September in Cape Town is bustling with exciting events, from festivals to outdoor adventures. Whether you’re into live music, literature, food, or sports, the city offers something for everyone. Highlights include the Open Book Festival, Mzansi Ballet’s “Neil Diamond Show”, and the exhilarating Gun Run. Celebrate South Africa’s Heritage Month with culinary experiences and vibrant dance performances. Dive into the local culture, or simply enjoy the scenic beauty of Cape Town as you explore a rich calendar of events, making September the perfect time to discover the best the city has to offer.
Open Book Festival
Date and Time: 6 to 8 September
HCC: Homecoming Centre
Tickets: From R50 available at Webtickets.co.za
More than just a celebration of books, Open Book serves as a vital platform for conversations that matter and amplifies voices that deserve to be heard. Join bestselling authors, acclaimed poets, active citizens and literary enthusiasts for six days of insightful workshops, readings, discussions and more. This is your chance to hone your craft, share skills and soak up inspiration from true masters. Check out a detailed festival programme here: openbookfestival.co.za/festival-programme/
Celebrating Heritage at Urban Umami
Date and Time: September 2024
Century City Hotel (on the Square)
Tickets: Booking is essential via Dineplan.co.za
For South African Heritage Month, we’re excited to showcase a dish that beautifully blends traditional flavours with a modern twist. Enjoy our Teriyaki marninated lamb chops, featuring 400g of tender, juicy meat that’s been infused with a rich, savoury Teriyaki glaze. Paired with these succulent chops are schimi spiced baby potatoes, roasted to crispy perfection with a unique South African flair. To complete the experience, enjoy a zesty soy honey corn and smashed cucumber salad, offering a refreshing crunch and a perfect balance of flavours. This dish not only celebrates our diverse culinary heritage but also brings a global twist to your table.
Check out the full menu here www.umamirestaurant.co.za/menus
Mzansi Ballet’s Neil Diamond
Date and Time: 4 to 14 September
Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay
Tickets: From R200 to R350 www.webtickets.co.za/1546444747
Glittering and radiant, Mzansi Ballet presents The Neil Diamond Show, a ballet set to the timeless melodies of Neil Diamond. This enchanting ballet transports audiences into a world where every movement sparkles with brilliance, echoing the facets of a precious gem. With Neil Diamond’s iconic music as its backdrop, “The Neil Diamond Show” is a mesmerizing journey through light, colour, and the enduring mystique of these treasured jewels. For more information go to pietertoerien.co.za.
Durbanville Spring Country Series
Date and Time: From 7 September – through September from 11am to 6pm
Hollywoodbets Durbanville
Tickets: Entry is free
The Durbanville Spring Country Series is back at Hollywoodbets Durbanville for ten funfilled Race Days (every Saturday) during September, including the high-octane Settlers Trophy and its Braai, Bak & Brew Festival on 21 September, and the sensational Matchem Stakes on 28 September, an elegant affair with champagne and fashion. Go to caperacing.co.za for additional information.
Cape Heritage Dance Festival
Date and Time: From 12 – 14 September at 7:30pm
Artscape Theatre
Tickets: R150 at Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za/
Cape Heritage Dance Festival is designed to celebrate our rich diversity and kindle the spirit of South Africans, promoting social harmony through a collective display of talent and dance. Companies and studios will showcase 45-minute- 60-minute works of different dance styles to celebrate culture, unity, and artistic expression. For more information go to https://www.artscape.co.za/
A Circus Extravaganza by Step it up Dance Academy
Date and Time: 14 September at 11am
Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter
Tickets: From R120 at Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za/
Prepare to be transported to a world of Magical Wonder, a show with many colours, acts and animals! Welcome to the Circus, sit back, relax and be entertained. This is the greatest show! For more information visit baxter.uct.ac.za/events/circus-extravaganza
2024 Gun Run
Date and Time: 14 – 15 September at 6:30am
From Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Trail at Deer Park
Entry costs: 10km (R190) and 21.1km (R230)
The Outsurance Gun will see a series of running events on the Sea Point Promenade through to Camps Bay for the 21.1km half marathon and on the slopes of the Table Mountain Trails for the Trail Run. The Gun Run, which is viewed as one of the ‘big five’ road races in the province will include a Trail Run, 5km & 10km Pet Walk/Fun Run as well as the main 21.1km half marathon. There’ll also be food stalls and a play area for the kids. For more information go to https://www.outsurance.co.za/gunrun/
Play Things Spring Fling!
