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Spring may be showing off its unpredictable side this weekend, with a little rain and plenty of cloud on the forecast, but that’s no reason to stay home. From Friday night racing and spectacular dance performances in Durban to sip-and-paint sessions, massed orchestras, athletics and ladies-only comedy, there’s plenty happening across the province from 11 to 13 September.
Whether you’re looking for a night out, a family-friendly activity or something different to do on Saturday afternoon, these are the events worth adding to your weekend plans.
Weekend weather
Friday
- Min: 19°C
- Max: 22°C
- Slight Rain
Saturday
- Min: 20°C
- Max: 22°C
- Partly Cloudy
Sunday
- Min: 20°C
- Max: 24°C
- Rain Showers
Durban
Lucky Fish Friday Night Racing
- Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
- Venue: Hollywoodbets Greyville, Durban
- Gates open: 3pm
- More information: Check the Race Coast monthly schedule
Celebrate South African Flavours with live entertainment, bar specials, thrilling racing, KidZone, and fun for the whole family. Your Friday nights, reimagined.
Shall We Dance
- Dates: Friday, 11 – Sunday, 13 September
- Times: Friday at 7pm | Saturday at 1pm and 5pm | Sunday at 11am and 3pm
- Location: The Playhouse Opera, Durban
- Tickets: R150–R200 via Webtickets
Swap Netflix for sequins.
One of Durban's favourite annual dance spectaculars returns with more than 100 local dancers, more than 10 dance styles, elaborate costumes and enough choreography to make you reconsider your own living-room dance routine.
Presented by the South African Dance Teachers Association in association with The Playhouse Company, Shall We Dance features ballroom, Latin and a host of other styles.
International dance stars Egor Kondratenko and Mie Lincke Funch will also return to the Playhouse stage, bringing their award-winning Latin American routines to Durban.
READ: Shall we dance? Durban's dazzling dance show is returning
Damsel in Distress
- Dates: Friday, 11 – Sunday, 13 September
- Location: Rhumbelow Theatre, Durban
- Tickets: R180-R220 from Webtickets
For something a little more intimate, Damsel in Distress brings cabaret, humour and some darker themes to Rhumbelow Theatre.
The story follows Griselda, a librarian who has spent years safely travelling the world through books, until Edward Pamment enters her carefully protected life and forces her to confront the fears she has kept hidden.
Starring Kiruna-Lind Devar in her first solo cabaret, the production explores courage, survival, femicide and gender-based violence through music and storytelling.
The 70-minute show features songs including I Love Paris, Mein Herr, At Seventeen, Bang-Bang and You Don't Own Me.
Sip & Paint by MODERNISM
- Date: Saturday, 12 September | 1pm
- Location: Doppio Zero, 102 Florida Road, Windermere, Durban
- Cost: R360 via Webtickets includes lunch, a drink and painting supplies
Unleash your inner artist at a relaxed Sip & Paint afternoon at Doppio Zero on Florida Road.
The ticket includes your choice of lunch, with options including a Polo pizza, Doppio beef or chicken burger, or chicken or vegetable wrap.
No artistic experience is required, so whether you consider yourself creative or can barely draw a stick figure, you’re welcome to join in. Spaces are limited, making this a fun option for a Saturday afternoon of food, drinks, painting and good company.
Music en Masse 2026
- Date: Sunday, 13 September | 2.30pm
- Location: DLI Hall, Greyville
- Information: 031 202 6174 | bcha1820@global.co.za
Ever wondered what happens when you put a very large number of musicians in one room?
Music en Masse brings together musicians of all ages and backgrounds for a massed orchestral concert billed as one of the biggest orchestras ever seen in Durban.
Conducted by Russell Scott, the programme ranges from Carmen Suite and The King and I to The Lord of the Rings, Memoirs of a Geisha, Gabriel's Oboe, Amparita Rocca and the Can Can.
Musicians who can read and play music are also invited to participate.
KZN North Coast
KZNA All Ages North Coast Special League
- Date: Saturday, 12 September | 8am
- Location: Umhlathuze Sports Complex Grounds, Richards Bay
- Cost: R50 licensed athletes | R90 unlicensed athletes via Webtickets
Athletes of all ages can take to the track at the KZNA All Ages North Coast Special League in Richards Bay.
The event caters for U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19 and Open categories, with athletes able to enter a maximum of three events.
Zulu Reed Dance in Northern KZN
- Dates: Friday, 11 – Sunday, 13 September
- Main public celebrations: Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September
- Location: eMashobeni Royal, uPhongolo
- Remember: Dress respectfully, follow instructions from organisers and be mindful that this is a cultural and royal ceremony rather than a conventional public festival.
- More information: Tourism & Film KZN
The 2026 uMkhosi woMhlanga (Zulu Reed Dance) continues this weekend at eMashobeni Royal in uPhongolo, bringing thousands of participants and spectators together for one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most significant cultural celebrations.
Following the opening programme at eMachobeni Royal in iNgwavuma, the second part of this year’s Reed Dance takes place from 11 to 13 September. The annual ceremony celebrates Zulu culture, heritage and tradition, with young women taking part in the presentation of reeds as part of the multi-day royal gathering.
READ: Zulu Reed Dance 2026: What to know about uMkhosi woMhlanga in KZN
KZN Upper Highway
Durban Wine Run Spring Edition
- Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
- Venue: Westown Square Trails, Shongweni
- Times: Registration from 8am | Run/walk from 10am
- Cost: R395 standard entry | R450 late entry via Event Timing
- Good to know: Walking is encouraged and dogs on leads are welcome
The Durban Wine Run returns for its Spring Edition on Saturday, bringing a slightly more leisurely approach to the traditional run. Participants can walk or run the scenic Westown Square Trails, stopping for premium wine tastings and gourmet snacks along the route.
Carmen, The Opera – Extended Screenings
- Dates: Sunday, 13 September at 2.30pm | Tuesday, 15 September at 12.15pm
- Location: Watercrest Ster-Kinekor, Waterfall
- Tickets: Book through Ster-Kinekor
Durban audiences have two more chances to experience one of opera’s most famous stories on the big screen, with additional screenings of Cape Town Opera’s acclaimed production of Carmen.
Directed by Durban’s own Steven Stead and designed by Greg King of KickstArt, the lavish production was staged in Cape Town in May and filmed in HD for cinema audiences.
KZN Midlands and Drakensberg
Bash with Tash presents Hats & Heels
- Date: Saturday, 12 September | 8pm
- Location: Golden Horse Casino, Pietermaritzburg
- Cost: R200 via Webtickets
- VIP: Contact Tash on 067 121 7288
- Age: Women 21+
Ladies, it’s time to put on your best hats and heels for a night of comedy, glamour and girl power.
Bash with Tash returns to Golden Horse with a ladies-only evening promising plenty of laughs, entertainment, spot prizes and fun moments.
The dress code is ‘Hats & Heels', sexy glam, so this is your excuse to go all out for a night of comedy and celebration.
Two Old Friends
- Dates: Saturday, 12 September at 5pm | Sunday, 13 September at 2.30pm
- Location: The Old Mushroom Farm, 11 Karkloof Road, Howick
- Tickets: R120–R150 via Quicket
Brian Bedingfield and Huyton Watts are back for another edition of Two Old Friends, this time joined by guest artist Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby, as well as Craig Martens, Chris and Kaylee Bester.
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