This weekend in Cape Town promises a variety of events, from Earthdance and silent disco to an international film festival and much more. This guide is continually updated throughout the week, so check back to see everything happening this weekend and our September guide for events throughout the month.
New Generations Concert by WOMAD
A dynamic live show featuring some of the biggest rising stars in Cape Town’s music scene alongside international acts, the New Generations Concert is all about giving a platform to the artists who are up next in the industry.
The variety show starts with fifty young Cape Flats drummers joining flamenco dancers for the Spanish Cajoneada Drumming Experience, led by veteran Pepe Zapata. Then come the exciting headliners: soul & hip-hop artist Luukhanyo, alternative rock trio Freddy L, punk-pop star Mila Smith, and Kimyan, a versatile Congolese-Austrian dance producer and singer.
Kwena Music’s signed artists have their own section, with performances from Keely Crocker, Tristan Kruger, Dean de Jongh, and Efact.
Cost: R100 per person. Book now on Webtickets.
When: Saturday, 19 September 2026 | 1.30pm
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
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 worldwide, connecting those from the Mother City with people as far away as Tokyo and São Paulo to pray for peace.
Cost: R1400 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: Friday – Sunday, 18 – 20 September 2026 | 12pm (Fri) – 4pm (Sun)
Where: Kromrivier Farm, Riviersonderend. Located on the R406 between Greyton and Riviersonderend
Trash Bash
Trash Bash is a beach cleanup event, hosted at various beaches by the Two Oceans Aquarium. The event is a great opportunity for families to come together, learn about the dangers of plastic pollution, and understand the importance of conservation awareness for biodiversity.
The Trash Bash is an initiative dedicated to tackling plastic pollution and raising awareness of its harmful effects on marine ecosystems. By rolling up your sleeves and participating, you’re making a real difference for the environment while enjoying a morning at the beach.
This month, the Trash Bash falls on International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, with volunteers joining a global movement to clean our beaches and support our ocean ecosystems. Everyone is encouraged to bring hats, a bucket, and drinking water.
Cost: Free
When: Saturday, 19 September 2026 | 9am – 11am
Where: Sunrise Beach, Muizenberg, Cape Town
Energy Activation Sessions with Irena Kovaljukova
This September, international transformational facilitator Irena Kovaljukova comes to South Africa for her first national tour, offering group Safe Energy Activation sessions and private one-on-one experiences across the country.
Safe Energy Activation, or SEA, is Kovaljukova’s approach to Life Force Activation, a guided energetic and body-based practice that brings attention to the body, breath, sensation and the responses that may arise when a person has space to slow down. Participants do not need to know how to meditate, practise yoga or have previous experience of energy work.
In a group SEA session, participants lie down while music forms part of the experience and Kovaljukova facilitates the room, working with individuals throughout the session. Rather than being taken through a sequence of poses or exercises, participants are encouraged to relax and notice what happens in the body. More information about Irena’s method is available online.
Cost: R1,350 per person (Group Sessions) | Private one-on-one sessions available by advance booking. Book now on the website.
When: 14 – 23 September 2026 | Various times
Where: Lighthouse Holistic, The Barracks, 50 Bree Street, Cape Town | Alila Yoga, 1 Westerford Way, Hout Bay | Lotus Studio, 1st Floor, Knysna Mall, 53 Main Road, Knysna | George (TBC)
Safe Energy Activation facilitated wellbeing practices and are not substitutes for medical or psychological treatment. Individual experiences vary.
Learn more about Kovaljukova and her Energy Activation Classes
Waterfront Family Silent Disco
Silent Disco is back in the V&A, and the whole family is invited. With spring weather finally enabling everyone to enjoy the open air and stay out later into the night, kids, grandparents, and everyone else can join in dancing the night away.
An interactive, supervised kids’ activation runs alongside three live DJs who take over the available channels: red for throwback party anthems, green for electronic dance music, and blue for the commercial hits trending right now. Everyone in the family gets to groove to their own rhythm, surrounded by the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre and its busy shoppers wondering what is going on.
Cost: R200 per person. Tickets are available via Fixr.
When: Friday, 18 September 2026 | 6pm – 9pm
Where: V&A Amphitheatre, Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
European Film Festival
The 13th European Film Festival in South Africa is a cinematic journey unfolding at select cinemas in Cape Town. Running from 17 to 27 September 2026, the festival screens 12 contemporary European films that reflect on Europe’s realities and its place in the world today.
This year’s selection focuses on family dynamics, parental relationships, and the challenges of reconnecting with loved ones, with a mix of drama, comedy, and documentary films sure to keep cinephiles engaged throughout the festival.
Highlights for this weekend include the black-and-white Cold War film Fatherland (starring Sandra Hüller), the award-winning family drama set during the 1993 Nigerian elections My Father’s Shadow, and A Family, a drama that explores the consequences of a messy divorce from the perspective of the couple’s children.
With a diverse lineup of dramas, comedies, and documentaries, the European Film Festival continues to bring some of the most thoughtful and cinema-defining films to South African audiences. More information is available on the festival website.
