Cape Town is buzzing with culture, creativity & community spirit all year round. From art walks & LIVE music to food markets & ocean swims, the Mother City has no shortage of social gatherings where locals & visitors can connect, unwind & celebrate life! Whether you’re new in town, looking to make friends, or simply eager to enjoy Cape Town’s vibrant & thriving social scene, here are some GREAT weekly & monthly events you absolutely won’t want to miss.
#First Thursdays Cape Town
- When: First Thursday of every month
- Where: Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town (CBD, Woodstock, Observatory, Sea Point & many more)
- Time: +/- 6pm – LATE!
- Contact details: [email protected]
- Website: www.first-thursdays.co.za/city/cape-town
As one of Cape Town’s most highly-anticipated & exciting cultural experiences, First Thursdays has become a MAJOR highlight on the Cape Town calendar. On the first Thursday of every month, Cape Town’s inner-city comes alive with vivid & enthralling art exhibitions, open galleries, lively street music, cool pop-up bars, trendy street-side eateries, fabulous restaurants & crowds of people eager & excited to explore & experience the Mother City’s thriving artistic scene & every glorious second of Cape Town’s First Thursday magic! The vibe is creative, casual & free-flowing: no tickets, no schedules & no rules (besides maybe comfy shoes & mandatory curiosity).
- Insider Tip: Start at Youngblood Gallery (always a crowd-puller), then wander down Bree Street. End the night at one of the street-side cocktail spots like The House of Machines. Oh & don’t forget to wear comfy shoes – you’ll be on your feet for hours!
#Sun-kissed Salsa
- When: Every other Sunday in summer (check out their Facebook page for more info)
- Where: Sea Point Pavilion, Lower Beach Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
- Time: 3:30pm – 7pm
- Contact details: [email protected]
ITS FINALLY SUN-KISSED SALSA TIME! Held every other Sunday evening on the vibrant Sea Point Promenade food court overlooking the Sea Point Pavilion, Sun-kissed Salsa has become one of Cape Town’s ‘must-do’ (or at least ‘must-see!) events of the summer months!
Sun-kissed Salsa is a non-profit organisation which hosts public Afro-Latin dance events for SBK enthusiasts to come together in a fun-loving open-air environment. Plus, the music is not limited to simply Salsa – oh no! – you will get to groove to several other Afro-Latin genres. **Don’t miss out & get your salsa on this summer in Cape Town!
#First Fridays @ Cape Point Vineyards
- When: First Friday of every month
- Where: Cape Point Vineyards, Silvermine Road, Noordhoek, Cape Town
- Time: 6pm – 10pm
- Contact details: 083 412 7891 | [email protected] | Cape Point Vineyards: 021 789 0900 | [email protected]
- Website: www.cpv.co.za
- TICKETS: CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKET / TICKETS NOW! | **Tickets are available on Quicket or at the door
The weekend starts here! Cape Point Vineyards’ highly-anticipated First Fridays officially makes its GRAND return this spring & summer in Cape Town & we couldn’t be more excited! First Fridays at Cape Point Vineyard’s is all about great music, down-right delicious food, spectacular sunset views & sipping sensational wine in a truly stunning setting, all paired with the perfect vineyard vibe to kick off your month – it doesn’t get any better than that!
This inaugural event – the first in a series of First Friday events at Cape Point Vineyards – celebrates the unapologetic natural beauty of the Cape & the freedom of dance in all its forms. Afterall, the focal point is the dance floor with the one & only DJ Paul from Slow Life Records creating the ultimate vibe with his Disco, Funk & Deep House tunes that’ll undoubtedly have you moving, grooving & loving life right throughout the night. THAT’S NOT ALL – THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO LOOK FORWARD TO! As First Fridays at Cape Point Vineyards is a real deal social event in every way, shape & form – it offers tons of space for mixing & mingling, meeting like-minded people, chatting up a storm with friends old & new & most of all, just having an all-around GREAT time!
WAIT! WE’RE NOT DONE YET! Guests / visitors will also have access to a fully stocked cash bar as well as Cape Point Vineyard’s a la carte & courtyard menus – featuring their legendary mouthwatering burgers & pizzas! While this may be an indoor event, the lush vineyard lawns & its beyond breathtaking views are NOT-TO-BE-MISSED!
