As the sun begins to shine longer and the flowers start to bloom, take your pick from a wide variety of incredible things to do this month of September, to usher in the new season in style! From music performances and dance showcases to unique retreats and festivals, there’s something for everyone this month.
This article is updated throughout the month, so make sure to come back throughout September to see what’s unfolding.
Cape Town Photography Festival
Cape Town becomes a city-wide gallery as the Cape Town Photo Festival is underway with a vibrant, thought-provoking programme that celebrates photography in all its forms. After a successful launch last year, the month-long event returns with work from 149 photographers from South Africa and around the world.
From groundbreaking photography exhibitions and artist talks to hands-on workshops, music performances, and panel discussions, the festival brings together acclaimed international names, celebrated local voices, and rising talent to explore the art, craft, and future of photography.
CTPF takes place all throughout the Mother City, from the Deep South to the Northern Suburbs and everywhere in between. The event kicks off with an exhibition by Norwegian photographer Inge Norum, detailing their photographic study of a 500+ year-old oak tree.
The full list of exhibitions is available on the website.
Cost: Prices vary per event. Tickets available on the website.
When: 2 – 22 September 2026
Where: Main venue is WORLDART Gallery, 68 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre | Events throughout the city
Open Book Festival
Beginning in 2011, the Open Book Festival has become the city’s biggest celebration of writing, authors, and readers, bringing all those interested in literature together under one roof.
The festival attracts top writers and audiences, showcases some of the best of South African writing, with 2026 featuring a variety of events across genres and themes, with particular focus on talks that celebrate the diversity of African stories, both bright and dark. Foodies can enjoy experiences from some of their favourite culinary authors, including Onezwa Mbola, Karen Dudley, Fehmz, and Jane Nshuti. The festival’s dedicated marketplace is another big attraction, encouraging people to support local businesses, learn about up-and-coming creatives, and meet beloved authors.
Several influential voices join the Open Book Festival conversation for the first time this year, including Lulama Mali, Kirsten Deane, Jean-Paul Willemse, and Preven Reddy. They join many veterans of the scene, including Pumla Dineo Gqola, Siphokazi Jonas, Maneo Mohale, Athambile Masola, and Mohale Mashigo
Cost: R50 per event. Book now using Webtickets.
When: 4 – 6 September 2026 | Times vary per event
Where: Homecoming Centre, cnr Buitenkant St & Caledon St, District Six, Cape Town
Punk Prom
The fifth edition of Punk Prom is here, allowing those who didn’t enjoy their matric dance to finally enjoy themselves and let loose on the dance floor. Guests are encouraged to wear black, spikes, leather, suits, boots, messy hair, piercings, and whatever they’d want to on their special day.
The lineup features a bunch of Cape Town’s rising alt & punk rock bands, including Cistamatic, Elephants Can Remember, and L!SA, with DJ Holskopper playing prom bangers before and after the sets, and a special performance from dancer and choreographer Overlord Rachel.
There is a free photobooth for everyone to take photos solo or with their dates. As per usual with Evol’s events, it’s all about inclusivity and making a secure space for all – femmes and thems are wanted at the forefront of the party.
Cost: R100 per person (early punk). Book now on Quicket.
When: Friday, 4 September 2026 | 7pm – 2am
Where: EVOL, 69 Hope St, Cape Town City Centre
Side Quest Socials
A new quarterly event for Cape Town’s creative underground, Side Quest Socials invites geeks, nerds, and pop culture enthusiasts to gather for a community event designed just for them. It’s a chance to browse handmade art, collectables, and accessories inspired by fan-favourite franchises, participate in themed activities, and connect with their peers.
The event is hosted by Geek Culture South Africa, an umbrella organisation dedicated to giving a platform to the country’s local talent and inviting the nerd community to support their work. With a new edition every couple of months, it’s also an important space for those interested in niche fandoms to meet and get to know one another regularly.
One of the main attractions is undoubtedly the vendor market, where a curated list of talented makers sell a wide range of products inspired by a variety of franchises. Other intriguing activities include the creative Roll & Reveal workshop, an art demonstration and exhibition, and a special trading card corner.
Cost: R30 per adult | Free for kids under 10. Book now on the website or pay at the door.