When: 17 – 27 September 2026
Where: The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens
Learn more about the 2026 Euro Film Fest programme
Mamma Mia!
The beloved international production of Mamma Mia! is here, returning to South Africa, and it’s a guaranteed feel-good experience that celebrates the magic of ABBA’s music and the beauty of human connections.
Featuring a full South African cast, crew, and band – led by the iconic Amra-Faye Wright, best known for being the longest-running actress in the role of Velma Kelly in Chicago: The Musical on Broadway, as Donna Sheridan – Mamma Mia! combines the finest talent this country has to offer both on and off stage.
Produced by Showtime Management, the musical production also features the timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including Knowing Me, Knowing You, Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream, Voulez Vous, and many more.
Cost: R280 – R580 per person. Book now on Ticketmaster.
When: Tuesdays – Fridays, 3 September – 11 October 2026 | From 7.30pm | From 3pm (Sat matinee) | From 2pm (Sun matinee)
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre (Opera House), D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
Norval Foundation’s new exhibition: Unsteady Realms
Starting 15 September 2026, Norval Foundation is debuting the first solo exhibition by renowned Cape Town artist, Kate Gottgens, featuring her signature use of bright colours, abstract ideas, and ambiguous forms.
Gottgens’ style, often in oil on canvas, draws on found imagery, personal photos, and fragments of everyday life. Her images often evoke unstable dreams and blurry imagination, distorting reality like a fading photograph. Rather than offering a clear answer, her art asks the viewer to reflect on the imagery and fill in the gaps, making uncertainty feel as unsettling as it is tender.
As Gottgens herself explains, “My figures are multifaceted and embedded with paradox. More like shards of a personality than bodily, visceral or specific. They are holograms of potential: negative/positive or life-giving/life destroying.”
Unsteady Realms invites audiences to experience the breadth of a significant South African artist’s work, engaging with warped memory and embracing ambiguity both within and outside of the exhibition. The featured paintings include recent additions like 2026’s Ferrying Souls and older works like 2015’s Milk Teeth, alongside highlights from the past few years including Hexing the Air, Sensing the Trap, and Her Fine Blades. More information is available on the website.
Cost: Day Pass – R220pp for African Nationals | R330pp for Internationals | R110pp for young adults aged 18 to 24 years | Kids under 18 enter free. Book via Webtickets
When: 10am – 5pm (Wed to Sat) | 10am – 4pm (Sun) | Closed on Mon & Tues
Where: Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai
Chester’s Got Talent
South Africa’s most in-demand puppet show is back, this time with a competitive twist. With Chester’s Got Talent, award-winning political ventriloquist Conrad Koch and his ever-present sidekick Chester Missing return alongside other fan favourite puppet characters, with the ultimate goal of winning over the audience.
While most Conrad Koch shows feature him and Chester poking fun at South African society, Chester’s Got Talent is different. Here, all of Koch’s creations are competing for the ultimate prize: the audience vote.
Along the way, each puppet does their best to prove they are the best puppet performer of the bunch. Unfortunately, each puppet has a mind of their own, and most of them are almost certain to go off script to impress the audience. The fun is for the whole family, as each viewer gets to have their say on each performance and who wins the night, making each show a little different.
There are various shows across Cape Town & surrounds in September. Viewers can find out more about the programme here.
Cost: From R210 per person. Book now via Webtickets
When: Friday, 18 September 2026 | 6pm – 9.30pm
Where: Drostdy Theatre, cnr Alexander St & Bird St, Stellenbosch
Operation Khataza: Soul Glo Sessions
An eight-person group of artists making avant-garde, genre-blending music that incorporates everything from rock and funk to Afro-jazz, Operation Khataza is a one-of-a-kind outfit. Just like the anti-Apartheid jazz maestros of old, Khataza infuses their music with dynamic compositions and a decidedly revolutionary sentiment.
Following the release of their latest single, Azania, the group is joining the second edition of Soul Glo Sessions, a new regular space for local artists to collaborate in a trendy hotspot, with guests able to enter and play with the band completely for free. Guests can expect the group’s usual Afrofusion style, complemented by Cape Town’s talented jammers, amateurs, buskers, and professional artists.
When: Thursday, 17 September 2026 | 8pm – 10pm
Where: Harringtons Cocktail Lounge, 61b Harrington Street, Cape Town
Discover our picks for the most exciting up-and-coming artists in Cape Town
Zeitz MOCAA
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA) is one of Cape Town’s leading art galleries dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Housed in the now-iconic Silo Building at the V&A Waterfront, the gallery boasts both a permanent exhibition and temporary, rotating exhibitions, all contributing to the preservation and promotion of African artists.
Current exhibitions include Zohra Opoku’s We Proceed in the Footsteps of the Sunlight, Lerato Shadi and Robin Rhode’s A Protea is Not a Flower, and Cauleen Smith’s Afflict the Comfortable, Comfort the Afflicted.
Tickets and memberships for the Zeitz MOCAA can be purchased on Webtickets or at the door of the museum.
