees should check official festival updates before travelling.
Three-Day Passes Offer Savings for Festivalgoers
Visitors planning to attend multiple days can save money by purchasing combination tickets rather than buying individual daily passes.
The advertised prices are:
- Friday: From R350.
- Saturday: From R380.
- Sunday: From R380.
- Friday and Saturday: From R650, saving R80.
- Friday and Sunday: From R650, saving R80.
- Saturday and Sunday: From R700, saving R60.
- All three days: From R950, saving R160 compared with separate daily tickets.
Tickets are available through Ticketpro via the official Lemo Fest website. Bloemfontein residents can also purchase tickets at the Kenworth Centre Lemo Mall ticket office.
Prices may vary by ticket category, so buyers should confirm the final cost and applicable conditions before completing their purchases.
Food, Drinks and Cooler Boxes Are Prohibited
Festivalgoers will not be permitted to bring their own food, drinks, snacks, tumblers or cooler boxes into the venue.
The prohibited-items list also includes hubbly equipment, smoking materials, weapons, scissors and drugs.
The restrictions mean attendees should plan to make alternative arrangements for refreshments and avoid carrying prohibited items to the entrance.
Security screening and identification checks will take place, so arriving prepared could help reduce delays when entering the venue.
Children Under 13 Will Not Be Admitted
The festival’s published rules state that children aged between zero and 12 will not be allowed into the event on any of the three days.
Children who are permitted to attend must remain accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Anyone planning to attend with younger family members should check the latest official entry conditions before buying tickets, particularly if the age restrictions affect their arrangements.
Ticket Transfers Are Allowed, but Refunds Are Not
Lemo Fest tickets are advertised as non-refundable, although they may be transferred to another person.
Patrons must register using their full names and contact numbers and may also be required to provide an email address and photograph.
With major events often attracting ticket resellers, festivalgoers are advised to buy through authorised channels rather than relying on strangers advertising tickets on social media.
Requests for payment into personal bank accounts should be treated cautiously, particularly when sellers cannot provide verifiable proof of a valid ticket.
More Lemo Fest Events Planned for December
The October festival is not the final event on Lemo Fest’s 2026 calendar.
Two further gatherings are planned at Lemo Green Park in December: Hangout on 12 December and Spin Explosion on 13 December.
Tickets for the December events had not yet gone on sale in the information provided by organisers.
For Bloemfontein, the October programme offers a weekend of live music across several genres, while the planned December events provide further opportunities for the city’s entertainment scene to draw audiences together.
