All that jazz takes over Cape Town

22 March 2026

The Mother City is set to come alive with the sounds of jazz as a week-long programme of music, culture and creativity unfolds from 22 to 28 March 2026.

Anchored by the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), this week features a dynamic mix of jazz-centric events including the annual free public concert and an immersive inner-city experience transforming Cape Town into a vibrant jazz stage.

‘The Cape Town International Jazz Festival remains one of the continent’s premier live music events. Last year, it attracted over 16 000 attendees from across South Africa and more than 20 other countries, injecting millions into the local economy.

‘The Free Concert provides an inclusive musical experience for those who aren’t able to attend the main festival. The City’s support for these events reflects its commitment to enabling inclusive, accessible and world-class experiences,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Africa’s Grandest Gathering will bring a week of major performances, pop-up shows around the city, panel discussions and masterclasses starting at 17:00 this evening with pop-up performances, in partnership with Sofar Cape Town, featuring three artists blending jazz, soul, and R&B.

Free Jazz Concert

On Wednesday 25 March, the traditional CTIJF Free Jazz Concert returns to Greenmarket Square, offering a free, open-air musical experience in one of Cape Town’s most historic public spaces.

The lineup includes Joneca, Zolani Mahola, Cameron Ward, Justin-Lee, Zoe Madinga and Shiela E. & The E-Train.

Beyond entertainment, the event plays a meaningful role in community upliftment, creating employment opportunities, supporting local talent and providing hands-on experience for emerging professionals in the events and creative industries.

The concert kicks off at 18:00 with gates opening at 16:00.

Residents and motorists are advised that temporary road closures will be implemented in and around Greenmarket Square from 06:00 on Tuesday, 24 March until 06:00 on Thursday, 26 March 2026.

The following roads will be impacted:

Burg Street (between Wale and Longmarket streets)
Longmarket Street (between Long and Adderley streets)
Shortmarket Street (between St George’s Mall and Long Street)
Additional partial closures on Burg and Church streets on event day

Jazz in the City

On Thursday 26 March, the City is partnering with Jazz In The City Pty (ltd) for the first ever Jazz In The City.

It reimagines the traditional festival format and brings jazz directly into the spaces occupied by Capetonians and visitors.

For one night only, a six-block stretch of Bree Street between Wale and Castle streets is transformed into the Bree Street Jazz Hop, a walkable circuit of venues and pop-up performance spaces.

The line-up showcases some of South Africa’s most exciting jazz voices, including Kujenga, Sisonke Xonti, Vuyo Viwe, Yonela Mnana, Herbie Tsoaeli and Muneeb Hermans.

They will offer intimate, exploratory experiences, encouraging audiences to move between venues and curate their own musical journey.

Spaces such as art galleries, boutique hotels, restaurants and everyday city spaces are reshaped into performance venues, turning the CBD into a living, breathing jazz stage.

Participating venues include:

Athletic Club & Social (35 Buitengracht Street)
107 Castle Street
Vault on Bree (70 Bree Street)
Youngblood Africa (Bree Street)
The Blue Room at Grub & Vine (103 Bree Street)
Room 91 at Chefs Warehouse (91 Bree Street)
Trade Boutique Hotel (55 Shortmarket Street)
Story Horse (104 Bree Street)
Secret Gin Bar (64A Wale Street)
Openwine (72 Wale Street)
Pop-up activations along Shortmarket Street

International Jazz Festival

The week of jazz will culminate with two nights of world-class performances across multiple stages at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the CTICC.

Taking place on Friday 27 March and Saturday 28 March, the lineup features over 30 leading international artists alongside South Africa’s finest musical talent, delivering a diverse programme that spans jazz, soul, Afro-fusion and genre-blending sounds.

It delivers eight hours of premier live music on both evenings, running from18:00 to 02:00. Doors open at 16:00.

To facilitate the event, the following road closures will be implemented:

Walter Sisulu Avenue (between Lower Long and Heerengracht streets) : From 06:00 on Wednesday, 25 March to 17:00 on Sunday, 29 March 2026
FW de Klerk Boulevard (between Heerengracht and Lower Long streets) : From 16:00 on Friday, 27 March to 03:00 on Sunday, 29 March 2026
Lower Long Street (between FW de Klerk Boulevard and Walter Sisulu Avenue) : From 16:00 on Friday, 27 March to 03:00 on Sunday, 29 March 2026

For more information on these and other events hosted in Cape Town, visit www.eventsincapetown.com

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office