The annual Back to the City festival is Africa’s biggest hip hop and street culture festival, attracting close to 20,000 devoted fans to the streets of Newtown every year. The festival did not go ahead in 2020 or 2021 due to the Covid pandemic so it's been a long wait for South Africa's hip hop fans, especially given that the festival has moved from it's traditional Freedom Day (April 27) to the spring. 

Festival goers can look forward to performances from the biggest names in hip hop with dozens of talented MCs, beatboxers, rappers and dancers taking to the stage throughout the day plus basketball courts, skating ramps, gaming, film screenings, panel discussions, a clothing market specialising in hip hop and streetwear, graffiti competitions and a wide variety of food and drink stalls to enjoy in and around the festival area.

Phase 2 of ticket sales are underway and available at Pick n Pay Store nationwide or online here.