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New month, new weekend plans. October is kicking off with lots happening around Johannesburg.
Whether you’re in the mood for live jazz, a paint-and-sip session or a food festival, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city this weekend. Put the group chat to work and start making plans. Here are a few ideas for the weekend.
Weekend weather
The weather looks a little unpredictable this weekend, with sunshine one minute and clouds or rain the next. Daytime highs of around 17°C should make things fairly comfortable, although the 6°C mornings and evenings will have a definite chill to them. Pack the jacket, grab the umbrella and you should be good to go, with some sunshine still making an appearance over the weekend.
Friday
- Min: 6 °C
- Max: 17 °C
- Weather conditions: Sunny
Saturday
- Min: 8 °C
- Max: 15 °C
- Weather conditions: Cloudy
Sunday
- Min: 8 °C
- Max: 14 °C
- Weather conditions: Rainy
Johannesburg North
VIVA – A Vegas Magic Show
- Friday 2 October, 8pm
- Location: Hotel Sky, Sandton
- Cost: R180 via Quicket
Put your usual Friday plans on pause and let someone else handle the impossible for a change. VIVA – A Vegas Magic Show turns up the Vegas glamour in Sandton, with Brendon Peel and Li Lau serving up a mix of illusions, daring escapes, mind-reading and comedy. Having appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, the pair know their way around a magic trick or two. You won’t just be watching from your seat either, with audience participation built into the show.
Andile Yenana at Sankayi Jazz Series
- Friday 2 October, 6pm
- Location: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Morningside
- Cost: R400 via Quicket
Looking for a more grown-up way to spend Friday night? Andile Yenana brings his three decades of jazz to the stage, drawing on a career that has included collaborations with Zim Ngqawana, Sibongile Khumalo and Herbie Tsoaeli, plus performances at Montreux and Ronnie Scott’s.
Sankayi keeps things intimate, giving you the chance to enjoy the music without feeling lost in a huge crowd. Come early for dinner and drinks, then settle in for the show.
Joburg Family Picnic & Kids Festival
- Saturday 3 October, 10am
- Location: Johannesburg Zoo
- Cost: R170 - R200 children, R150 - R180 via Computicket
The Joburg Family Picnic & Kids Festival turns a trip to the Zoo into a bigger family outing with games, activity stations and the animal enclosures all part of the experience.
The idea is to give parents a chance to enjoy the day, while younger visitors have different things to explore around the Zoo. Add the picnic setting and festival atmosphere and it becomes more than a standard Saturday visit. A trip to the Zoo becomes a little more memorable, with enough happening to give the kids something to talk about afterwards.
Korea Town 2026
- Saturday 3 October, 10am
- Location: Kokoro Rivonia Gardens, Rivonia
- Cost: R80 via Quicket
If South Korea is on your travel wish list, start with Rivonia. Korea Town 2026 brings Korean-inspired food, drinks, beauty products and shopping to Joburg, alongside vendors packed with K-pop albums, photocards and collectibles.
Browse the stalls with a Korean-inspired snack or drink in hand, and bring whoever you think would enjoy it. K-pop fans will be spoilt for choice, while curious first-timers can dip a toe in.
Make Your Own Ceramic Bowl
- Saturday 3 October, 9am
- Location: 62 Avalanche St, Westdene, Melville
- Cost: R750 via Quicket
Put the phone away for a few hours and get your hands dirty instead. Ceramic artist Abongile Ntsane leads this three-hour workshop, where you’ll work with clay to create your own bowl while sipping and snacking as you work. The finished pieces will be glazed and fired, with your bowl ready for collection three weeks later. Beginners are welcome, so there’s no need to panic if your masterpiece isn’t perfectly symmetrical.
In the City JHB presents Isaiah Rashad
- Sunday 4 October, 12pm
- Location: Montecasino Outdoor Events Arena
- Cost: R849 via Quicket
Rather than chasing catchy radio hooks, Isaiah Rashad’s music leans into hazy production, a Southern feel and songs that focus more on mood and detail.
This sound should work well at Montecasino’s outdoor arena, where there’s enough space for the music to spread. For longtime listeners, it’s a chance to hear Rashad’s catalogue live and discover how the songs translate on the stage, and for new listeners it’s an opportunity to discover why he has been electrifying fans for over a decade.
Johannesburg East
Ekurhuleni Spring Fiesta
- Where: Wild Waters Complex, Boksburg
- When: Saturday, 3 October 12:00 PM
- Cost: R500 on Howler
“What happens when more than 100 local and international acts come together to share their varying musical cultures?” you ask. Well, a cocktail of musical styles, genres and all things celebratory known as the Ekurhuleni Spring Fiesta emerges.
Now in its 16th edition, the fiesta has cemented itself as one of the most highly anticipated events on Gauteng’s entertainment calendar. This year’s line-up featuring DJ Zinhle, Vinny Da Vinci, Sun-El Musician, DJ Christos, Atjazz (United Kingdom), Shane Johnson (Ireland), Euggy (Kenya) and many others will remind guests why this is one not to be missed.
Paint, Sip & Spier
- Saturday 3 October, 2pm
- Location: 419 Elgin Ave
- Cost: R430 via Quicket
If you like your wine with a side of creativity, Paint, Sip & Spier could be your kind of afternoon. Paint your own bottle of Spier Cap Classique Brut Rosé and champagne flute while enjoying a wine tasting.
All the painting materials are sorted, and beginners are more than welcome. Think of it as a slightly more creative alternative to your usual restaurant catch-up.
