Cape Town turns up the heat this winter with a vibrant lineup of events that celebrate art, design, music, and culture.
CONCERTS/THEATRE/SHOWS
SALOME UNSCRIPTED
Dubbed a “curated musical journey where the setlist emerges in the moment, shaped by mood, chemistry, and creative impulse”, this show by “the diva of Cape Town” – known for her powerful voice and original songs – promises to be “a celebration of spontaneity, musical exploration, and the powerful connection between performer and audience”. Every performance will be unique, and will weave together vocals, live instrumentation and improvised storytelling. Expect raw emotion and musical magic.
Where: District Six Homecoming Centre Star Theatre, Cnr Buitenkant and Caledon Sts
When: 25-28 August 2025
https://www.homecomingcentre.co.za/events
WISDOM WITHOUT BORDERS
This special interfaith evening of music, prayer, teaching and meditation presided over by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche promises to be an evening to remember. Entitled Wisdom Without Borders: A Night of Teaching and Togetherness, it marks the first visit to South Africa of the world-renowned Tibetan meditation master, in partnership with the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative. Entry is free but booking is required via Quicket.
Where: St Georges Cathedral
When: Thursday 28 August
Time: 18h00-20h30
https://tergar.org/southafrica
CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Cape Town. The Star at the District Six Homecoming Centre will host several concerts, including A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Tribute to the Beatles, Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons and a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac.
Where: District Six Homecoming Centre, Cnr Buitenkant and Caledon Sts
When: Until 18 December 2025
https://feverup.com/en/cape-town-south-africa/candlelight
CHICAGO – THE MUSICAL
The award-winning musical Chicago returns to South Africa in 2025, bringing its sizzling jazz-filled spectacle back to the stage. Featuring iconic songs like All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle, this production showcases a talented all-South African cast, including Kiruna-Lind Devar as Roxie Hart, Samantha Peo as Velma Kelly, and Jonathan Roxmouth as Billy Flynn.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan St
When: 27 August – 28 September 2025
https://www.artscape.co.za/event/chicago/
COPPÉLIA
A family favourite, the beloved ballet Coppélia will be presented by Cape Town City Ballet. Characterised by enchanting music, brightly coloured costumes and a charming story set in an European village, it tells the comedic love story of Franz, his fiancée Swanilda and Coppélia, a beautiful life-like doll created by the mad inventor and alchemist, Dr Coppelius – who pretends she is his daughter. Franz becomes enthralled by Coppélia, and romantic entanglements arise when Swanilda, green with envy, disguises herself as Coppélia to win back his affection. With the dancing accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, this ballet of mistaken identity and young love promises to be a winner.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre
When: 17-18 October 2025
https://www.artscape.co.za/event/coppelia/
EXHIBITIONS/EVENTS
TOTALSPORTS WOMEN’S RACE
The iconic Totalsports Women’s Race is South Africa’s largest celebration of Women’s Month. Runners and walkers will take to the streets of Cape Town to take part in a 5-km or 10-km race. More than just a race, it celebrates the strength, resilience and camaraderie that defines women. The route shows off Cape Town and all its beauty, finishing at the Grand Parade. Gather a group of friends, pull on your running shoes and join the sea of pink.
Where: Darling St
When: 9 August 2025
https://totalsportswomensrace.co.za/cape-town-event/
FAME WEEK AFRICA
Celebrate Africa’s talent, innovation, creativity and inspiration at FAME Week Africa. This is the go-to event for creatives, providing them with a platform to bring their ingrained talent, stories and culture to the forefront. The week-long event features content sessions, music showcases, film screenings, exhibitions and a variety of networking opportunities. Conferences and festivals will celebrate the convergence of the tech, film, television, animation, and music industries.
Where: CTICC 2, cnr Heerengracht & Rua Bartholomeu Dias
When: 1-6 September 2025
https://www.fameweekafrica.com/
MOTHERHOOD: PARADOX AND DUALITY
This exhibition brings together more than 70 artists across diverse media and time periods in South Africa to explore the complexities of mothering. The work reflects on the layered meanings and lived experiences of motherhood - raw, real, and powerful.
