2025 has arrived, and what better way to celebrate the new year than by diving into Cape Town’s vibrant events scene? Start your year with new adventures and cherished experiences in Cape Town. With a calendar full of exciting events, January is set to be unforgettable!
Whether you’re up for live music under the stars, exploring the city’s culinary gems, or experiencing theatrical masterpieces, this January has something for everyone. Here’s a handpicked list of events to kick off your year in style:
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden hosts its iconic Summer Sunset Concerts with a stellar line-up of South African favourites this January. Pack a picnic or pre-order meals from the Tea Room or Moyo Restaurant. Food trucks will also be available, making it a perfect evening of music, nature, and relaxation.
January line-up highlights:
Tuesday, 14 January – Mango Groove
Multiple-award-winning band Mango Groove is a staple of the Kirstenbosch Concert Series. Internationally, Mango Groove’s unique and magical blend of South African Marabi, Kwela and pop influences, together with the voice and presence of Claire Johnston and the evocative sound of the penny-whistle, have captivated audiences around the world.
Tuesday, 21 January – Bok van Blerk and Elandré
Bok van Blerk is a popular South African singer-songwriter, known for his contributions to Afrikaans music. He gained fame with hits like ‘De la Rey’ and ‘Kaptein’. His style blends folk, country, and rock influences, and he often incorporates themes of patriotism, history, and identity into his songs.
Tuesday, 28 January – Mafikizolo and Ross Learmonth
The renowned South African music duo Mafikizolo (Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza) achieved international success with hits ‘Khona’ and ‘Love Portion’. Known for a fusion of Afro-pop, kwaito, and house music, their energetic sound and vibrant performances have made them music icons.
Cost: From R235 to R540 | Tickets available via Webtickets
When: 14, 21, and 28 January 2025 | 5.15pm to 7pm | Gates open at 4pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town
Drumstruck: African drumming, music, lunch and wine tasting experience in Constantia
Facilitated by some of South Africa’s top percussionists and performers, Mpho Rasenyalo, Tumelo Seleke, and Zama Qambi, this family-friendly activity in Cape Town creates a sense of Africa that is undeniably genuine and heartfelt.
Enjoy first class entertainment with an excellent drumming and dancing performance, accompanied by wine tasting at the Silvermist winefarm and an authentic South African braai with delicious sides.
Cost: Standard Rates – R480pp (Adult wine tasting & show); R300pp (Kids U12); R380pp (Adult, show only) |SA Local Rates – R380pp (Adult wine tasting & show); R200pp (Kids U12); R280pp (Adult, show only) | Braai – R350pp for adults, R150pp for kids. Book via Webtickets.
When: Running until April 2025 | The show will run twice daily from Wednesday to Sunday, with shows starting at 11.30am and 3.30pm.
Where: Silvermist Organic Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek, Constantia, Cape Town
Stellenbosch Street Soirées
Welcome the sunny season with the ever-popular Stellenbosch Street Soirées. Featuring wine tastings, street food, and live music, these events transform Drostdy Street into a vibrant social hub. Each ticket includes a Stellenbosch Wine Glass and 10 wine-tasting tokens for an unforgettable experience!
Cost: R220pp | Tickets available here
When: Wednesday 15 January and Wednesday 29 January 2025 | 6pm to 8pm
Where: Drostdy Street, Stellenbosch
Comedy at Canvas: Cape Town’s Newest Comedy Club
Cape Town is about to level up its comedy scene with the launch of Comedy at Canvas this year. This January, Comedy at Canvas is on with a stella lineup of South Africa’s most established and emerging comedians like Nik Rabinowitz, Stuart Taylor, SQ Mangcu, Daniele Du Plessis, Khanyisile Ngwenya, and Phil De Lange.
Promising an evening of uncontrollable laughter, this new comedy club is a must for comedy lovers, and this first show is bound to set the standard for laughter this year.
Cost: R150pp, book via Quicket
When: Friday, 31 January | Doors open 6.30pm | Show starts at 7.30pm
Where: The Function Room at Brickfield Canvas, 35 Brickfield Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Keyshia Cole live in Cape Town
Iconic American singer-songwriter, Keyshia Cole, brings her sultry sound to South African stages to kick off the new year. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the highly decorated, Grammy nominated star belting her biggest hits live in Cape Town.
Cost: From R690 to R1 290pp | Tickets available via Ticket Pros
When: Sunday 26 January from 6pm
Where: Grandwest Arena, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
Wolfkop Weekender
Hidden deep within the Citrusdal Valley, Wolfkop Weekender is a boutique music festival offering riverside camping, curated music, and wholesome food. Spend your days floating on the river and your nights enjoying live sets under the stars. With various accommodation options, it’s a perfect getaway for music lovers.
