Cape Town's calendar is hotting up with live music and theatre galore. Here's what's hot and not to be missed in the Mother City!
As if the mountain, oceans, vibrant city and dynamic culinary scene weren’t enough to keep you busy, Cape Town also brings the goods when it comes to a jam-packed schedule of concerts and events. We're tapping into all the vibes with our updated and expanded Events Guide to Cape Town.
Across the city, you’ll find live music, vibey markets, and festive events that are a total jol (that’s a ‘party’, in local lingo). Here's our hand-picked selection of the hottest events to head for in the Mother City.
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Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
When: Saturday, 25 January 2025
Why Go: The Swag Poetry Jam is an event that merges street fashion and spoken word in an upper-echelon setting. Thandiwe Nqanda and Shani Delport "The Blondie Poet" will open up the floor in a curated exhibition of whims and wits, followed by a live spoken word concert by Def Eff and his band. Guests will immerse themselves in spoken word and leave with enchanting gifts from Poetry for Strangers.
When: Saturday, 1 February 2025
Why Go: Raise your glass and join us for the ultimate Beer Festival in celebration of SA Beer Day! From 2pm to 7pm, immerse yourself in a world of locally crafted brews from South Africa’s finest beer brands. Enjoy beer tastings, live celebrations, and the unbeatable atmosphere of our outdoor area, complete with stunning views of Table Mountain and the vibrant energy of the dry dock at the V&A Waterfront. Buy your tickets now and celebrate beer the proudly South African way!
When: October 16, 2024 - May 17, 2025
Why Go: The Galileo Open Air Cinema returns to Cape Town for the summer, offering an extended season of silver-screen blockbusters beneath the stars at venues across Cape Town and the Winelands. There's a jam-packed schedule of action, comedy, romance, drama and family-friendly classics. Also look out for special shows lined up for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter.
When: December 14, 2024 – February 2, 2025
Why Go: Say what you wanna say … this spooky musical is set to be a summer hit in Cape Town! MotherCity Theatre Productions presents the professional South African premiere of The Addams Family musical at The Homecoming Centre (formerly The Fugard Theatre). Featuring a talented cast of well-known South African actors, this spooky, wickedly-funny show is perfect for all ages! As Gomez says: ‘Living or dead, family is still family'… don’t miss your chance to hang out for a couple of hours with the weirdest family in town. Tickets from R350-R580.
When: Every Tuesday
Why Go: Join us every Tuesday at Time Out Market for a Wine Tasting Experience like no other, hosted by Cultivar and a selection of the 250+ premium wine brands we proudly stock. From 1PM to 6PM, discover exceptional wines, expand your palate, and indulge in a Tuesday treat.
When: Every Tuesday, 6.30pm - 9pm
Why Go: Join Quizmaster Jon Keevy for an unforgettable trivia experience that will challenge your knowledge like never before! From the conventional to the unexpected, get ready to put your encyclopaedic knowledge, logic, and quick reflexes to the test. Gather your team of experts and mavericks to show off your brainpower, impress your friends, and go head-to-head with other trivia enthusiasts. All of this excitement awaits you amidst the mouth-watering cuisine of the Time Out Market.
When: Wednesday evenings
Why Go: Settle in for the sultry sounds of the best jazz the Mother City has to offer, with the weekly Jazz Wednesdays. Look forward to an ever-changing roster of talented musos who’ll bring the groove while you explore the great food (and wine) on offer in the Time Out Market on the ground floor. Grab a bite, find a drink and settle in for smooth jazz every Wednesday night this summer.
When: Every Thursday
Why Go: Join us every Thursday from 7pm - 10pm for Comedy Night at Time Out Market Cape Town, featuring South Africa's funniest comedians delivering side-splitting stand-up performances.
Tickets are just R150 online or R200 at the door. Check out this week’s lineup and grab your tickets now on Howler. Get ready for a night filled with delicious food offerings available at the market, great drinks, and endless laughs!
When: Every Friday
Why Go: Kickstart your weekend with the perfect blend of great music and breathtaking views of Table Mountain. Join us every Friday evening for live band performances that will set the tone for a memorable night. Entry is free, so bring your friends, soak up the vibrant atmosphere, and indulge in amazing food and drinks as you groove into the weekend!
When: Sunday January 12, February 16, March 9
Why Go: Replacing the ever-popular Swing Sundays comes the chance to learn the sultry South American tango! A beginner’s class will be held from 4pm - 5pm each Sunday, introducing the basics of the tango, followed by a social dance session until 8pm. DJ Nicholas Dallas will be providing the soundtrack during the afternoon, and whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, everyone is welcome.
When: 12 February to 9 March 2025
Why Go: Get your booking in early for the South African premiere of 'Dear Evan Hansen'; a Tony Award-winning ‘drama musical’ that explores the human experience with a storyline delving into universal themes of acceptance and the complexities of growing up. Local audiences will be treated to an original production of the show, with an all-star South African creative team on board.
When: February 6-9, 2025
Why Go: South Africa’s favourite free-floating music festival, Up the Creek, returns to the Cape from February 6-9, 2025, with a star-studded line-up of local and international acts set to take to the stage on the banks of the Breede River outside Swellendam. Up The Creek is one South Africa’s longest-running outdoor music festivals, and the ideal way for music-loving party fans to while away a weekend. Up the Creek 2025 will offer four stages, pitched on the banks of the Breede River to allow guests to party for days on dry land, or take to their lilo to soak up the tunes while soaking in the river.
When: 18 March 2025
Why Go: Lauren Daigle is an artist with a full mantelpiece: she counts two Grammys, seven Billboard Music, four American Music and 12 GMA Dove Awards to her name. Since her Grammy Award-winning album ‘Look Up Child’ blew up, she became the first female artist ever to break into the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian Album charts. With the hits off her recent self-titled album, nominated for yet another Grammy, Daigle has clocked up over a billion streams. She plays in Cape Town for one-night-only.
When: 25 and 26 March 2025
Why Go: British singer Sting returns to the GrandWest Arena with his latest global tour. Joined on stage by guitarist and longtime collaborator Dominic Miller, as well as acclaimed drummer Chris Maas, Sting will ‘perform the most electrifying hits from his timeless discography’, say promoters Big Concerts.
When: March 27, 2025
Why Go: Cape Town is in for a musical treat as Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Bay brings his soulful melodies to South Africa for the first time ever! The highly anticipated tour will see Bay perform at the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, bringing his signature blend of folk, rock, and pop to the Mother City. Bay’s new tour is in support of his latest album, 'Changes All The Time', which he describes as his most personal and confident work yet. Tickets from R895.
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