Where: The iZiko South African National Gallery
When: Currently showing until 23 February 2026.
https://www.iziko.org.za/exhibitions/motherhood-paradox-and-duality/
SURF EXPO AFRICA
This is South Africa’s first dedicated ocean sports and beach lifestyle trade show that offers a dynamic platform for networking, sharing knowledge within the ocean sports, lifestyle apparel, wellness and travel space. Expect a myriad brands, retailers, SMMEs and thousands of ocean lovers from across the country. The blue economy will come into focus and the latest technology and innovations that are shaping the future of the industry will be on show.
Where: CTICC 2, cnr Heerengracht & Rua Bartholomeu Dias
When: 28-30 November 2025
https://www.cticc.co.za/whats_on_events/surf-expo-africa/
FESTIVALS
CAPE TOWN PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL
Coinciding with Heritage Month in September, the inaugural Cape Town Photography Festival will highlight heritage, memory and identity through the camera lens. The debut event is set to be a landmark cultural event for the Mother City, bringing together a global line-up of exhibitors, workshops, talks and projections. “These are all centred around the transformative power of photography in documenting, interpreting and preserving heritage … which is a powerful link between the past, present and future,” says festival director, Heidi Erdmann. The aim of the festival is to deepen public understanding of heritage and foster cultural dialogue while positioning Cape Town as a global hub for the photographic arts. Erdmann says a new generation of artists is using photography to explore “urgent social, political and environmental issues”. Booking for the talks via webtickets.
Where: Venues throughout the city including the Central Library, 6 Spin Street Gallery & WORLDART Gallery
When: 4-27 September 2025
https://capetownphotofest.co.za/
HEAT WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL
Designed to invigorate the local arts scene during the quieter winter months, the HEAT Winter Arts Festival features a diverse lineup of art exhibitions, jazz, opera, theatre, stand-up comedy, and digital art programming. This year’s theme, “Other Worlding”, aims to create a platform for artists to engage in transformative cultural production, reflecting on the interplay between truth and fiction in artistic expression. The year’s festival, the second edition, will incorporate over 16 CBD galleries and live venues. Organiser Mary Corrigall says the theme draws attention to the way artists relay or reimagine reality, revealing our society’s “deepest desires or fears, or plotting new histories or futures”.
Where: Cape Town CBD
When: 6-16 August 2025
https://www.heatfestival.org/
OPEN BOOK FESTIVAL
Since its inception, the Open Book Festival has created the opportunity for diverse communities to engage in meaningful conversations. This vibrant literary event gathers authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts for a three-day celebration of literature. Featuring author panel discussions, readings, and poetry performances, the festival nurtures the art of storytelling, enabling South Africans to gain a better understanding of each other and promote empathy.
Where: District Six Homecoming Centre, cnr Buitenkant & Caledon Sts
When: 5-7 September 2025
www.openbookfestival.co.za
REGULAR EVENTS
Knit & Natter Group
First Sunday of the month
Those who love knitting and crocheting will feel at home at the Knit & Natter Group. Members meet on the first Sunday of each month to knit and crochet while sharing wonderful stories. Women from all walks of life are welcome to join and bring yarn and needles, ideas, current projects as well as snacks.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre (Marble Foyer), D.F. Malan St
When: 15h00-17h00
Cost: Free
www.artscape.co.za
Cape Town Craft Club
Every first and second Wednesday of the month
This bimonthly craft circle aims to get creative people together to make stuff in a laid-back, fun and judgment-free space. Absolutely everyone is welcome, from seasoned makers to those who haven’t picked up a crayon since childhood. Bring whatever you’re working on and join the circle whenever you feel like it.
Where: The Ladder on Bree
When: 18h00
https://capetowncraftclub.com/
Sunday Jazz Sessions
Sundays
Openwine hosts Jazz Sessions by talented local artists every week. These are followed by lively Sunday Jazz Jam Sessions.
Where: Openwine, 72 Wale St
When: 17h00
Cost: Free
@openwine_za
East City Sessions
Every Thursday
The classic cocktail lounge, restaurant and boutique bar offers an expertly curated selection of established jazz acts and up-and-coming experimental acts on Thursday nights. So, mark your calendars. While entry is free, booking via bookings@harringtonstreet.co.za is advised.