When: Daily | 10am – 6pm
Where: Zeitz MOCAA, S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Practical Magic 2
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in this sequel to the 1998 fantasy film Practical Magic, based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic. The story follows a multi-generational family of witches, cursed to be loveless for centuries, as they confront old secrets and long-buried family history in an attempt to break the spell once and for all.
Susanne Bier directs from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the original film, alongside Georgia Pritchett and Kelly Marcel. The cast also includes Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, both reprising their original roles as the sisters’ aunts, joined by newcomers Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams and Xolo Maridueña.
The production rebuilt the original film’s cliffside house set specifically for the sequel, and the story picks up roughly twenty-five years after the first film, as a new discovery about the Owens family’s history and the origins of their magic comes to light.
The film’s official trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Practical Magic 2 is scheduled to release on 11 September 2026
Where to watch: Bookings are available on Ster-Kinekor
Keep up with the latest movie releases in Cape Town
Rockefeller Hotel: City Lights, More Nights
To make each stay even more special, The Rockefeller is giving guests a special deal to enjoy their urban getaway at an even better price. Ideal for a weekend spent eating, staying, and playing in the Mother City, guests get up to 20% off the Best Available Rate if they stay for three nights or longer – valid throughout spring and early summer.
The offer includes the option to add complimentary breakfast each night, so guests can save money while enjoying The Rockefeller’s acclaimed breakfast offering. Bookings can be made using the website or by emailing [email protected].
When: Valid until 20 December 2026
Where: The Rockefeller Hotel, 12 Christiaan Barnard St, Foreshore, Cape Town
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
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 experiments 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
Hout Bay & Constantia: Clay Café
Clay Café is a ceramic painting venue and tapas bar where visitors enjoy a creative space that fosters a community of like-minded adults to express themselves, learn new techniques, and have fun while exploring, enjoying tapas, and listening to relaxing music. For those who want a more creative date night experience, Clay Café offers the opportunity to connect while making a special memento to give one another.
Guests can choose from over 180 pre-made ceramic pieces to paint and personalise, from mugs to quirky figurines, with a simple, enjoyable painting process for beginners and seasoned artists alike. Their drinks menu is extensive, featuring red and white wines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic slushies, signature cocktails, and a variety of spirits.
Clay Café has three locations, with the mountain valley views of Hout Bay being the most scenic of them all.
Cost: Studio fee of R45 per person + price of chosen item(s). Bookings can be made on Dineplan.
When: Monday – Sunday | 9am – 5pm
Where: Clay Cafe, 4080 Hout Bay Main Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Attractions & activities around Constantia and Hout Bay
Jabulile Majola & Mishy Kope Live
Folk and soul singer Jabulile Majola is coming to Cape Town, fresh off the release of his debut album IPASI. After two SAMA nominations in the past two years, the smooth isiZulu vocalist reached career highs with performances at The Cape Town Jazz Festival and as part of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series with Vusi Mahlasela. Listeners can expect live renditions of his stripped-back, vulnerable hits Woza Mntana and Isineke, plus new songs from IPASI.
For the opening act, rising star Mishy Kope takes the stage for emotional piano-backed ballads and traditional Xhosa folk anthems, like her breakout Qongqotha and her latest release, Yimpi Engapheliyo (‘It is an unending war’), an upbeat, jazzy celebration that kicks off a new era. She recently performed alongside Internet Athi at HEAT Winter Arts Festival.
Cost: From R481 per person. Book now on Fixr.
When: Thursday, 17 September 2026 | From 7pm
Where: Homecoming Centre, 15 Buitenkant St, District Six, Cape Town
Bookshops in Cape Town: The Book Lounge
Nestled between District 6 and the bustling City Centre, The Book Lounge is one of the premier bookstores in Cape Town, with massive shelves stacked to the top and a cosy seating area for cracking open a new novel in peace and quiet. They frequently hold talks and panel discussions with local authors, unpacking their works while indulging in glasses from their dedicated wine sponsors. Each staff member’s curated picks and recommendations are readily available on the website, making it easy to find new favourites online.
Their main attraction is their diverse range of South African literature, including brand-new best-sellers from rising authors across various genres. Whether fiction or nonfiction, shoppers can browse a selection of Afrikaans and isiXhosa books. Those wanting a bookstore that champions diversity and progressive politics can find that here, with sections dedicated to LGBTQ+ pride, Palestinian literature, and feminist fiction.
More information is available on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 9am – 5pm | 9.30am – 5pm (Sat) | 10am – 5pm (Sun)
Where: cnr Buitenkant & 71 Roeland St, Cape Town City Centre
Find new favourites with these bookstores in and around Cape Town
Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium is the heart and soul of Cape Town’s recreational relationship with the ocean. Since it opened in 1995, this unique and fascinating world of water creatures has offered us an insight into the ‘other home’ on our doorstep – a home of which many of us have very little knowledge.
The Two Oceans Aquarium provides a safe home for a variety of sharks, penguins, turtles, and several species of octopuses, moray eels, crabs and jellyfish. There are plenty of ways to see, meet and interact with all these creatures – ask one of the friendly aquarium staff members or learn more about which animals you can see here.