Cost: R850 to R4950 (based on accommodation selection) | Tickets available here
When: Thursday 16 January to Monday 20 January
Where: Wolfkop Camping Villages, 59 Voortrekker St, Citrusdal
One&Only Cape Town Celebrates the 366th Annual South African Wine Birthday
One&Only Cape Town is once again leading the charge for the 366th celebration of South Africa’s Wine Birthday, running from 31 January to 2 February 2025. The resort will come alive for a full weekend of lively experiences that will raise a toast to the legacy of leading local winemakers, the wine farms and their wines.
Make the most of your visit and see the current exhibition at the newly launched Art @Africa gallery, or visit the House of Nala concept store featuring proudly South African luxury fashion labels.
Cost: R750pp, including wine tastings and roaming canapes. Book via Webtickets or get in touch via [email protected] or 021 431 5888
When: Sunday, 2 February 2025 from 4pm to 8pm
Where: One&Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Friends Who Volley
The sun is shining, and the nets are ready for another season of sunset volleyball on Clifton 1st Beach.
Every Thursday over the spring and summer seasons is open call for all volleyball lovers to get into some friendly competition. Each game must have five players a team, and the first team to 10 points wins. After a game, both teams leave the court to give another two teams a turn to play.
Beyond playing fair, attendees are expected to keep the beach clean and be friendly.
Cost: Free Entry
When: Every Thursday | Until March 2025
Where: Clifton 1st Beach, Victoria Rd, Clifton, Cape Town
Movies At The Galileo Open Air Cinema This Month
The Galileo Open Air Cinema is the place to be in Cape Town. It’s not just a movie night – it’s a whole experience. With jaw-dropping locations, an awesome mix of films, and that unbeatable under-the-stars ambience, it’s no wonder everyone’s talking about it.
Whether you’re craving animated adventures, swoon-worthy romance, or mind-bending thrills, The Galileo Open Air Cinema has your movie fix covered.
Cost: From R285pp (includes entry, Christmas hat, and treats) | Tickets available here
When: Throughout the month of January
Where: Various venues
Jack Black’s Food Truck Fridays
Start your weekend on a high note with Food Truck Fridays at Nederburg, every Friday. Savour gourmet eats, enjoy craft beers, and groove to live DJ sets in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Perfect for foodies and music lovers alike.
Cost: R50pp | Tickets available here
When: Every Friday | Runs until 28 March 2025 | 5pm to 8.30pm
Where: Nederburg Wines, Sonstraal Road, Paarl
St George’s Unplugged
Experience the magic of classical music in an informal and welcoming atmosphere at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. This series of lunchtime concerts features talented musicians who personally introduce their performances, creating a relaxing and reflective environment in the iconic cathedral.
All donations contribute to building repairs and maintenance. Here is the line up for January:
Opening Concert: James Grace, Tuesday 14 January
Award-winning classical guitarist James Grace presents a programme of music from Spain to South Africa.
Exploring the Organ of St George’s with Grant Brasler, Thursday 16 January
Delve into the beauty of the cathedral’s organ with Grant Brasler.
Cost: Free | Bookings available via Quicket
When: Tuesday, 14 January and Thursday, 16 January 2025 | From 1.15pm to 2pm on both days
Where: St George’s Cathedral, cnr Wale & Victoria Sts, Cape Town
My Fair Lady
Cape Town Opera brings the timeless classic My Fair Lady to the Artscape Theatre. Follow the story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins in this dazzling production featuring unforgettable songs like ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ and ‘The Rain in Spain’.
Paid parking available at the Artscape.
Cost: R140 to R580 | Tickets available via Webtickets
When: Runs until Sunday 12 January 2025 between 5pm and 11pm | Friday & Saturday During showtimes
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town City Centre
Ndlovu Youth Choir SA Tour
The internationally acclaimed and exceptionally talented Ndlovu Youth Choir returns to Cape Town with their electrifying performances. Expect a mix of South African classics, international hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and innovative new numbers.
Cost: From R200 to R500pp | Tickets available via Ticketmaster
When: From Thursday 30 January to Sunday 2 February 2025 | Various showtimes
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
Origin
Origin is a full weekend of conscious partying as the techno-shamanic tribes from the cities, towns, fields and forests gather in a valley of breath-taking natural beauty to celebrate life and togetherness.
As one Africa’s brightest shining lights for psychedelic music, art, and culture, Origin strives to promote Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect for all, through strengthening the global community based on conscious party ethics and respect for nature. The festival features various installations and concepts, and of course, a lot of techno.
Cost: R1550 | Tickets available here
When: From Friday 31 January to Sunday 2 February
Where: Elandskloof Farm Cottages, Helderstroom
Mike + The Mechanics on Tour
Catch Mike + The Mechanics as they bring their ‘Looking Back – Living The Years’ tour to Cape Town. With hits like ‘The Living Years’ and ‘Over My Shoulder’, this is a must-see concert for fans of classic rock and Genesis.
