Bad news for festivalgoers in South Africa

The 2026 Calabash festival, originally scheduled to take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town, has been cancelled due to the event’s headline act, Muse, being unable to perform. 

Event organisers announced the cancellation on 14 January, just over a month after announcing the Calabash lineup for 2026. 

“Due to reasons beyond everyone’s control, Muse can no longer perform in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and India,” the organisers said. 

“Unfortunately, given the short notice and logistics involved with presenting such a large-scale touring stadium festival, we have been unable to secure a suitable alternative headliner in time, and have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event.”

Both the event on 7 February 2026 in Johannesburg and the event on 11 February 2026in Cape Town are affected. 

Fans who already purchased tickets, parking and park and ride tickets will be automatically refunded. 

“Refunds have already started and should take up to five to ten business days to reflect in your account,” the organisers said. 

“We understand this is deeply disappointing news for fans, the artists involved, and everyone impacted by this cancellation.”

The tickets themselves were not cheap, made up of:

• Seated front and middle: R1625
• Front Standing: R1365
• Seated further back: R1325
• General Admission: R970
• Seated at the back: R940

In a message to fans, Muse said that it has cancelled all its upcoming scheduled shows. “This has been a very difficult decision and one we did not take lightly,” the band said. 

“We’re truly sorry to everyone who purchased tickets and appreciate your understanding,” they said. “We hope to be back with you again very soon.”

The multi-grammy award-winning alternative rock band was set to play alongside global musicians, including A Day to Remember, Simple Plan and Nothing But Thieves. 

Local artists Prime Circle, Van Pletzen and Die Heuwels were also set to perform. 

Simple Plan expressed their disappointment at the event’s cancellation.

“We were so excited to finally return to South Africa and play for all our fans there, and we’re very sorry that, because of the festival’s cancellation, it’s no longer possible this year.”

“We truly hope we will be able to come back as soon as possible. We apologise to everyone who was looking forward to the shows and had made arrangements to be there.”

This was set to be the second year of the Calabash Festival.

In 2025, the event brought together world-famous artists Green Day, the Offspring and Robbie Williams for an event in Johannesburg and a two-day festival in Cape Town.

The event was a success that drew 40,000 fans to the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and filled Cape Town’s DHL Stadium with a 55,000 capacity.