Date and Time: 15 September at 6pm
Place: Theatre Arts, Methodist Church Hall, Observatory
Tickets: Register at theatrearts.co.za/show/Play_Things_Spring
PlayThings is a monthly experimental space for performers of any kind to share and showcase their work. This month’s theme is Sprin Fling! It’s all about new beginnings, fresh starts, weird flings, jumps forward, helical metal coils that can be pressed or pulled but return to its original shape. Explore all this and more with a captivating lineup of performers including Julia Daniels, Yaaseen Barnes, Melusi Molefe, Nate Levinrad and more. Check out IG sparkinthedarkSA for more information.
Brainstorms on the Bay
Date and Time: 18 September from 6pm
Simon’s Town Museum
Tickets: R30 donation to the museum
Simon’s Town Museum and Simon’s Town Historical Society will be hosting Professor David Atwell. He will address leaving space between fiction and history through a brisk walking tour. Prof Atwell discusses 20th century South African novels that mark out the estates, places and spaces of our cultural history. David Atwell is Professor Emeritus at the University of York, where he was head of the department of English and related literature. He is also Extraordinary Professor at the University of the Western Cape and a literary critic and historian of South African literature.
Sign up to be informed of the lectures: brainstormsonthebay@gmail.com
Art enriches space, Music enriches time
Date and Time: 19 September at 8pm
Place: 196 Victoria Road, Woodstock
Tickets: email info@mysite.com
A group of creatives will be coming together to enjoy the changing of the earth’s seasons in two ways: Fine art enriching space; Music enriching time. The celebration will be through live performances by Giuliette Price and Khaya Mthembu-Salter, a dynamic vocal and guitar jazz duo, while celebrating fine art through a Spring themed exhibition.
The artworks that will be exhibited consist of two sections: a curated collection of works by five South African artists, and an open call section where attendees of the Cape Town Life Drawing sessions have submitted works of their own.
Go to www.tiffanyonderstall.com/springexhibition for a full list of exhibitors.
Jive Culture Shock
Date and Time: 20 to 28 September at 8pm (Show on the 24th at midday)
Place: Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone
Tickets: From R150 available from www.webtickets.co.za
Join in the fun of celebrating the talents of Cape minstrels and Malay choirs this month at a ground-breaking cultural competition with a magnificent cultural theatre production in partnership with the Eaon group. It’s a unique platform that bridges the gap between commercial and community-based ideals, uncovering untapped talent within the community. Get ready for an electrifying showdown as four teams go head-to-head in the ultimate Jive Culture Shock Champions competition! Over two thrilling nights, these teams will light up the stage with five mesmerizing performances each. From junior and senior solos to side-splitting English and Afrikaans comics, and soul-stirring Nederlands lied, the talent is off the charts! Tashreeq ‘TDV’ Devilliers and Shadley Schroeder will keep the energy pumping as this year’s hosts. For more information go to www.webtickets.co.za/
Flower Power Workshop
Date and Time: 21 September from 9am to 12 noon
The Cowshed at Spier Wine Farm
Tickets: From R500 to R750 – book through dineplan.co.za
Learn the beautiful art of foam-free flower arranging. Leave with a floral creation and plenty of decorative ideas for summer holiday celebrations. Guests can also look forward to morning coffee followed by a light lunch served with Spier wines.
Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch is hosting monthly workshops where guests can learn important lessons from Mother Nature – and a few other plant experts – about the power of plants, flowers and fermented foods. Please visit www.spier.co.za for details on upcoming workshops.
