Tides of Time

A New Year's Journey

For friends, by friends

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Welcome to the Show

Hello, Adventurers of Time

Welcome back to the only New Years celebration you want to be at this year. Not in some random club surrounded by strangers spilling their drinks on you.

At Tides of Time, you will be embarking on an extraordinary journey of exploration and discovery through time, surrounded by your people, dancing to some phenomenally groovy beats in a canyon that is millions of years old... or up on a hill top oasis overlooking the Karoo desert...

On top of the sheer magnificence of Place of Dreams, the best part of Tides of Time is always the people. A beautiful mix of welcoming voyagers from all over that come together to achieve one common goal - having the best time possible with your friends, old and new!

For this reason, this event is invite-only and we limit the crowd to exactly 150 friends of friends. You are welcome to invite friends that you trust, but you will be responsible for their behaviour, so choose wisely.

All tickets include breakfast and dinner. There is no dietary requirement that our amazing chef can't handle! You will be prompted for your dietary requirements on the ticket form. Fun fact: Including food in your ticket has been a massive factor in reducing waste.

Digital Detox

This is your chance to truly disconnect. There is no cell signal at the venue — a complete digital reset. For emergencies, we have a Plan B to reach the outside world, but otherwise you're off the grid. Embrace the freedom of being unreachable.

What's New This Year

A few things have changed since last time — here's what you need to know:

Removed

No More Bar Services

There are no longer any bar services at the event. This is strictly BYOB — the only alcohol will be what you bring, so stock up before you arrive!

Added

Breakfast on Day 4

Due to popular demand, we've added a farewell breakfast on Saturday 2 January — the last day of the festival. It's our chance to see everyone off together with full stomachs before the long drive home.

Explore

Everything here matters — it's not a lot, so scroll through and read it all first. Use the jumps below when you want a second look after you've been through the whole site.

What's New The Journey What to Bring Daily Themes Gifts of T.O.T Lineup Activations Schedule Gallery Aftermovie Quick Links

There is no reception in the desert. Download this guide before you leave so you have everything you need right in your pocket.

The Journey

Arrival

Tuesday 30 December 2026, 15:00–19:00

Settle into your desert sanctuary

Departure

Saturday 2 January 2027 — any time

Depart renewed, carrying the magic with you

Location

Place of Dreams, Karoo

A desert sanctuary unlike any other

What to Bring

Here's everything you need for an amazing festival experience:

Food & Drink

✅ Breakfast & dinner are INCLUDED in your ticket!

Snacks for between meals – coffee, snacks & additional meals available for purchase
BYOB only — no bar services. The only alcohol will be what you bring, so stock up!
Drinking water (tap water is drinkable but tastes like sulphur)
Ice – bring as much as you can for communal freezers

Essentials

Bin bags – leave no trace, take your trash with you
Head torch with spare batteries
Toilet paper – single ply only (delicate loo systems)
Bag of wood – minimum 1 bag per car for the braais
Towels – for showering and swimming
No cell signal at venue – emergency communication plan available if needed

Clothing & Gear

Closed shoes – for walking around safely at night
Party outfits & warm clothes for night and sunrise
Swimming stuff – pool at main area + afternoon at infinity dam
Sun protection – sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, rehydration sachets, sarongs
Yoga mat – if you like yoga
Hiking shoes & running shoes – for added enjoyment
Personal first aid – experienced medic on-site, but bring your own too

Personal Items

Cigarette butt holder – if you smoke
Games & party favours – for added fun

Daily Themes

Dress up and join the fun with our curated daily themes:

📅 30 DEC

📼

Back to the 90's

💪 90s / retro workout vibes 🎧

Think bright colours, tights, headbands, and cut-off sleeves.

Bold, fun, and slightly ridiculous — dress like you're ready to sweat! 🔥

🎵 Music Journey

Gentle, groovy, and full of feel-good energy ✨

Easy rhythms, familiar moments, and a relaxed, social flow.

A warm, nostalgic start — smooth, inviting, and effortless to dance to 🕺

POD 1

📅 31 DEC

🏝️

Tropical Icons

Dress as a tropical icon 🌴🍍🦩🌺

Think pineapples, flamingos, surfers, or beach vibes.

