Time Out Johannesburg

This article is sponsored by FNB Art lovers, collectors and those simply curious can head to Sandton this September for Johannesburg’s big contemporary art weekend.  For your ease of reference, we’ve broken down the fair’s different sections from established galleries and emerging spaces to photography, talks and publishing, you can figure out what’s worth making a beeline for. After nearly two decades on Johannesburg’s cultural calendar, FNB Art Joburg is back for its 19th edition at the Sandton Convention Centre from 4 to 6 September. Across eight sections, FNB Art Joburg brings together established galleries, emerging spaces, experimental practices and institutions working across the contemporary African art scene.  ICYMI: An arty affair: Win tickets to FNB Art Joburg 2026 There’s a new addition to the fair this year with ARC, a section dedicated to solo presentations.  Returning offerings include HUB, LAB, MAX, GIF, ORG, AUX and INK. The fair is only part of the programme, with The BMW Art Generation and Open City extending FNB Art Joburg into other corners of Johannesburg.  FNB Art Joburg4 to 6 September 2026 Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city. TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg📢 Latest news from Johanne

This article is sponsored by Standard Bank For a September weekend of exceptional live music and unexpected musical discoveries, clear some space in your diary.  The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz music festival is back at the Sandton Convention Centre on 25 and 26 September, with two nights packed with jazz, soul and African sounds. Its 27th edition glances back at the origins of jazz while keeping an ear out for what the contemporary scene is cooking. The line-up assembles international stars, A-list South African acts, special collaborations and some of the country’s most exciting emerging artists under one roof.  As usual, the 2026 festival is spread across four stages, each offering its own atmosphere, sound and experience.  You’ll have to resist the temptation to see everything. Choose the artists you’re most excited to see, find your stage and then let the rest of the evening unfold into easy wandering and discovery. Essential festival information  Friday 25 September to Saturday 26 September - doors open 5pm on Friday and 4pm on Saturday Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg Cost: R1 150 day pass, R2 250 weekend pass via Ticketmaster. Bonus for Standard Bank cardholders: You qualify for up to 15% off, limited to two tickets per person and subject to availability and terms and conditions. Joy of Jazz (JoJ) has spent more than two decades bringing international flavour to South Africa’s jazz landscape, and this year this is amplified by Floetry, Angélique Kidj

What if the most sought-after ticket of the season couldn't be bought? Intrigued? Let us tell you more... The Last Hand, an exclusive invitation-only experience created through a partnership between Jackpot City and The Luxurious Marble Circus (LMC), is designed to surprise, intrigue and reward those who embrace the thrill. The Last Hand promises an unforgettable experience hidden within one of South Africa's most anticipated immersive events. Still intrigued? Good! Here's how you can get involved... While access to The Last Hand cannot be purchased, South Africans now have several opportunities to earn their invitation through a series of competitions running throughout September. How to access The Last Hand The campaign launches with the Jackpot City Player Competition, which runs from 1 to 17 September. Players can enter via the Last Hand banner on Jackpot City and qualify by playing 10,001 Nights. One lucky winner will receive double tickets to The Luxurious Marble Circus as well as access to The Last Hand, with the draw taking place on 18 September. A competition is already underway on 947, giving listeners until 11 September to secure their place at The Last Hand. Entrants register via the station's competition page and, if selected, are called live on air. Contestants who correctly repeat the phrase, 'Jackpot City – For the Thrill', instantly win two Playground In The Field tickets to The Luxurious Marble Circus before taking part in a live roulette challenge for the c

Whether you are a Discovery Vitality member or not, you can upskill yourself in the kitchen at the Vitality HealthyFood Studio in Sandton. With classes led by Executive Chef Elisheva Azoura and Sous Chefs Tsholofelo Mavikane and Nothisa Dube, booking a themed class will open your cooking skills to a whole new world of healthy, nutritious, clever food creation. Think fancy-but-easy recipes using healthy cooking techniques. The HealthyFood Studio is also open to those looking to host special events, celebrations, private functions or even that much-needed team-building. Time Out Tip: The views from the studio overlooking Sandton and beyond are the perfect backdrop, so have those phones charged - you'll want to grab many a selfie. Vitality HealthyFood Studio's themed classes The themed courses running in September through November 2026 include: Brunch darling, brunch! Little Chefs, Big Kitchen Adventures! Where there's smoke, there's flavour Out of office: After hours at HFS A Language of Flavour The Spice Affair: A taste of India and Morocco The Spring Table: Above the skyline A table inspired by heritage A Varsity Culinary Wellness Experience As you can see from the names of the classes, everyone from mom and dad to the kids and varsity students are catered for, making this a family-oriented experience to cherish. Just remember what the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, once said: "Cooking is one of the great gifts you can giv