#Boschendal Friday Night Market
- When: Every Friday
- Where: The Werf Area at Boschendal | Boschendal Estate, R310 Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek
- Time: 6pm – 9pm
- Cost: ENTRY IS FREE! | **Capacity may be limited
- Contact details: 021 870 4200 | 021 870 4273 | 021 870 4274
- | [email protected] | [email protected]
- Website: www.boschendal.com
- Note: Click HERE to find out more about Boschendal & all of its exciting & fun-filled family-friendly adventures, vibrant seasonal festivals, inspiring culinary journeys, lively markets, vast & wonderful special events & bucket-list worthy experiences + SO MUCH MORE!
- **Extra Note: The market is both kid-friendly / family-friendly & dog-friendly (all dogs should be kept on a leash) | External food & drinks are not allowed
- **Insider Tip: Head on over a little earlier & enjoy a stunning sunset soiree cocktail offering on the Werf deck | **Available from 5pm
Boschendal’s Weekly Friday Night Market is by far one of Cape Town’s most beloved & highly anticipated night markets! Not only is it a massive fan-favorite among both the young & young at heart, but one of the absolute BEST ways to spend a wonderful evening under the Mother City night sky with friends & family alike – undoubtedly offering visitors the perfect opportunity to unwind & connect, closing the week with a memorable evening of fabulous outdoor fun.
Nestled outdoors amidst the beauty of Boschendal, market-goers get to delight in fresh farm produce, savour a variety of delectable & down-right delicious food options & discover an amazing array of artisanal, handmade, local treasures that reflect the heart & soul of the community from a selection of vibrant market stalls.
THAT’S NOT ALL! You can expect to enjoy INCREDIBLE LIVE music & a vibrant local is lekker vibe, all while living your very best night market life! For those who love to dance, every last Friday of the month features an EPIC DJ, while top LIVE music bands take the stage on every other Friday. While attendance is FREE, eager market-goers are encouraged to secure their tickets online before each event.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Get ALL your friends & family together (even your adorable four-legged furry members – be sure not to forget the leash) & get ready to relish & enjoy every magical moment spent beneath the historic oak trees’ twinkling lights & Cape Town night-sky at the NOT-TO-BE-MISSED Boschendal Friday Night Market!
#Friday Feels @ Time Out Market
- When: Every Friday
- Where: Time Out Market, The Old Power Station, Dock Rd, Victoria & Albert Waterfront, Cape Town
- Time: 5pm
- Cost: FREE!
- Contact details: 021 408 7688 | [email protected]
- Website: www.timeoutmarket.com/capetown
Friday nights at the V&A Waterfront’s Time Out Market are electric – Live DJs spin, craft drinks flow & the smell of sizzling food from Cape Town’s top chefs fills the air! Kickstart your weekend with the perfect blend of GREAT music & breathtaking views of Table Mountain! Join Time Out Market every Friday evening for incredible LIVE performances from Soul & R&B DJs that will set the tone for a fabulous, fun-filled & unforgettable night out in Cape Town. Entry is FREE, so bring your all your friends & family, soak up the vibrant atmosphere & indulge in a vast & down-right delicious variety of food & drinks as you groove into the weekend! This is where you’ll find locals kicking off the weekend in style – with harbour views as a backdrop!
- Insider Tip: Head up to the balcony for the best sunset views. Arrive before 6pm to snag a good table before the after-work crowd takes over!
#36ONE Clifton Mile Swim
- When: First Sunday of every month
- Where: Clifton 4th beach, Clifton, Cape Town
- Time: SplashDash: 7:15am – 8am | Lapper: 8am – 8:45am | Mile Swim: 9am – 10am
- Cost: R60 p/p – R200 p/p
- Contact details: 072 602 2557 | [email protected]
- Website: www.the36oneswim.co.za/event/the-36one-clifton-mile-swim
CAPE TOWN SWIMMERS – THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! If you’re brave enough for Cape Town’s chilly Atlantic, the Clifton Mile Swim is an unforgettable experience! Taking place on the first Sunday of every month, swimmers gather on Clifton’s pristine sands & dive into turquoise waters for an open-ocean challenge. The 36ONE Clifton Mile Swim invites swimmers of ALL skill levels to test out their endurance & muscle strength. Along with the main event, the Mile Swim, the event also features the SplashDash & the Lapper races.
