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Feeling bored?
There’s no time for that in Durban! We’ve put together a round-up of this week’s best events to keep you entertained.
Whether you're keen to catch the horses under the lights at Greyville, celebrate African creativity at Kings Park or sing along to some live music, there's plenty happening across the city.
Sports fans can lace up for the Hope Challenge or take on a triathlon at the Golden Mile, while culture lovers can enjoy everything from choral favourites and Afro-soul to ballroom dancing and comedy cabaret.
Your guide to the best events worth your time this weekend, brought to you in association with East Coast Radio.
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READ: Durban chosen to lead South Africa’s bid for 2036 or 2040 Olympics
Durban
Lucky Fish Friday Night Racing
- Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
- Venue: Hollywoodbets Greyville
- Time: 3pm-10pm
- Tickets: Free entry
Enjoy an evening of live racing, entertainment, and plenty of trackside action. There’s free entry and a free Kids Zone to make a family night of it!
Africa Is Not A Jungle
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Time: 12pm–midnight
- Venue: Kings Park Field, Kings Park Stadium, Stamford Hill
- Tickets: Check the event organiser for ticket information
- Age restriction: Strictly 18+
More than just a music festival, the event aims to challenge the narratives traditionally told about the continent by putting African talent, identity and creative expression centre stage. Expect a full-day experience inspired by Africa and made for the world, with a focus on creativity, unity and the future.
If you're keen to celebrate the sounds and spirit of the continent, this is one to add to your Saturday plans.
Nathi Mankayi – The Buyelekhaya Tour
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Time: 7pm
- Venue: Playhouse Opera Theatre, Durban Central
- Tickets and enquiries: Contact The Playhouse Company on 031 369 9596
Afro-soul fans, this one's for you. Nathi Mankayi brings his Buyelekhaya Tour to the Playhouse for an intimate live concert celebrating his acclaimed debut album and musical journey.
Presented by 1020 Cartel and MODAR, the production takes a stripped-back approach, placing Mankayi's distinctive voice, emotional delivery and storytelling at the heart of the performance. Accompanied by a live band, he'll revisit the music that has resonated with audiences across South Africa in an evening centred on connection, reflection and soul-stirring sounds.
Hope Challenge 2026
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- First start: 5am
- Venue: Amphitheatre, Durban Promenade
- Distances: 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km
- Entries: From R240 to R440 from Racepass
- Collections: 5 and 6 November | 10am-5pm
Organised by Ethekwini Athletic Club, the event is suitable for a range of running abilities, from those taking on a shorter distance to experienced marathoners chasing a qualifying time. The full marathon is a Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon qualifier. All finishers receive medals, while the first 2,000 early entrants are eligible for event T-shirts.
This Shining Night: Durban Chamber Choir
- Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Time: 3pm
- Location: St Thomas Church, Musgrave
- Tickets: R120; concessions R80 via Quicket or at the door
- Information: Durban Chamber Choir
Celebrate the joy of choral music with the Durban Chamber Choir’s November concert, This Shining Night: Music Shining Light into Darkness. The programme spans Renaissance masters, modern jazz standards, Scandinavian composers and traditional isiZulu songs. Special guest Yosuke Matsui, principal trumpeter with the KZN Philharmonic, joins the choir for the performance.
Durban Society: Founding Edition
- Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Time: 5pm–10pm
- Location: On Point Waterfront, 5 Signal Road, Point, Durban
- Tickets: From R500 via Quicket
- Age restriction: No under-18s
A new monthly social experience arrives in Durban with the first edition of Durban Society. Set at On Point Waterfront, the gathering aims to bring together creatives, professionals, entrepreneurs and social butterflies for an evening of music, conversation and networking without the formality. Come with friends or arrive solo and make some new connections.
Bubbles & Beyond
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Times: From 10.30am; programme starts at 11am
- Location: The Sunset Club, Gold Coast, Sibaya
- Tickets: R495 via Webtickets
Make a little space for yourself with Bubbles & Beyond, a women’s wellbeing experience focused on mind, body and soul. The programme combines movement, expert talks, practical demonstrations and opportunities to connect with others in an uplifting setting. Go with a friend or arrive on your own for a morning centred on wellbeing and inspiration.
