Events: What’s on in Cape Town

From 30 January to 7 March, Shakespeare’s 90-minute comedy Twelfth Night, directed by Steven Stead, will take the stage at Maynardville Park during the 70th Maynardville Open-Air Festival, bringing wit, romance, and mistaken identity to the iconic open-air venue.

From 20 to 22 February 2026, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), bringing together 126 exhibitors from 34 cities worldwide. 

The fair will showcase the work of more than 490 artists, including 42 exhibitors making their debut, and is set to welcome tens of thousands of visitors.

Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Black Coffee is set to bring an unforgettable weekend experience to the Mother City from 27 February to 1 March 2026. The highlight of the weekend – the main event on 28 February at The Ostrich – will feature an exclusive first-ever South African performance by international DJ, producer, and cultural icon Peggy Gou.

Tickets include access to premium bar areas, curated food stalls, and immersive brand activations. They’re selling fast, so act quickly!

From 6 March to 6 April 2026, the annual Spier Light Art returns for its eighth edition, once again transforming the farm with artworks that glow, glimmer and surprise.

From playful, participatory installations to moments of quiet reflection, this free event invites you to pause, wander, and experience the landscape from a new perspective.

Three days of over 120 of the world’s best tattoo artists from over 20 countries, specialising in various tattoo styles, doing what they do best right here in the heart of the Mother City. This year, the South African International Tattoo Convention will take place from 13 to 15 March at DHL Stadium.

While all ages are welcome to attend, only those over 18 will be able to get tattooed.

The Cape Town Carnival returns on 21 March to the Green Point Fan Walk, promising to be bigger, better, and bolder than ever. Now celebrating its 16th year, this vibrant free annual street parade draws nearly 50,000 spectators into the heart of the city for an unforgettable evening filled with music, movement, and magic.

Featuring over 1,500 performers, the Carnival is a dazzling showcase of culture, creativity, and community spirit – the kind of experience that reminds everyone why there’s truly no place like Cape Town.

The event no jazz enthusiast wants to miss is back! On 27 and 28 March, the CTICC will once again host the iconic Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Attendees can look forward to an extraordinary lineup of world-class artists, both local and international, including the UK’s Jacob Collier, the USA’s Yellowjackets, and South Africa’s own Nduduzo Makhathini and Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, among many others.

For the first time ever, Pretty Woman: The Musical comes to South Africa! Based on the iconic 1990 film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, this dazzling production makes is making its South African debut at the Artscape from 19 March. Missing it would be a big mistake. Big. Huge!

Grammy Award-winning rock legend Bryan Adams is bringing his iconic sound to Cape Town for two unforgettable nights on 21 and 22 April 2026. As part of his highly anticipated Roll With The Punches World Tour, Adams will take the stage at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, performing a mix of classic hits and new material. Following his Cape Town shows, the tour will continue to Pretoria and Durban.

Comic Con Africa is back in the Mother City from 30 April to 3 May at the CTICC and it’s bringing all the geeky goodness with it. From rare comic books and epic collectibles to world-famous actors, superstar artists, and cosplayers who look like they’ve stepped straight out of another universe, this pop culture and gaming extravaganza is one you don’t want to miss.

Join Mickey Mouse on a spectacular adventure featuring world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, unexpected stunts, and pure Disney magic from 10 to 19 July at the Grand Arena, GrandWest.

Mickey won’t be alone, as fan-favourite friends Minnie, Donald, Moana, Elsa, and Belle also take to the stage, promising an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

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.