The SplashDash is a fun & exciting 405m swim suitable for beginner swimmers. It starts in the shallows, continues clockwise around four buoys & finishes in the shallows once more. This is a guided swim where the objective is to introduce newcomers to the basics of open water & cold-water swimming. Questions are highly encouraged & this a great way to start your swimming journey.
The Lapper is a fantastic 750m swim suitable for swimmers of all levels. This swim also starts in the shallows, continues clockwise around four buoys & finishes in the shallows. There is a maximum of a 5-minute grace to complete the route from the specified time limit i.e. 50-minute max for 45-minute route.
Finally, the Mile Swim is a thrilling 1600m swim best suited to intermediate & advanced swimmers. The route features fabulous views, starting in the shallows, continuing clockwise around six buoys & finally finishing up where it began.
The cool thing about the 36ONE Clifton Mile Swim is that it is as social as it is sporty – you’ll always find people hanging around afterward, coffee in hand, sharing stories.
- Insider Tip: Even if you’re not swimming, it’s worth going down to watch & soak up the vibe. The early morning light on Clifton Beach is spectacular!
#Barleycorn Music Club
- When: Every Monday (except public holidays)
- Where: Rondebosch Golf Club, Golf Course Rd, Mowbray, Cape Town
- Time: 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
- Cost: R60 | Members, Students & Pensioners: R50
- Contact details: 082 493 1564 | [email protected]
- Note: The audience is requested to remain quiet whilst musicians are playing
- Website: www.barleycorn.co.za
The Barleycorn Music Club has been a cornerstone of Cape Town’s LIVE music scene for decades, offering an intimate platform where musicians & audiences connect in a warm, welcoming setting. Founded in the 1970s by a group of folk enthusiasts, the club has grown into a nurturing space for a wide range of genres – from acoustic & folk to jazz, blues & original contemporary sounds – there’s something for EVERY music lover to enjoy!
Above all, Barleycorn is committed to providing a stage for local talent! The atmosphere is relaxed & unpretentious, with a focus on the music itself. Performers often share stories behind their songs, creating a sense of dialogue between the stage & the audience that feels incredibly personal & genuine – undoubtedly setting it apart from other LIVE music venues.
For music lovers, the club is a place of discovery & exploration – a musical haven where you might stumble upon a new fresh voice, a surprising & captivating collaboration, or even a magical reimagined classic. For musicians, it remains a trusted stage to experiment, grow, share & connect with a community that values creativity.
- Insider Tip: Bring cash for the small entry fee & grab a seat early – it fills up quickly. Don’t be shy about chatting to the performers afterward; they’re usually up for a beer & a chat – so go ahead & get social!
#Saturday LIVE @ Time Out Market
- When: Every Saturday
- Where: Time Out Market, The Old Power Station, Dock Rd, Victoria & Albert Waterfront, Cape Town
- Time: 6pm until LATE!
- Cost: FREE!
- Contact details: 021 408 7688 | [email protected]
- Website: www.timeoutmarket.com/capetown
If you’re looking for the ultimate weekend vibe in Cape Town, Saturday LIVE at Time Out Market is where it’s at! Every Saturday evening, the market comes alive with a mix of LIVE music, big-screen sports & delicious food & drinks – all set against the iconic backdrop of the V&A Waterfront.
What to Expect:
- Live Music & DJs: From acoustic sets to upbeat DJ mixes, the energy builds throughout the evening, creating that perfect weekend atmosphere.
- Big Screen Sports: Catch the latest rugby, football, or cricket matches while still being part of the lively market vibe.
- Cape Town’s Top Eats: With 13 acclaimed chefs & restaurants under one roof, you can wander from Cape Malay curries to sushi, Neapolitan-style pizzas & gourmet burgers.
- Drinks & Pop-Ups: Central bars serve local wines, craft beers & creative cocktails. Pop-up activations often bring themed specials & surprise elements.
Local Insider Tips:
- Arrive a little early (around 5:30pm): You’ll beat the dinner rush, snag the best seats & have time to settle in with a drink before the music kicks off.
- Best seats in the house: Head for the long communal tables near the stage if you want to soak up the LIVE music vibes or grab a spot along the glass windows for gorgeous Waterfront views.
- Pair your meal with a drink: Craft beer lovers should check out the rotating taps, while cocktail fans will love the market’s signature gin & tonic twists.
- Stay late: The vibe ramps up as the night goes on, especially when the DJs take over — so don’t leave too early!
Comments