It's not just the weather that's hot in Cape Town during summer – it's the entertainment, too!

Whether you’re taking in a comedy show at the impressive Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay, singing along to an international performer’s greatest hits at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point, or enjoying live music acts on the sprawling lawns of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, things are heating up in the Mother City.

Celebrate cooler-than-ice summer entertainment with me in Cape Town at the following events:

Theatre on the Bay

Location: 1a Link Street, Camps Bay
Contact:  +27 (0)21 438 3301
Website: www.theatreonthebay.co.za

Alan Committie in No, Seriously?

Comedian Alan Committie is back for a hilarious run in his latest one-man show, No, Seriously?
Date: December 4, 2012, to January 5, 2013
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Potted Potter

Leave your precious magical preconceptions behind and get ready for the funniest broomstick ride of your life with this unauthorised West End parody of the Harry Potter series.

Date: January 8 to 26, 2013
Contact +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Fascinating Aida – The Cheap Flights Tour

Britain's best comedy cabaret trio bring their special brand of entertainment to the Theatre on the Bay stage, regaling fans with their infamous anthem to budget travel, Cheap Flights, and a few new songs too.

Date: January 30 to February 16, 2013

Richard’s Supper Stage & Bistro

Location: Main Road, Sea Point
Contact: +27 (0) 76 144 4809 
Website: www.richardscapetown.co.za

New Year’s Gala

Ring in the New Year at this popular entertainment venue with a spectacular gala. Your ticket to the hottest show in town includes a special festive edition of Kaapse Stories, magic by popular mentalist Larry Soffer, a special gourmet menu and more!

Date: December 31, 2012

Cape Town Stadium

Location: Green Point

Website: www.capetown.gov.za

Lady Gaga: The Born This Way Ball

Little monsters, your eccentric, chart-topping Mother is coming to town!

Date: December 3, 2012
Contact: +27 (0) 861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

MCQP 2012

The biggest lifestyle party the Mother City has ever known celebrates with a Fairytale Fantasy theme, so challenge your inner Evil Queens and Prince Charmings and dance the night away.
Date: December 15, 2012
Contact: +27 (0)21 461 1645
Website: www.mcqp.co.za

Cape Town Carnival 2013

Rio comes to Cape Town Stadium’s fan walk and forecourt with the largest parade, featuring spectacular floats, dancers, music and more.

Date: March 16, 2013
Contact: +27 (0)21 406 2947
Website: www.capetowncarnival.com

Metallica LIVE

The prayers of Capetonian headbangers have been answered, with the massively popular heavy metal band making its way to the Fairest Cape for one night only.

Date: April 24, 2013
Contact: +27 (0) 861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

V&A Waterfront

Location: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Contact: +27(0)21 408 7600
Website: www.waterfront.co.za

V&A Summer Concerts 2012/2013

Date: December 1, 2012 to January 27, 2013

The perfect way to spend a summer’s evening at the city’s premier seaside shopping destination, the V&A Waterfront’s concerts feature a revolving list of top local artists.

Cape Town International Convention Centre

Location: Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town
Contact:  +27 (0)21 410 5000
Website: www.cticc.co.za

Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2013

Jazz aficionados will experience the groovy talents of Buena Vista Social Club, Brand New Heavies, Jimmy Dludlu, Reza Khota Quartet and more at the 14th Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Date:  April 5 to 6, 2013
Contact: +27 (0)21 422 5653
Website: www.capetownjazzfest.com

Artscape Theatre

Location: DF Malan Street, Foreshore
Contact:  +27 (0)21 410 9800
Website: www.artscape.co.za

The Nutcracker

Fall in love with the classic tale of Clara and the Nutcracker in this world-famous ballet.

Date: December 13 to 23, 2012
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Dirty Dancing

Have the time of your life with this stage production of the hit movie.

Date: January 18 to February 17, 2013
Contact: +27 (0) 861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Suidoosterfees 2013

This celebration of Afrikaans theatre and music is a must-attend event.

Date:  January 29 to February 3, 2013
Contact: +27(0)21 446 1558
Email: suidooster@media24.com
Website: www.suidoosterfees.co.za

Alexander Upstairs

Location: 76 Strand Street, Cape Town
Contact: +27 (0)21 300 1088
Website: www.alexanderbar.co.za

Minnie & Johnson Do Alexander Bar

Cabaret duo Godfrey Johnson and Emile Minnie bring a touch of flair to your weekend with their not-to-be-missed set.

Date: December 14

Mark FransMan Sings

SAMA Award-winning artist Mark FransMan will inspire you with his acoustic folk, rock and soul music.

Date: December 19, 2012

Elegant Deceptions

Prepare to have your mind blown by illusionist and sleight-of-hand maestro Stuart Lightbody in an evening of strange psychologi­cal experiments …

Date: December 20, 2012

Grand Arena

Location: Grand West Casino, 1 Vanguard Drive, Goodwood
Contact:  +27 (0)21 505 7777
Website: www.suninternational.com

Chris Brown Carpe Diem World Tour

Award-winning R&B singer Chris Brown makes his Cape Town debut on the Grand Arena stage, to thousands of adoring fans.

Date: December 19 to 20, 2012
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Rodriguez Live

Mr Sugarman himself makes a welcome return to the Mother City’s shores, performing his classic hits in support of the documentary Searching for Sugarman.

Date: February 20 to 21, 2012
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Baxter Theatre

Location: Main Road, Rondebosch
Contact: +27 (0)21 685 7880
Website: www.baxter.co.za

I Don’t Work on Sundays!

Local funnyman Marc Lottering is in top form in the brilliant one-man show, I Don’t Work on Sundays!

Date: November 30, 2012, to January 5, 2013
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

The Little Mermaid

Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer bring the magical tale of a mermaid seeking true love to the Baxter Theatre stage.

Date: December 4 to 29, 2012
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Kalahari Karoo Blues

Theatre legend David Kramer brings together eccentric musicians from the far corners of Southern Africa – the Kalahari, the Hardeveld and the Klein Karoo for a jamming session like no other.

Date: January 9 to 19, 2013
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Maynardville Open Air Theatre

Location: Maynardville Open Air Theatre, Maynardville
Contact: +27 (0) 21 410-9800
Website: www.artscape.co.za

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Park is brought to live by the Bard’s legendary comedy about love, romance, magic and dreams, starring Terence Bridgett and Marcel Meyer.

Date: January 21to February 23, 2013
Contact: +27 (0)861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Location: Rhodes Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town
Contact: +27 (0)21 799 8783/8620
Website: www.sanbi.org

Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts at Kirstenbosch

From Freshlyground to The Parlotones and Prime Circle, there are plenty of fabulous local artists to enjoy at the Summer Sunset concerts.
Date: December 2, 2012 to April 7, 2013
Website: www.webtickets.co.za 

Kalk Bay Theatre

Location: 52 Main Road, Kalk Bay
Website: www.kbt.co.za

Absinthe in Concert

Sexy lead singers of the popular bands Wonderboom and Sugardrive, Cito and Paul E. Flynn,  will rock out to all-time classics by the best-known bands in history as new outfit Absinthe.
Date: December 8, 2012

Concert for the Andrew Meddick Benefit Fund

Your Sunday gets a magical and musical ending with blues-rock from Johnny Ray Band, Berkley Hunt and System Renegade, as well as a magician.

Date: December 9, 2012

Face the Music II

The musical trivia game with a difference is back for round 2, so sharpen those pencils and enjoy this singalong show.

Date: December 15, 2012 to January 6, 2013