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April is officially showing us flames - and honestly, I ain't mad about it. With public holidays stacking up like nobody's business (Good Friday on the 3rd, Easter Monday on the 6th, Freedom Day on the 27th), the month is essentially one long invitation to be somewhere excellent.
Easter Weekend kicks off with Handel's Messiah at City Hall, the Two Oceans Marathon winding through the Cape Peninsula, and The Lawns catering especially for the little ones on Easter Sunday.
Then the month builds: three nights of Bryan Adams at GrandWest, a daytime festival headlined by Basement Jaxx, the world's most beautiful race, and enough wine, food, and ballroom dancing to see you through to Freedom Day. AfrikaBurn rises from the Karoo on the 27th. Ella Mai and Ultra CPT are on the same Sunday. The disrespect from event organisers! I'd like to speak with the manager.
But ending the month off strong is Comic Con Cape Town, where everyone gets to come as you are, as you were, as a friend - as Nirvana famously sang.
TIME OUT TIP: Plan your Freedom Day long weekend! Freedom Day falls on a Monday, 27 April this year, creating a long weekend that the city has already fully committed to filling.
The final stretch of April is stacked: Ultra CPT and Ella Mai on Sunday the 26th, the Bubbly Festival and Wine & Food Festival wrapping up on Saturday 25th, Comic Con running through to 3 May, AfrikaBurn kicking off in the Karoo, and the LEGACY Pageant Ball providing the ideal Freedom Day Eve celebration.
CBD
Handel's Messiah
- Friday, 3 April and Sunday, 5 April | 7:30pm – 10pm
- Location: City Hall, 56 Darling St
- Cost: From R175, bookings via Quicket
The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town presents Handel's masterpiece under renowned conductor Richard Cock, joined by soloists Brittany Smith (soprano), Minette du Toit-Pearce (alto), Jason Atherton (tenor), and Conroy Scott (bass) with the Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra. As per tradition, the Messiah is performed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Master Harold… And the Boys
- Thursday, 9 April – Saturday, 18 April | 7pm and 3:30pm
- Location: Artscape Arena, Cape Town CBD
- Cost: From R225, bookings via Webtickets
Set in 1950s apartheid South Africa, Athol Fugard's searing drama explores systemic racism, betrayal, and companionship. It can be an uncomfortable watch — all the more reason to see it. Starring Sello Maake kaNcube, Lebohang Motaung, and Daniel Anderson, Master Harold is a powerful tribute to Fugard's enduring legacy.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
- Until Sunday, 19 April | Various times
- Location: Artscape Opera House
- Cost: From R250, bookings via Ticketmaster
For the first time ever, Pretty Woman: The Musical comes to South Africa, making its South African debut right here at the Artscape. Based on the iconic 1990 film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, this dazzling production features an all-South African cast, a score by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams, and direction by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell. Missing it would be a big mistake. Big. Huge.
Time Out Tip: The show closes 19 April before moving to Johannesburg's Montecasino. No performances on Good Friday (3 April) or Easter Monday (6 April). Book quickly.
First Thursdays
- Thursday, 2 April | From 5pm
- Location: Cape Town CBD and surrounds
- Cost: Free
Cape Town's beloved monthly arts walk turns the CBD into one long block party on the first Thursday of every month. Open galleries, DJs spinning next to sculpture installations, food traders, and the kind of energy that makes you remember why you live here. No ticket required, no gatekeeping — just show up.
Comic Con Cape Town 2026
- Thursday, 30 April – Sunday, 3 May | 9am – 6pm
- Location: CTICC, Foreshore
- Cost: From R230, bookings via Howler
The fourth live edition of Comic Con Cape Town celebrates all things pop culture, from gaming, cosplay, tabletop, and anime. A platform for self-expression - immerse yourself in your favourite fandoms and come as absolutely anyone you want to be.
Atlantic Seaboard
Hop Into Easter @ The Lawns
- Sunday, 5 April | Noon – 4pm
- Location: The Lawns @theroundhouse, Camps Bay
- Cost: From R350, bookings via Quicket
Not quite your traditional Easter egg hunt. The Lawns has created the ultimate Easter experience for the little ones - bunny ears, stickers, pens and pencils, colouring sheets, a pocket hug, marshmallow eggs, and an Easter egg scratch card surprise. Packed with treats and activities, it's basically the Easter Sunday energy we all deserve.
