The 2025 Winter Programme of Cape Town’s iconic First Thursdays event has something in stock for everyone – whether it’s art and design related, food and drink focused, or music events to get you dancing. Taking place on 5 June, 3 July and 7 August 2025, these First Thursdays will be sure to get you outside and exploring the city. Here are the best events taking place.
THK Gallery: Episodes of the Whole by Gillian Rosselli
Opening during the June First Thursday event, Gillian Rosselli returns to painting as a practice of assembling rather than resolving; layering colour, gesture, and emotion to explore what it means to be in the world when the world feels undone.
With spaces in Cape Town and Cologne, THK Gallery contributes to the contemporary art discourse by showcasing, to a global audience, art that presents alternative perspectives and aesthetics to the status quo.
When: 5 June – 24 July 2025 | First Thurs: 5pm – 8pm
Where: 52 Waterkant Street, Cape Town CBD
Eclectica Contemporary: When I Stare At The Night Sky by Justin Dingwall
Eclectica Contemporary is delighted to present Justin Dingwall’s first solo exhibition with the gallery, titled When I Stare At The Night Sky. Dingwall’s latest series embodies a profound exploration of memories, investigating the transformative impact of actions, events, interactions, and experiences on our recollection and response to the world.
With an increasing focus on African Art around the world, Eclectica Contemporary aims to present a carefully selected and focused collection of art from the continent that interrogates the issues facing us in a globalized world. The art at Eclectica often shows practices and materials familiar from art history but which push these boundaries and explore uncharted territories of representation, technique and theory.
When: 5 – 30 June 2025 | First Thurs: 6pm – 8pm
Where: 56 Church Street, Cape Town CBD
Culture Wine Bar
Culture Wine Bar offers a curated selection of fine wines from the country’s most respected names, cult classics, hidden gems, natural wines, and special imports from across the globe.
On First Thursdays, this trendy space offers live music and a space to jam all night long with a good bottle of South Africa’s finest.
When: 6pm – 11pm (First Thurs)
Where: 103 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
1895 Gallery: Fr33dom by Yonus Degel
Fr33dom is a solo exhibition by established artist Yonus Degel, that is opening at the June First Thursdays event at the 1895 Gallery.
1895 Gallery is a new family-run gallery on the Church Street strip, showcasing painting, sculpture and fine art prints by Southern African artists.
When: 5 – 30 June 2025 | First Thurs: 5pm – 9pm
Where: 52 Burg Street, Cape Town CBD
The House of Machines
One of the regular spots of the CBD, The House of Machines boasts a killer beer lineup and frequent live music gigs. With people spilling onto the streets and a great atmosphere, the House of Machines is a place for likeminded people to come together and enjoy the streets of Cape Town.
When: 7am – 2am (First Thurs)
Where: 84 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town CBD
Cape Institute for Architecture
For those interested in exhibitions and information relating to architecture, the Cape Institute for Architecture hosts regular exhibitions relating to architecture and urbanism, from both an industry and academia perspective.
When: 5pm – 8pm (First Thurs)
Where: 71 Hout Street, Cape Town CBD
WORLDART: The Joy Project by Karen Stewart and Moving Mountains by Simone Verfaille
The over-arching theme of all Karen’s work in The Joy Project is to explore what heals and nurtures people. She believes that art has a valuable message to deliver – one that embraces the creativity, the positivity and the joy of being human – despite everything. With her paintings and sculptures she seeks to allow us to reconnect with our inner playful person and have fun with our eyes in the hope that our bodies will follow through.
Meanwhile, in In Moving through Mountains, Simone Verfaille presents a body of work shaped by memory, emotion and a growing connection with nature. With her layered abstract paintings and tapestry pieces, she created artworks that explore the interplay between inner and outer landscapes
WORLDART is a vibrant street-facing gallery that specialises in contemporary art with a leaning towards urban and pop art. The gallery hosts new exhibition openings every month on First Thursdays.
When: 5 – 30 June 2025 | First Thurs: 5pm – 8pm
Where: 68 Long Street, Cape Town CBD
Leo’s Wine Bar
Leo’s is a small wine bar inside a bagel shop, pouring low intervention wines from smaller producers, with a healthy selection of natural wines always available. With unique wine offerings and outdoor seating, Leo’s offers a great start to your First Thursdays night out.
When: 5pm – 11pm (First Thurs)
Where: 120 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
Youngblood Gallery: The crown of Ocean and Earth by David R. Schwartz and other artists
David R. Schwartz’s work explores the intersection of art, technology, and social justice. As a social scientist with a focus on Al, he has witnessed firsthand the potential that artificial intelligence has. In this exhibition, Schwartz and other artists focus on the role of the ocean in human life, identity and culture.
Youngblood is a three-story art gallery and event space, run as a non-profit platform for the development of emerging artists practicing in a diversity of genres.
When: 5pm – 9pm (First Thurs)
Where: 70-74 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
