It’s that final push to the end of the year, we are all scraping through to Dezembaaaa! And sjoe! Cape Town, you don’t make it easy to be frugal with such kiff summer happenings.
Theatre
A Ru Paul’s Drag Race diva, Latrice Royale and All Stars alum, sings, jokes, and lip-syncs in Terms and Conditions (May Vary) at the Barnyard Theatre on 19 November. She’s joined onstage by her husband and musical partner Christopher Hamblin on piano, with local divas Manila von Teez, Kat Gilardi and Stella Rosé. Tickets R430–R950 via Webtickets.
The Vulgarians, written by Louis Viljoen and starring Emily Child and Nicholas Pauling, runs at the Baxter Masambe from 4–22 November. It’s an “unsophisticated sex comedy” that pokes at the polite fictions of marriage. 19:30pm,tickets cost R150–R180 on Webtickets.
Children’s theatre piece Guardians of the Gods at Theatre Arts in Observatory from 21 November–6 December, from Sweden’s Unga Klara, performed by Pertunia Msani and Hamish Mabala Neill. It’s tender, imaginative, and weirdly cosmic. Suitable for ages 9 and up. Tickets cost R80 for children and R120 for adults.
Riaad Moosa: What’s the Point? Comedy show at the Baxter from 18–29 November. Expect his usual bits poking fun at modern global absurdities. Tickets cost R160-R200. Some dates are already sold out. Get via Webtickets.
Colleen: The Musical, Marc Lottering’s new creation (and regular festive season hit) opens on 27 November at the Baxter’s main stage and runs throughout summer. Colleen the cashier, and her shelf-packer bae, Randall, find love among the grocery aisles. Directed by Lara Foot with music by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder. Tickets cost R200-R380, available via Webtickets.
Shocker. CATS returns to the Artscape Opera House from 10 December, presented by Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera. All the meows. Not for me, but maybe for yeuw. Tickets cost R180-580, via Webtickets.
For families, Disney’s Moana JR, directed by Sonwa Sakuba, sails into Theatre Arts from East London. Bright, big-hearted, and made for children, especially if they are fans of the film. Please dear gods, support Eastern Cape artists when they come to the big city. Runs from 16-23 December. Tickets cost R150 for adults, kids and scholars at R120.
Royal Countess Zingara: La Dolce Royal returns after ten years with a full-tilt immersive dinner show with acrobatics, live music and a five-course menu. Created by Richard Griffin with Craig Leo, Valentina Love, Mannie Manim, Joshua Cutts and choreographer Samantha Kotze, performed by a mix of South African and international artists. R1,150pp (includes welcome drink, five-course dinner and show). Runs from 11 October, Tuesday to Sunday. Doors open at 7pm, show is 8pm in Century City. Ticket info: https://www.zingara.co.za/ticketinfo
Dance
Over at Theatre Arts in Obs, MusicDance 2025 from 3-5 and 11-13 December. Manuela Lucia Tessi’s international gang of dancers and musicians writhe around the floor in a series of improvised performances set to improvised music. Different every night, tickets cost R125, available at https://theatrearts.co.za/show/musicdance_25
Music & Festivals
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts are a staple, sunset charcuterie board/ sip a bevvy/ have a dance type vibe. The 2025/26 lineup includes Mi Casa (23 Nov), Prime Circle & Jesse Clegg (30 Nov), Karen Zoid & Francois van Coke (7 Dec), RY X (12 Dec), Bongeziwe Mabandla & Matthew Field (14 Dec), The Kiffness (28 Dec) (whom people are lobbying to be removed due to his far-right and pro-Israel statements ~ ed), and Mango Groove with The Billy Joel Experience (31 Dec). Personal top pick is Bongeziwe Mabandla; he is FANTASTIC. Tickets via Webtickets, info at https://www.sanbi.org/events/
The free Silo Concerts at the V&A Waterfront are such a fun way to spend a Friday evening. I went to Kujenga, who are fab. Ami Faku headlines on 5 December, with local openers across the series. Info is all on the V&A socials. Hot tip, arrive early with a blanket and snacks to get a good spot as it fills uuuuppp. The night normally ends with a cute dancefloor in the front too.
Ceres Cherry Festival on 6 December at the Ceres Sportsgrounds. Cherry-inspired market and food from 14:00, kids’ Jol Area from 15:00, carnival performers and a foam party in the late afternoon. Refentse plays at 18:30, Die Piesangskille at 20:30. Bring blankets or chairs for veld seating. Tickets R200, R80 for kids 5–17, under-4s free, tickets via Quicket.
On 16 December, the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra brings its Voices of Home concert to Cape Town City Hall. Conducted by Marin Alsop with cellist Abel Selaocoe, the programme features Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Selaocoe’s Four Spirits Cello Concerto and Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2. Runs 18:00–20:00. Tickets from R200 on Quicket.
Silent Sunset Disco: For The Oceans is a family-friendly silent disco on the beach at Sentinel Ocean Alliance in Hout Bay on 6 December. You get wireless Silent Events headphones, three DJ channels to switch between, and a sunset dance session on the sand, all as a fundraiser for SOA’s 2026 ocean and youth programmes. Sentinel Café will be open with snacks and merch, and you can bring a plastic-free picnic, but no alcohol. Tickets range from R80-R150 on Quicket.
Freshlyground: A Summer Outdoor Concert! After a five-year hiatus, the band returns with new vocalist Mbali Makhoba for an open-air show at Café Roux in Noordhoek on 20 December. Gates open at 16:30, show at 17:30. Premium seated tables come with the full menu; grass spots (2–4 people) are picnic-style with a smaller menu. Tickets from R180 on Quicket.
Dance and Go Home Cape Town: Lost in Paradise got me interested by the name, because that’s my dream night. The travelling day-to-night dance collective runs two events on the same day: a rooftop party from 17:00–22:00 and a clubhouse afterparty from 22:00–04:00 am. Tickets are available for either one or a combined pass for both. The lineup includes Jessica Mashaba, Summer Heynes, Not A She, International Pantsula and more. No under-18s. Tickets on Quicket.
Art
The world lost an incredible, young sculpture/jewellery maker/ artist this year. Tears Now But Heaven Tomorrow, honours the legacy of Githan Coopoo (1994–2025) and runs at the Norval Foundation until October 2026. Playful colours and cultural critique shaped by mythology, queerness and diaspora in large ceramics, paintings, and wearable art. A collaboration between Norval Foundation and Everard Read. Take note of their seasonal dates online to make sure it’s not closed. Entrance is free for under-18s, day passes are priced according to age and nationality at R200 for ‘African Nationals aged 25 plus, and R300 for ‘Internationals’, available on Webtickets.