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How is it already almost mid-January? How is it 2026? A few more days, and the kids are back at school, you’re back to being plugged into the Matrix, and life continues.
Thankfully, the weekend gives us respite from the drag just for a little while. And yes, I know it’s DRY January, so I’ve comped a few free events. Hello, Cape Town Jazzathon. You’re welcome!
CBD
Sewing Workshop with The Cape Town Summer House
- Saturday, 10 January, 10am - 2pm
- Venue: Vansterdam Studios, 50 Buitenkant St
- Cost: From R400, bookings via Quicket
January is the longest month of the year. Payday feels like a lifetime away. I bet the hustle switch in your brain is turned up. How about joining a sewing workshop? The hands-on session will teach you the essential techniques to take your work from homemade to handcrafted. And who knows? You could be the next Gavin Rajah.
Thandiwe Nqanda ... Jazz & Poetry Offering
- Saturday, 10 January, 8pm - 10pm
- Venue: The Athletic Club & Social, 35 Buitengracht St
- Cost: From R250, bookings via Quicket
Performance poet and author Thandiwe Nqanda has a special gift, one she’ll share with an intimate audience at The Athletic Club & Social. This woman is a tour de force and not afraid to stand in her truth. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t see her perform at least once.
Argentinian Tango
- Sunday, 11 January, 4:30pm – 7:30pm
- Venue: Time Out Market Cape Town
- Cost: Free. Reserve your seat via the Time Out Market Cape Town App: Android | Apple
Join tango instructor Len Naidoo as he leads a fun and free beginner’s tango class. Whether you’re curious to try tango for the very first time or keen to polish up your basics, this class promises the perfect introduction to this passionate dance. After class, the evening continues as DJ Nicholas sets the mood with the perfect chance to practice your new steps or simply soak up the atmosphere.
ATLANTIC SEABOARD
Cape Town Jazzathon
- Friday 9 January - Sunday 11 January, 1pm - 8pm
- Venue: V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre
- Cost: Free
Affectionately known as the People’s Festival, the Cape Town Jazzathon celebrates its 29th anniversary and is the longest-running music festival in the country. Expect live performances in Afro-jazz, Cape jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul.
Pastel Day Dreams
- Saturday, 10 January, noon - 11pm
- Venue: Cabo Beach, 12 S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- Cost: From R250, bookings via Quicket
One last jol before we return to normal programming. Pastel Day Dreams is a luxury beach club experience where good music, good food, and unmatched views take centre stage. Don’t forget to dress in dreamy pastel hues: blush pinks, powder blues, mint greens, lilacs, and soft yellows.
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
Autistic Adults Social Coffee Meet-up
- Saturday, 10 January, 10am - noon
- Venue: Four & Twenty Cafe, 23 Wolfe St, Wynberg
- Cost: From R130, bookings via Quicket, no under 18s
Organised by Autopia Social Events, the coffee meetup aims to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere where Autistic individuals can connect and develop meaningful relationships within the Autistic community. The intention is to create a supportive environment where everyone feels at ease. Each attendee is responsible for paying for their own food and beverage orders, which will be billed separately.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts - The Greatest Love of All starring Belinda Davids
- Sunday, 11 January, 5:15pm - 7pm
- Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Kirstenbosch
- Cost: R255 - R360, bookings via Web Tickets
There can be only one Whitney, and that is Belinda Davids. The songstress will forever have our hearts, thanks to her breathtaking tribute performance. David’s shows are a spine-tingling celebration of Whitney Houston’s timeless hits. If you haven’t had an out-of-body experience, you will once you hear this canary sing.
CAPE FLATS
Community Awareness & First Aid Programme
- Saturday, 10 January, 9am - 1pm
- Venue: Retreat Civic Centre, 17 Toring Rd, Retreat
- Cost: From R50, bookings via Quicket
The Community Awareness & First Aid Programme is a hands-on initiative to equip residents in low-income areas with vital life-saving skills. Participants will learn how to respond to emergencies such as severe bleeding, drowning, and seizures.
Loyiso Gola Live at Ground Culture
- Saturday, 10 January, 7:30pm - 10pm
- Venue: Ground Culture Cafe, 170 Lower Main Rd, Observatory
- Cost: From R200, bookings via Quicket
For one night only, comedy fans can watch Loyiso Gola perform live at Ground Culture Cafe in Obs. With extremely limited seating, the show gives you the rare chance to see one of South Africa’s top comedians up close.
NORTHERN SUBURBS
Holi-Yay Club @ Playalot
- Friday, 9 January, 10am - 2pm
- Venue: Playalot Indoor Adventure Park, Pinehurst, Durbanville
- Cost: From R50, bookings via Quicket
Playalot’s supervised programme offers lunch and four-hour access to obstacle courses, trampolines, climbing walls, slides, and ball pits for the kiddies. Moms and pops, bring your laptops for the WFH aesthetic and a change of scenery.
Jasmine film screening
- Saturday, 10 January, 10am - noon
- Venue: South African Revenue Service, 14 Strand Rd, Bellville Central
- Cost: From R20, bookings via Quicket
Emerging filmmakers invite you to join them for a morning of short-form cinema showcasing a curated selection of compelling short films. The screening will close with the final presentation of Jasmine, written by Max Fouchee.
WEST COAST
Creative Holiday Club – Pottery Party!
- Friday, 9 January, 9am - 5pm
- Venue: The Studio ZA, First Floor, Corner of Zastron & Albar Centre, Koeberg Rd, Milnerton
- Cost: From R290, bookings via Quicket
By now, you’re probably at your wits’ end, waiting for the kids to go back to school. Thank goodness for the Creative Holiday Club’s hands-on pottery experience guided by a trained pottery artist. The little ones can choose to make a trinket tray, plate, or fridge magnets. And, they get to keep their creative artwork.
CAPE WINELANDS
Lourensford Market
- Friday 9 January - Sunday, 11 January, 5pm - 10pm and 11am - 4pm
- Venue: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
- Cost: Free, pet-friendly
How about spending a slow day in the Helderberg? Lourensford Market is a trendy weekend hangout spot. Taste award-winning wines, snack on decadent delights, or spend hours combing through treasure troves of unusual and offbeat offerings.
