Whats Happening This Weekend in Cape Town

Cape Town’s turning it up this weekend! Expect loud, metal gigs, the Navy Festival bringing ships, action, and seaside vibes, plus markets, parties, and random city surprises everywhere. Whether you’re chasing riffs or just a good time, there’s plenty happening to keep your Friday buzzing and your weekend stacked.

Author

StJohn Mulder
April 17, 2026

In partnership with

Unlock the ultimate Cape Town experience with our Friday newsletter from CapeTourism.com! We're all about bringing you the very best that the Mother City has to offer, ensuring your weekends are nothing short of spectacular. Dive into a curated selection of thrilling events, buzzing parties, exclusive deals, and unique activities that showcase the city. We're here to make sure you never miss a beat and enjoy every moment Cape Town has to offer. Plus, our exciting giveaways add a dash of fun to your plans. Let’s get started!

Tiny Owls Baby Home in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, offers care for abandoned and relinquished babies awaiting adoption. Founded in 2017, they've nurtured many infants, providing individualized love, medical care, and a nurturing start. As CapeTourism.com's official 2026 charity partner, they save and shelter vulnerable babies until forever homes are found.

Follow Tiny Owls Baby Home @tinyowls_babyhome
Help this amazing charity: donate or volunteer at tinyowls.org.za or call +27 21 036 0062

Looking for something a little different? Baked Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet at The Outlore Base is a wild, funny, and totally unfiltered take on the classic love story. The cast tackles Shakespeare’s famous tragedy with a relaxed vibe, a bit of chaos, and plenty of laughs along the way. Things don’t always go to plan—and that’s exactly the point.

Expect random detours and surprisingly brilliant moments as Romeo and Juliet’s story unfolds in the most unpredictable way. Whether you know the play inside out or have never seen it before, this show is all about having a good time and not taking things too seriously.

Set in the Outlore Base, it feels more like hanging out with friends than watching a traditional play. Come through for the drama, stay for the ridiculousness, and enjoy Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before. Tickets are R100, and there are no under 18s.
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MADMAN MAYHEM VOL.5 is back, louder, wilder, and ready to pull you into the chaos. Hosted by Planet Karavan, this isn’t just a gig it’s a full-on jol where the rules don’t exist, faces don’t matter, and you’re guaranteed to leave a little different than you arrived.

Taking over District in the heart of Cape Town, the night kicks off at 20:00 and spirals into pure rock ‘n’ roll mayhem. With 3OH5, Lovegarden, We Kill Cowboys, and Droniac on the lineup, expect everything from gritty riffs to all-out sonic madness.

This is your chance to lose yourself in the music, the crowd, and the energy of something raw and real. No pretense, no limits just loud music and good chaos. Pull through, bring your crew, and get ready to worship at the altar of rock ‘n roll.
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Daily news for curious minds.

Be the smartest person in the room. 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive, unbiased news roundup — politics, business, culture, and more — in a quick, 5-minute read. Completely free, completely factual.

The SA Navy Festival 2026 takes place in Simon's Town from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April, running daily from 10:00 to 17:00 with free entry. It’s a fun, family-friendly event where you can get up close to frigates and a Type 209 submarine and even watch tug displays and live naval drills. The South African Navy Band brings great music, and there are plenty of maritime exhibits and career displays to explore.

Expect highlights like a night shooting display and a Sunday remembrance parade, plus food stalls to keep you going throughout the day. Parking is very limited, so it’s best to take the Metrorail from Cape Town or use the park-and-ride from Fish Hoek. There will also be road closures during the weekend, so plan ahead and arrive early. It’s a great day out to see the Navy in action and learn more about life at sea.
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Discover The Cape Collection, connecting people, places, and experiences in the Western Cape! This curated platform is your gateway to the region's finest handpicked listings in accommodation, places to eat, and tourist activities. Explore luxurious options from hotels to restaurants to budget adventures. All meeting the highest standards and promising you the best experience that's possible in Cape Town. Want to get involved? Click the button below and explore.

Get ready for another weekend of exploring Cape Town! Our amazing partners at Africaworks are proud sponsors of this week’s Friday update.

Springfield Convent Girls School invites families and friends to its vibrant Summer Carnival 2026, a highlight on the school calendar following last year’s hugely successful turnout of over 3000 visitors. Set on the beautiful Springfield grounds, this exciting evening event promises fun for all ages from 16h00 to 22h00. Guests can enjoy a variety of thrilling rides, lively carnival games, and a bustling market filled with unique goods.

A wide selection of food trucks will keep everyone satisfied, while live music creates a festive atmosphere throughout the evening. Older students can look forward to a dedicated disco, and younger visitors will be delighted by a magical puppet show experience. A beer tent will also be available for adults. Whether you're there for the rides, entertainment, or simply the community spirit, this family-friendly carnival is not to be missed. Secure your tickets and be part of the excitement.
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Adventures led by women, designed to make a difference.

Imagine a vacation that’s not only transformative for you but helps open doors for the local women you meet along the way. That’s what Intrepid’s new Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan are all about.

Designed specifically for women travellers, these trips offer immersive local experiences that support women-run and owned businesses in each destination. With an expert local leader out front, you could trek the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos route in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, dive into Cambodia’s street food scene on a women-run tuk tuk tour, or unwind with a traditional herbal hot stone bath at a women-owned farmhouse in Bhutan.

First launched in 2018, Intrepid’s Women’s Expedition range is designed to break down barriers, foster discussion and create meaningful connections for travellers and locals alike.

Kirsten Skippers is pulling up to The Athletic Club & Social for a vibey night of live music in the heart of Cape Town. Expect a mix of smooth vocals, feel-good energy, and a set that moves between chilled moments and more upbeat sounds. It’s the kind of night where you can just hang out, enjoy the music, and soak in the atmosphere with a good crowd.

The venue itself always brings the right energy, stylish, social, and perfect for a Saturday night out. Whether you already know Kirsten’s sound or you’re just looking for something different to do, this is an easy win.

Things kick off at 20:00, and it’s strictly no under 18s. Tickets start from R200, so grab yours and come through for a relaxed, music-filled evening with great vibes all around.
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Party Till Wacken is where Cape Town’s metal scene comes alive ahead of the legendary Wacken Open Air. Taking over The Armchair Theatre on 18 April 2026, this warm-up party is part of a massive global metal celebration happening across 35 countries in one day. Expect loud, heavy, no-holds-barred performances from

Halvar a South African metal band, and We Kill Cowboys are bringing serious energy to the stage. The drinks will be flowing, the crowd will be wild, and the vibe will be all about letting loose and going hard till late. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just keen for a proper night out, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. One night, one crowd, one mission, party till Wacken.
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COMING SOON

MORE GIVEAWAYS COMING SOON

CapeTourism.com/Africaworks Awards 2025
🏆 The Winners Are In! 🏆

The CapeTourism.com team is thrilled to announce that we're already gearing up for the CapeTourism.com Awards 2026! Building on the success of last year's celebration of Cape Town's brightest businesses, boldest brands, and most beloved experiences, we're setting the stage for an even more spectacular showcase this year.

We can't wait to see what new talents, innovative ideas, and heartfelt stories will emerge in 2026. As always, every nominee will bring something extraordinary to the table, continuing to prove that Cape Town is a city overflowing with talent, creativity, and heart.

So, keep your eyes peeled for updates, sneak peeks, and more as we prepare for another incredible celebration. 🎉 Follow us on our socials: @mycapetourism to join us on this exciting journey!

Congratulations again to all our incredible winners and nominees in 2025! Thank you for making Cape Town shine brighter than ever!


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