Cape Ballet Africa
Date and Time: 21 September at 7:30pm
Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter
Tickets: From R200 to R350 at Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za/
Cape Ballet Africa ignites The Baxter stage this September with its inaugural season celebrating new work by a trio of revered South African choreographers.
SALT features a triple bill of ballets by Kirsten Isenberg , multi award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November and Michelle Reid. These three ballets are poignant, sleek, stylish, celebratory and percussive. Expect strong athletic pointe work, gravity-defying pas de deux, and beautifully articulated bodies in motion.
Do not purchase tickets on any third party platform. Tickets are exclusive on Webtickets only. For more information go to https://baxter.uct.ac.za/whats-events
Ocean Glow Silent Disco
Date and Time: 21 September – 6pm to 10pm
V&A Waterfront Alfred Square
Tickets: From R50 at Quicket
www.quicket.co.za/silent-disco-ocean-glow-finale/
Celebrate the beauty of our oceans at “Ocean Glow,” the unforgettable closing night of the “Our Better Nature” campaign at the V&A Waterfront. This enchanting outdoor silent disco features mesmerizing giant light-up jellyfish art that transforms the waterfront into a vibrant underwater wonderland. Dance under the stars with wireless headphones, selecting from a variety of music that resonates with the spirit of our seas. Join us in raising awareness about ocean conservation while enjoying a magical evening of rhythm, light, and connection. Together, let’s make a splash for a healthier planet!
For more information go to https://silentmania.co.za/
Marc Eugene Lottering
Date and Time: 24 September to 5 October from 7:30pm
Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay
Tickets: From R150 available at Webtickets
www.webtickets.co.za/v2/01-OCT-2024
Lottering is one of South Africa’s top comedians, having written 20 one-man shows and 3 smash hit musicals. In this show, Marc Lottering shares his findings on where he thinks his colourful family tree stems from. As is to be expected, his viewpoints are hilariously outrageous after his mom, when he was little, promised him that they were all originally “blonde German-Caribbeans”. This year, Lottering has been inducted into the Comics Choice Hall of Fame.
Mamacita’s Alley Party
Date and Time: 28 September from 6pm
Mamacita’s, 75 Harrington Street Cape Town
Tickets: From R180 www.quicket.co.za/events/mamacitas-one-year-anniversay-alley-party/
Get ready, Cape Town! Mamacitas is turning one, and throwing an epic Alleyway Party to celebrate! Experience the vibrant energy of LA street culture with free tequila, good vibes, and a killer line-up of the best hip hop DJs from around the globe. The legendary DJ Ready D will be headlining, with support from Gremlin, Kane, DJ Juice, and Tekneek, ensuring the beats keep rolling all night long. See you there.
Pizza Social by Social Society Club
Date and Time: 28 September
For venue and ticket info follow IG social_society_za or visit socialsocietyza.company.site and email socialsocietycpt@gmail.com.
New to the Mother City and feeling overwhelmed by Cape Town’s social scene? Then become a member of Social Society Club and join in fun activities such as cooking classes, hiking excursions, and padel tournaments every month. In September you can join the Pizza Social.
This exclusive event is for Social Society Club Members only and costs R250 annual fees to access and purchase tickets to the events.
Denim Paint and Sip by Urban Vintage
Date and Time: 28 September 5pm
Place: Woodstock Exchange
Tickets: From R650 at urbanvintage.co.za/collections/denim-paint-sip
Get ready for a night of creativity, fashion and art and customise your own denim jacket – while you enjoy a glass of wine/beer, indulge in delicious Asian tapas, and connect with an inspiring community of artists and creatives.
This is more than just another night out – it’s an opportunity to create something truly unique, meet like-minded people, and take your very own denim design home with you to keep, wear or gift.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to know how to paint, or come up with your own design, if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. You will be able to choose your denim jacket or paint your own piece. You will be provided with a selection of cool stencils to choose from.
For more information go to https://urbanvintage.co.za/