Cost: From R915 to R3085 | Tickets available via Quicket
When: 30 January 2025 | From 8pm
Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World, Acacia Park, Cape Town
‘iMvelaphi’ Sculpture Exhibition
Check out South African ceramicist Chuma Maweni’s exhibition on show at Southern Guild, and discover a powerful conversation about the circular forms which govern life cycles and South African traditions of design.
This collection features darkly coloured sculptures and designs, which showcase Maweni’s impressive ability to negotiate materials through handcrafting. It is the biggest collection of the artist’s furniture, lighting and vessels Chuma Maweni has ever shown.
Cost: Free
When: Until Thursday 27 Feb | Mon to Fri 9am to 5.30pm | Sat 10am to 2pm
Where: Southern Guild Cape Town, Silo 5, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
UCT Summer School
UCT Summer School is an opportunity for those keen to learn more to feast their minds on lectures presented by world-class scholars at one of the nation’s best institutions. This extra-mural education programme is about educational and intellectual activities that enrich the mind. The aim is to stimulate the mind in areas which are traditionally left out of adult formal education.
Sessions include lessons in history, agriculture, climate change, theology, philosophy, wildlife, indigeneity, music, AI, space, politics, health, economy, and much more.
Cost: Various
When: 20 January to 1 February 2025 | Various times
Where: Centre for Extra Mural Studies, Level 3, Kramer Law Building, UCT, Rondebosch
Simon Stone at SMAC Cape Town
Simon Stone’s solo show ‘Mid Stream’ offers a powerful look into fragmentation.
In a world saturated with so many images, Stone offers painted compositions of different elements in a single picture, in order for viewers to reconnect and balance them for themselves. Through this, there are opportunities for great self reflection too.
Simon Stone is a prolific painter who lives and works in Cape Town. He has exhibited with SMAC multiple times, including at a collection of prestigious art fairs across the world.
Cost: Free
When: Runs until Thursday 23 Jan | Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm | Sat 10am to 3pm
Where: SMAC Cape Town, 25 Church Street, Cape Town CBD
Green Day & Robbie Williams at Calabash
Prepare for an unforgettable rock and roll experience as Calabash South Africa hosts two legendary nights.
Day 1: Robbie Williams takes the stage, showcasing his iconic hits and record-breaking career, including 80 million albums sold and 18 BRIT Awards.
Day 2: Green Day headlines alongside The Offspring and South Africa’s Fokofpolisiekar, bringing timeless anthems like American Idiot to life.
Cost: From R630 to R3295 | Tickets available via Ticketmaster
When: Wednesday 22 January & Thursday 23 January from 6pm on both days
Where: DHL Stadium, Green Point, Cape Town
The Addams Family Musical
MotherCity Theatre Productions presents the professional South African premiere of The Addams Family musical, a comic feast, with appeal for children and adults alike.
Whether a lover of comic books, the movies, or the TV series, ‘Wednesday’, this is a theatrical treat for the audience. Featuring a talented cast of well-known South African actors, this spooky, wickedly funny show is for all ages.
Cost: From R350 to R580| Tickets available via Ticketmaster
When: Runs until Sunday 2 February | times vary according to days
Where: The Homecoming Centre (The Old Fugard) Cnr Caledon & Buitenkant street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town
Cassi Namoda at Norval Foundation
Artist Cassi Namoda shows her first major solo show on the continent – ‘Is it sunny or cloudy in the land you live on?’– in this exciting collaboration between the Norval Foundation and Goodman Gallery.
This show features a combination of Namoda’s old and new paintings as a retrospective, and the opportunity for her to step back and reflect on her career thus far. This artist is known for her use of story-telling and bold colours within her paintings. She has exhibited at locations across South Africa, and internationally.
Cost: Day passes for African nationals 25+ R200 | Day passes for international visitors 25+ R300 | Student day passes R100 with presentation of valid student ID
When: Runs until Monday 20 Jan 2025
Where: Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Cape Town Concert Series Presents George Harliono
Celebrate 70 years of the Cape Town Concert Series with a gala recital featuring award-winning British-Indonesian pianist George Harliono. Performing pieces by Rameau, Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky, this concert is in collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Cost: From R240 to R280 | Tickets available via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 18 January from 11am to 1pm
Where: Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, Cape Town
(Un)Earthed in Stellenbosch
A newly opened public exhibition , (Un)Earthed, is showing South African contemporary ceramic arts as part of the Stellenbosch Triennale.
The show features the works of renowned art-makers Wim Botha, Marijka Van Velden, Githan Coopoo, Madoda Fani, Ceramic Matters, Lucinda Mudge, Ben Orkin and Marlene Steyn. Each artists offer different methods to study both people and clay through their respective practices.
Cost: General public fee R20 | Free entrance for school pupils and students | Pay at the door
When: Runs until April | Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm
Where: Voorgelegen Museum, 116 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch Artists’ works are also spread throughout locations in Stellenbosch. For the full exhibition map, visit the Stellenbosch Triennale’s website.