Where: Harringtons Cocktail Lounge, 61B Harrington St
When: 19h00
Cost: Free
@eastcitysessions
Sky-Hi Ride
Ongoing
Experience some of the best views of the city and a mighty adrenaline rush. An eye-catching feature on the 28th floor of Hotel Sky, Sky-Hi Ride is a 35-metre thrill ride that takes you up in a chair lift, giving you a bird's eye view of Cape Town. Weather permitting, the Sky-Hi Ride is open to hotel guests and outside visitors. You can purchase a ride or observer ticket. A ride is free on one’s birthday.
Where: 28th Floor, Hotel Sky, 9 Lower Long St
When: 12h00 – 20h00 (Tuesday to Sunday)
Cost: R200 per person via Webtickets
https://sky-hiride.capetown/
Free CBD Walking Tours
Ongoing
Keen to explore the CBD without breaking the bank? Join free walking tours that take place in town daily. Organisers are keen to make Cape Town walkable for everyone and tour operators therefore rely on tips from clients. Options include a Historic City and Apartheid to Freedom Tour, Apartheid to Freedom and Bo-Kaap Tour and the Bo-Kaap and Historic City Tour. For more information, email info@freewalkingtourscapetown.co.za.
Where: Meet at the Piazza on Church Square, Spin St
When: 11h00, 14h00 and 16h20
Cost: Free
http://bit.ly/3ELMAlt
Third House Poetry
Last Tuesday of the month
Third House is a community and open-mic poetry event to celebrate poetic talent. We facilitate a space in which poets can feel supported and inspired, share their work, exercise their creative voice, and network with other writers and creatives. Both established and novice poets are welcome.
Where: Selective Live, 189 Buitengracht St
When: 19h30
Cost: R50 at the door
@thirdhousepoetry
The Jam at Gorgeous George
Tuesdays
Musos keen on a jamming session have a home at the Gorgeous George hotel. The jam happens on Tuesdays and allows musicians to bring their instruments and play with other artists. Anyone is welcome, from music lovers to guitarists, singers, piano players to drummers.
Where: Gorgeous George, 118 St Georges Mall
When: From 08h00 – 23h00
Cost: Free
@gorgeousgeorgecpt
Jazz Night at Amber on Bree
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of jazz at Amber on Bree on Thursday nights.
Where: Amber on Bree, 16 on Bree, Shop 1 & 2
When: 20h00 – 22h00
Cost: Free
www.amber-restaurants.co.za
Live Jazz at The Athletic Club & Social
Thursday to Saturday
The Athletic Club & Social hosts live jazz musicians from Wednesday to Saturday. Aside from the great line-up of artists each week, the three-storey venue has impressive food and cocktail menus and offers great views of Signal Hill. Tickets are available via Quicket. There is also a bar service.
Where: The Athletic Club & Social, 35 Buitengracht St
When: 21h30
Cost: R100
www.theathletic.co.za
The Blue Room at Grub & Vine
Ongoing
Treat yourself to the sounds of jazz and blues, delicious cocktails and food at The Blue Room at Grub & Vine every week from Tuesday to Saturday. Check out the venue’s website and social media pages to see who is performing next. A pre-show dinner is also available between 18h00 and 20h00. A selection of spirits, wine and beers are also served from 16h00 until late.
Where: Grub & Vine, 103 Bree St
When: 20h00 – 20h40 (first session) 21h00 – 21h40 (second session), 22h00 (third session)
Cost: Cover charge of R200 per person (may differ for some artists)
www.grubandvine.co.za/the-blue-room/
Story time for children at the Book Lounge
Every Saturday
On Saturday mornings, Book Lounge staffers can be found reading wonderfully illustrated picture books from their beautiful and thoughtful children’s collection. There is a colouring activity sheet afterwards. All welcome, no RSVP required.
Where: Book Lounge, 71 Roeland St
When: 11h00
Cost: Free
www.booklounge.co.za
First Thursdays
First Thursday of every month
Where: Cape Town CBD including inside galleries and restaurants
When: 17h00 till late
Cost: Free
www.first-thursdays.co.za