Nathi Mankayi: The Buyelekhaya Tour
- Date: 7 November
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Playhouse Opera Theatre, Durban
- Tickets: R350–R600 via Webtickets
There are songs you listen to, and songs you sing with your whole chest. Nathi Mankayi’s ‘Nomvula’ belongs firmly in the second camp. The singer brings his Buyelekhaya Tour to Durban’s Playhouse for an evening of soulful vocals and heartfelt storytelling. If his music has kept you company through love, longing and everything in between, here’s your chance to hear it live.
You Asked For It – 4! The Reals
- Dates: Saturday, 7 November | Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Times: Saturday at 7.30pm | Sunday at 2pm
- Location: Rhumbelow Theatre, Durban
- Tickets: R180–R220 via Webtickets
- Good to know: Bar available; limited secure parking
Barry Thomson and The Reals return with the fourth instalment of You Asked For It, a show shaped by audience song requests. Drawing on hundreds of suggestions, the band has put together a varied programme that includes some songs they haven’t performed before. Expect a lively mix of musical favourites, led by ringmaster Barry Thomson, musical director Dawn Selby, drummer Mali Sewell and bassist Robz Millar.
Tinman Durban
- Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Location: Suncoast, Golden Mile, Durban
- Registration: Suncoast Sundeck; race-day registration from 5.45am-7am
- Events and entry fees: 10km race, R180 | mini triathlon, R350–R405 | super sprint triathlon, R450–R505 |sprint individual, R695–R750 | sprint duathlon, R650–R705 | challenge triathlon, R820–R875 via Webtickets
South Africa’s long-running TINMAN triathlon series returns to Durban’s Golden Mile, bringing swimming, cycling and running together beside the ocean. Whether you’re taking on your first multisport event or aiming for a personal best, there are different race formats to suit a range of fitness levels. Final start times are to be confirmed by the organisers.
KZN South Coast
Sokkie Dance at Parkhill Bowling Club
- Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
- Time: Doors at 6.30pm; dancing 7pm-11pm
- Location: Parkhill Bowling Club, 50 uMhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban North
- Tickets: R100 per person or R800 for a table of eight via Quicket
- Queries: Shereen Walker on 083 290 2330 | Barney Walker on 082 451 0124
Put on your dancing shoes for a night of sokkie at Parkhill Bowling Club. Tables seat eight, with guests purchasing fewer tickets placed at shared tables. Bring your own picnic basket or order food from Brigid’s Catering in advance. A licensed bar will be available, and outside drinks are not permitted.
KZN Upper Highway
The Gee Jays at the Nutcracker
- Dates: Saturday, 7 November | Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Times: Saturday at 5.30pm | Sunday at 12.30pm
- Location: Nutcracker Theatre, Macnut Farm, Lello Road, Assagay
- Tickets: R395 (includes show and a two-course meal) via Hannah on 074 603 0000
- Good to know: Cash bar available
Get ready for a musical trip down memory lane with Durban comedy cabaret legends The Gee Jays. Marion Loudon, John Didlick and Grant Bell have been entertaining audiences across KwaZulu-Natal since 1985, mixing hits from the 1950s to the 1990s with tongue-in-cheek comedy, satire and interactive sing-alongs.
KZN Midlands and Drakensberg
The Nearness of Wild Things: FreeMe Fundraiser
- Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
- Times: Doors from 6.30pm and show at 7pm
- Location: Chamberlain Music Centre, Hilton College, Hilton
- Tickets: R250 via Quicket or WhatsApp 072 290 9389
Enjoy an elegant evening of live music while supporting FreeMe Wildlife. Midlands performers Tanya Nicolson, Grace Botha and Charles Webster will perform a collection of soulful classics and reimagined favourites, including The Nearness of You, Besame Mucho, Ain’t No Sunshine and Fly Me to the Moon. Ticket sales help fund wildlife medical care, food, rehabilitation and conservation education.
The 6th Annual Book Behind Awards Ceremony
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Time: 5pm
- Venue: Howick West Community Hall, Howick
- Tickets: R650–R1 000 via Webtickets
Calling book lovers, writers and literary enthusiasts! The Book Behind Awards returns for its sixth annual ceremony, celebrating the people and organisations helping to shape South Africa's literary landscape. The awards recognise outstanding authors, publishers, book clubs, literacy advocates and individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the country's literary community. It's an opportunity to acknowledge the creativity, commitment and work that goes into bringing stories to readers and supporting a culture of literacy.
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