What’s on in Johannesburg this October

Wondering what’s on in Johannesburg this October? Expect a mix of live music, comedy, theatre, sport and family-friendly outings across the city. The month brings big international concerts, local music showcases, outdoor events and a few more laid-back options for when you don’t feel like making a whole day of it.  

There’s international star power on the calendar too, with Dave and Ne-Yo heading to Johannesburg, while Back to the City celebrates its 20th anniversary with a big hip-hop line-up. If theatre and sport are more your thing, there’s Karen Zoid’s ZOID SPAWN, Big Zulu at Gold Reef City, the Soweto Derby and a Gauteng rugby clash to check out. Here’s what’s happening around Johannesburg this October.

Diluted Comedy

• Thursday 1 October, 7pm

• Location: 24 Moagi Rd, Vosloorus, Boksburg

• Cost: R150 - R200 via Webtickets

Start October with a night of stand-up in Vosloorus as Diluted Comedy brings comedians Tsitsi, Mdu Ntuli and Summary together for an evening of laughs. Expect jokes about everyday situations, familiar observations and the frustrations that often become funnier when articulated verbally. The setting keeps things close and intimate, giving local comedians a chance to connect with the audience.

Sphelelo Mazibuko at Hugh's Jazz Club

• Thursday 1 October, 6pm

• Location: 10 De Beer St, Braamfontein

• Cost: R300 via Quicket

Hugh's Jazz Club sets the scene for an intimate night of jazz, with drummer and percussionist Sphelelo Mazibuko taking the stage for a set that gives the music room to breathe. The smaller setting keeps the focus on the performance, making it easier to settle into the music rather than treating it like a big concert. 

The venue’s perfect acoustics serve to elevate the music for your ultimate enjoyment. Arrive early, grab something from the bar and settle in before the music starts. It’s a relaxed way to spend a Thursday evening.

  

The Glen Kids Club Craft Corner

• Thursday 1 October - Sunday 4 October, 11am

• Location: Pick n Pay Court, The Glen Shopping Centre

• Cost: R50 - R100 via Webtickets

Looking for something to keep the kids busy during the school holidays? The Glen Kids Club Craft Corner gives them a chance to draw and get creative with a range of hands-on activities. 

It’s much more engaging than simply having kids follow the adults around, giving them something of their own to do while they’re there. It also works well for those school-holiday mornings when you want to get out of the house without committing to a full day. 

Ekurhuleni Spring Fiesta 2026

• Date: Saturday 3 October 12:00 PM

• Venue: Wild Waters Complex, Boksburg 

• Cost: R400 to R1650 on Howler

Launched more than a decade ago, the Ekurhuleni Spring Fiesta 2026 coming back for its 15th year just shows that it’s a successful and much loved festival that celebrates dance culture. The high-production event taking place on 3 October at the Wild Waters Complex weaves together the best of Mzansi’s youth culture, fashion and electronic music. 

This year’s line-up features Scorpion Kings, Cassper Nyovest, Kelvin Momo, Nasty C and Dlala Thukzin.

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.

Dave live at SunBet Arena 

• 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.

 In the City JHB presents Isaiah Rashad

• Sunday 4 October, 12pm

• Location: Montecasino Outdoor Events Arena

• Cost: R849 via Quicket

Isaiah Rashad has been part of TDE’s roster for years, developing a sound that blends laid-back production with personal storytelling. Rather than chasing catchy radio hooks, his music leans into hazy production, a Southern feel and songs that focus more on mood and detail. 

That 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.  

Francois van Coke & Vriende 2026

• Friday 9 October, 8pm

• Location: SunBet Arena Time Square

• Cost: R295 - R445 via Ticketmaster

He first made his mark with the punk energy of Fokofpolisiekar before taking that sound into a solo career, becoming one of Afrikaans rock’s best-known names along the way. Guest artists will join Van Coke throughout “Vriende”, giving the set a mix of old favourites and newer collaborations. 

It gives longtime fans familiar hits to sing along to while introducing newer listeners to his catalogue. When the older Fokofpolisiekar songs come up, expect the crowd to know every word, particularly those who grew up with that era of South African rock.

Vodacom Bulls vs 10bet Lions

• Saturday 10 October, 1:30pm

• Location: Loftus Versfeld Stadium

• Cost: R50 - R250 via Ticketpro

Bulls vs Lions is one of those fixtures that comes with its own history. The teams know each other well, and local bragging rights make the contest about more than just the log. 

Loftus Versfeld can get seriously loud on match day, particularly when the crowd gets behind the Bulls from the opening whistle. Wear your team colours, bring your loudest voice and get ready to join in with the crowd. It’s a good choice if you want your rugby with a bit of rivalry and atmosphere around it.

 

Tebza Tobetsa's 5th Annual RnB & Soul All White Picnic

• Date: Saturday 10 October, 11:00 AM

• Venue: Soweto Equestrian Centre, Moroka

• Cost: R150 to R350 on Webtickets

Join locals for an afternoon of community, style, and soulful sing-alongs at the annual RnB & Soul All White All White Picnic in Soweto. This one promises to be a nostalgic yet laid-back outdoor music experience where fans can indulge in some of the classics that made them fall in love with this genre. 

Put on your best white or off white outfit and convene with fellow music lovers at the Soweto Equestrian Centre on Saturday 10 October and get lost in a slow jam or three. Cooler boxes are allowed inside the venue until 3:00PM.

Back to the City Festival 2026

• Saturday 10 October, 12pm

• Location: Mary FitzGerald Square, Newtown 

• Cost: R200 - R1 000 General admission, R1 500 via Webtickets

It’s 20 years of Back to the City, and this year’s edition is marking the milestone with the theme “Against All Odds”. US rapper Ab-Soul joins Detroit hip-hop group Slum Village on the international line-up, with Cassper Nyovest representing the South African acts. 