Bright, fun, and easy — the more colorful, the better!

🎵 Music Journey

Warm, open-air grooves that pulse through the afternoon sunlight ☀️

Alive, social energy that steadily finds its feet and starts to lift.

A golden-hour build — from vibing out to full-on dancing as the sun slips away 🌅

Infinity Dam

🎭

Alter-Ego

Anything goes — bold, funny, chaotic, or completely unexpected 🎭🤪

Step into a different version of yourself and own it! 💥🕺

🎵 Music Journey

Bouncy, bold, and full of energy from the start ⚡

Big singalong moments, cheeky surprises, and nonstop movement.

Loud, electric, and full-send — expect the energy to keep climbing 🔥

the Canyon

📅 1 JAN

🔥

Best of the Fest

Your favorite day-time festival outfit ☀️🎪 If this is your first festival dm us for inspo ;)

🎵 Music Journey

Slow, soft, and beautifully chilled to start 🌿

Gentle grooves, easy energy, and a gradual lift as people find their feet.

A smooth revival into sunset — light, warm, and quietly euphoric 🌅

the Rooftop

✨

Light it Up!

Take whatever you wore during the day, slap on a coat and light yourself up as much as possible 🌙⚡ Think LEDs 💡, glow-paint 🎨, glow sticks 🟢, your glowing personality 😉

🎵 Music Journey

All in, no holding back ⚡

Bigger, bolder, and pushed just a little further — still fun, still bouncy, but with an edge.

The final stretch, the last push — empty the tank 🔥

POD1

The Many Gifts of T.O.T

This will give you an idea of what to expect at the festival. POD is home to so many luxuries that it's genuinely hard to believe you're in the desert.

Tap to explore the gifts of T.O.T

One Dancefloor at a Time

There are 4 magnificent dancefloors that we only open one at a time to keep everyone together and to make the festival feel like a shape-shifting tour through paradise!

D-FLOOR 1 - POD 1

An enclosed but open-air living room in the desert, complete with rugs, vetsaks and treffers.

D-FLOOR 2 - INFINITY DAM

A fully outdoor desert space with 4 mega dancefloors, a beautiful swimming dam and plenty of shade.

D-FLOOR 3 - THE CANYON

A massive million-plus-year-old canyon with mesmerizing lighting, a powerful sound rig and homely furniture. One of the most unbelievable festival spaces Africa has to offer.

D-FLOOR 4 - THE ROOFTOP

An elevated space with beautiful desert views and built-in stone chill booths.

Meticulously Curated Music

The flow of music is carefully designed to match the energy of the crowd throughout the event. Expect a musical journey through: Downtempo • House • Disco • Indie Dance • Funk • Tech-House • Techno • Minimal • Psy-Tech — all without drifting into the more chaotic side of music.

Complete Digital Detox

There is no cell signal at Place of Dreams — you're officially off the grid. This is your chance to truly disconnect, reset, and be present with your people. For genuine emergencies, we have a Plan B to get messages to the outside world, but otherwise embrace the liberation of being unreachable.

Meticulously Curated Crowd

The event is limited to 150 people and is invite-only. There is also no social media for this event. Everyone attending was invited by someone who has been before, and each person takes responsibility for the people they invite. The result: a welcoming, trustworthy crowd and long-lasting connections heading into 2026.

Air-Conditioning

Mobile air-conditioning units are installed in the glamping pods and the main common area.

Comfy Furniture

Place of Dreams is filled with thoughtfully placed vetsaks, rugs and couches. Chilling is always an option.

Delicious Food

Gourmet breakfast and dinner will be prepared and served throughout the event. Additional snacks and meals will also be available for purchase.

Beautiful Showers & Toilets

Place of Dreams has running water and plumbing (a big deal in the desert). Shower and toilet facilities are spacious, plentiful and well spaced out. You cannot drink the tap water.

Electricity

Campsites and common areas all have plug points (another big desert luxury).

Full Kitchen Facilities

A fully functioning kitchen is available with fridge space for ice and food, plus cutlery and dishes. Just remember: cleaning them is your responsibility.