Summer at The V&A Waterfront: Vinyl & Record Fair, Live Music, and More

One of Cape Town’s most iconic destinations, the V&A Waterfront offers visitors the chance to shop, eat and celebrate. Looking towards the summer, the space is once again a sanctuary for South African music, with artists and performers taking to the stage to entertain audiences between their shopping and dining hours – all of which are completely free to attend.

Here are all the events scheduled for 2026/27.

Silo Concerts: That Thing Called Swing

The first concert in the latest Silo Concert season brings the music of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s to the Waterfront, right in front of Zeitz MOCAA.

The evening starts with a Swing DJ getting everyone in the right groove, setting the stage for a free dance class from Cape Town Swing, which offers wannabe dancers classes, workshops, and social events from beginner level to advanced sessions.

Finally, the headline gig is a live show by Mike Campbell’s 18-piece Swing All Stars Big Band. Campbell is a multi-talented composer and musical director with decades of experience in jazz production. An electric bassist and pianist himself, he has served as President of the South African Association of Jazz Educators (SAJE) and Director of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra.

Find out more on the website.

When: Friday, 6 November 2026 | From 6pm
Where: Silo District, V&A Waterfront

Take The Stage

The V&A’s artist spotlight, the Take The Stage concert series, gives emerging artists a platform to share their talents with the city. Throughout the summer, the Amphitheatre hosts up-and-coming performers from Cape Town, giving them a stage for a series of free sunset performances showcasing the best of the local creative scene. Whether it’s a solo singer-songwriter, a big jazz band, or a dance troupe, Take The Stage gives Mother City artists and performers a platform to grow their audiences.

Take The Stage has been running for over a decade, with previous shows featuring Daniel Baron, Jonathan Rubain, Lana Crowster, and Kristi Lowe.

This summer’s lineup is TBA. Keep an eye on the V&A website for more details as they come out.

When: Sunday, 8 November 2026 | 6pm – 7pm
Where: V&A Amphitheatre, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Take The Stage

Take The Stage has been running for over a decade, with previous shows featuring Anica Kiana, Black South Easter, and Vernon White.

This summer’s lineup is TBA. Keep an eye on the V&A website for more details as they come out.

When: Sunday, 22 November 2026 | 6pm – 7pm
Where: V&A Amphitheatre, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Silo Concerts: Don Vino feat. Fagrie Isaacs

Cape Town’s favourite saxophonist teams up with soul singer-songwriter Fagrie Isaacs for a Silo Concert evening of smooth, sultry sounds in the V&A Waterfront.

Born in Elsies River, Don Vino began his musical career on banjo and trumpet before settling on saxophone at the age of 15. He has since performed internationally across Europe, Dubai, Australia and the United States, sharing stages with Grammy Award winners including Kirk Whalum, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Jonathan Butler and Gerald Veasley.

He is best known for the Saxy Vibes series of concerts, which regularly sell out arenas from Good Hope Christian Centre in Ottery to the massive Grand Arena at GrandWest. Isaacs has regularly featured as a collaborator on Saxy Vibes, while also being known for various tribute shows, including a recent nationwide tour in honour of Luther Vandross.

When: Friday, 4 December 2026 | 7pm – 8pm
Where: Silo District, V&A Waterfront

Take The Stage

Take The Stage has been running for over a decade, with previous shows featuring Candice Thornton, Carletheia, and Louis Mhlanga.

This summer’s lineup is TBA. Keep an eye on the V&A website for more details as they come out.

When: Sunday, 6 December 2026 | 6pm – 7pm
Where: V&A Amphitheatre, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

V&A Record & Music Fair

Back again by popular demand, the V&A Record & Music Fair offers a vibrant celebration of vinyl culture, bringing together collectors, music lovers, and curious browsers for a day of discovery and sound. Set within the lively Watershed space, the event invites visitors to explore a wide selection of records, memorabilia, and music-related finds, creating an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

With dozens of traders showcasing thousands of records, the fair spans genres and eras, from timeless classics to unexpected hidden gems. Alongside vinyl, visitors can browse band merchandise, vintage tees, and other collectables that reflect music’s enduring culture. Live DJs add to the experience, spinning tracks throughout the day and filling the space with an ever-evolving soundtrack.

