Let’s Braai 2025: A Festival of Family, Fun, and Culture in Paarl

On 24 September 2025 at Orleans Park in Paarl ‘Let’s Braai 2025’, a celebration of music, food, and culture will take place on Heritage Day. The event is organised by TC Events Co. The event brings families and communities together around the fire bringing braai and live performances together through a shared fun experience. 

Heritage Day in South Africa is about celebrating togetherness. ‘Let’s Braai 2025’ aims to show unity through an outdoor festival full of music, food, and family fun. The gates will open at 09:00 am, and the event will start from 10:00 am until 07:00 pm.

Grant Johnson, the founder and director of TC Events Co. and the event organiser, explained. “Let’s Braai was created in 2016 as a family-oriented event where we strive to get different cultures and different religions together and just celebrate heritage. South Africans are known for Braai, and what better way to combine family, live music, and entertainment.” 

Mr Johnson added that the event also aims to put Paarl and Drakenstein on the map. “It’s an event where families come together, colleagues come in groups, and enjoy themselves in a safe environment, while enjoying our South African artists.”

Mr Johnson also highlighted the community spirit. “South Africans, particularly in Paarl, love being together. The celebration is about music, working together, and families being together, that’s what ‘Let’s Braai’ represents.” He explained.

This year, ‘Let’s Braai’ includes both live bands and DJs to attract all ages. Johnson said, “This year, we changed it a bit. ‘Let’s Braai used to be live bands only, but to attract more young people while keeping it family-friendly, we added DJs.” The headline acts include award-winning and popular DJs such as Mr Thela, Ice Flake, and Masoodah, Legendary bands N2 Band and Blutone, and upcoming artists like Basilia featuring Brent Cruz. Local talents such as Collinecia Hawker, Janine, and Vuvu Khumalo will also perform, alongside supporting acts including Neville Louw, Eugene Crotz, Millz the DJ, DJ Carlton, and Bandeoke competition finalists.

Supporting local has always been a priority for Johnson. “We’ve also created a total of 93 jobs through ‘Let’s Braai’. And that is really our contribution to job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities,” he said.

Tickets for Let’s Braai 2025 are available through Computicket, Checkers outlets, and online. Pre-sale tickets for adults are R150, while pensioners and children under 16 pay R80. Cooler boxes cost R50. Gate prices are slightly higher, with adults paying R200, pensioners and children R80, and cooler boxes R80.

Looking ahead, Johnson hopes to grow the event each year. “Reality after COVID, and this is what I’ve experienced since COVID, is that with an open-air event, an outdoor event, you attract a different audience”.

“Point number two is that people are looking for experiences. Our main objective is to add something new to Let’s Braai every year, and hopefully grow it into a bigger, more inclusive, family-oriented event. When I say inclusive, I mean that all cultures should be part of it.” 

He also added, “Hopefully next year we’ll have bigger sponsors on board, and that will help, because artists are very expensive, especially in the African market, as well as nationally recognized South African artists and DJs. 

So that’s where we’re headed for next year. What we’re working towards is making it a true calendar event, something where all roads lead to Let’s Braai in Paarl, at Orleans Park.”

With its focus on family, heritage, inclusivity, and local talent, Let’s Braai 2025 is more than just a day out. It provides a platform for artists, creates jobs, and unites the community. As Paarl prepares to celebrate Heritage Day, Orleans Park is set to become a lively hub of music, food, and South African pride.