Back to the City started as a grassroots gathering under the M1 and has since grown into a major celebration of South African hip-hop, with graffiti, sneaker culture, DJ sets and MC battles all part of the day. With its mix of live performances, street culture and activities beyond the main stage, there’s more to the festival than just music. 

Karen Zoid in ZOID SPAWN

• Wednesday 14 October - Sunday 18 October, Various Times

• Location: Pieter Toerien Montecasino Main Theatre

• Cost: R200 - R325 via Webtickets

Forget the usual concert format. ZOID SPAWN reworks Karen Zoid’s music as a theatrical production, bringing together her songs, storytelling and visual elements on stage. 

Fans who have followed her music throughout her career will hear familiar songs in a new context, with the production offering a different way to experience them live. With five nights to choose from, it should be easy to find a date that works for you. 

Messy Masterpiece Paint & Sip 

• Saturday 17 October, 10am

• Location: Pizza e Vino Leaping Frog, Fourways

• Cost: R320 via Quicket

You don’t need to be good at painting for this one. A guided instructor takes everyone through the process step by step, making it easy for beginners to follow along and create their own piece. The focus is less on getting every brushstroke right and more on having a drink, chatting and enjoying the process. Come with friends, make it a first date or just use it as an excuse to step away from your usual routine for a few hours.

Music in the Jungle

• Saturday 17 October, 1:00 PM

• The Pavilion, Cradle Boutique Hotel, Cradle of Humankind

• Cost: R350 on Howler

Join Langa Mavuso, Khuli Chana, Mörda, Thando Zide, Lamiez Holworthy and many other local A-listers at the Cradle Nature Reserve for the 10 year anniversary of the Cradle Boutique Hotel. 

Music, nature and culture meet exceptional hospitality on 17 October, at one of the most memorable Heritage Sites in the world. The event is perfect for this set up as it also celebrates South Africa’s musical heritage through hip-hop, amapiano, Afro-house, R&B, soul and contemporary African sounds. 

NE-YO Live in South Africa

• Sunday 18 October, 6pm

• Location: SunBet Arena, Times Square

• Cost: R950 - R2 950 via Webtickets

Grew up in the 2000s? You probably know every word to So Sick and Miss Independent. This is your chance to hear those hits live, alongside the songs that cemented Ne-Yo as one of R&B’s familiar voices of the era. 

It’s a night built around the songs many fans grew up with, from breakup anthems and road-trip favourites to the hits that were impossible to escape in the 2000s. Whether you’re there with a partner, friends or on your own, you’ll be part of a crowd that’s ready to sing along. 

The Agents

• Tuesday 20 October - Saturday, 31 October, Various Times

• Location: Theatre on The Square, Sandton

• Cost: R180 - R220 via Webtickets

The Agents takes a satirical look at the property market, following three estate agents played by Kyla Davis, Lisa Derryn Overy and Roberto Pombo as they chase their next big sale. Property development, luxury estates, gentrification and real-estate jargon all come under the spotlight, with the production finding humour in familiar Johannesburg experiences. 

Physical theatre and clowning amplify the comedy, while the social commentary gives the story more to explore than the usual property-industry jokes. It’s a good pick if you want a theatre show that mixes comedy with observations about the city around us.

Sunset Music Series presents Ami Faku & Manana

• Saturday 24 October, 1pm

• Location: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort

• Cost: R195 via Webtickets

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden provides a natural backdrop for an afternoon of live music, with Ami Faku and Manana on the line-up. The garden setting puts some distance between you and the usual city noise, making this a good option for anyone who wants to spend a Saturday afternoon outdoors with live music. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it, with the garden giving you space to sit, eat and enjoy the performances at your own pace.

  

Big Zulu Live Experience

• Saturday 24 October, 7pm

• Location: Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City Casino

• Cost: R200 - R350 via Webtickets

The combination of maskandi and hip-hop is central to Big Zulu’s sound, giving his music a distinct South African character. That mix has helped him build a sound that reaches across genres, making the Lyric Theatre show a chance to hear both sides of his style live. The Lyric Theatre crowd will likely know the words to the biggest tracks, making this feel as much like a singalong as a concert. With Big Zulu back in Johannesburg, the show has all the makings of a proper homecoming. 

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs

• Saturday 31 October, 3pm

• Location: FNB Stadium

• Cost: Tickets are yet to be announced

If you’ve never experienced the Soweto Derby, derby day at FNB Stadium is the best way to understand what makes this fixture such a big part of South African football. Families have passed their allegiances down through generations, choosing between black and gold or black and white, adding to the rivalry that surrounds every derby. The noise starts before kick-off, the stands fill up and the atmosphere stays lively from the first whistle to the last. It’s more than a regular league match, making it a good choice for anyone who wants to experience one of Johannesburg’s biggest football occasions.

  

 SowetoMaskandiFest Meets LeSotho

• Date: Saturday, 31 October

• Venue: Monalisa Lifestyle, Meadowlands Zone 9

• Cost: R200 to R400 on Computicket. 

Gone are the days when Maskandi was perceived to be a genre for villagers in rural KwaZulu-Natal. In recent years, the genre has gained massive popularity. Allowing Maskandi to collide with music of the Basotho people is a great way to remind Africans about unity, collaboration and the importance of cultural diversity. 

Sharing the stage at Monalisa Lifestyle in Meadowlands on 31 October are Thokozani Langa Somnandi, Killer Joy (Letseka), Thope Tse Khang, Dr Buselaphi and Mjolisi

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