Smoking Dragon NYE Festival

​​​​​​Fifteen years ago a crimson dawn welcomed a searing day. The first fingers of light touched the granite cliffs of the Amphitheatre. The rays warmed the leathery surface of a larger-than-usual egg in a scruffy nest. Something within was trying to break free. After a time, a snout appeared and then a tail. Into those chilly waters fell the half shell. Soon it was careering towards the lip of the 1000-metre Tugela Falls.

“But I can’t fly yet” she sobbed, ” I’m not like the others, I don’t know how to do things the way they do them.”

A bearded vulture rolled a bloodshot eye in her direction and said, “There is no right or wrong way to fly.”

And over the edge of the escarpment shot the hatchling. She plummeted towards the forests below. Closing her eyes she waited for the final crunch, but then she realised that she had stopped free-falling, she was flying. Dragon wings beat through the azure skies. And thus the beast was born.

Smoking Dragon emerged as a maverick organisation when it first began in 2010. From the outset, we did things differently. We hosted community workshops, welcoming those who would not normally afford to attend such events. We showcased as many women-fronted acts as we were able. We were the first festival to create an LGBTQIA+ zone. We catered for different audiences inviting musicians from varied genres. We were not slick, we were authentic.

This year we are collaborating with a host of different outfits and community organisations in a true profit sharing effort. Each new contributor will add to the wide range of music, workshops and other activities already on offer. They will each bring a unique flavour to their space. Keep watching the line-up to see exciting developments.

And the venue? WOW is usually the word that people use to describe Amphitheatre Backpackers. This beautiful eco-lodge is set in the Northern Drakensberg, encircled by awe-inspiring mountains and conveniently situated midway between Johannesburg and Durban. The location draws audiences from both cities as well as Cape Town. Access roads are all tarred so getting here is simple.

There are two dams and a river on-site with many nearby outdoor activities. Festival-goers can leave the nest and venture out, into the wilderness. Hike, zipline, quad bike, horse ride, fish and even take a helicopter ride.

Celebrate our FIFTEENTH birthday with us and expect a BEAST OF A PARTY.