The second week of the July school holidays arrives with a full calendar across both cities. It is a good weekend to be looking for something to do, whether you have children in tow, you are after an evening out, or you simply want to make use of what winter Joburg and Cape Town have to offer.
Cape Town
Disney On Ice is running at the Grand Arena at GrandWest from 10 to 19 July, and this weekend sits at the halfway point of its Cape Town run. The show brings the classic formula of world-class skating and Disney storytelling to a production that consistently delivers for families with children. Shows run across Saturday and Sunday at 10 am, 2 pm and 6 pm. Book through Ster-Kinekor.
Sunday 12 July is the final night of A Little Night Music at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay. The Sondheim musical has been running since 30 June, and this is the last chance to catch it. If you have been meaning to go and have not yet, Sunday is your final opportunity before the run closes.
The neon ice-skating rink at Canal Walk’s Centre Court continues through 19 July, with sessions running across the school holiday period. It is a real ice rink with a glow theme, and it has been one of the more popular family outings of the Cape Town winter season. Sessions can be booked directly at the venue.
Also running through the weekend are the Caribbean pantomime Robinson Crusoe, playing at its Cape Town venue through 18 July for families wanting more theatrical fare, and a Broadway-style musical comedy skewering Shakespeare that runs from 10 to 18 July. Check the Artscape and Theatre on the Bay listings for current performance times.
The Time Out Market Winter Wine Series continues through July for those wanting a winter evening of curated food and wine pairings. And the Cape Jazz series at Alma Cafe in the city offers intimate live performances for those who prefer something quieter and more considered on a winter Friday or Saturday evening.
Johannesburg and Gauteng
The JPO Ballet Winter Series closes its first instalment this weekend, running from 9 to 12 July with a programme of contemporary and classical ballet. This is the final weekend of the first run before the series returns in August. Check the JPO website for venue details and remaining ticket availability.
School holiday programming continues across the city: a football-themed holiday experience runs through 13 July for younger children and sports enthusiasts, and various theatre and creative holiday camps are active across Johannesburg and Pretoria through the second week of the break.
The ongoing dazzling dinner and show spectacular that began in late June continues at its Joburg venue through the week, with weekend slots available for a full evening experience. And the cult musical currently running at its Joburg venue through 16 August has weekend performances for those who have not yet caught it.
Worth booking ahead
Nina Hastie brings her brand-new stand-up comedy show to Joburg on 17 and 18 July, the weekend after this one. If you miss this weekend’s options, that is a very good reason to plan something for the following Friday and Saturday instead. Tickets are likely to go quickly.
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