The Rocky Horror Show
- Friday, 10 April – Sunday, 31 May | 3pm and 8pm
- Location: Theatre on the Bay, Link St, Camps Bay
- Cost: R295 – R495, bookings via Webtickets
Pieter Toerien's production of Richard O'Brien's rock musical arrives at Theatre on the Bay dressed up with iconic one-liners and a killer soundtrack. This rendition features the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy. An exhilarating theatrical experience that rewards audience participation.
Southern Suburbs
Totalsport Two Oceans Marathon
- Friday, 10 April – Sunday, 12 April
- Location: Starts at Newlands Main Road, at the intersection with Dean Street
- Cost: Supporters can cheer from the sidelines for mahala
The "world's most beautiful race" takes participants through Chapman's Peak, Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Constantia, and Newlands. After a chaotic start to last year's race, event organisers are taking no chances. A full Easter weekend of sport, scenery, and suffering - in the best possible way.
Pick 'n Pay Wine and Food Festival
- Saturday, 25 April and Sunday, 26 April | Noon – 5:30pm
- Location: Claremont Cricket Club, Constantia Sports Complex, Constantia
- Cost: R350, bookings via Webtickets
The country's top wine producers show off their wares across a glorious Freedom Day long weekend. Each ticket holder receives 20 wine tasting tokens and a tasting glass upon entry.
Time Out Tip: Designated driver and no-alcohol tickets do not include access to any alcohol tasting or purchasing. You will not be able to purchase tasting tokens or alcohol at the event.
Cape Flats
F1RSTSUNDAY: Street Luxe
- Sunday, 5 April | 11am
- Location: Rands Cape Town, 35 Makabeni Rd, Village 1 North
- Cost: R300, bookings via Webtickets
F1RST SUNDAY: Street Luxe is where fashion meets rhythm. From the streets to the dancefloor, celebrate how fashion and style shape the music scene. Expect curated sounds, elevated street style, and an energy that feels fresh, inclusive, and unforgettable.
LEGACY: The Pageant Ball
- Saturday, 25 April | 9pm – 2am
- Location: Hearty / The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock
- Cost: From R80, bookings via Quicket
The Mother City's iconic ballroom celebration returns with a night dedicated to love, pride, and chosen family. Walk. Vogue. Celebrate. Dance. Experience the power of community at The Pageant Ball — and with Freedom Day weekend as the backdrop this year, it carries extra resonance.
Northern Suburbs
Johnny Cash Tribute Show
- Saturday, 4 April | 6pm – 10pm
- Location: Hillcrest Restaurant, Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville
- Cost: From R250, bookings via Quicket
Riaan Smit brings Johnny Cash to life on stage. From his deep baritone voice to the iconic songs that defined a generation, experience The Man in Black in a tribute that is raw and unforgettable.
Bryan Adams: Roll With the Punches Tour
- Tuesday, 21 April – Thursday, 23 April | 8pm
- Location: Grand Arena, GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr
- Cost: Via Ticketmaster (21 April sold out; tickets available for 22 and 23 April)
Four decades of anthems, a Grammy Award, and a reputation as one of rock's most electrifying live performers — Bryan Adams brings his Roll With the Punches world tour to Cape Town for three consecutive nights. A Big Concerts Experience, in association with KFM 94.5. Note that the 21 April show has already sold out, so don't wait on the remaining two nights.
Time Out Tip: The music of Pretty Woman — still running at Artscape — was also composed by Bryan Adams. It is, objectively, a great month to be a fan.
Ella Mai Live in Concert
- Sunday, 26 April | 5pm
- Location: Grand Arena, GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr
- Cost: From R790, bookings via Webtickets
Grammy Award winner Ella Mai is gracing us with her star power. The R&B singer officially kicks off Boo'd Up season at the Grand Arena. Joining Mai on stage are Sjava, Nasty C, Zee Nxumalo, Scorpion Kings, Uncle Waffles, and Oscar Mbo. It's also Ultra CPT night. The conflict of interest is real and the disrespect from event organisers remains unaddressed.