When: 5 September 2026 | 10am – 5pm
Where: Fish Hoek Civic Centre, 65B Central Cir, Fish Hoek, Cape Town
Meet fellow geeks & participate in interactive activities at Side Quest Socials
Waterblommetjie Festival
The Waterblommetjie, a unique indigenous delicacy only found in the Cape Boland, blooms to life in the spring. During this time, the Waterblommetjie Festival invites guests to experience these edible flowers in a range of dishes, often paired with wines, activities, and live music for the whole family.
The festival is collaborating with three wine estates – Rhebokskloof, Windmeul Kelder and Domaine Brahms – to provide a day of fine wines alongside authentic waterblommetjie meals and entertainment. Windmeul hosts the festival’s most popular farmers’ market and a lively potjiekos competition, while Rhebokskloof’s offering focuses on guests indulging in their acclaimed wines. Domaine Brahms is the ideal destination for families, with a dedicated play park, a vintage car museum, family picnics, and a buffet brunch for all.
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can kick off their waterblommetjie celebrations by joining the Run The Vines trail run, which offers 5km, 10km, and 17km races, and a 3km trail run for the kids. Bookings for each event are made separately; find out more on the website.
When: Saturday, 5 September 2026 | 8am – 4pm | From 7.45am (race)
Where: Windmeul Kelder, R44, Paarl | Domaine Brahms, Vryguns Rd, Paarl | Rhebokskloof, Noord Agter – Paarl Rd, Paarl
Suits & Sneakerz: Masquerade 2026
Returning to the Mother City once again, this party asks guests to arrive in their best formal wear and flashiest shoes and dance the night away to a mix of soulful jazz, smooth R&B, and high-energy house. This year’s Masquerade edition includes the usual formal wear and sneaker dress code and encourages everyone to wear an alluring mask to complete the look.
The evening’s best-dressed are crowned as “Mr & Mrs Suits&Sneakerz” and given R600 cash, a SneakerLab cleaning kit, and a Skrop cleaning voucher. Attendees can expect a high-production evening at affordable prices, an inclusive atmosphere, and breathtaking rooftop views over Cape Town.
Cost: From R150 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: Saturday, 5 September 2026 | 6pm – 1.30am
Where: Hotel Sky (27th Floor), 9 Lower Long St, Foreshore, Cape Town
The Craving
An immersive theatre experience that puts audiences in the middle of a psychological thriller unfolding within a fictional restaurant, The Craving is the latest of The Outlore Base’s series of unsettling and experimental stage shows. What seems like a passionate chef preparing an avant-garde seven-course meal gives way to her twisted experimentations on staff and guests in the pursuit of culinary perfection.
As she gets closer and closer to her goals, she uncovers a truth that begs the question: who is creating who?
There are three types of tickets available throughout the run. The “Watcher” is given a phone and tasked with recording the troubling events as they unfold, showing what is happening through their own eyes. “Tasting” tickets allow guests to reserve a seat for the seven-course dining experience, although what exactly they eat is up to the chef (fussy eaters are encouraged to save their stomachs). Finally, general access allows viewers to experience the night as it dives further into madness.
Cost: R180 per person (general access) | R150 per person (Watcher) | R750 per person (Tasting Ticket). Book now on Quicket.
When: Thursdays – Saturdays, 11 September – 3 October 2026 | 8pm – 10.30pm
Where: The Outlore Base, 80 Hout St, Cape Town City Centre
Trash Bash
Run by the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Trash Bash is an initiative dedicated to tackling plastic pollution and raising awareness about the harmful effects it has on marine ecosystems. By rolling up their sleeves and picking up wasteful trash, participants make a real difference for the environment while enjoying a morning at the beach.
September’s edition sees volunteers enjoy the springtime sunshine on Muizenberg’s Sunrise Beach, making for a warm morning wake-up for individuals, friends, family, and the whole conservation community.
When: Saturday, 19 September 2026 | 9am – 11am
Where: Sunrise Beach, Baden Powell Dr, Muizenberg
Earthdance
Earthdance is a globe-spanning event that has taken place annually since 1997 in more than 50 countries. Over three immersive days, the event uses music and dance as a connecting point to foster awareness of humankind’s interconnectedness and spread love for the planet.