Cost: General entry allows you to see the animals. R280 (adults), R210 (pensioners, students, and children age 14-18), R130 (children 4 – 13 years). FREE for children aged 3 and under. Book general entry here.
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Opening times: Monday – Sunday | 9am – 6pm
Sunny Dancer
Written and directed by rising filmmaker George Jaques, Sunny Dancer follows a 17-year-old cancer survivor who goes to a special “summer camp” in an inspiring and edgy teen comedy.
After 17-year-old Ivy beats cancer, she can’t think of anything worse than becoming a Make-A-Wish kid. When her parents send her to a summer camp for kids affected by cancer, Ivy has a hard time adjusting to the rules. But as the weeks progress, she manages to find unexpected friends in an unlikely group of misfits and has a summer she’ll never forget at ‘Chemo Camp’.
Sunny Dancer is a coming-of-age comedy-romance celebrating love, friendship, and challenging adversity: feeling most alive whilst the world has other plans. The cast includes Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton), and James Norton (House of the Dragon). The film premiered at Berlinale in 2026 and was nominated for the Crystal Bear award. A sneak peek is available here.
When: Sunny Dancer opens exclusively in cinemas on 14 August 2026
Where to watch: Bookings are available on Ster-Kinekor
Kids Activities: Rush Trampoline Park
Rush Extreme Sports involves more than just jumping. Rush is an innovative activity and entertainment centre for all ages, featuring adrenaline-pumping trampolines, obstacle courses, climbing walls and much more.
Grab a coffee and chill out in the designated seating area, while the kids jump and play to their heart’s content.
Cost: R160pp (one-hour all-access ticket); R200pp (one-hour parent-and-toddler all-access ticket); R100pp (additional hour all-access) | Book using the website.
When: Mon – Thurs: 9am – 7pm | Fri & Sat: 9am – 8pm | Sun: 9am – 6pm (school holiday times)
Where: Stadium on Main, corner Main Rd and 25 Stegman Rd, Claremont, Cape Town
Family-friendly plans to keep kids entertained
Table Talk
This brand-new social hangout brings together people from across Cape Town to connect, play some board games, and make new friends. Every ticket includes access to the wide variety of party games that anyone can join in, with food and drink on sale, and even the ability to create & print a custom T-shirt (at an additional cost).
The atmosphere is welcoming to groups of friends wanting to challenge one another and individuals looking to make some new board game buddies.
Cost: R50 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: Friday, 18 September 2026 | 6pm – 12am
Where: Shackleton Brewing Company, 23 Transvaal Street, Paarden Eiland
Quirky & Cosy Coffee Shops: Butter
One can only guess the most prominent ingredient in Butter’s menu. Whether it’s buttered toast, buttery flapjacks, buttermilk fried chicken, or a butter burger, this Sea Point is not for the faint of dairy. Luckily, their hot drink menu is not as butyraceous, opting instead for flat whites, cappuccinos, and the ever-popular Vietnamese iced coffee. They do have cocktails on sale, including a “butter white Russian” for those brave enough.
When: Monday – Sunday | 8am – 3pm (Mon – Fri) | 9am – 3pm (Sat & Sun)
Where: 146 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
Find your new favourite coffee spot to keep warm this spring
Enter the Orms X Canon Photography Competition
Every year, Orms x Canon invites the city’s best photographers to submit their work and stand a chance to win prizes and have it displayed on the Sea Point Promenade, one of Cape Town’s most iconic spaces.
Over the years, the prom has featured the work of 120 photographers from all walks of life, showcasing the artistic talent of the Mother City’s photographers and bringing art out of exclusive galleries and into the public sphere for everyone to enjoy.
For the seventh edition, Orms asks the simple question: When does a photograph become art? Unlike previous editions, submissions are not limited to a single thematic focus or subject. Entries can be any type of photo, from portraits and abstracts to landscapes and everything in between. Orms wants photographers with a true artistic vision who pay careful attention to composition, light, colour, perspective, atmosphere, subject, story, timing, and editing.
Orms x Canon: The Art of Photography is open to all South African citizens. The competition runs from 19 August, and entries close at midnight on 30 September. Applicants must fill in the submission form with images and personal details. Winning entries will be displayed for at least a year; T’s & C’s apply.
When: 19 August – 30 September 2026 | Entries close at midnight
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
Darling Wildflower Show
The Darling Wildflower Show returns for its annual three-day run, marking more than a century of celebrating the region’s floral heritage since its first show in 1917. Hosted by the Darling Wildflower Society alongside the Darling Sport Club, the festival draws farmers, botanists, artists and visitors from across the country to Darling’s flower-viewing season.
The centrepiece is a landscaped Wildflower Exhibition and Species Table, showcasing the intricate and threatened ecosystems that define Darling’s botanical landscape, including renosterveld, sandveld, strandveld, and vlei and wetland habitats. Conservation talks and guided wildflower walks led by local ecologists and botanists run throughout the weekend, with bookings essential for the walks.
