Ke Dezemba boss! Summer is here and you can feel the holiday vibes in the air. There are loads of things to do in the city this month – from the HSBC SVNS at the Cape Town Stadium to a plethora of Christmas markets every weekend and some sizzling music and arts festivals – the city is buzzing. Here are some of our highly recommended events you should check out. There’s something for the whole family!
First Thursday Summer Fest
Station on Bree – Bree Street
7 December
From 6pm
Free entry
Get ready to kick off the Cape Town summer season with a hot line up of live entertainment including top musicians and sizzling DJs, food trucks, market vendors, main stage and road closures.
A First Thursday street party like you’ve never experienced before. Don’t miss out!
Disney100 Outdoor Cinema Experience
V&A Waterfront Croquet Lawn
7 to 17 December
Tickets from R100 at ticketpro.co.za
Disney fans of all ages will be able to experience the magic of Disney with six timeless stories during the day in the warm summer air or under the stars in special evening presentations.
The films being screened include Disney’s The Lion King (2019), Frozen 2 and Encanto, Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles 2 and Finding Dory, as well as The Greatest Showman.
Guests are encouraged to add to the exciting atmosphere by coming dressed up inspired by their favourite Disney character and participating in the various activations and activities on offer, on top of the films themselves.
Tickets are available at R100 each, with a 20% special discount offered to FNB Card Holders and are on sale now at TicketPro.co.za.
HSBC SVNS: Cape Town
DHL Cape Town Stadium
9 and 10 December
From 10am
Tickets from R150
World Class Rugby, Live Music, Food Markets … all the good vibes you can handle.
Get ready to officially kick off the festive season in Cape Town on the weekend of 9 and 10 December!
It’s rugby sevens’ biggest party, and you’re invited. Spend a weekend you’ll never forget at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town for two action-packed days of sport, music, food and immersive experiences.
Tickets still available at Ticketmaster.co.za
Cape Town Arts Festival
Castle of Goodhope
9 and 10 December
10am to 6pm
Free Entry
Prepare to be immersed in a jubilant mosaic of artistic brilliance at the Cape Town Arts Festival an ode to creativity against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain and the storied Castle of Good Hope.
Here local talents in painting music poetry dance storytelling sculpture and a myriad of artistic expressions collide in a symphony of cultural celebration.
Indulge your taste buds in an exhilarating culinary adventure with an eclectic array of food vendors and food trucks that offer a tantalizing journey through the flavours of Cape Town. As you wander keep an eye out for the enchanting street performers—jugglers mimes and stilt walkers — who add an extra spark of wonder to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Entry is free but make sure you get a ticket via Quicket.co.za as you’ll need one to access the venue.
For more information visit capetownfestival.org.za/
V&A Record and Music Fair
Watershed
9 December
10am to 2pm
Free entry
Head to the Watershed between 10am and 2pm to get your hands on the records you’ve always wanted.
There will be over 30 traders with 6000+ records and other music memorabilia available including band merch, tees and cassettes on sale. There will also be DJs on decks throughout the day!
Operatic Favourites… a Christmas Touch
IKhaya Lodge, Dunkley Square
10 December
5pm to 7:30pm
Tickets R200 from Quicket
SA Operatunity in partnership with iKhaya Lodge & Conference Centre, brings you operatic tunes with a touch of Christmas and an African feel, at the beautiful iKhaya Lodge in Dunkley Square, Gardens, Cape Town. For an enchanting evening featuring talented opera singers and a skilled pianist, performing your favourite operatic pieces with a heart-warming Christmas twist book your ticket now.
Immerse yourself in the world of soaring arias and beautiful melodies, all set in the stunning iKhaya Lodge.
Cape Town Halaal Festival
Youngsfield Military Base, Wynberg
9 and 10 December
9am daily
Tickets R30 at the gate or R20 prebooked at cthalaal.co.za
Carnival rides, gourmet food trucks, 150 stalls, fun activities for the whole family.
Doek on Fleek … Shades of Pink
Wynberg Sports Grounds
10 December
10am to 8pm
General Access Phase 2 Tickets available at R200pp
Expect the most memorable day as a woman. “Come as strangers and leave as friends”. And get dressed up in any shade of pink.
