Signature Cape Town events
Cape Town hosts a wide-ranging events portfolio which includes community-based, national and international events. We support many events financially, through event and other City services, and we assist in event management. Discover some of these events below and join us as we celebrate all our city has to offer.
Culture and creativity
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Africa’s biggest jazz event with a blend of national and international artists entertains around 35 000 people over two nights on five stages.
When: March
Official website:
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Suidoosterfees
The event offers a variety of performances, musical shows, historical tours and art exhibitions that take place at three main venues:
Cape Town City Hall and the
Artscape Theatre.
When: April/May
Official website:
Suidoosterfees
Tweede Nuwejaar (Minstrels, Malay Choirs and Christmas Bands)
Communities take part in colourful celebrations, representing Cape Town’s rich cultural diversity and entertaining the crowds on the streets of the Mother City, with the Grand Parade and City Hall as a backdrop.
When: January
Cape Town Carnival
The city’s streets explode with colour, floats and dancers when the Cape Town Carnival takes place. It is a colourful expression of the Mother City’s diverse communities.
When: March
Official website:
Cape Town Carnival
Encounters South African International Documentary Festival
The premier documentary festival in Africa and one of the oldest film festivals on the continent, Encounters remains one of only a few documentary festivals on the continent that is solely dedicated to the genre.
When: June
Official website:
Encounters South African International Documentary Festival
Jive Cape Town Funny Festival
If you’re looking for belly laughs that will have your stomach hurting, then Cape Town’s premier funny festival is for you.
When: June and July
Official website: Jive Cape Town Funny Festival
Sport
ABSA Cape Epic
Known as the “Tour de France” of mountain biking, the eight-day event includes approximately 698 km of biking and takes riders along Cape Town and the Western Cape’s breathtaking mountain passes.
When: March
Official website:
ABSA Cape Epic
Cape Town Cycle Tour
In the world’s largest timed cycle race, around 30 000 riders set out on a route of close to 109 km winding around the Cape Peninsula.
When: March
Official website:
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Discovery Triathlon World Cup Cape Town
The Cape Town leg of the eight-city tour takes place at the V&A Waterfront, against the backdrop of Table Mountain.
When: February
Official website:
Triathlon South Africa
Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open
Big-time professional golf takes place annually at one of the Mother City’s lushest golf courses.
When: February
Two Oceans Marathon
The world’s most beautiful marathon takes runners on a scenic route for the 56 km ultra-marathon, the popular 21 km half marathon and the 5 km or 2.5 km fun runs.
When: April
Official website:
Two Oceans Marathon
South African Women’s Masters
The South African Women’s Masters is an International Ladies European Tour and Women’s Professional Golf Association professional women’s golf tournament.
When: February
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Africa’s only IAAF Gold label status marathon, sees some 20 000 athletes from 67 countries take on the three distances.
When: September
Official website:
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
World RX of South Africa
The Cape Town leg of the FIA Rallycross championship offers two days of adrenaline-pumping action on the Killarney Motor Racing Complex tracks and screaming fans in the stands.
When: October
HSBC Cape Town Sevens
The best live sports experience in South Africa offers two days of thrilling rugby at the DHL Stadium and exciting entertainment and gees on the Mother City's streets.
When: December
Official website:
Springboks Rugby
Cape Town 10s
South Africa's biggest social sport and lifestyle event features rugby, netball, beach volleyball, football and live music.
When: February
Official website:
Cape Town 10s
Volvo Ocean Race
The world's premier offshore yacht race has called Cape Town a home for more than a decade for its South African leg of the international competition.
When: November
Official website:
The Ocean Race
Business and innovation
Africa Travel Week
This is Africa’s leading tourism trade show.
When: April
Official website: Africa Travel Week
Design Indaba
Design Indaba is driven by a passion for innovative work with a strong local flavour.
When: February/March
Official website: Design Indaba
Mining Indaba
Africa’s leading mining investment event with roughly 7 800 professionals, including top economists, mining analysts and financiers, representing more than 1 500 international companies from over 100 countries.
When: February
Official website:
Mining Indaba
SA Innovation Summit
The SA Innovation summit presents a thought leader conference that bridges all players in the innovation system including business, academics and government.
When: September
Official website:
SA Innovation Summit
Community driven events
DSTV Mitchells Plain Festival
Cape Town’s largest community festival features some exciting local musical talent and other entertainers, while also providing a platform for SMMEs to exhibit their products.
When: November/December
Official website:
Mitchells Plain Festival
Jazzathon
Affectionately known as The People’s Festival, Jazzathon hosts a variety of integrated projects throughout the year leading up to the annual, much-anticipated music festival called the Cape Town Jazzathon at GrandWest Casino.
When: January
Official website:
Jazzathon
Cape Town Summer Markets
The five-day Cape Town Summer Market in the Company’s Garden is a family event with free live entertainment and delicious food. You can also buy a variety of crafts and clothing made by local entrepreneurs.
When: December
Official website:My Cape Town Market
Open Streets
Leave your car at home, get on a bicycle, skateboard or dust off those rollerblades and join hundreds of people for a day of fun on the road without any motorised transport.
Official website: temporarily unavailable
Free Jazz Concert
A precursor to the three-day Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the Community Concert at Greenmarket Square provides an opportunity to enjoy access to some of the best local and international artists on one stage.
When: March
Official website: Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Festive Lights Switch-on
The City’s flagship event ushers in the festive season with some of the biggest local musical acts performing on one stage. With a history spanning five decades, the Festive Lights Switch-on event draws in thousands of locals and visitors for a celebration on the Grand Parade in front of the iconic City Hall.
When: December
Official website:Events in Cape Town
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