West Coast
Outfits With S: Secret Sunrise Cape Town
- Saturday, 4 April | 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Location: 32 Beach Rd, Melkbosstrand
- Cost: From R50, bookings via Quicket
April is showing up in something that starts with "S" — sequins? Sailor? Superhero? Something slightly outrageous? — and moving like you mean it. Come ready to move, breathe, and let go at one of the most low-key joyful events of the month.
Ultra CPT
- Sunday, 26 April
- Location: Ostrich Ranch, Van Schoorsdrif Rd, Philadelphia
- Cost: From R1 095, bookings via website
Cape Town, are you ready for a party like no other? Featuring some of the biggest names in electronic music, Ultra CPT headliners include Afrojack B2B R3HAB, Axwell, DJ Snake, and John Summit. This is also the night of Ella Mai at GrandWest. We wish you wisdom, good transport, and a very strong sense of priorities.
Cape Winelands
Kiss Kiss Festival featuring Basement Jaxx
- Saturday, 11 April | From noon
- Location: Cape Town (venue to be announced)
- Cost: From R195, bookings via Webtickets
The culture-led daytime festival that does not do ordinary returns — this year headlined by Grammy Award-winning UK electronic legends Basement Jaxx. Two stages, curated food from the Cape's best chefs, immersive theatre, roaming performers, and stilt walkers. Previous editions have sold out. The venue is still to be announced, so keep an eye on their channels.
Young, Drunk, and Full of S-PUNK Live at Aandklas Stellenbosch
- Saturday, 18 April | 8pm – 11pm
- Location: Aandklas Stellenbosch, 43 Bird St, Stellenbosch Central
- Cost: From R80, bookings via Quicket
Young, Drunk, and Full of S-Punk returns to celebrate the golden era of pop-punk at Aandklas with tributes from party band Boston Tea Party. Think music from when your fringe was too long and your jeans too tight. Pure nostalgia, zero irony required.
The Bubbly Festival
- Saturday, 25 April and Sunday, 26 April | Noon – 5pm
- Location: Anura Wine Estate, Off Simondium Road, Klapmuts
- Cost: From R450, bookings via Webtickets
Live music, interactive food stalls, giveaways, and a vibrant atmosphere — all centred on sparkling wine in a stunning estate setting. The Bubbly Festival lands beautifully on the Freedom Day long weekend.
Beyond Cape Town
AfrikaBurn 2026: Through the Prism
- Monday, 27 April – Sunday, 3 May
- Location: Quaggafontein, Tankwa Karoo (~200km from Cape Town)
- Cost: Check afrikaburn.org for ticket availability
Once a year, a temporary city rises from a semi-desert 200km north of Cape Town and then disappears without a trace. AfrikaBurn is South Africa's official Burning Man regional event — a week-long gathering built on gifting, radical self-expression, communal effort, and leaving no trace. Art installations, mutant vehicles, theme camps, fire rituals, and absolutely no money changing hands inside the event. This year's theme is Through the Prism. General sale tickets typically sell out within minutes — check the resale platform and the survival guide on the official site.
Every Weekend in April
These recurring events happen reliably throughout April and are worth building your weekends around.
1st Sunday of the Month Swim (1SOMS)
- Sunday, 5 April | 9am
- Location: Clifton 4th Beach
- Cost: Free, register on the beach
The monthly 1600m open-water swim at Clifton 4th Beach, supported in the water by paddlers and rescue personnel. In April, the first Sunday falls on Easter Sunday — which makes swimming into the Atlantic on the holiest morning of the Christian calendar feel somehow very on-brand for Cape Town.
HYROX Cape Town
- Friday, 3 April – Sunday, 5 April
- Location: CTICC, Foreshore
The global fitness race series comes to the CTICC over Easter weekend. With the Two Oceans Marathon already on the April calendar, HYROX rounds out a very athletic month for those who run towards physical suffering rather than away from it.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market
- Every weekend | Morning
- Location: V&A Waterfront area
- Cost: Free entry
Cape Town's beloved weekend farmers' market - farmers, bakers, and chefs in a lively, community-driven setting. Now in a new home closer to the main wharf of the V&A Waterfront. A reliable and deeply pleasant anchor for any Saturday or Sunday in April.
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