Groove Biennale presents its third festival edition, celebrating alternative nightlife scenes with a strong focus on inclusivity in identity and music. The bi-annual festival, presented by DORMANTYOUTH, has become a haven for queer creatives, partygoers and their allies, revitalising Joburg’s vibrant energy by showcasing diverse sounds and cultures.
This year, Groove Biennale is taking place from 22 to 29 April 2026, between multiple locations in Joburg: Carfax, Luxee Lounge and Flame Studios (Private invite-only studio session). Here’s what you should know.
Music, culture and community come together at Groove Biennale
This year’s festival takes on a residency format over four days of public activities, whilst still celebrating alternative nightlife culture.
Expect a showcase of diverse music featuring genres like Gqom, Ballroom, Jersey/Baltimore Club, House music, Techno, Chicago Footwork, and Electronica, providing a refreshing alternative to the mainstream Amapiano sound.
The festival’s themes include queering, worldbuilding, and placemaking in South Africa.
Circuit Mixers: Groove Biennale partners with Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council Programmes
Circuit Mixers is a networking programme launched by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia to support FINTA* (female, intersex, non-binary, transgender, and agender) DJ-producers from Switzerland and from the regions of its liaison offices.
Circuit Mixers brings together four international electronic DJ-producers Lua Jungck (CH), Naledi Chai (ZA), Owelle (CH) and Zequenx (IN) for an immersive eight-day residency in Johannesburg during Groove Biennale.
For this programme, an eight-day (seven nights) residency for the four artists is planned around the festival’s collaborative showcases from 22 to 29 April, including studio sessions, a panel discussion, speed dating, workshops and other networking events.
The programme aims to foster peer exchanges, artistic collaborations, and raise awareness for underrepresented artists in the electronic music scene. More information here.
The full Groove Biennale Festival programme
Day 1: The Queer Ballroom Scene
On Day one, there will be a masterclass workshop for the different voguing categories and ballroom history, getting the Johannesburg community ready to walk the Main Event at the VNJ Ball. This session is hosted by the 011 Kiki Scene and led by AVA MONROE. Be sure to bring water and a towel.
Cost: Free entry, limited RSVP via Quicket
When: Wednesday, 22 April 2026 from 5pm to 8pm
Where: Carfax, 39 Gwigwi Mrwebi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Day 2: Panel discussions and mixer + music showcase
The first official festival day opens with a free, open day cultural exchange public programme supported by Pro Helvetia.
The afternoon programme hosts a public panel discussion in the festival venue, facilitated by drag royalty, Baba Ganoosh, and the four invited Circuit Mixers artists. After the discussion, the invited guest artists are encouraged to mingle with invited industry peers and experts into the evening, before heading into the nighttime performance programme.
The nighttime performance lineup includes Thee MaKhumalo, LIKKYLIKS, Owelle, Naledi Chai, KMAT and DORMANTYOUTH. This event marks the beginning of the musical onslaught and is focused on electronic music pioneered by minority figures and icons within global electronic music genres.
Cost: Free entry for the panel; R100pp for the nighttime showcase. RSVP and book via Quicket
When: Friday, 24 April 2026 | Panel and mixer event is from 3pm to 7.30pm. Late-night performance showcase is from 6pm to 2am
Where: Carfax, 39 Gwigwi Mrwebi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Day 3: Music / Beat-Making Workshops + The VNJ Sci-Fi Ball
The final official festival day closes with a free, open day skills building/cultural exchange public programme supported by Pro Helvetia. The morning programme hosts two separate, but parallel three-hour artistic workshops facilitated by the Circuit Mixers artists, and for aspiring music artists.
Later in the evening, the VNJ Sci-Fi Ball invites all ballroom scene participants and fans to witness the runway extravaganza. This full on Ball celebrates and encourages the joining/formation of LGBTQ+ Ballroom Hauses in Joburg.
Following VNJ Ball’s regular programming, runway categories are Open To All and encourage both individuals and house representatives to perform and compete in up to six different categories for cash prizes and trophies as well as the ultimate Overall Best Haus Prize and bragging rights. This year’s Ball is hosted by Joburg’s staple Ballroom icons, features some new international faces, and welcomes your favourite Queer vibemakers from all over Gauteng.
Cost: Music/Beat-Making workshops are free, but application is required via this form; the VNJ Ball is from R150pp and can be booked via Quicket
When: Saturday, 25 April 2026 | Both workshops are from 10am to 3pm. The Sci-FI x VNJ Ball is from 6pm to 2am
Where: Carfax, 39 Gwigwi Mrwebi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Day 4: Speed Dating + Self Orientation
As an added residency activity, Groove Biennale hosts a Speed Dating networking event on the Monday following the festival’s end with the Circuit Mixers international artists and the festival lineup. This event, co-hosted by Q Social and, is held in collaboration with Luxee Lounge, a black owned venue in Maboneng with a booming, young, queer audience.
The event is targeted at reaching at least 40 local artists in total, including the invited artists from the festival. The ‘daters’ are split into four groups of 10 to 12 and the programme is split into three networking speed rounds.
The first two rounds will include two groups that will have the opportunity to speed “date,” with the person seated across from them. The last round will be a speed round, where attendees are allowed to mingle with whomever they choose.
Cost: Free entry; limited RSVP is required via Quicket
When: Monday, 27 April 2026 from 5pm to 10pm
Where: Luxee Lounge, Access City Building, 14 Staib St, Maboneng, Johannesburg
How to book
Cost: Various prices, starting at no cost. Book via Quicket
When: Running from 22 to 29 April 2026
Where: Carfax, 39 Gwigwi Mrwebi St, Newtown, Johannesburg | Luxee Lounge, Access City Building, 14 Staib St, Maboneng, Johannesburg | Flame Studios, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg (Private invite-only studio session)
Facebook: @prohelvetia.johannesburg
Instagram: @groove.biennale | @dormantyouth | @vnj_ball | @prohelvetia_johannesburg
