Comedy in Cape Town: The Funniest Shows, Places, and Acts

Comedy in Cape Town is having a renaissance as of late. Whether it’s sold-out arena shows by South Africa’s biggest comics or a weekly evening of jokes by up-and-comers at a beloved local venue, this guide has recommendations for anyone wanting a laugh on a night out.

Pillayboy Tour 2026

After a Standard Bank Ovation Award-winning run at the National Arts Festival, Jaryd Pillay is bringing his flagship solo comedy show to the Homecoming Centre at the end of July.

With previous shows like Passion of the Curry, Pillay has become known for his jokes surrounding identity crises and cultural displacement. With his latest hour-long special, he builds on these themes, tackling tales of love, the struggles of being a South African Indian, and what it means to be a ‘Pillayboy‘. With engaging personal stories, a sharp sense of comedic timing, and humour that is edgy without going over the top, his style is reminiscent of early Trevor Noah, mixing his written material filled with family anecdotes and comedic impressions with social crowd work that keeps the atmosphere lively.

Proving that a BA in Live Performance can, in fact, get you a career, Pillayboy brings together social commentary, clever cultural references, and well-timed punchlines in a single sixty-minute performance that is a ‘can’t miss’ event for anyone keeping up with Cape Town’s thriving comedy scene. Excerpts from his live performances and specials are available on his Facebook page.

Cost: From R120 per person (limited tickets). Book now on Quicket.

When: Friday, 31 July 2026 | 8pm – 9.30pm
Where: Homecoming Centre, 15 Buitenkant St, District Six, Cape Town

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey Hey Divorcé

Following his public split in 2024, Schalk Bezuidenhout unpacks life as a divorced man in this new comedy special. As expected, the work depicts the real trials and tribulations of single life in your thirties, in his words: “because it’s cheaper than therapy”. He hopes that this will be the first and only show about divorce he will ever have to do.

Cost: R250. Tickets are available on Webtickets.

When: 28 July – 2 August 2026 | From 7pm
Where: Pam Golding Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town

Bafunny Bafunny: Festival of Comedy

Captained by Trevor Noah and featuring some of South Africa’s biggest names, this live comedy experience promises to be one of the must-visit events of the year. Supported by Countdown’s Eugene Khoza and veteran Ntosh Madlingozi, the festival is a reimagining of the Bafunny Bafunny show staged at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 and aims to make fun of everything South Africans have to deal with on a daily basis.

More local and international headliners are set to be announced over the coming months.

Cost: From R475. Book now on Quicket.

When: 26 September 2026 | 6pm – 11pm
Where: Grand Arena at GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town

Regular comedy events

Comedy Night at Ground Culture Cafe

Ground Culture Cafe hosts a weekly Friday night lineup show that has become a staple of the city’s comedy circuit. Each performance, hosted by the award-winning Jaryd Pillay, typically features six to eight comedians representing a variety of styles, opinions, and levels of expertise. The structure of these comedy events allows newer performers to share the stage with more established acts, developing the comedy network in Cape Town.

In keeping with its reputation as a platform for both well-known and up-and-coming talent, Ground Culture Cafe has previously hosted South African comedians such as Nik Rabinowitz, Barry Hilton, Riaad Moosa, Dillan Oliphant, Nina Hastie, Rob van Vuuren, KG Mokgadi, and Chester Missing.

Cost: R100. Tickets are available on the website.

When: Every Friday | 8pm to 10.30pm | Doors open at 6.30pm
Where: 171 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town

Stand-Up Nights at the Fire & Ice Hotel

Hosted by Samoka SA, this comedy night features some of the biggest names coming out of the local scene, like Dillan Oliphant, Ndumiso Lindi, and Celeste Ntuli.

Comedy fans looking for a show in their native language should pay attention to the upcoming lineups, as these events often feature headliners performing in isiXhosa, isiZulu, and more. Sometimes, jokes just don’t hit the same in English.

Cost: Depends on the show. Tickets can be booked on Quicket.

When: Shows are organised semi-regularly | Interested parties should keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram for lineups, dates, and times.
Where: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, 64 New Church Street, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town

Last Thursdays: Comedy in a Surf Shop

A relatively new addition to the Cape Town comedy circuit, Last Thursdays brings together some of the city’s most in-demand comics to perform in a truly unconventional location. This month’s lineup is stacked: Jive Funny Championship winner Phil de Lange headlines the gig, supported by “Cape Town icon” Kurt Langeveld, rising acts Marius Rossouw and Ngosa Kangwa, and other Funny Championship contenders, Alex Dreyden and Hayley White.

With every previous edition selling out, guests are encouraged to pick up tickets early to laugh along with award-winning comedians in an intimate, lively atmosphere. All show details are available on their Instagram.

Cost: R50 per person. Book now on Quicket.

When: 30 July 2026 | 8pm – 10pm
Where: Atlantic Surf Collective, 2 Coral Rd, Table View, Cape Town

Mojo Silly Thursdays

Mojo Market’s flagship weekly comedy night features new lineups each time, platforming fresh debutants alongside established, veteran acts. With Mojo’s usual 30+ food stalls, five bars, and live comedy on stage, this regular event is a great way to spice up the week, particularly on First Thursdays.

Each act is varied – from roastmasters to wisecracking comics, and sometimes even a magician or two – with previous highlights including Khanyiso Kenqa, Wesley Paulse, Lunga Tshuka, and JamJam.

When: Every Thursday | From 7.30pm
Where: 30 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town

Cape Town Comedy Club

No longer a set venue in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Comedy Club now offers pop-up shows at various venues across the Mother City. Headed by veteran Kurt Schoonraad and featuring newer comic voices like Phil de Lange and Wesley Paulse, comedy fans should keep an eye on their socials to see what big event is up next.

For May, the Comedy Club is bringing a completely fresh show to a whole new venue. Award-winning legend Stuart Taylor is the main attraction, alongside the quick wit of de Lange and the smooth delivery of Paulse – all performing on one stage, at the same time.

Cost: TBD

When: Next show TBD
Where: Bomb Shelter Brew Pub, Unit B3 Park, Sunrise Circle, Pinelands, Cape Town