Back2Gether
- Saturday 3 October, 2pm
- Location: Beer Bar Bedfordview
- Cost: R150 via Howler
Turn the volume up and head to Bedfordview for Back2Gether, a night dedicated to classic house music at Beer Bar. UDO and Shayx are behind the event, with lighting and audiovisual production adding to the late-night atmosphere.
There’s no need to rush this one. Arrive early, grab a drink and let the night unfold at its own pace. Just keep in mind that entry is strictly for over-18s.
Johannesburg South
Jozi Kota Festival
- Saturday 3 October, 10am
- Location: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec
- Cost: R250 Children, R350 Adults via Howler
Calling all kota lovers. Nasrec is hosting a festival dedicated to the loaded local favourite, with vendors bringing their own creations alongside food, drinks and live performances. There’s more than one way to build a great kota, and you can taste a few of them here. Expect different takes from across Gauteng, with the vibrant Jozi atmosphere rounding things off. It’s an insane artist line-up featuring Amanda Black, Kamo Mphela, Liyema Pantsi, Elaine, Naledi Aphiwe and many more.
Running, Yoga, Breathwork & Sound Bath
- Saturday 3 October, 7:20am
- Location: BYD Soweto, Orlando West
- Cost: R250 - R350 via Quicket
Start the weekend on a healthier note with an 8km run or walk through Soweto, followed by yoga, breathwork and a sound bath. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s a wellness market to explore, plus a short Vilakazi Street tour and BYD test drives.
You can also do a good deed while you’re there, with toiletries being collected for Othandweni Children’s Home. It’s a packed morning, but there’s lots of time to slow down, breathe and reset.
Izigqi Zase Soweto
- Saturday 3 October, 12pm
- Location: Soweto Meat Lovers, Protea Glen
- Cost: R250 via Computicket
The sounds of Soweto take over Soweto Meat Lovers for Izigqi Zase Soweto, a one day music experience featuring Nkeshemba, Feza, Limit Nala, JikiJiki, Sminofu, Indoni, Dr Buselaphi and Ray Ndosi.
Things kick off on Saturday afternoon and continue into the early hours of Sunday. This is less about rushing from one thing to the next and more about settling in. Grab some food, find your spot and enjoy the sounds of Soweto.
Soweto Homecoming Family Colour Festival
- Saturday 3 October, 11am
- Location: Monalisa Lifestyle, Meadowlands West
- Cost: R80 - R100 Children, R100 - R120 via Computicket
Get the family together and prepare for a colourful day in Meadowlands. The Soweto Homecoming Family Colour Festival mixes colour throws with food stalls, music, games and activities for all ages.
The main draw is the family-friendly atmosphere and activities. Dress for the occasion, which means wearing something you won’t mind covering in colour.
Johannesburg Central
Kabomo Live at The Basement
- Friday 2 October, 6pm
- Location: Untitled Basement, Johannesburg
- Cost: R300 via Quicket
Kabomo is giving your Friday night a soulful twist at Untitled Basement. Known for his work as a singer, songwriter and producer, he’ll be bringing his live sound to the intimate inner-city venue. The venue gives the evening a more personal feel, with the kind of setup where you can actually settle in and focus on the music.
Beyond Jozi
-
Prime Fest III
- Where: Avianto Estate, Muldersdrift
- When: Saturday, 3 October 11:00 AM
- Cost: R390 on Webtickets
Catch Jesse Clegg, Prime Circle and Jeremy Loops at Prime Fest III in Muldersdrift this Saturday. Curated by Prime Circle, the band’s vision was to put together the ultimate music experience for Johannesburg’s music-loving citizens where this country’s music could be celebrated.
The open green lawns at the scenic Avianto Estate create a spectacular backdrop for the music, allowing fans a full day of music on a massive stage. It’s a family event for all ages to enjoy, giving parents a well-deserved day out right next to a dedicated, secure kids' play area where the little ones can stay safe at a small extra charge.
Majesty Market Fest
- Saturday 3 October, 10am
- Location: Giant Stadium, Soshanguve
- Cost: R80 - R300 via Computicket
Soshanguve’s Majesty Market Fest is putting a little bit of everything in one place this Saturday, from food and market stalls to games, live entertainment and business activations. With jumping castles and kids’ activities on offer, there’s something to keep younger visitors busy too.
The event also aims to create a space for local businesses, entrepreneurs and the community to connect. Think of it as an easy family day out, with enough happening to keep the whole crew busy.
Dave Live Concert
- Saturday 3 October, 8pm
- Location: SunBet Arena Time Square
- Cost: R855 - R3 070 via Ticketmaster
The Mercury Prize winner has made a name for himself in UK rap with verses that often draw on personal experiences and everyday life. He mixes vulnerable storytelling with moments of anger, often setting personal verses against piano-led production and pointed social commentary.
When performing live, Dave is known for playing with the contrast between quiet and explosive, sometimes dropping the music back before bringing the energy up again. That should translate well to a venue the size of SunBet Arena, giving fans a chance to hear his songs in a very different setting from headphones or speakers at home.
Charity Impact Festival 2026
- Saturday 3 October, 9am
- Location: Wattville Stadium, Benoni
- Cost: R40 children, R80 adults via Computicket
The Charity Impact Festival turns Wattville Stadium into a full day of community activity, starting with a 5km fun run and walk before moving into live entertainment, market stalls, family activities, an employment hub and a donation drive. Alongside the entertainment, the festival is supporting Deaf Awareness, Alzheimer’s Awareness and learners living with disabilities. You can get involved by joining the run, exploring the stalls or simply showing your support.
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