Beyond the botanical programme, the show includes market stalls, live music, vintage vehicle displays and tractor rides, alongside a spread of local food and wine. The event doubles as both a cultural celebration and a conservation platform, raising awareness of Darling’s fragile ecosystems while showcasing their beauty to a wider audience.
Cost: R120 per person (adults) | R75 (pensioners) | Free for u12s. Book now on Quicket.
When: Friday – Sunday, 18 – 20 September 2026 | 9am – 5pm
Where: Darling Sport Club, Darling, Western Cape
Markets: Blue Bird Food & Goods Market
The Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market is held every Thursday and Friday night in a beautiful old postal plane hangar. Filled with a collection of local artisans, specialty cooks, bakers, producers and designers, it is considered to be the cornerstone of the Muizenberg community.
With a variety of food stalls, guests can enjoy almost any meal that comes to mind. From steaks and burgers to falafels, salads, empanadas and wraps. There is also a delicious collection of sugary goodness for guests with a sweet tooth. These are items such as fudge, cupcakes or brownies.
If you are more focused on grabbing a drink with some friends, you can go straight to the Bicycle Bar where there is a variety of local beers on tap, wine, or soft drinks and kombucha.
The market also boasts a dedicated kids’ play area which is equipped with a jungle gym and a designated area for activities like face painting and sand art. So, you can be sure your little ones will be just as entertained as you.
When: Thursday & Friday | 4pm – 9pm (Thu) | 4pm – 10pm (Fri)
Where: 39 Albertyn Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town
Spend the day at the biggest weekend markets in Cape Town
Cape Wind Ensemble
The Cape Wind Ensemble performs a chamber programme spanning three centuries at St Martini Church on Long Street. The group was formed in January 2023 by conductor Faan Malan and Kim Malan to give semi-professional and advanced amateur musicians around Cape Town regular opportunities to perform quality wind and chamber repertoire.
The programme includes Antonín Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds, a work built around warm, lyrical writing for wind and brass instruments, alongside Joachim Raff’s Sinfonietta No. 1 for Winds, a lesser-performed piece from the German Romantic composer’s output. The concert closes with three movements from George Frideric Handel’s Water Music Suite, originally composed for a royal river procession and now a staple of the wind repertoire.
The ensemble draws its members from Cape Town’s community of amateur and semi-professional players, giving audiences access to well-known orchestral wind and chamber works in an intimate church setting rather than a large concert hall.
Cost: R100 – R150 per person. Book now on Webtickets.
When: Sunday, 20 September 2026 | From 4pm
Where: St Martini Church, 250 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre
Experience Cape Town Differently with Future Found Sanctuary
Luxury travel isn’t about doing more. It’s about experiencing more of what matters.
Set on a private mountainside estate in the Constantia Winelands, Future Found Sanctuary brings together beautifully designed accommodation, personalised hospitality and thoughtfully curated experiences. Spend your days exploring nearby hiking trails, discovering the Constantia wine route, enjoying seasonal dining, or simply settling into the estate’s slower rhythm.
For a Cape Town stay that feels considered, meaningful and memorable, Future Found Sanctuary offers a different way to experience the city.
Cost: From R4950 for two. More information on staying at Future Found Sanctuary is available on the website.
Where: 10 Hunters Way, Hout Bay, Cape Town
East City Spots: Swan Café
Included in Inside Guide’s Top Cape experiences, this French-style café and crêperie brings the charm of Paris to the Mother City with authentic pastries, artisanal coffee, all-day brunch, and an exclusive tea range. It has one of the most vibrant and distinct interiors in Cape Town, keeping with the classy Parisian theme and making it perfect for an Instagrammable morning meal.
Their espresso-based coffees are affordable, while their rich rooibos tea blends mix classic South African flavour with a range of sweet notes. Savoury, gluten-free galettes (crêpes) make up the bulk of the food offering, alongside tartines (open-faced sourdough sandwiches) and dairy-based sweet crêpes.
When: Monday – Sunday | 8.30am – 4pm | 9pm – 2pm (Sun & public holidays)
Where: cnr Buitenkant & Barrack Street, Zonnebloem, East City, Cape Town
Where to eat, drink & party in the East City
Coppelia: Cape Town City Ballet Youth Production
The Cape Town City Ballet is bringing the iconic comic ballet Coppelia to the stage once again, promising a delightful mix of comedy, romance and a touch of mystery, all wrapped up in dazzling costumes and sets. The story is a whimsical fairy tale about young love, a curious inventor, and a lifelike doll that causes quite a stir.
After being performed by the company in October 2025, this latest youth production gives the next generation of dancers an opportunity to showcase their talents, while audiences can see a beloved ballet at a heavily discounted price.
Cost: R50 per person. Tickets available on Webtickets.
When: Saturday, 19 September 2026 | 12pm & 3pm
Where: Joseph Stone Auditorium, Protea St & Klipfontein Rd, Athlone
WOMAD x KAYA: Indigenous Voices & Storytellers
Another series in the dynamic WOMAD lineup celebrating world music and cross-cultural creativity, these performances at KAYA HQ bring together stripped-back sets with diverse lineups of international talent alongside South African artists bringing their authentic sound to the stage.
