Out and About in Pretoria: Best things to do this weekend

Pitori is ready for another weekend of getting out and about, and the city's calendar has something for different kinds of plans. From live music and comedy to theatre, festivals and sporting action, there's no shortage of reasons to leave the house and see what's happening around town. The fun stretches across Pretoria, too, giving you a chance to explore beyond your usual neighbourhood. Here are a few things to put on your weekend radar.  

Weekend weather

Friday is bringing the sunshine and serious heat, with temperatures climbing to 33°C. It's a different story come Saturday and Sunday, when rain is set to crash the weekend plans. Temperatures will dip to a minimum of 16°C, so enjoy the sunshine while it lasts and keep an umbrella close for the rest of the weekend. Pretoria, you've been warned! 

Friday  

• Min: 17 °C

• Max: 33 °C

• Weather conditions: Sunny

Saturday 

• Min: 17 °C

• Max: 30 °C

• Weather conditions: Rainy

Sunday  

• Min: 16 °C

• Max: 28 °C

• Weather conditions: Rainy

Pretoria North

 

BFV Music presents The Rock Show feat. Showtime Music

• Friday 13 November, 6pm

• Location: Pierneefteater, Mogg Ave, Villieria

• Cost: R100 via Quicket

There's more than one way to make some noise at Pierneefteater this Friday. BFV Music presents The Rock Show, featuring Showtime Music, with students from both music schools taking to the stage for an evening of live performances. BFV Music's students have spent the year preparing rock covers, and now they're ready to bring out the guitars, drums and big vocals. Before the rock anthems kick in, Showtime Music's students will open the evening with classical compositions, giving the programme an unexpected musical twist.

Mashigo’s Kitchen

• Saturday 14 November, 12pm

• Location: Mashigo’s kitchen, Block X, Soshanguve

• Cost: R100 via Computicket

Soshanguve's local food scene deserves a little love, and Mashigo's Kitchen is giving people another reason to head to Block X. The kitchen is marking its fifth annual celebration, bringing the community together for a day centred on food and good company. Five years in business calls for more than a cake and a birthday song, so come show some love to a local township food business while getting a taste of Soshanguve's community spirit.

Pretoria East

 

Zaan Sonnekus - Album Launch 2.0

• Friday 13 November, 7:30pm

• Location: Menlyn Barnyard Theatre, Atterbury Road and Lois Ave

• Cost: R200 via Quicket

Zaan Sonnekus is entering the next chapter of his Afrikaans music journey at the Menlyn Barnyard Theatre. The Pretoria-based musician has built his name on alternative rock with a soulful edge, pairing punchy melodies with lyrics that get into the uncomfortable bits of love, loss and life. His recent collaborations, including DOOD with Tasché and Oor Mekaar with Karlien van Jaarsveld, have also put him in front of a wider Afrikaans audience. This time, the focus is on his new album, with the full collection getting its live outing. For fans who have followed his singles, it's a chance to hear how the songs fit together as an album rather than catching them one release at a time. 

The Grunge Theatre @ Cafe Barcelona

• Saturday 14 November, 6pm

• Location: Cafe Barcelona, 53 Thomson St, Colbyn

• Cost: R50 via Quicket

Grunge fans, this is your excuse to give those old rock playlists a proper workout. The Grunge Theatre takes a different approach to the music of the 1990s, reworking songs by bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden into acoustic performances. Rather than trying to recreate the noise and distortion of the original recordings, the musicians put the focus on the lyrics, harmonies and guitar work. The show also draws on the stories behind the songs, giving some familiar rock anthems a different kind of spotlight. If you still know the lyrics by heart, it's time to prove it. Just try not to outsing the performers.

 

Somerson Debut Show

• Saturday 14 November, 7pm

• Location: 141 Lynnwood Rd

• Cost: R200 via Quicket

Somerson's first show comes with a little more riding on it than the usual Saturday night gig. The duo is using the occasion to introduce its first original single, giving audiences an early listen to the music they're beginning to put out under their own name. Their set also draws from both Afrikaans and English music, making it a good fit for listeners who enjoy a mix of local sounds and familiar songs. There's an added bonus of seeing a new musical act at the start of its journey, rather than catching up once it has already found its audience. And at Karoo Café, you can make an evening of it over dinner instead of spending the night standing in a crowded concert hall. 

Celeste Ntuli Live 

• Saturday 14 November, 8pm

• Location: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Menlyn, 213 Thys Street Summit Place Precinct

• Cost: R220 via Quicket

Celeste Ntuli has built a reputation for saying the things many people are thinking but wouldn't dare say out loud. Known as the Queen of Zulu Comedy, she draws on relationships, gender expectations, cultural traditions and everyday South African experiences to deliver sharp, unapologetic humour. With more than 20 years in comedy, she's also made her mark on television, including Isibaya and Netflix's Only Jokes Allowed. Fresh from winning Headliner of the Year at the 2026 Savanna Comics' Choice Awards, Ntuli is bringing her comedy to Menlyn. If you've ever been caught in a family argument, a messy relationship or an awkward social situation, Celeste will probably have a joke about it. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself laughing a little too hard because she's hit a nerve. 

Pretoria Central

 

DJ Maphorisa Presents: Madumane Birthday Exclusive

• Saturday 14 November, 11am

• Location: 271 Struben Street, Pretoria CBD

• Cost: R50 General, R200 VIP via Computicket

DJ Maphorisa is bringing the birthday celebrations to Pretoria, with an Amapiano line-up that should keep the dance floor busy. The producer, DJ and hitmaker, also known as Madumane, has played a major role in shaping the genre, working with some of South Africa's biggest names. This time, he's celebrating with Kabza De Small, Young Stunna and Daliwonga joining the party. Forget the quiet Saturday plans. This is the kind of birthday party that calls for comfortable shoes, a fully charged phone and absolutely no complaints about standing for hours.

