Events: What’s on in Cape Town

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. 

There's a new kid on the block: The Newlands Market. Held once a month, this vibrant market showcases a wide array of proudly South African delights – from sweet treats and freshly baked goods to local art, fashion, and family-friendly activities. The market is free to attend and will take place at the Newlands Cricket Ground on 30 and 31 August. Vendors interested in taking part can apply until 25 August. Onsite undercover parking is available at R10 for 1 hour, R20 for 2 hours, and R30 for a full day.

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.

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!

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.

The Cape Town International Kite Festival is returning with the theme #CourageToFly. Organised annually by Cape Mental Health for the past 31 years, the festival has long been a beacon of hope and awareness for mental health. This year’s two-day event takes place on 25 and 26 October at the Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, and promises vibrant entertainment, kite-making workshops, local vendors, and an amusement park for the kids.

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!

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

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.

Iconic British boy band Blue – best known for chart-topping hits like U Make Me Wanna, One Love, and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word – will be performing at the Grand Arena, GrandWest on 15 October as part of their 20th anniversary tour. Rising to fame in the early 2000s, Blue quickly cemented their status as one of the UK’s best-selling boy bands of all time.

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

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.

Motorsport returns to the heart of Cape Town this October as the Speed Classic Cape Town takes over Philip Kgosana Drive for a two-day invitational event on 25 and 26 October, celebrating speed, heritage, and craftsmanship. The event features two headline competitions: Classic Car Saturday, showcasing vintage vehicles and timeless engineering, and King of the Mountain, where modern performance cars race up 2.1 km of winding road with a 150-meter climb.

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.

The Corrs, Ireland’s most successful musical family, are set to embark on their first-ever tour of South Africa. The sibling quartet – Andrea, Caroline, Jim, and Sharon – have sold over 40 million albums worldwide since their acclaimed 1995 debut, Forgiven, Not Forgotten. For one night only, they will perform at the Grand Arena, GrandWest on 25 November. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night of their signature blend of sleek pop-rock and Celtic folk.

For the first time ever, Cape Town will host the season finale of the 2025 FIM World Supercross Championship. On 13 December, the world’s top riders will go head-to-head at DHL Stadium in a high-stakes battle that promises edge-of-your-seat action, intense rivalries, and a night of pure adrenaline as the championship reaches its conclusion.

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.

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.