The festival brings together a vibrant mix of local DJs, musicians, visual artists, performers, workshops, and a curated market space featuring healthy food stalls, sustainable vendors, and artisan makers. This year features two stages: the ‘Sonic Horizon’ main stage, which keeps the party going deep into the night, and the ‘Mellow Meadow’ floor, which plays deeper, slower grooves throughout the daytime. Earthdance’s soundscape features a blend of psytrance, techno, and drum & bass.
On Sunday morning at 1am, those at Earthdance Cape Town come together to perform a global prayer alongside attendees across the world, connecting those from the Mother City with people as far as Tokyo and São Paulo to pray for peace.
Cost: R1400 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: 18 – 20 September 2026 | 12pm (Fri) – 4pm (Sun)
Where: Kromrivier Farm, Riviersonderend. Located on the R406 between Greyton and Riviersonderend
The Rocky Horror Show
The legendary cult musical The Rocky Horror Show, presented by Pieter Toerien Productions in association with the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA), is back in Cape Town after its successful run earlier this year. This electrifying staging by director Steven Stead promises to unleash all the wild energy, wicked humour and rock ’n’ roll rebellion that has made the show a global phenomenon for over 50 years.
The show stars an award-winning South African cast led by Craig Urbani (We Will Rock You), who reprises his role as Frank-N-Furter, with Léa Blerk (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Janet, and Robert Everson (Noises Off) as Brad.
Cost: R295 – R495. Tickets available on Webtickets.
When: 28 August – 18 October 2026 | 8pm | 4pm & 8pm (Saturdays) | 2pm (Sundays)
Where: Theatre on the Bay, Link St, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Aquarium After Dark: The Dirty Skirts & Lost//Youth
The final of the three After Dark concerts showcases up-and-coming duo Lost//Youth alongside scene veterans The Dirty Skirts.
Lost//Youth are the most eclectic of all the After Dark-featured artists, pairing an alt-rock guitarist with an ethereal folk singer. The result is a unique musical experience, with their 2026 single, howl, mixing indie guitar riffs with spoken word poetry into a track that’s difficult to comprehend and even more difficult to put down.
After being forced to cancel their show last year, they’re back. The Dirty Skirts are no mystery to Cape Town’s indie-rock fans, best known during their run between 2004 and 2012. Their career highlights include being nominated for Best Rock Album at the SAMAs for their album Daddy Don’t Disco (2008) and winning Best Alternative Album at the SAMAs (2011) for their album Lost in the Fall.
Cost: R445 per person. Book tickets on the website.
When: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | Doors open at 6.30pm | Music starts from 8pm
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront
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
Honest Chocolate Workshop
As the only dedicated chocolate cafe in the city, Honest Chocolate prides itself on its commitment to quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers and offers a wide range of vegan, cane sugar-free, and gluten-free treats.
At the end of the month, they are hosting a behind-the-scenes experience that takes participants through the full chocolate journey, including a live chocolate-making demonstration, a hands-on bonbon-dipping workshop, and even the chance to make an original chocolate. The event is vegan and child-friendly.
Cost: R450 per person. Spots can be booked on Quicket.
When: Saturday, 26 September 2026 | 10am – 12pm
Where: 7 Barron St, Woodstock, Cape Town
Velvet Feathers
Cape Town City Ballet presents a special one-weekend show at the Norval Foundation. Inspired by iconic numbers from Swan Lake and other beloved ballet classics, Velvet Feathers brings some of the company’s most talented dancers to perform captivating sequences from across the ballet canon.
The show starts with Swan Lake’s iconic second act, featuring the defining white tutus and Queen Odette’s captivating transformation, before diving further into famous ballet pieces, with the exact lineup remaining a mystery to audiences – making it an engaging performance for ballet enthusiasts to recognise each dance number throughout the production.
Every guest is treated to a welcome glass of exquisite Boschendal bubbly and canapés, photo moments captured by the on-site professional photographer, and access to the Norval Foundation’s Museum and Sculpture Garden. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy self-guided tours of the acclaimed exhibitions on show, including Brett Murray’s Wild Life and Githan Coopoo: Tears Now But Heaven Tomorrow. The Sculpture Garden is home to various striking artworks surrounded by indigenous Cape flora, making for a peaceful setting for a quiet stroll.
Cost: R925 per person. Book now on Webtickets.
When: Saturday & Sunday, 26 & 27 September 2026 | 12.30pm & 6pm (Sat) | 2.30pm (Sun)
Where: Norval Foundation, Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
