Events: What’s on in Cape Town

When: Saturday, April 27

Why Go: In a 90-minute showcase this exclusive sushi demonstration will showcase the talents of Sushiya Head Chef Ryan Reyes, Chef-Patron Peter Tempelhoff, and Chef Shin Takagi, also the owner of a two-star Michelin restaurant in Kanazawa, Japan. It’s a unique culinary event promising an unforgettable journey into the art of authentic Japanese sushi.

Sushiya Unveiled takes place in The Studio at Time Out Market Cape Town on Saturday, April 27, from 12pm – 1.30pm. Tickets, R395 per person, are available now on Howler. Seats are limited, so book early! Ticket price includes one five-piece sushi platter per person, and a sake taster.

When: February 17 – August 11, 2024

Why Go: The life and work of world-famous Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu is celebrated in a landmark exhibition at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town’s Company Gardens. ‘Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting’: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective, is curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, and highlights Dr Esther Mahlangu’s meteoric rise as a contemporary artist, earning her global acclaim.

Through the language of colour and form, the exhibition charts Mahlangu’s contribution to contemporary art in a career stretching across close to seven decades. More than 100 artworks have been loaned from international collections, carefully curated alongside historic photographs and a short film. Also included in the exhibition is Mahlangu’s BMW 525i Art Car which makes its historic return to South Africa for the first time in more than 30 years.

When: April 17-21, 2024

Why Go: Finding the Light brings the biggest tunes from the world of musical theatre to Cape Town audiences, with songs from much-loved productions including ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘West Side Story’, ‘Company’, ‘Into the Woods’ and many more. Accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, some of the world’s most famous musical theatre numbers will be performed by local and international stars. What’s more, all proceeds go to benefit the Kolisi Foundation, created in 2019 2019 to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing South African communities.

When: April 27-28, 2024

Why Go: Enjoy award-winning wines, delicious food and live music at the Claremont Cricket Club at the Constantia Sports Complex on Constantia Main Road. Sample wines from over 40 top wine estates; enjoy a Sparkling Experience with a variety of Cap Classique, sparkling wine, Prosecco and French Champagne; or elevate the experience by booking an indulgent canapé and wine pairing session in the Pick n Pay Tasting Room. The Fresh Food Market will dish up an array of tasty plates, or pre-order a picnic bag to enjoy out on the lawns. Tickets, from R275, available via Webtickets

When: April 27 – May 1, 2024

Why Go? After enormous success in 2023, Comic Con Cape Town returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre with a jam-packed schedule of cosplay, celebrity guests, gaming stations and panel discussions. It’s a place to be inspired by comic artists, content creators, urban artists and animators as you immerse yourself into the world of gaming, comics and graphic art.

When: Until April 28, 2024

Why Go: This summer the proud – and loud! – South African drumming show Drumstruck sets up home in Cape Town. With some of South Africa’s most talented percussionists on stage, Drumstruck takes audiences on a journey through the musical heritage of Southern Africa, and with a drum on every seat each audience member gets to play and sing along with the show. For the 2023-24 season the Drumstruck experience has been extended to include an optional braai (barbecue) after the show, and a tasting of Constantia wines beforehand. Pre-booking essential.

When: Thursday, May 2, 2024

Why Go: Make the most of Autumn evenings as First Thursdays returns to the streets of central Cape Town, with galleries open late for art lovers to wander from gallery to restaurant to trendy boutique. This monthly cultural experience is centred around art, food and music, with art galleries, restaurants and bars concentrated in walkable precincts including Church Street, Loop Street, Bree Street, Church Square, and the Silo District. Most venues are free and open to the public. Each month's programme can be explored online at first-thursdays.co.za.

When: May 3-4, 2024

Why Go: The much-loved Cape Town International Jazz Festival returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre , after a four-year hiatus. Expect four new-look stages and a line-up of musicians from across the world, tapping into both traditional African jazz and more contemporary creative styles. While the final line-up is still being fine-tuned, expect a truly global roster that will inclue the likes of Matt Bianco, Kokoroko and The Yussef Dayes Experience from the United Kingdom, alongsie local jazz and soul artists such as Mandisi Dyantyis, Radio Sechaba, Zoë Modiga and Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners of Strange. General admission tickets cost R950 per night, and allow access to the Sapphire and Topaz stages. To manage capacity at the Emerald (Rosies), and Ruby (Moses Molelekwa) stages, additional surcharge tickets are required at R30 per person per show. 

General admission tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.

When: May 17-19, 2024

Why Go: A cultural highlight of the Cape Winelands, held annually on the third weekend in May, the Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) brings together authors, publishers and bibliophiles from across the world in a gathering filled with talks, readings and debates about all-things-literary.

It’s a platform for discourse and discussion, with sessions dedicated to topical talking points and light-hearted banter. And the Franschhoek Literary Festival is dusted with a little extra celebrity sparkle in 2024, with the news that actor, comedian, and children's book author David Walliams will take to the stage at this year’s festival.

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024

Why Go: The 2024 Tokara Rare Plant Fair and Open Garden is a unique opportunity to enjoy the private farm gardens of this acclaimed wine estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. Along with vendors selling rare plants to delight garden-lovers, visitors have the rare opportunity to enjoy the rolling farm gardens on walks dotted with magnificent sculptures by local artists.

Explore the dedicated oasis of indigenous plants, discover the climbing terraces of the picking garden, the rising path at the wetlands, and the mountain stream dipping down into a soothing lily pond. A highlight is the Adamastor Moss Garden, settled into the hills near the Boat House. Pre-order picnics are available, or book a table one of Tokara’s two restaurants. Entry, R50 per adult, supports local charities.