 

Masole a Tumelo

• Saturday 14 November, 11am

• Location: Melody Ya Tshwane Urcsa Church, Cnr Bosman and Madiba Street

• Cost: R200 - R450 via Computicket

Pretoria's Masole a Tumelo has been making gospel music since 1992, with around 20 albums and a catalogue that includes songs such as Emisang Go Lwana Ditekising, Bosiu ba Matlhomola and Dikgamathetse Madi. The group is now opening a new chapter by introducing Tseleng Marutla as its first male lead vocalist, making this tour particularly significant for longtime followers. Alongside Masole a Tumelo, the programme features gospel performers including Duduzile and Bana Ba Moya. The show offers a chance to hear a group with decades of music behind it while getting acquainted with its new vocal direction. Come discover the voices and songs that helped Pretoria’s gospel scene.

 

Legato Choral Festival

• Saturday 14 November - Sunday 15 November, Various Times

• Location: Opera Theatre at The SA State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St

• Cost: R150 - R180 via Webtickets

If you think choral music is all church hymns and school concert performances, the Legato Choral Festival might give you a different tune to sing. The festival brings chamber and adult choirs from across greater Tshwane together, giving each ensemble room to showcase its own repertoire rather than compete for a trophy. Now in its fifth year, Legato is taking things up a notch by moving to the Opera Theatre at the South African State Theatre. For audiences, that means two days of live choral performances and a chance to hear the different musical styles and interpretations coming out of Pretoria's choir community.

 

Emergence

• Sunday 15 November, 3pm

• Location: ZK Matthews Great Hall (UNISA), 330 Preller Street

• Cost: R200 Pensioners, R220 Adults via Tixsa

Sunday afternoon doesn't have to mean another session on the couch. Emergence gives classical music fans a reason to dress up a little and head to UNISA, where the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra is putting Beethoven, Haydn and Robert Volkmann on the programme. The highlight is Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, featuring pianist Megan-Geoffrey Prins, who gets to tackle one of the composer's most demanding piano works. There's also Volkmann's First Symphony, a less familiar piece that deserves some attention beyond the usual classical favourites. Think sweeping orchestral sounds, some serious piano work and a Sunday afternoon that might just make you forget about your Monday blues. 

Summer Fiesta Pretoria

• Sunday 15 November, 8pm

• Location: Club Yolo, Steve Biko Road, Sunnyside

• Cost: R100 via Computicket

Pretoria is getting a taste of Zimbabwean dancehall as Summer Fiesta brings Sniper Storm and Uncle Epatan to Club Yolo. Sniper Storm is known for his energetic Zimdancehall sound, while Uncle Epatan has built a following with his own take on the genre. They'll be joined by Jah Hanief for a night that leans into reggae and dancehall rather than the usual Amapiano-heavy club playlist. The appeal here is the chance to catch two Zimbabwean dancehall artists on the same lineup, particularly if you've been following the genre beyond its biggest mainstream names.

 

Pretoria West

 

AGN Primary Sub Youth Championships

• Friday 13 November - Saturday 14 November, 2:30pm

• Location: Pilditch Stadium

• Cost: R30 Children 6 to 14 years, R70 Athlete entry, R70 Adults via Webtickets

At Pilditch Stadium, the next generation of Gauteng athletes will be chasing more than personal bests. The AGN Primary Sub-Youth Championships brings together young competitors across four age groups, from under-7s to under-13s, for two days of track and field competition. The programme goes beyond the usual sprint races, with hurdles, relays, long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin also on the cards. The under-13s will even take on a pentathlon, testing their ability across multiple disciplines. Those tiny running shoes could belong to some very big sporting talent. Come see who's bringing their A-game to Pilditch. 

Ami Faku & Simmy In The Park 

• Sunday 15 November, 12pm

• Location: Heartfelt Gardens, 1000 Voortrekker Rd, Thaba Tshwane

• Cost: R400 via Howler

Pretoria's Sunday plans are getting a soulful upgrade, with Ami Faku and Simmy sharing a stage for the first Pretoria edition of the In The Park concert series. If you've ever found yourself singing along to Imali, Into Ingawe or Simmy's Ngiyesaba, you'll know these two don't need much introduction. Ami Faku has made a name for herself with emotionally charged Afro-soul, while Simmy moves between neo-soul and Afro-house, giving her music a little more bounce. Their different sounds make this an interesting pairing, especially for listeners who enjoy music that can move from a slow singalong to something you can dance to. Heartfelt Gardens will also have food stalls and bars, so you can grab something to eat between performances. 

Pretoria South

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Show

• Saturday 14 November, 7:30pm

• Location: Centurion Theatre, 123 Amkor Rd. Lyttelton Manor

• Cost: R120 - R130 via Quicket

Forget the school concert stereotype. The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is bringing five short plays to Centurion Theatre, performed by students from its Pretoria studios, including Brooklyn Drama, Brooklyn Musical Theatre, Faerie Glen and its online programme. The annual showcase gives the students an opportunity to take their work from rehearsals to a live theatre audience, with a prize-giving ceremony rounding off the evening. With five productions on the programme, there's a good mix of stories and characters to keep the evening interesting.

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