This event is a STRICTLY women’s only picnic that encourages networking and time-out for the ladies. It’s the most talked about movement in Africa and the United Kingdom.
Some call it a picnic while some call it a festival.
The aim of this movement is to UNITE, CELEBRATE, SUPPORT AND EMPOWER women from all walks of life. The unity and love women shown at these gatherings is exhilarating, rendering it feasible to continue hosting ladies more often.
What to bring – Cooler box at a fee; folding chairs; picnic basket; a doek and a gazebo / umbrella
Tickets are available at Shoprite, Checkers or at Computicket.
Queer Cabaret
Honey and Dora
13 December
8pm
Tickets R150 through Dineplan
The ingenue of drag, Stella Rosé embraces her alter-ego, Zachary Black.
For this sing-sational show, Zachary is joined by sultry songstress JezzyBelle as well as talented crooner Vozzie.
Enjoy your dinner (or just a few drinks) at Honey & Dora while you enjoy the sounds of Queer Cabaret.
Bookings: dineplan.com/honey-and-dora-cafe-lifestyle-bar and pay for the ticket at the door.
Carols at Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
14 to 17 December
From 6pm daily
Tickets from R125 at Webtickets
It wouldn’t be the Festive Season in Cape Town without Carols at Kirstenbosch proudly hosted by the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch and sponsored by Pick n Pay. The City’s most-loved carols event returns this year to the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, from 14 to 17 December 2023.
Grab a picnic blanket, round up your friends and family, and enjoy a wonderful evening set against what is unmistakably one of the world’s most magnificent backdrops. The event will usher in the Festive Season with your favourite singalongs, delicious food, and the beautiful sight of thousands of digital glowsticks* lighting up the evening sky.
Maynardville Garden Market by Revere Markets
Maynardville, Wynberg
15 to 17 December
10am to 10pm daily
Free entry for kids and pensioners
Adults and teens R15
Get a head start on your Christmas Gift Shopping!
As the year draws to a close – say goodbye to homework and studying and your daily grind and hello to chilled summer days and nights with family and friends, starting at our market.
Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses when you visit the Maynardville Garden Market.
Food vendors, Fashion, Home Décor and loads of entertainment.
Three-Day Thrift Fest
Old Cape Quarter
15 to 17 December
From 11am
Free Entry
Calling all lovers of Thrift, secondhand, books, shoes and jewellery!
Come and experience the ultimate thrift experiences at The Old Cape Quarter just in time for Christmas .
The venue is outside and surrounded by some awesome foodie spots.
If you’re interested in participating, please email thriftfest123@gmail.com – stalls are going for R850 for all 3 days, R600 for 2 days, and R320 per day.
Please be sure to bring your own shopping bags.
Undercover parking right near the venue.
My Cape Town Market
Company’s Garden
16 and 17 December from 3pm to 10pm
18to 20 December from 4pm to 9pm
Free entry
Over 100 Vendors, live entertainment, kids zone, fashion, arts and crafts and much more.
MCQP Back to the Future – Nostalgia Through the Ages
Cabo Beach Club
16 December
From 6pm
General Access tickets from R550
Get ready to embark on a journey through time like never before as MCQP returns with its much-anticipated annual extravaganza – “Back to the Future.”
On December 16, 2023, Cabo Beach Club will transform into a realm where past, present, and future collide in a spectacular explosion of nostalgia and imagination.
For over two decades, MCQP has been South Africa’s premier costume and LGBTQ+ celebration, and this year promises to be the most sensational yet. MCQP invites you to relive the magic of previous eras and themes, all while gazing forward into the unknown.
Embrace the Present: Show off your most dazzling interpretations of the “Back to the Future” theme, whether it’s a Victorian steampunk ensemble, a groovy disco look, or futuristic cyberpunk fashion. The possibilities are as endless as time itself.
This event is more than just a party; it’s a celebration of our diverse community, a welcoming home, a showcase of creativity, and a chance to honour our collective past while embracing a thrilling future together in a safe space.
