A quieter weekend than last week’s long-weekend marathon, but there is plenty happening across both cities from Thursday 1 to Sunday 3 May 2026. Here is our pick across Joburg and Cape Town. Durban’s formal events calendar is light this weekend with nothing confirmed beyond regular dining and beach activity, so we are focusing on the two main cities.
Johannesburg
The headline comedy event this weekend is the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards on Saturday 2 May at Northgate. This is South Africa’s biggest celebration of stand-up comedy, and the awards are an industry event worth attending for anyone who follows local comedy. Expect a full evening of performance alongside the awards themselves. Tickets via Computicket.
Also on Saturday 2 May, the Blue Nation festival takes place at Carnival City, offering a full day of music, food and entertainment. The Kulture Fest runs from Thursday 30 April to Friday 1 May at Marcanā Sandton, a celebration of African culture through music, fashion and food.
For those who enjoy a more relaxed Saturday, Pretty Woman: The Musical continues its run at Teatro at Montecasino through 24 May and is excellent — if you have not caught it yet, this weekend is a good opportunity. Theatre on the Square’s current production also runs through 3 May: the staging described as sad, amusing and uplifting has been very well received and this is its final weekend.
Comic Con Cape Town officially opens on Thursday 30 April and runs through Sunday 3 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, which draws fans from across the country. Check whatsoninjoburg.com for additional listings and full event details.
Cape Town
The most distinctive Cape Town event this weekend is Notting Hill at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Friday 1 May from 5:30pm. The film screening in the Botanical Garden setting is one of the most beloved formats in the Cape Town events calendar and consistently sells out. Tickets via Computicket or the Kirstenbosch website.
On Saturday 2 May, the Old Cape Quarter Thrift Fest takes place at Old Cape Quarter Development from 9:30am — a well-regarded monthly thrift market with clothing, accessories and homeware. Also on Saturday, the musician Koos Kombuis performs at Noordhoek Farm Village from 6pm, which for fans of South African music is a must.
The Cape Town Yarn Festival runs across Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May at Fish Hoek High School — a two-day celebration for fibre craft enthusiasts with South African yarn exhibitors, workshops and space to sit and work alongside other makers. Tickets from R85 via Quicket.
On Sunday 3 May, the VWS Trail Challenge takes place from 7am at Gardens Rugby Club for the runners, while John Ellis and Jono Tait perform at Alma Café in Rosebank from 6pm for those after something more relaxed to end the weekend. Comic Con Cape Town also continues through Sunday at the CTICC.
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Featured Image: Instagram | thegalileo and kirstenbosch_nbg
