Events: What’s on in Cape Town

The Springbok Women are set to return to Athlone Stadium for their final two Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, taking on New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV in what promises to be two thrilling encounters. The matches will take place on 26 July and 2 August. Tickets start at just R20.

The 12th South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) brings together top-tier talent from South Africa and around the world, with this year’s Jury hailing from China, Canada, South Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Belgium, and the USA. The three-day competition will take place at the Artscape Theatre from 29 to 31 July.

After Dark is back at the Two Oceans Aquarium. This event lets visitors explore the aquarium at their own pace, after hours. On four nights in June, July, August, and September 2025, the space in front of the I&J Ocean Exhibit will be turned into a relaxed, living room-style venue. Each evening will feature acoustic performances from two local acts. 

UNRULY, starring acclaimed performer Andrew Buckland and double bassist Chantal Willie-Petersen, returns to the Baxter Theatre for a limited season from 17 July to 2 August. This immersive storytelling performance – rooted in rigorous academic and creative research – delves into the uneasy coexistence of humans and urban baboons in the fictional town of Skemer Baai. When a revered baboon matriarch vanishes under mysterious circumstances, long-standing tensions erupt, revealing deeper truths about territory, survival, and belonging.

For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa’s two premier classical ballet companies – Cape Town City Ballet and Joburg Ballet – will unite to present the timeless classic Swan Lake on tour. This landmark collaboration will take place at Cape Town’s CTICC from 25 to 27 July. Each performance lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an interval.

Spend a winter’s day picking your own produce – from farm to pocket – at the Boschendal Citrus Festival. Taking place on 26 and 27 July 2025 in Franschhoek, Cape Town, the festival promises award-winning wines, farm-fresh produce, live music, delicious food, local crafts and family-friendly entertainment.

In the lead-up to their official Guinness World Record attempt for the largest marimba ensemble at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, Marimba Jam will host two Fringe Performance Days at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre on 1 and 3 August. These events will feature performances by school and youth marimba bands from across South Africa. The showcases are free and suitable for the whole family.

The Cape Town Plant Expo & Market, hosted by Rays Retail Nursery, is shaping up to be a great thyme for plant lovers of all kinds – whether you're a collector, rare plant hunter, or indoor jungle enthusiast. This one-day event will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on 2 August, bringing together a vibrant mix of rare and exotic plants, expert growers, and unique plant-related products – all under one roof. Kids under 15 get in free, and convenient parking is available at the CTICC’s P1 parking lot.

Fifteen-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans will perform in Cape Town on 22 August at Grand Arena, GrandWest, as part of her largest international worship tour to date. The setlist will include music from her latest album More Than This, featuring the acclaimed singles “That’s My King” and “Come Jesus Come.”

Rugby fans, get ready! The Springboks will go head-to-head with the Wallabies at DHL Stadium on Saturday, 23 August, in what promises to be a high-energy clash as part of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship. It’s your chance to see the reigning world champions live in action, right here on home turf. Tickets start at R525 and go up to R4,075.

The Open Book Festival returns this September for three days of thought-provoking dialogue and literary exchange. Taking place at the Homecoming Centre from 5 to 7 September, the festival brings together authors, publishers, and readers for a wide range of discussions, readings, and performances. With panels, poetry, and conversations at its core, the event celebrates the power of storytelling to deepen understanding and foster empathy across communities. The programme and tickets will be available from early August, so be sure to check their website regularly.

Get ready to be dazzled – the world’s sexiest musical, CHICAGO, is back at the Artscape! This sizzling, jazz-infused spectacle brings the roaring 1920s to life with a thrilling tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz. Packed with sultry choreography, unforgettable music, and razor-sharp wit, CHICAGO returns to Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre for a limited run from 27 August to 28 September.

Enjoy a FREE side when you order a main meal via the Time Out Market app. Simply download the app, verify your local status, and redeem this exclusive deal. Selected items only!

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Unwind after work at the Time Out Market with 30% off house beers, wines, and selected cocktails every weekday from 4 to 6 pm. Verified local users unlock the deal automatically through the app.

Click here to download the Time Out Market app on Android and here on Apple.

Internationally renowned saxophonist Kenny G is set to grace South Africa with his presence this October for a highly anticipated tour. With a career spanning over four decades and more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, the smooth jazz legend will take the stage at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, on 2 October 2025. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable evening featuring a blend of his most iconic hits and fresh material from his latest album.

From humble beginnings in the Cape Flats to global acclaim, Dr Jonathan Butler’s inspiring journey will be celebrated in a special concert at the Artscape Theatre on 24 October. The concert will reflect on his life, recognising both the obstacles he faced and the contributions he has made through music. His achievements include two Grammy nominations and an Honorary Doctorate from Stellenbosch University.

There’s nothing quite as magical as a room illuminated by candlelight. If you're searching for a unique musical experience, Candlelight Concerts offer a curated selection of songs performed in a way you've never heard before. From July to November, they’ll be paying tribute to Coldplay at the Star Theatre in the Homecoming Centre.

Missed your chance to see the sold-out run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat? Good news – it's coming back to Cape Town this October! This high-energy musical, inspired by the biblical tale of Joseph and his coat of many colours, bursts with a vibrant mix of musical styles, from country and calypso to rock ‘n’ roll. Catch the return run at Theatre on the Bay, starting 4 October.

Get your bank cards ready and mark your calendars – UK singer-songwriter Calum Scott is returning to Cape Town in 2026 to light up the iconic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens as part of his 'Avenoir Tour'. He’ll be performing on 14 January 2026, with tickets going on sale at 9am on 28 May 2025.

A series of refined wine experiences set to dazzle throughout the chilly season, Time Out Market Cape Town’s Winter Wine Series brings together the finest local wineries from the Western Cape. Curated into a special journey, it promises to educate, entertain and captivate wine enthusiasts of all levels.

Join us at Time Out Market for the ultimate anything-goes experience! No scripts, no limits - just pure entertainment.

Kickstart your weekend with the perfect blend of great music and breathtaking views of Table Mountain. Join us every Friday evening for live performances from Soul and R&B DJs 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!

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 4PM to 7PM, discover exceptional wines, expand your palate, and indulge in a Tuesday treat.

Cape Town turns it on the first Thursday of every month. Think open galleries, buzzing streets, clinking glasses, and DJs spinning next to sculpture installations. It’s part art walk, part block party, and all about vibing with the city’s creative pulse – no tickets, no gatekeeping, just show up and soak it all in. Start in the CBD - Bree, Loop, or Church Square – and just follow the crowd (or the saxophone in the distance). The art’s great, and the people-watching is next level.