The 2026 edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is just a few weeks away! Are you excited yet? The festival is back at the Sandton Convention Centre on 25 and 26 September, promising two nights packed with jazz, soul and African sounds. The 27th edition glances back at the origins of jazz while keeping an ear out for what the contemporary scene is cooking. The line-up assembles international stars, A-list South African acts, special collaborations and some of the country’s most exciting emerging artists under one roof.  READ MORE: Your comprehensive guide to Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2026 To celebrate this festival of all things jazz and African talent, Time Out Johannesburg has 10 pairs of tickets up for grabs for you, our loyal readers. For a chance to win a pair of tickets, all you need to do is complete the form below, which will sign you up for Time Out Johannesburg's newsletter. "But wait, what if I am already a subscriber?" Don't stress; you can still enter by filling in the form below: The competition is only open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older. Please note that the prize is for tickets to attend Standard Bank Joy of Jazz only - no transport, accommodation or other perks outside of the tickets will be provided. Only one entry per email address. The competition will close at 10am on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Full competition Ts&Cs here. This competition is sponsored by Standard Bank Standard BankJoy of Jazz Follow Time Out Jo

There has never been a better reason to explore Mall of Africa's dining options. Throughout August and September, shoppers can enjoy everything from quick coffee stops and family favourites to relaxed long lunches and special celebrations, while standing a chance to win a R1,000 Mall of Africa gift card simply by dining at one of the participating restaurants. Dine to Win this Spring Now running until 30 September 2026, the Dine to Win competition makes every meal even more rewarding. To enter, visitors simply need to enjoy a lunch or supper at any participating restaurant, write their name and contact details on the back of their restaurant bill and place it in the Dine to Win entry box located inside the restaurant. With ten R1,000 Mall of Africa gift cards up for grabs, there is even more reason to make a meal part of your next visit. Home to 300 stores and titled the Coolest Mall in South Africa at the Sunday Times Next Generation Awards, Mall of Africa has become a destination where shopping, dining and leisure come together in a single visit. Whether meeting friends for lunch, enjoying dinner after a day of shopping or stopping for a quick coffee between errands, the mall offers a dining experience to suit every occasion. A dining experience for every occasion Those looking for relaxed sit-down dining can choose from a wide variety of restaurants offering everything from premium steaks and grills at Moo Moo to contemporary dining at Kream, stylish café dining at Tashas,

If you are into all things artsy, then FNB Art Joburg is the event for you! Taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 4 to 6 September 2026, the 19th edition of the art fair is not to be missed. The event is the leading and longest-running contemporary African art fair on the continent, so you know it's going to be filled with the latest and greatest our art scene has to offer across specialised sections. Take our personality test: How best to explore FNB Art Joburg 2026 To celebrate this amazing showcase of African art, we've got tickets to give away to you, our loyal readers. All you need to do is fill in the form below, which will sign you up to receive the Time Out Johannesburg newsletter. It's that simple! If you are already a subscriber, never fear, you can still enter the competition by filling in the form. The competition is only open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older. Please note that the prize is for tickets to attend FNB Art Joburg only - no transport, accommodation or other perks outside of the tickets will be provided. Only one entry per email address. The competition will close at 10am on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Full competition Ts&Cs here. This competition is sponsored by FNB FNB Art Joburg4 to 6 September 2026 Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesb

The 19th edition of FNB Art Joburg is all set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 4 to 6 September 2026. The event is the leading and longest-running contemporary African art fair on the continent - making it a must-visit showcase. As has been the case in previous years, FNB Art Joburg will continue its trend of playing an instrumental role in developing and sustaining a commercial industry that centres around African and diasporic practitioners. With the wealth of talent on display and so much to digest, it can be difficult to make a decision on where to start at FNB Art Joburg. That's why we've come up with a great starting point for all you art lovers. With FNB Art Joburg divided into specialised sections, the personality quiz below will help you to navigate the show based on your personal preferences. So, take the quiz, remember which section you are assigned, and then read on below to see why your assigned section is the perfect starting point to your FNB Art Joburg adventure. Your FNB Art Joburg starting point The Collector - gallery HUB gallery HUB is the core section of the fair showcasing contemporary galleries. The invitation criteria are in line with international standards for art fairs worldwide. They are designed to align the fair and its galleries with international dialogues and to ensure the responsible patronage of artists. Don't forget to also check out the MAX section - an extension of the fair’s gallery HUB. This sect

Let's warm up your winter a little (actually, a whole lot) by letting you in on a secret from the littlest chef in town. Le Petit Chef is looking for a lucky couple from Joburg to join him on a food adventure - and to make it an even more exciting evening, he's throwing in a one-night stay at the Blueberry Hill Hotel - the venue where the Le Petit Chef experience unfolds. For the uninitiated, Le Petit Chef is an interactive dining experience that uses 3D projection mapping to bring an animated, thumb-sized French chef to life right on your tablecloth. Each season or show follows a unique narrative that inspires the menu, allowing diners to join the world's smallest chef on a journey from preparation to plate. This year, the theme is 'Au Naturel' - a six-course love letter to the outdoors. The story follows Le Petit Chef as he forages for fresh ingredients and trawls the deep for jewels of the ocean. What makes this iteration stand out is the attention to sensory detail; the digital scenery shifts from lush gardens to icy arctic landscapes, the music and table props change in tandem (even the servers get in on the action), creating a 360-degree immersion that feels more like a movie set than a dining room. If you'd love to experience this magical evening valued at R7,500 (with the added bonus of a wine pairing during dinner), enter the competition by following Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook or Instagram AND signing up to our newsletter by filling in the form below (if you

Joburg audiences heading to the National Arts Festival, you're in for a treat far beyond what you can experience at the Market Theatre or Joburg Theatre. Makhanda’s biggest cultural event stretches across an 11-day programme that falls into one of two worlds: Curated or Fringe. Knowing the difference will shape what you book, what you spend and the kind of discoveries you make at the country's most celebrated arts and culture gathering.   The Curated Programme: The productions everyone is talking about Think of the Curated Programme as the Festival’s headline act: professionally developed productions selected for their artistic excellence, originality and cultural relevance.   For Joburg audiences, some of the standout Curated productions include: MAJAIVAN: A movement story of the life of Lee-Ché Janecke | Dance 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance Lee-Ché Janecke, better known globally as Litchi HOV and the choreographer behind Tyla’s Water, turns the spotlight inward in an autobiographical dance work exploring identity, family and the journey behind his globally recognised movement language.     The National Arts FestivalMAJAIVAN: A movement story of the life of Lee-Ché Janecke | Dance The Cry of Winnie Mandela | Theatre  The Market Theatre’s acclaimed adaptation of Njabulo Ndebele’s novel, directed by Momo Matsunyane, follows four women bound by the experience of waiting for their absent and imprisoned partners during apartheid. It’s one of the strongest J

For over five decades, the National Arts Festival has provided South African creatives with the chance to showcase their talents across various fields. From theatre and comedy to music and magic, Makhanda (also known as Grahamstown) has become the epicentre for all things creative in Mzansi. Once again the festival is ready to showcase our country's talent from 25 June to 5 July 2026, with visitors from all parts of the country heading down to the Eastern Cape to immerse themselves in the spectacle. So, Joburgers, are you ready to get involved? While some of you reading this would have already secured your tickets and cemented your travel plans, for others the opportunity is not lost. How to get to the National Arts Festival from Johannesburg The most seamless way to get to the festival from Johannesburg is by catching a flight into Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and grabbing a hire car to complete the remaining 124km of the journey. Most airlines have daily scheduled flights from OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. A return airfare will cost roughly R2,300. Jumping in the car and heading off on a road trip is another option. The 978km journey takes you down to Bloemfontein, before weaving your wave along the N6 down to the Eastern Cape and Makhanda. The drive is roughly 11 hours in total. Thanks to the current state of the petrol price, you will need to part with an estimated R3,800 for the return trip, but this ma