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August is looking decidedly more interesting than your average winter month, with KZN offering plenty of ways to shake things up.
There’s music to be enjoyed – orchestral and otherwise – comedy, markets, hikes and more on offer. Even the five-time Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo is around.
Here’s our pick of things to do this August.
READ: What it felt like when Currie Cup rugby came to KwaMashu
Weekend weather
Friday
- Min: 14°C
- Max: 19°C
- Slight rain
Saturday
- Min: 15°C
- Max: 20°C
- Clear skies
Sunday
- Min: 16°C
- Max: 21°C
- Clear Skies
READ: Where to celebrate Women's Month in and around Durban
Durban
Durban City Orchestra plays the films
- Date: Sunday, 16 August
- Venue: Milkwood Theatre, Danville Girls’ High School, Durban North
- Time: 3.30pm
- Date: Sunday, 23 August
- Venue: The Junction at St Agnes Anglican Church, Kloof
- Time: 3.30pm
- Date: Sunday, 30 August
- Venue: St Thomas Anglican Church, Musgrave
- Time: 3pm
- Tickets: Quicket or at the door
Presented by Durban City Orchestra and sponsored by Mzansi Philharmonic…film fans, this one’s for you! The Durban City Orchestra returns with From Screen to Stage II, bringing iconic music from Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, How to Train Your Dragon, The Phantom of the Opera, Superman, Hook, Forrest Gump and Disney to life.
With around 35 active members, the orchestra is one of South Africa's longest-running ensembles. Under resident conductor Charl van der Merwe and concert master Jitske Brien, the concert promises plenty of nostalgia. This is also a chance to discover just how much of your favourite films you remember through their soundtracks alone.
READ: Lights, camera… orchestra! Durban's favourite movie soundtracks are coming to the stage in August
Under Winter Skies
- Date: Friday, 14 August 2026
- Time: 6pm
- Venue: KZNSA Gallery, 166 Bulwer Road, Bulwer
- Cost: R100 from Webtickets
- More info: flatfootdanceco.co.za
Contemporary dance gets an intimate setting as Flatfoot Dance Company brings Under Winter Skies to the KZNSA Gallery for one special Durban performance. Created collaboratively by the dancers, the work explores creativity, connection and the joy of movement, with each performer bringing their own movement language to the stage.
Expect an evening of beautiful, expressive contemporary dance with the chance to experience one of South Africa’s leading dance companies from unusually close quarters. It’s a small-scale performance with plenty of big movement.
Get ready to laugh at the KZN Comedy Festival
- Date: Friday, 14 August 2026
- Time: 7.30pm
- Venue: Playhouse Company, Drama Main, Durban Central
- Cost: R250–R350 from Webtickets
KwaZulu-Natal’s comedy scene takes centre stage at the KZN Comedy Festival, bringing together emerging and established comedians for an evening celebrating local humour, storytelling and culture. It’s a chance to see some of the province’s comedic talent live while supporting the performers helping to grow Durban’s creative scene.
The festival also aims to create opportunities for local comedians to connect with audiences and industry professionals, while showcasing the diversity of voices coming out of KZN. So, if your Friday night plans could use a healthy dose of laughter, head to the Playhouse and support local comedy.
C is for Community at Glenwood Village
- Date: Saturday, 15 August
- Time: 9am–2pm
- Venue: Glenwood Village
Calling all crafters, chess players, crochet enthusiasts, coffee lovers and cupcake connoisseurs. Glenwood Village is turning its regular community market into a bigger celebration with C is for Community, bringing together local hobbies, treats and plenty of friendly neighbourhood energy.
Expect the regular Glenwood Community Market alongside some special guests, with a morning dedicated to crafts, chess, crochet, coffee, cupcakes and even a little Cha-Cha-Cha. It’s the kind of community day where you can browse, snack, catch up and perhaps discover your next hobby.
Get your groove on with Zonke at Park Festival
- Date: Saturday, 15 August
- Time: 12pm–8pm
- Venue: Chris Saunders Park, Umhlanga
- Cost: Tickets via Webtickets
- Age: Strictly 18+
Zonke is bringing her powerhouse live performance to Park Festival at Chris Saunders Park for an afternoon of music, food and open-air good vibes. Expect supporting acts and DJs from midday, followed by an evening of live entertainment in one of Umhlanga’s prettiest park settings. There’ll be fully stocked bars, curated food vendors and plenty of opportunity for those all-important sunset selfies. Parking is limited, so organisers recommend using Uber.
Hike, connect and celebrate at The Rainbow Hike
- Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Time: 9am
- Venue: Umhlanga Nature Reserve, Durban
- Cost: R100–R180
- Hosted by: Cheyenne Simon
Lace up your hiking shoes and join the LGBTQIA+ community and allies for The Rainbow Hike, a feel-good day of movement and celebrating diversity in a welcoming environment. Expect scenic trails and plenty of opportunities to meet new people. The day also includes beach sports, snacks and drinks, professional photography and plenty of time to soak up the coastal surroundings.
KZN North Coast
Rock out at DoughPamine’s Backyard Bands: Rebound
- Date: Friday, 14 August 2026
- Time: 5pm–8pm
- Venue: DoughPamine, Salt Rock
- Cost: R50–R150
Backyard Bands is back, and this time DoughPamine has even built a stage. The latest edition brings Rebound, a dynamic three-piece blues-rock band serving up everything from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, with a few Bryan Adams and Chris Rea favourites thrown in for good measure.
The vibe is decidedly laid-back: bring your own cooler box and drinks, pack a picnic or your own braai, and grab a camping chair or picnic blanket. Seating is first come, first served, so arrive early, settle in and let the music do the rest.
Classics on Turf presents Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Date: Friday, 14 August 2026
- Time: 6.30pm
- Venue: The Capital Zimbali Hotel and Spa
- Cost: R400–R800 from Webtickets
- More info: classicsonturf.co.za
Isicathamiya meets orchestral grandeur as five-time Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo join the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra for a special Classics on Turf performance. Conducted by Kutlwano Masote, the concert celebrates musical diversity by bringing the legendary vocal group's rich harmonies together with the power of a full symphony orchestra.
There are several ways to experience the event, including a music-only ticket for R400, golf-only option for R500, or a golf and music package for R800. Golf takes place at Kloof Country Club before the evening performance at The Capital Zimbali.
KZN Upper Highway
Take on the Giba Gorge Backyard Ultra
- Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Time: 6am start
- Venue: Giba Gorge
- Cost: From R950 from gibagorge.co.za
Think you’ve got what it takes to keep going when everyone else has stopped? The Giba Gorge Backyard Ultra puts runners through the ultimate test of endurance, with one fixed trail loop starting every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains. With flowing trails, elevation changes and technical sections, this is as much a mental battle as a physical one.
READ: Could you be the last one standing? Durban's toughest running trail challenge is calling!
Not ready to go all the way? You can also enter the single-lap challenge and experience the course without committing to the full endurance battle. For those going the distance, the strategy is simple: finish each lap within 60 minutes, get back to the start line and answer the bell again. Keep doing that until you can’t — or you’re the last runner standing.
KZN Philharmonic Concerts to Honour Women’s Month at The Pavilion
- Date: Sunday, 16 August
- Time: 11am and 1pm
- Venue: Fountain Court, The Pavilion Shopping Centre
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Women’s Month with the sound of a live orchestra as the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra returns to The Pavilion for two complimentary performances. Expect a crowd-pleasing programme featuring music from Skyfall, The Sound of Music, I Have Nothing, I’m Every Woman, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Over the Rainbow.
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