What’s On In Johannesburg this November

November in Johannesburg means the year is almost over, but the city clearly hasn’t agreed to slow down. From a kota festival in Tembisa to a Soweto summer picnic, a comedy night hosted by Skhumba and a silent disco in Rosebank, the month has its own way of keeping your calendar full. And if your December budget is already looking nervous, there are still live music sessions and local events to get into before payday starts making demands. Here’s what’s happening around Johannesburg this month. 

28 November is a big one, so brace yourself: major decisions need to be made on the day.

Here’s where to be around Johannesburg this month

Janice Honeyman’s Alice in Wonderland

• 31 October
• Joburg Theatre
• Tickets from R170 on Webtickets

Janice Honeyman celebrates a momentous 39 pantomimes with her adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

Her annual pantomimes at the Joburg Theatre are one of the most important features on South Africa’s theatre calendar and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Not only does she use dialect to give the pantos a Mzansi appeal, but Janice and her musical directors interweave Disney’s classical music—which is synonymous with the shows—with contemporary sounds including amapiano.

Desmond Dube returns as the Dame for the umpteenth time and Charlie Bouguenon makes somewhat of a debut after a 15-year hiatus from the Joburg Theatre. Lesedi Rich, who played Pinocchio last year, can no longer be described as an emerging voice as he has gone on to play Donkey in the People’s Theatre’s adaptation of Shrek among other shows, and Bongi Archi, who plays the White Rabbit, is marking his 11th Janice Honeyman pantomime. A star-studded cast and Janice’s uncanny ability to give South African flavour to the stage promise an unforgettable experience.

Desmond Dube returns as the Dame for the umpteenth time and Charlie Bouguenon makes somewhat of a debut after a 15-year hiatus from the Joburg Theatre. Lesedi Rich, who played Pinocchio last year, can no longer be described as an emerging voice as he has gone on to play Donkey in the People’s Theatre’s adaptation of Shrek among other shows, and Bongi Archi, who plays the White Rabbit, is marking his 11th Janice Honeyman pantomime. A star-studded cast and Janice’s uncanny ability to give South African flavour to the stage promise an unforgettable experience.

Exclusive Soul Session All White

• Sunday 1 November, 12pm

• Location: Cafe Hangova, Klipsruit, Soweto

• Cost: R100 - R120 via Webtickets

Café Hangova in Klipspruit, Soweto, is the setting for Exclusive Soul Session All White, a daytime gathering that brings soul music and the local social scene together. In a township with deep musical roots, it’s a chance to catch up with friends, enjoy the sounds and show off your freshest white fit. The dress code is part of the fun, so leave the colourful outfits in the wardrobe for this one. Just be careful with the food and drinks. Nobody wants to go home wearing evidence of their lunch.

 

Lucas Senyatso at Hugh’s Jazz Club

• Thursday 5 November, 6pm

• Location: Thirteen, 10 De Beer St, Braamfontein

• Cost: R300 via Quicket

From the jazz stage to the Pride Lands, Lucas Senyatso has covered some impressive musical ground, including touring internationally with The Lion King. The South African bassist and composer brings his blend of African jazz and fusion to Hugh’s Jazz Club at Thirteen in Braamfontein. If you enjoy live music where the musicianship takes centre stage, this is your chance to hear the sounds of African jazz in the hands of a musician who has performed on international stages.

 

Big Banger Comedy hosted by Skhumba

• Friday 6 November - Saturday 7 November, Various Times

• Location: Silverstar Centre, Silverstar Casino, R28, Muldersdrift

• Cost: R250 - R350 via Webtickets

Skhumba is hosting Big Banger Comedy at Silverstar, joined by Celeste Ntuli, Loyiso Gola and Ntosh Madlingozi. Ntuli, often called the queen of Zulu comedy, is known for turning everyday experiences into hilarious stories, while Gola has built a following for his satirical take on politics and South African public life. Madlingozi rounds out the line-up, giving audiences another comedic voice to discover. Your problems will still be there on Sunday, so you might as well give yourself a night off. 