When: Saturday, 19 December 2026 | 10am – 2pm
Where: Watershed Upper Level, 17 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Santa & His Elves at the V&A Waterfront

Santa and a group of his elves take up residence at Victoria Wharf’s Centre Court for the run-up to Christmas, giving families the chance to meet Santa in person and take festive photographs. The activation runs across nearly two weeks in the lead-up to the holiday, timed to coincide with the V&A Waterfront’s broader festive season programming.

The appearance is aimed squarely at younger children and families, forming part of a wider slate of holiday-season activities the Waterfront runs each December across its various precincts. No performance or show is included, with the visit centred on meeting Santa and his elves directly rather than a scripted production.

When: 13 – 24 December 2026
Where: Centre Court, Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Take The Stage

Take The Stage has been running for over a decade, with previous shows featuring Daniel Baron, Jonathan Rubain, Lana Crowster, and Kristi Lowe.

This summer’s lineup is TBA. Keep an eye on the V&A website for more details as they come out.

When: Sunday, 26 December 2026 | 6pm – 7pm
Where: V&A Amphitheatre, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

New Year’s Eve at the V&A

Join thousands of fellow Capetonians in celebrating the end of 2026 and the start of 2027 at the V&A Waterfront, one of the city’s most iconic locations.

Every year, the V&A brings a line-up of exciting local artists to ring in the new year. Last year saw a dynamic mix of live musicians and DJs, with Emo & Loukmaan Adams, Zoë Modiga, GoodLuck, DJ Shezzy K and the Starlight Band setting the tone. Guests can also expect a series of celebratory activations, activities, and food vendors.

This year’s programme is yet to be announced

When: Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 6pm – 1am

Sexy Groovy Love

Kick off 2027 with Sexy Groovy Love: a full-day dance party set against the pristine backdrop of Grand Africa Beach. Operating since 2012, this regular event transforms venues across the Western Cape into Planet SGL, where everything is otherworldly, weird, and freeing.

Expect alien-like decor, galactic production, and a curated lineup of DJs who take over from afternoon to night. Guests are encouraged to dress up as something from another planet, out of a dream, or just plain strange, and celebrate starting another year together.

Cost: From R1390 per person. Tickets available on Howler.

When: Friday, 1 January 2027 | 2pm – 2am
Where: Grand Africa Café & Beach, 1 Haul Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Silo Concerts

This summer’s Silo Concert series, curated by the V&A Waterfront, brings the Silo District alive, spanning genres and age groups to create a space for Cape Town to unwind with local music.

Held on the first Friday of each month during the summer season, the Silo Concert series is a free showcase of South Africa’s most talented up-and-coming musicians.

The lineup for 2027 is to be announced. Get the latest updates on the website.

When: Friday, 8 January 2027 | 7pm – 8pm
Where: Silo District, V&A Waterfront

Jazzathon

Cape Town comes alive every year with the sounds of music maestros at Jazzathon, South Africa’s longest-running and most beloved open-air music festival. Visitors can expect a weekend of live music from talented vocalists and instrumentalists, with some Cape Town favourites alongside international headliners.

Spanning three full days of different acts, the Jazzathon features a variety of artists across Afro Jazz, Cape Jazz, Hip Hop, Neo Soul, R&B, and fusion, as well as genre-blending collaborations from both established and up-and-coming virtuosos.

Capetonians are invited to step out, bring friends and family, and celebrate homegrown talent at one of the city’s most iconic summer events: the V&A Amphitheatre.

When: Friday – Sunday, 15 – 17 January 2027
Where: V&A Amphitheatre, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Silo Concerts

This summer’s Silo Concert series, curated by the V&A Waterfront, brings the Silo District alive, spanning genres and age groups to create a space for Cape Town to unwind with local music.

Held on the first Friday of each month during the summer season, the Silo Concert series is a free showcase of South Africa’s most talented up-and-coming musicians.

The lineup for 2027 is to be announced. Get the latest updates on the website.

When: Friday, 5 February 2027 | 7pm – 8pm
Where: Silo District, V&A Waterfront