Four shows run throughout the week, with highlights including versatile country singer-songwriter Dhahabu, Nordic folk singer Anna Falt, local neo-soul singer Jordan Baker, and experimental electronic music from Arashka & The Shakti Project. Each night features several artists, with a mix of South African and international influences that ensures every show is a genre-blending, sound-sharing experience.
Cost: R135 per person (general admission). Tickets to each night are sold separately via Fixr.
When: Thursday – Sunday, 17 – 20 September 2026 | From 7pm (Thu – Sat) | From 6pm (Sun)
Where: KAYA HQ, 35 Loop St, Cape Town, South Africa
Madame JoJo’s at Mavericks
Over the course of six weeks, Mavericks plays host to drag kings, queens, and in-betweens in a variety show where anything goes.
The night starts with half-priced cocktails from 7pm, followed by a mix of cabaret noir, sensual burlesque, surprise acts, and, of course, shows from many of the Mother City’s drag performers. After-dark is where the night kicks into gear, with DJs, go-go dancers, and a whole host of antics and mystery performances throughout the rest of the show – all hosted by Madame JoJo herself.
Cost: R200 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: Thursdays, 3 – 24 September 2026 | 8pm – 10.30pm (show starts) | From 10.30pm (After Dark)
Where: Mavericks Revue Bar, 72 Barrack St, Cape Town City Centre
Night Run To Honour Nurses 2026
The Exceptional Nurse Campaign, founded by Sister Teresa Basson, raises awareness of the critical shortage of professional nurses in South Africa and promotes public recognition of the nursing profession.
The Night Run to Honour Nurses is a 7km evening fun run along the Mouille Point promenade, starting at the Mouille Point Lighthouse. The event is organised by The Exceptional Nurse Campaign and raises funds for nursing bursaries, with proceeds used to train exceptional nurses and support student nurses in specialising in nursing education.
The 7km route symbolises the 7-to-7 shifts worked by nurses. The event is family-friendly and open to all, welcoming runners, walkers, and joggers of all fitness levels. Partners for the 2026 edition include Bramley, Run/Walk for Life, and Denosa (Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa). All runners are required to wear bright colours and headlamps for the night run, with the cut-off at 7.45pm.
Cost: R180 per person (adults) | R80 per person (nurses or children under 12). Book now on Quicket.
When: Saturday, 19 September 2026 | 6pm – 8pm
Where: Starts at Mouille Point Lighthouse, 100 Beach Rd, Granger Bay
Canopy by Hilton
Canopy by Hilton Cape Town is located in one of Cape Town’s biggest cultural hubs, just off Kloof Street. The hotel features over 150 rooms, swapping the usual monochrome flatlet for ones with vibrant artworks and big windows for natural light, reflecting the city’s creative energy. The furniture and design throughout the hotel proudly support local makers and culture, with Cape Town’s talented artisans working on many of the sculptures, installations, and prints found in each room.
Book a stay using the website.
Where: Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, Park Rd, Gardens, Cape Town
Affordable Activities: Le Bonheur Reptile Adventures
Le Bonheur Reptile Adventures is a reptile-focused attraction on a farm between Paarl and Franschhoek, home to a bask of more than 200 Nile crocodiles ranging from hatchlings to adults. The venue is registered for nature conservation and runs several guided tours a day across its dam system.
Guided croc pond tours run roughly ten times daily, taking visitors along elevated walkways over four dams, with a subsurface viewing cabin offering underwater views of the crocodiles. A separate snake exhibit, “Snakes in Transit,” houses both indigenous and exotic species, with live handling demonstrations held on weekends and public holidays.
For a closer encounter, crocodile cage diving lets participants aged nine and older spend around 20 minutes in a secure, water-filled cage submerged in one of the crocodile dams, both above and below the surface. Seasonal night dives are also offered during the warmer months.
Cost: Guided croc pond tour R35–R62 (age dependent) | Crocodile cage dive R560 (adult) R420 (under 18) | Couples cage dive special R1,000 | Entry to grounds free. Book now on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | From 9.30am, times may vary
Where: Le Bonheur Reptiles & Adventures, Babylonstoren Road, Simondium
Affordable activities & cheap outings in Cape Town
Multi Love
Dedicated to new music that isn’t for the radio, Multi Love is Cape Town’s dedicated party for modern dance, indie, nu-disco, and house played by a mix of residents and rotating guest DJs. Events are inclusive and laid-back, with no dress code and cheap tickets: just show up and dance.
After a lengthy break, Multi Love is back for its only 2026 edition. With the theme of “Sleaze Woke Up” and the trendy venue Texas as the backdrop, it’s time to get out of the winter blues and shake. The playlist includes hits from a long (long) list of fan favourites, including: LCD Soundsystem, Fred Again, Robyn, Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, King Krule, FKA Twigs, Fontaines D.C., PinkPantheress, Le Tigre, Soulwax, Breakbot, Blood Orange, Porches, Steve Lacy, Thundercat, Destroyer, Ross From Friends, Fatima Yamaha, TV On The Radio, Tame Impala, Future Islands, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and a whole lot more.