 

Tembisa Kota Festival

• Saturday 7 November, 10am

• Location: Transnet School of Rail, Esselen Park, Tembisa

• Cost: R110 Children, R150 Student, R200 Adults via Computicket

Tembisa is putting the spotlight on one of kasi’s most loved food creations, with a festival dedicated to the kota and the people who make it. Vendors from across the region will serve up their own takes on the quarter-loaf, from the classic combination of slap chips, polony and cheese to loaded versions packed with extra fillings and sauces. The food is the main draw, but the music is just as big, with Sjava, Big Zulu and DJ Maphorisa among the artists on the line-up. It’s a chance to discover new kota spots in one place while supporting the local vendors turning this street-food staple into a thriving business. Come prepared to make some difficult decisions, because your favourite kota spot might have some competition.

Kunye - Jozi XI

• Saturday 7 November, 12pm

• Location: Huddle Park Golf & Recreation, 121 Club St, Linksfield

• Cost: R850 via Howler

Kunye is more than a DJ line-up. Founded by South African DJ and producer Shimza, the music platform was created to connect homegrown electronic artists with international audiences and give Afro house a bigger global stage. Its Jozi XI edition brings that mission to Huddle Park, with Shimza joined by Haitian-American DJ Francis Mercier and South African house veteran DJ Kent. Mercier brings an international perspective to the bill, while DJ Kent represents a generation of local house music that helped shape the scene long before Afro house became a global talking point. With another 10 artists listed for the event, there’s more to the programme than its headline names. If you want to hear how South African house music connects with sounds from beyond our borders, this is one for your radar.

 

Sunset Music Series presents Msaki & Thando Zide

• Saturday 7 November, 1pm

• Location: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Malcom Road, Poortview, Roodepoort

• Cost: R195 via Webtickets

Msaki and Thando Zide are sharing the stage for a Sunset Music Series concert, bringing together two South African artists with a musical connection beyond this booking. Msaki features on Usana, from Zide’s debut album Ku Ngawe, a song that explores the tenderness of protecting one’s inner child. Msaki is known for her soulful vocals and thoughtful songwriting, while Zide draws on Afro-soul, jazz and R&B to tell stories about love, identity and personal growth. Their shared track gives fans a reason to listen out for the chemistry between the two artists live, while the individual performances offer a chance to hear songs from Zide’s recent album alongside Msaki’s distinctive catalogue. If Usana has been on repeat, this is an opportunity to hear the two voices behind it share the same stage.

 

Sino Msolo: Kwa Msolo

• Saturday 21 November, 6pm

• Location: Untitled Basement, 7 Reserve St

• Cost: R400 via Quicket

Sino Msolo is taking Kwa Msolo back to Untitled Basement for a live show that puts his own artistry front and centre. The Eastern Cape-born singer and songwriter has made his mark across Afro-soul, Afro-pop and amapiano, moving between heartfelt vocals and the dancefloor sounds that have earned him multi-platinum success. He has also contributed to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, adding an international credit to his name. Kwa Msolo is designed as a more personal experience, bringing music together with storytelling, fashion, food and community rather than focusing on a performance alone. With a live band and a concept built around Sino’s musical journey, it’s a chance to hear the artist beyond his big collaborations and get a closer look at what makes his sound his own.

 

Oskidos Big Day Out 2026

• Saturday 28 November, 12pm

• Location: Huddle Park, Johannesburg

• Cost: R695 General Admission, R1 950 VIP via Webtickets

Oskido’s Big Day Out is back for its third edition, and this time there’s twice the stage space for South African dance music. Led by one of the key figures in kwaito, Oskido, the festival celebrates the artists and sounds that have kept South African dance floors moving across generations. Mdu Masilela, Brothers of Peace and DJ Fresh represent different chapters of that story, while Durban’s Finest and DJ Tira bring in Durban’s distinctive contribution to the country’s dance-music scene. The big change this year is a second stage dedicated to expanding the line-up across genres, including deep and soulful house, alongside kwaito, amapiano and hip-hop. After two sold-out editions, the festival is growing beyond a birthday party into a meeting point for generations of South African music fans. So start negotiating with your friends now about which stage gets priority, because agreeing on the music might be harder than getting everyone to the venue.

