Out and about in Cape Town: Best things to do this weekend

The creative world descends on the Mother City for Loeries Creative Week, so best to avoid the southern precinct this weekend. 

Otherwise, if you find yourself in the CBD on Sunday, how about a creative jam of a different kind? Think spoken word, truth bombs and provocations. The October Story Slam is going down in Loop Street.

The rest of the weekend is pretty chill. 

Open Studios Fish Hoek & Clovelly 2026 is happening from Friday to Sunday. It’s a fab opportunity to experience art in a more intimate and personal setting. The self-guided art trail invites the public into the studios of over 30 artists at 20 locations.

It’s also World Mental Health Day on Saturday. The 35KM Mental Health Awareness Run encourages participants to wear their running club attire in support of the initiative.

CBD

Creative Week 2026

• From Wednesday, 7 October - Friday, 9 October
• Venue: Homecoming Centre, 15 Buitenkant St, District Six 
• Cost: From R165, bookings via Webtickets

Loeries Creative Week is a platform designed to bring together individuals shaping brands, creativity and culture through thought-provoking discussions. This year’s masterclass focuses on the future of creatives and explores how the industry is changing.

October Story Slam

• Sunday, 11 October, 4:30pm
• Venue: KAYA HQ, 35 Loop St 
• Cost: From R150, bookings via Fixr

No script. No notes. Just a story pulled straight from your own messy, funny and painful life. Can you dig? Five storytellers go head-to-head in the STORY SLAM. Each storyteller takes the stage to share a true 5-minute story. The last person standing is crowned the Grand Slam Yappa Yappa of the Month. Only 20 tickets are available, so book yesterday.

ATLANTIC SEABOARD

Bed on Bricks & Battersby live at The Loft

• Friday, 9 October, 8:30pm - 11:30pm
• Venue: The Loft, 31 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay 
• Cost: From R185, no under-18s, bookings via Quicket

If you’re a kid of the 2000s, you’ll remember local indie band Bed on Bricks. Sadly, the group broke up a few years after. You can’t hold a good thing down, and the guys will perform again at The Loft, accompanied by Battersby. Fingers crossed, they’ll play ‘Spit Fire’!

Cape Town Open Junior Competition

• Saturday, 10 October, 8:30am - 4pm
• Venue: V&A Waterfront Marina, V&A Waterfront  
• Cost: R150 for participants, bookings via Quicket

I reckon if you can spell “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” you’ll probably make it at least to the quarter-final of the South African Spelling Bee competition. But you have to start somewhere, and that’s the Cape Town Open Junior Competition, where young spellers from across the region will battle it out for a chance to qualify for the finals at Sun City in December. Open to ages 10 - 13. 

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Open Studios Fish Hoek & Clovelly 2026

• Friday, 9 October - Sunday, 11 October, 9:30am - 4pm
• Venue: AP Jones, 98 Main Rd, Fish Hoek 
• Cost: From R150, bookings via Quicket

Open Studios Fish Hoek & Clovelly (OSFHC) is a self-guided art trail that invites the public into the studios of over 30 artists at 20 locations across Fish Hoek and Clovelly. This rare behind-the-scenes event showcases how local artists make their work, from painting and printmaking to ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. 

Time Out tip: The event has grown from 19 featured artists to more than 30 since last year. This edition includes two new shared studio hubs: Mothership Studios and Fish Hoek Studios. 

Evita @ 91

• Friday, 9 October, 6pm - 10pm
• Venue: Simons Restaurant, Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Groot Constantia Rd, Constantia 
• Cost: From R280, no under-18s, bookings via Quicket

How is Evita already 91? The tannie from Darling can teach us a thing or two about ageing like fine wine. I bet it’s that potty mouth and her political decorum. Still cooking for reconciliation in the kitchen of Luthuli House, Evita keeps her opinions to herself. Jokes. She doesn’t.

CAPE FLATS

The Greatest Showman: The Musical

• Friday, 9 October, 7:30pm
• Venue: Joseph Stone Auditorium, Protea St & Klipfontein Rd, Athlone 
• Cost: R284, bookings via Viagogo

Based on the 2017 film of the same name, a heavily fictionalised depiction of P. T. Barnum’s life, visionary director and choreographer Byron K Benjamin reimagines The Greatest Showman as a live stage event. The cast transforms the beloved original into a spellbinding theatrical experience, weaving together dance, vocal performances, and dramatic storytelling.

35KM Mental Health Awareness Run

• Saturday, 10 October, 7:30am - 12:30pm
• Venue: 142 Ngcwalazi Dr, 142 Ngcwalazi Dr, Village 1, Litha Park 
• Free options, bookings via Quicket

In honour of World Mental Health Day (Saturday, 10 October), lace up your running shoes for movement, connection and community. You have the option of the 5km, 10km or 16km. Run what you can. Take a break when you need to. Wear your running club merch. Most importantly, the organisers encourage everyone to move together. 

NORTHERN SUBURBS

Millennium & Grey Noise

• Sunday, 11 October, noon
• Venue: Heroes Restaurant, Shop A1, Cape Gate Decor Centre, Brackenfell
• Cost: R140 - R180, bookings via iTickets

Millennium & Grey Noise hit the stage at Heroes Live on Sunday for an evening packed with high-energy rock. Millennium brings their signature Afrikaans rock sound; Grey Noise add their powerful live sessions.

Summer Nights Market

• Friday, 9 October, 4pm - 11:59pm
• Venue: Urban Square, Energy Lane, Century City
• Cost: Free entry

Support local vendors at Century City’s Summer Nights Market. Enjoy street food, browse locally made crafts, and soak in the atmosphere with live music by local artists. Please note: this is a cashless event, so bring your Zapper, Masterpass, or credit/debit card.

WEST COAST

Baby Rave Neon party

• Saturday, 10 October, 2pm - 5pm
• Venue: Giggles and Grow Play Studio, Table Bay Mall, Corner of Berkshire Boulevard and R27 Sunningdale
• Cost: From R300, bookings via Quicket

Yes, you read right: a rave party for the youngins. Giggles and Grow Play Studio describes it as “the ultimate family dance party,” and personally, it sounds like a whole vibe. Think bubbles, glow sticks, lights, music and balloons.

A Show is Born

• Saturday, 10 October, 2pm - 8pm
• Venue: Kwena Music Academy, 191 Sunningdale Dr, Sunningdale 
• Cost: From R180, bookings via Quicket

An original Jukebox musical inspired by hits from ‘Moana’, ‘Encanto’, ‘The Lion King’, and ‘Tangled’. A Show is Born follows a high school drama club’s journey as they endeavour to take a musical from page to stage.

CAPE WINELANDS

Sandi Thom Live at Morgenhof Wine Estate

• Friday, 9 October, 7:30pm
• Venue: Morgenhof Wine Estate, Klapmuts Road, R44, Stellenbosch 
• Cost: R395 - R595 (excl. fees), bookings via Webtickets

Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom is best listened to in an intimate setting, and you can’t get more intimate than Veld Restaurant at Morgenhof. Sandi brings her powerful voice and captivating live performance to South Africa, performing music from her new album, ‘Warpaint’. 

SA BBQ Festival

• Saturday, 10 October, 11am
• Venue: Sandringham Farm, Stellenbosch 
• Cost: R195 - R2600, bookings via Webtickets

As a nation, we know how to braai, and if you consider yourself the OG braai master, get down to Sandringham Farm this weekend. The SA BBQ Festival is a premier BBQ, fire-cooking, music and lifestyle festival. Top acts set to perform are Anica Kiana, Crimson House, Wicked World, Synth Peter, Freshlyground, and Jack Parrow.

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