The last weekend of March does not hold back. Across South Africa, the calendar fills up with major festivals, niche gatherings and everything in between, offering plenty of reasons to step out and lean into the energy of the season.

Western Cape

Cape Town International Jazz Festival Free Concert

📅 Date: 25 March 2026
📍 Location: Cape Town CBD, Cape Town

The festival begins with its iconic free concert, an open-air event that brings live music into the heart of the city. Streets fill with locals and visitors gathering to enjoy a preview of the festival’s talent, creating a festive, accessible atmosphere that feels distinctly Cape Town. It is one of the few moments where the city’s music culture spills out into the open for everyone to experience.
🔗 More info: https://capetownjazzfest.com/

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

📅 Date: 27–28 March 2026
📍 Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town

Africa’s Grandest Gathering returns with a multi-stage lineup of world-class jazz, soul and fusion artists. The festival transforms the CTICC into a vibrant hub of sound, where international icons share space with some of South Africa’s most exciting talent. It is as much about discovery as it is about headline acts, with multiple stages allowing you to move between genres and moods throughout the night.
🔗 More info: https://capetownjazzfest.com/

Galaxy KDay Music Festival

📅 Date: 28 March 2026
📍 Location: Sandringham Farm, Stellenbosch

A staple on the local events calendar, KDay delivers a full day of feel-good music in an open-air setting. The lineup leans into chart-topping South African artists, making it an easy, accessible festival for a wide audience. With space to picnic, socialise and move between stages, it is designed for a slower, more relaxed festival experience that stretches comfortably into the evening.
🔗 More info: https://www.ticketmaster.co.za/

Molitva Wine Festival

📅 Date: 28 March 2026
📍 Location: Western Cape

This boutique wine festival offers a more intimate alternative to larger gatherings. Expect curated tastings, thoughtful food pairings and a setting that encourages you to linger a little longer. It is less about crowds and more about the experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter, more refined way to spend a Saturday.
🔗 More info: https://www.webtickets.co.za/

Paradisco

📅 Date: 28 March 2026
📍 Location: Grand Africa Café & Beach, Cape Town

Set against the Atlantic Ocean, Paradisco blends music, fashion and setting into one of Cape Town’s most recognisable party experiences. Expect a soundtrack of disco and house, a well-dressed crowd and a steady build from daytime lounging to sunset dancing. It is equal parts social scene and music event, with the location doing much of the work.
🔗 More info: https://anythinggoes.co.za/

Habitat – Whisper in the Woods

📅 Date: 28–29 March 2026
📍 Location: Western Cape (forest setting)

For those looking to step outside the mainstream, this forest gathering offers a more immersive alternative. Rooted in electronic and psytrance culture, it combines music with art, nature and community. The setting encourages a slower, more intentional experience, where the journey is just as important as the lineup.
🔗 More info: https://psymedia.co.za/

Gauteng

Eastrand Kota Festival

📅 Date: 28 March 2026
📍 Location: Willowmoore Park Stadium, Benoni

This lively food festival celebrates the kota in all its forms, bringing together vendors from across the province. Alongside the food, expect live performances, DJs and a festive crowd that keeps the energy high throughout the day. It is a social, flavour-packed experience that leans heavily into local culture.
🔗 More info: https://computicket-boxoffice.com/

Schweppes Pretoria Gin Festival

📅 Date: 28 March 2026
📍 Location: Pretoria

A relaxed but lively gathering that centres around craft gin, this festival pairs tastings with food stalls and live entertainment. It is designed as a social outing, where you can move between vendors, discover new flavours and settle into the rhythm of the afternoon as it transitions into evening.
🔗 More info: https://www.howler.co.za/

WE LOVE RNB

📅 Date: 27–28 March 2026
📍 Location: Johannesburg

This R&B-focused event taps into nostalgia and contemporary hits, creating a familiar but energetic club atmosphere. With DJs and live performances, it draws a crowd looking for a polished nightlife experience built around well-loved sounds.
🔗 More info: https://www.howler.co.za/

Party With The TMN

📅 Date: 27–28 March 2026
📍 Location: Gauteng

A high-energy party event that leans into DJs, live sets and a late-night crowd. It is less about structure and more about momentum, offering a space to dance, socialise and extend the weekend well into the early hours.
🔗 More info: https://www.howler.co.za/

Free State

N5 Torque Wars

📅 Date: 28 March 2026
📍 Location: Bethlehem

A gathering for car enthusiasts, this event brings together motorsport culture, customised vehicles and a passionate community. Expect engine revs, showcase builds and a strong sense of shared interest that goes beyond the vehicles themselves.
🔗 More info: https://www.howler.co.za/

Upcoming events worth adding to your calendar

Jazz under the Stars/Supplied

Jazz Under the Stars at Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate

📅 Date: Friday, 10 April 2026
📍 Location: Stellenbosch
💰 Price: R1 200 per person

The close of the 2026 wine grape harvest will be marked with an elegant open-air celebration as Jazz Under the Stars returns to the werf in front of Geuwels. Set against historic farm buildings and vineyards, the evening blends seasonal cuisine, live music and relaxed farm hospitality beneath the autumn sky.

Guests are welcomed with a glass of Cap Classique before gathering around an abundant seasonal starter table that celebrates the best of the harvest. The experience continues with a plated main course by gastronomist Michelle Theron, whose menu draws on Cape heritage flavours and fresh produce grown on the estate. A heritage-inspired sweet treat brings the evening to a close.

The soundtrack comes courtesy of the Moonshine band, led by Dan Shout, performing a lively mix of jazz, swing and well-loved classics as the sun sets.

Estate wines will be available for purchase, rounding out a gentle and celebratory evening on the farm.
🔗 Book tickets: https://vergenoegd.co.za/product/jazz-under-the-stars-harvest-celebration

Night of the Queens/Supplied

Night of the Queens: Easter Edition at Time Out Market Cape Town

📅 Date: Thursday, 2 April 2026
🕖 Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
📍 Location: The Studio, Time Out Market, Cape Town
💰 Tickets: R150 online | R200 at the door
🔞 Age restriction: No under 18s

Drag Night returns with a glitter-soaked Easter edition, bringing together three of Cape Town’s most dynamic performers: Manila von Teez, Kat Gilardi and Vida Fantabisher.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to mingle with the queens and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly courtesy of Van Hunks before the show begins. Expect bold looks, big vocals and unapologetic glamour in a high-energy showcase that blends performance and personality.

Tickets are available via the Time Out Market Cape Town app and on Howler.
🔗 More info: https://www.timeoutmarket.com/cape-town/

Plan ahead, book where needed and leave room for spontaneity. Weekends like this are best experienced with a loose itinerary and a willingness to follow the energy wherever it leads.

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