 

Backtocassette Soweto Summer Picnic

• Saturday 28 November, 12pm

• Location: Soweto Equestrian, 1679 Vundla St, Moroka

• Cost: R330 via Howler

Moroka is getting a dose of nostalgia as Backtocassette Soweto Summer Picnic brings 90s hip-hop, R&B, kwaito and house to Soweto Equestrian. DJs and live performers will revisit the sounds that once dominated township parties and dance floors, while food and drink stalls keep festival-goers fuelled. There’s even a playful twist for grown-ups, with jumping castles on site. Set in a township with a rich musical history, the picnic is a chance to reconnect with the tracks that defined an era. And if you’re always claiming music was better back in the day, you’d better know the words when the DJ drops your favourite throwback.

Piano People Johannesburg 2026

• Saturday 28 November, 2pm

• Location: Old Park Station, 140 Carr St, Newtown

• Cost: R550 - R700 General Admission, R1 000 - R1 250 VIP via Howler

Piano People is bringing its Amapiano festival to Johannesburg for the first time, taking over Old Park Station in Newtown for a night dedicated to South African dance music. Uncle Waffles leads the line-up alongside Focalistic, whose rap-driven sound helped take amapiano to a wider audience, and Dlala Thukzin, known for mixing amapiano with gqom and 3-step. There’s also a back-to-back set from Kelvin Momo and Njelic, pairing two names associated with Amapiano’s more soulful side. The event brings different corners of the local dance scene together, making it a chance to hear the genre’s range in one place. And with the historic station as the venue, it’s a very different backdrop from the usual club night. Just remember that the event is cashless, so leave the notes at home and bring your bank card.

The Music Vault: ILali

• Saturday 28 November, 6pm

• Location: Big Top Arena - Carnival City, Cnr Century Road & Elsburg Rd, Brakpan

• Cost: R250 - R550 via Webtickets

What does home mean when you hear it through music, memory and the stories passed down through generations? That question sits at the heart of The Music Vault: ILali, an African folklore-themed production coming to Carnival City. Titled after the isiZulu word for home, the show brings together Jabulile Majola, Internet Athi and Zawadi Yamungu for an evening that connects contemporary performance with African identity and heritage. Majola’s songwriting gives the line-up a personal edge, while the show’s central theme puts the focus on the cultural stories behind the music.

Brutal Fruit Pink Table

• Ground the Venue, Muldersdrift

• 28 November

• Invite only or by winning competitions on the Brutal Fruit website

Known for its pro-women events centred around affirmations, positive vibes and engaging activities, the alcoholic brand is back in Joburg after a successful Durban event. Gather the girls, put your best pink forward and join programme director Pamela Mtaga and headliner Zee Nxumalo at the second edition of Brutal Fruit’s Pink Table in Muldersdrift.

Given everything that the women of Mzansi have been going through over the past few years, last year’s attendees appreciated that being surrounded by the Sisterhood meant no drinks being spiked, no phones being stolen and fixing each other’s crowns with no judgement and no weirdness. This one is not to be missed, as you might find yourself making genuine connections.

Miss Soweto

• Soweto Theatre
• 28 November
• R400n per person on Webtickets

Who knew that a movement born in Soweto in the 1970s would still be carrying its crown nearly 50 years later?

From Basetsana Kumalo (née Makgalemele) to Lerato Kganyago and Doris Msibi, Miss Soweto has unearthed some of the most influential women in South Africa. In the past few years, pageantry in Mzansi and across the world has shifted away from focusing only on women’s looks, and this year’s participants are absolutely bringing it.

Law and journalism students, tech game innovators and advocates for education are battling it out for Soweto’s most coveted crown, so it’s safe to say that the country’s future is in very capable hands. 

Last Sunday Silent Disco

• Sunday 29 November, 4pm

• Location: Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank, Cnr of Oxford and Oxford Parks, 4 Parks Blvd, Dunkeld

• Cost: R170 - R200 via Quicket

At Last Sunday Silent Disco, the dance floor has three soundtracks running at once, and you get to choose yours. Hosted by WeAreSilentVibe at Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank, the event gives you LED wireless headphones with three channels to switch between house and techno, amapiano and gqom, or R&B, hip-hop, and pop. The colour of your headphones shows which channel you’re listening to, so one person might be singing along to a 90s classic while their friend is dancing to Amapiano right beside them. Food and drinks will be available to buy, too. It’s a fun twist on the usual DJ session, especially for groups whose music tastes rarely agree on anything.

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