Cost: R197 per person (super last minute). Book now on Fixr.
When: Saturday, 19 September 2026 | 5pm – late
Where: Texas, 11 Albertus St, District Six, Cape Town
Flower Season: Chelsea in Stanford Flower Show
The real flower enthusiasts out there are sure to recognise Life after Fire, the Gold Award-winning botanical design as shown at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Created by Leon Kluge and inspired by Cape fynbos, the beautiful display is coming back home after its successful showing.
In mid-September, Kluge and his team recreate the display using fresh flowers, and visitors can watch the process as the flowers are restored to their former glory. True fans can also join Kluge’s talks on South Africa’s journey to the Chelsea Flower Show, along with other panels from acclaimed florists. All profits go to Grootbos Foundation, an organisation committed to conserving and preserving fynbos and supporting local communities.
Cost: R250 per person (one-day access) | R100 per person (talks). Book now on Webtickets.
When: From Saturday, 12 September – 27 September 2026 | 9am – 5pm
Where: 32 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford, Western Cape
Where to experience wildflowers this spring season in Cape Town
Shortstraw
Beloved Joburg indie rock band Shortstraw comes to Cape Town as part of a four-city launch tour marking the band’s first new material in nearly five years.
The show follows the release of new single Rubber Arm, the opening track from an upcoming EP called Everything In Between, the first instalment of a planned three-part project produced with Jacques du Plessis at High Sea Studios. Frontman Alastair Thomas has described the return as an unplanned decision among friends who realised too much time had passed since their last release. The new material draws on changes in the band members’ personal lives over the past five years, including marriages and children.
Cost: R150 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: Friday, 18 September 2026 | 8pm – 1am
Where: District, 61c Harrington St, District Six, Cape Town
The Grotto Spa: Hands & Feet Oasis
Newly revamped and thoughtfully designed for Cape Town’s busy women, the Hands & Feet Oasis gives guests an expanded manicure and pedicure experience.
While The Grotto is often seen as the place to book for a special occasion or just before a big event, the Hands & Feet Oasis invites women to fit a comfy retreat into their busy schedules. Rather than blocking out an entire day, the service requires only one hour of commitment for a fresh set of nails, which can be flexibly booked between work calls and tight deadlines.
Taking too long in between wellness check-ups can cause unnecessary stress. The Grotto invites guests to fit a full mani-pedi into their regular routine, taking an hour to just breathe, reset, and walk out with a brand-new aesthetic. More information is available on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 8.30am – 8pm
Where: The Capital 15 on Orange, cnr Orange Street & Grey’s Pass, Gardens, Cape Town
Damsel in Distress
The latest production from the award-winning Wela Kapela Productions, Damsel in Distress is an entirely original solo cabaret playing for two shows only this September.
Following the story of an avid bookworm who has traded seeing the world for reading about it in her favourite books, Damsel in Distress’ Griselda has her world shaken by the introduction of the Mr Darcy-like Edward Pamment. Slowly diving deeper into her difficult past and the realities of gender-based violence, the show proves to be a hopeful adventure in learning how to cope and move on after troubled times.
Damsel in Distress features many beloved songs, including I Love Paris (famously sung by Frank Sinatra for 1960’s Can-Can), Mein Herr from Cabaret, Cher’s Bang-Bang, The Windmills of Your Mind, and the 60s feminist anthem You Don’t Own Me.
Cost: R220 per person. Book now on the website.
When: Friday & Saturday, 18 & 19 September 2026 | 7.30pm (Fri) | 3pm (Sat)
Where: The Drama Factory, 10 Comprop Square, Henry Vos Close & Asla Cres, Somerset West Business Park
Fall 2
The sequel to Netflix streaming hit Fall (2022), Fall 2: Deadpoint brings even more vertigo-inducing and teeth-grinding sequences that are sure to keep even the mildest of acrophobics on the edge of their seat. Viewers can expect another thrill-ride of main characters traversing a treacherous landscape in the middle of nowhere, with Deadpoint‘s Thai setting making for an even more exotic and remote adventure.
Grieving her sister Shiloh’s death, Jax Hunter bonds with Shiloh’s bold friend Luce. They tackle Mount Kwan’s dangerous plank walk in Thailand. When a rockslide traps them on a narrow plank 3000 feet up, Jax must face her fears to survive.
The film is directed by the Spierig brothers, known for the time-travel drama Predestination and the horror sequel Jigsaw. The all-new cast features Harriet Slater as Shiloh Hunter’s sister from the first film, alongside Arsema Thomas (as Luce, Shiloh’s old friend), with Grace Caroline Currey reprising her role as Becky Connor.
The film’s official trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Fall 2 is scheduled to release on 4 September 2026
Where to watch: Bookings are almost open on Ster-Kinekor
Stay at the One&Only Hotel
One&Only Cape Town offers multiple luxury accommodation options. At the heart of the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and framed by the majesty of Table Mountain, the hotel offers an urban escape surrounded by private waterways. The rooms and suites are some of the largest in Cape Town and offer a unique experience of the city.