Grab your tickets now, assemble your time-travelling crew, and let’s make history together!
Tickets at Howler howler.co.za/mcqp-back-to-the-future-nostalgia-through-the-ages
Unity on the Square Festival
16 December
Greenmarket Square
Gates open at 2pm
Tickets available at Quicket
Get into the festive vibe with Emo Adams, Jimmy Nevis, Nur Abrahams, Alistair Izobell and many more Cape Town favs as they get down and boogie the night away.
Jesse Clegg Coast to Coast Tour
Strandkombuis, Yzerfontein
22 December
From 4pm
Tickets from R200 at Ticketpros.co.za
Jesse Clegg will be driving from Coast to Coast this upcoming December for his annual tour.
Make sure to look for your coastal town on the list of tour shows.
Enjoy the tour performance when he is in your coastal town!
Liquidreams Xmas Special
Colour Box Studios, Paarden Eiland
23 December
From 3pm
Tickets from R200
2023 has been an exciting year for us all. I think we can confidently say that Save the Rave, together with our party goers, have significantly raised the bar for rave parties in Cape Town.
Party goers can look forward to three dance floors – 10hours – 20 DJs!
Look out for our SECRET SANTA FREE GIFTS at the event.
The line-up includes:
DJ Surge (JHB guest) | Jason47 | JBA | Adrian Gemini | DJ Basil | Shylo | Hamza | Donzai | Leyton Lee | Dean DeNielson | DJ Nick-o | Jamie Jam Jar | Roy Hendrix | Karlage | Brent Thought | Smash DJS | Jayson B | Bad Boy Charl
savetherave.co.za/ for tickets.
Christmas Market
Presented by Mitchells Plain Entrepreneurs Hub and Ward 81
Saturday 23 December
10am to 4pm
Dagbreek Hall, 1 Koornhoop Road, Westridge
Free Entry
A series of markets featuring local entrepreneurs, content creation and entertainment.
Email market@mpeh.co.za for more information
Sizzled: Summer Music and Food Fest
Fort Wynyard, V&A Waterfront
26 December
12 Noon till 11pm
Tickets from R250 at Computicket
The Mother City’s No.1 Summer Music & Food Festival turns 10 years.
Are you ready to sizzle your summer family? Sizzled is a Mother City Festive tradition. Great Food, DJ’s, Drinks, Friends, Family and festive fun under the sun. Join us for the 10th Anniversary of Sizzled Summer Music & Food Fest in Cape Town! This year’s festival will be the most memorable one yet, with amazing music performances across 2 stages from some of the most popular artists and bands that have performed at our festival over the past 10 years plus the best street food chef’s to tantalize those taste-buds.
MUSIC LINE-UP includes all genres Hip-hop/R&B/House/Disco/Deep House
CHEFS: TheNob / Ishushu Wood Fire Pizza / Waffle Wonder / Seven Colors / Chilangos / THC Craftery /
Corona Sunsets Summer Tour
Grand Africa Café & Beach, Granger Bay
27 December
From 2pm
Tickets from R300
The Corona Sunsets Summer Tour is officially here! We’re bringing together some of South Africa’s most talented artists for a series of unforgettable events this summer.
Kick back and relax as we celebrate the beauty of the sunset together.
Tickets on sale now at corona.howler.co.za/
Made In Mykonos Cape Town 2023
Grand Africa Café & Beach, Granger Bay
29 December
From 2pm
Tickets from R1650pp
No under 21s
We’re writing a sensational story this summer, and we’d love you to be part of it…
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic Seaboard, in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, Made in Mykonos Cape Town encapsulates the essence of European summer celebrations in the heart of South Africa.
Get ready to dance the day and night away at Grand Africa Café & Beach, featuring an executive DJ set by Vassili Tsilichristos as the international headliner. Made in Mykonos Cape Town is set to be the ultimate summer celebration, and guests can also look forward to the best in local DJ talent, a super-sized stage, an unparalleled production, and a reflection of the renowned seasonal celebrations in Mykonos and Dubai.
Secure your table by emailing madeinmykonos@gmail.com
