We get all those public holidays this April, why not use some of them?
Theatre
Death and comedy, a surprisingly fun pair. Louw Venter and Rob van Vuuren (directing) open their sequel to The Best Man’s Speech, which ran at the Kalk Bay Theatre for five years before becoming the feature film Konfetti. Now, Dead Dad, a eulogy by returning character Lukas will “spit in the face of grief”. Runs from 8 to 22 April. Tickets from R280 on Quicket.
Does an F-bomb still hold as much shock value? Aaron Posner’s Stupid Fucking Bird is a bold, darkly funny reimagining of Chekhov’s The Seagull, a splatter of fame, love, and unrequited everything. Directed by Sweden’s Maria Weisby and featuring the Baxter’s Fires Burning Company. Runs at the Baxter Studio from 9 April to 2 May. PG16. Tickets are R150–R250 on Webtickets.
Magnet Theatre’s mAnJE ! MaNJe (an epic) at the Baxter Flipside from 17–25 April. Following a successful short run at Magnet in 2024, nominated for 7 Fleur du Cap awards (winning for Best Original Music), directed by Mark Fleishman, composed by Neo Muyanga, with immersive projections by Marcus Neustetter, draws on the myth of Greek inventor Daedalus with overarching questions on AI, big data and the climate catastrophe. In English and isiXhosa. No under 10s. Tickets R150–R200 on Webtickets.
Something salacious. Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay from 7–30 April. Pieter Toerien Productions in association with LAMTA, director Steven Stead promises to unleash all the wild energy, wicked humour and rock ‘n’ roll rebellion that has made the show a global phenomenon for over 50 years. Craig Urbani reprises Frank-N-Furter, with Léa Blerk as Janet and Robert Everson as Brad. Should be good fun. Embrace theatrical dress-up and look up the audience participation script beforehand for bonus points. Tickets R295–R495 on Webtickets.
Salon Kewpie: The Legacy Ball 2026, a celebration of pioneering cultural icon Kewpie on her birthday: a renowned South African hairdresser, drag performer and queer figure from District Six. In collaboration with the District Six Museum and the GALA Queer Archive, hosted by Cheshire Vineyard, Mother of the South African chapter of the International House of Vineyard. Doors open at 5pm for an exhibition from the Kewpie Collection; the ball itself kicks off at 7pm. Ballroom categories include Golden Gays & Girls, Vogue Performance, and the best lip-sync of a jazz or blues classic. Friday 17 April at the Homecoming Centre. Tickets from R200 on Quicket. Standard tickets close 31 March.
Art
Last chance to catch Spier Light Art, the annual free light art trail at Spier Wine Farm, running until 6 April. Eight editions in, it still finds ways to surprise. Large-scale installations, glowing sculptures, interactive works across the farm at dusk. Entrance is free, but booking is essential. They’ve also added ticketed food experiences, so you can plan your full evening, whether that’s a burger, a picnic, or a relaxed sit-down dinner. Book via spier.co.za.
The Cape Town Print Fair at 81 St Georges Mall in the City Centre from 27–29 March, 2pm–5pm daily. Fifty independent artists and publishers selling art prints, zines and illustrated works. Support local. Tickets from R80 on Quicket.
From 9–12 April, Lumenocity – The Art of Light transforms the Company’s Garden into a living canvas of large-scale installations, projection mapping and interactive works, all by South African artists. From 5:30pm nightly until 11:30pm. Tickets from R100 on Quicket.
Music & Jols
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the CTICC on 27 and 28 March. The lineup features the UK’s Jacob Collier, the USA’s Yellowjackets, and local legends Nduduzo Makhathini and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse among many others. Single-day and weekend passes available on Ticketmaster.
If you are a raver or It Girl, you’ve heard about (or already bought tickets to) Detroit techno pioneer Jeff Mills at the Apollo Warehouse in Paarden Eiland on 28 March. Mills is one of the true architects of techno, and this rare South African appearance marks three decades since his iconic Tokyo residency that shaped the genre. Organised by Cape Town Electric Music Festival. No under 18s. Tickets R650–R750 on Howler.
Kiss Kiss at the Castle of Good Hope on 11 April, headlined by Basement Jaxx (DJ set) with Mafikizolo, Ready D, Desmond & The Tutus, Mr. Cutts, Internet Girl, Coasters, Tamara Dey & Adam the Drag Diva and more. Pack a jacket in case the gale hits, it can be like a vortex of wind in those stone walls. Tickets from R595 on Webtickets. No under 18s.
Bryan Adams on his Roll With The Punches World Tour at the Grand Arena at GrandWest for two nights on 21 and 22 April. Four decades of anthems: Summer of ’69, Heaven, Everything I Do. Old school classic. Tickets from R875 on Ticketmaster.
Grammy Award-winning R&B queen Ella Mai closes out the month at the Grand Arena on 26 April from 5pm, with a stacked local support lineup including Sjava, Nasty C, Zee Nxumalo, Scorpion Kings, Uncle Waffles and Oscar Mbo. Tickets from R790 on Webtickets.
Also on 26 April, Ultra Music Festival takes over the Ostrich Ranch in Philadelphia with Afrojack B2B R3HAB, Axwell, DJ Snake and John Summit headlining. EDM, multiple stages, the full spectacle. Tickets from R1,095 on the Ultra website.
Festivals
If you are willing to take the the trip to Oudtshoorn, support the Afrikaans KKNK Festival from 28 March to 4 April : theatre, music, visual arts, market stalls and street performances celebrating its 30th year. Check the full programme at kknk.co.za and plan accordingly. Tickets via Webtickets.
Greenpop’s Reforest Fest takes over Bodhi Khaya Nature Reserve outside Stanford over the Easter long weekend, 3 – 6 April. The festival aims to plant between 5,000 and 10,000 indigenous trees, supporting the Uilenkraal Forest Restoration Project and the endangered Cape Leopard’s habitat. Between planting sessions: live music, DJs, art installations, sustainability workshops and a wholesome food village. From R1,400 per adult at greenpop.org.
Opportunities
Theatre Arts in Observatory, in partnership with POPArt, runs the Vuka Actor 30-Day Challenge throughout April. Initiated by the flipping fantastic Jefferson Tshabalala, facilitators will take participants through daily practice, reflection, and online and in-person classes. This year’s theme is devising and making your own work. R300 for the full programme, R100 drop-in per in-person session. Participants also get 20% off all Theatre Arts shows in April. Sign up at theatrearts.co.za.