Open to One&Only visitors, Nobu offers a glamorous dining experience headed by global Michelin-starred chef Nobu Matsuhisa. It is the only Nobu location in Southern Africa offers an unforgettable journey of gourmet excellence and masterful Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.
In a beautiful blend of art and design, One&Only Cape Town’s spa has been relaunched with a celestial theme, offering unparalleled experiences of sanctuary and serenity. Drawing on the timeless beauty of the southern skies and the travel-inspired Southern Cross constellation, visible year-round in Cape Town, the spa creates an environment of relaxation and restoration.
Where: ROOI, One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Social Clubs: Fanaticus
Describing itself as a “third space”, Fanaticus Games provides a dedicated space for board game enthusiasts to meet, play, and explore new games. The store hosts regular game days and themed game nights, where players can join open tables, bring their own games, or try out demo copies from the store’s collection.
Sessions are open to everyone, allowing walk-ins of all skill levels to join for interactive games among friends. An admission fee of R80 grants all-day access to the gaming space and library, with 50% of the fee converting into store credit.
Fanaticus also offers private bookings for team-building sessions and corporate events, tailoring the experience to suit different group dynamics. The store’s online shop provides a wide selection of board and role-playing games, shipping across South Africa.
There are game nights every Tuesday and Thursday, with a dedicated role-playing game evening on Fridays, and even more games on Saturday mornings. The events calendar is available online.
Cost: R80 per person (day access). Fees can be paid in person.
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays | 6pm – 10pm | 9am – 3pm (Sat)
Where: The Clubhouse, 3 Sonneblom St, Parow North
Make new friends at these Cape Town social clubs
To Moer and Gone
Saxophonist Josie McClure and accordionist Kaat Vanhaverbeke, known together as NorthSouth Duo, bring their concert programme To Moer and Gone to Stellenbosch as part of the Endler Concert Series. The pair met as postgraduate students at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and built the project around a shared experience of displacement.
McClure grew up in South Africa and holds two master’s degrees in classical saxophone performance, while Vanhaverbeke, originally from Belgium, works across contemporary classical music and sound art. Visa regulations later separated the pair geographically, prompting a body of work built around distance and connection.
The programme moves between Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, Pedro Iturralde’s Suite Hellénique and a new Polish work by Mikołaj Majkusiak, alongside commissions by South African composers Mattijs Van Dijk, Jeremy Hart and Erin Potgieter. Van Dijk’s piece incorporates the uhadi, a traditional Xhosa instrument, alongside double bass and percussion. Libyan-born poet Sarah Uheida, shortlisted for the 2025 Ingrid Jonker Prize, contributes a spoken-word piece on displacement.
Cost: R50 – R170 per person. Book now on Webtickets.
When: Friday & Sunday, 18 & 20 September 2026 | From 7pm (18 Sept) | From 5pm (20 Sept)
Where: Endler Hall, Victoria St & Neethling St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch (18 Sept) | Theatre Arts, Methodist Church Hall, cnr Milton Road and Wesley Street, Observatory, Cape Town (20 Sept)
Cape Wheel
The Cape Wheel offers a spectacular 360 panoramic view of Cape Town from the vibrant V&A Waterfront precinct. With 30 fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabins, the Wheel takes you 40m above the ground in safety and comfort on the four-revolution ride.
A trip on the Cape Wheel allows you to see the postcard-like views of the Mother City from a bird’s-eye view, letting you take in the beauty of Cape Town from all angles.
Even better, with the sun going down earlier in the winter months, it’s even easier to have a picturesque sunset ride during this time – seeing the entire city lit up in golden hour, with plenty of time to spend in the Waterfront before it gets too late. Additionally, the comfortable, fully-enclosed cabins offer a cosy retreat from the cold weather outside.
Cost: R180 (SA adults) | R275 (non-SA adults) | R95 (children – aged 4-17) | Free (children under 3)
When: Monday – Sunday | 11am – 9pm (Mon – Thu) | 10am – 10pm (Fri, Sat & public holidays) | 10am – 9pm (Sun)
Where: Cape Wheel, The Lawns, Breakwater Boulevard, V&A Waterfront
Chloe Florence & The Clovers
R&B, pop, and dance singer-songwriter Chloe Florence is in Cape Town for a special live show at Athletic Club and Social. Known for her soulful vocals and upbeat instrumentals that get the crowd off their feet, the Canadian artist is known for solo tracks like Euphoria and collaborations such as Back to Black (with The Neighbors) and Attention (with Veggi).
Her latest work, Malibu Soul, is a R&B and neo-soul live DJ set, performed on camera as a calming outdoors music video. For the show, she is joined by several local instrumentalists, including drummer Tanatswa Aaliyah, keyboard player Ntsumi Ya Badzimo, bassist Penina Kecha, and guitarist Arianna Carini.
Cost: R220 per person. Book now on Fixr.
When: Sunday, 20 September 2026 | From 3pm
Where: The Athletic Club & Social, 35 Buitengracht St, Cape Town City Centre
