The first Thursday in Joburg – and other firsts

03 Jun 2026

Become your own artist at Artwave Studio at 44 Stanley. Photo: Artwave via Instagram.

Jazz at The Bioscope. Photo: The Bioscope via Instagram.

The Eyethu Franco Xchange at Eyethu Heritage Hall highlights the best of French Cinema every first Thursday. Photo: Eyethu Heritage Hall via Instagram.

The first week of the month is always a busy one in Joburg, and several places have recurring events to help you spend your salary in style. Add these events to your calendar to make sure you're starting June right.

What to do on Thu, Jun 4, 2026

From 16:00 – Wander the Melville Art Mile as First Thursdays lights up 4th Avenue, 7th Street and more with exhibitions, a night market, Pleasure Palace's exciting Sound Exhibition, henna, art demos and that unmistakable Melville spirit.
From 17:00 – Lights down, energy up at here's Night Market in Rosebank, where after-dark shopping, food and music set the tone for the evening.
From 17:00 – Keyes Art Night returns to Keyes Art Mile, Rosebank with an evening of gallery-hopping, new exhibitions and creative encounters. Catch When We Gather… at Circa, Until Love Makes Sense at BKhz, Groundwork at Gallery 1, and Aspire Art Auction’s winter previews, plus a collaborative Makers’ Table with us, Johannesburg In Your Pocket, and Open Window.
From 17:00 – First Thursdays at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub brings a night of art, design and sensory detours. Catch Amogelang Maepa’s One night stands in white mustangs with live poetry at 18:30 and 19:30, explore Mark Hilltout’s corrugated iron studies, sip Cup Classique tea tastings, and move through installations, archives and edible art across the space.
From 17:30 – First Thursday at Asisebenze Art Gallery, Marshalltown, features walkabouts with artists Mmutla Mashishi and Mncedi Madolo, plus a live performance by Fly Machine Project, for an evening of art, story and sound.
From 18:00 – Film, art and conversation meet at Eyethu Franco Xchange at Eyethu Heritage Hall, Soweto. A panel featuring filmmakers, writers and cultural critics discusses deconstructing stereotypes of Africans, alongside a special live painting session and exhibition by pioneering Joburg graffiti artist Dreda.
From 18:00 – Become an artist with a social still-life drawing session at Artwave, 44 Stanley in Milpark.
From 18:00 – Sip your way around the world at Le Vin Wine Bar’s Unlimited Wine Festival at Rosebank Quarter, with global tastings, live music and DJs.
From 19:30 – Hugh’s jazz club in Braamfontein hosts acclaimed saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane, a 2022 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, who has become a defining voice in contemporary South African jazz.
From 20:00 – Legendary guitarist Louis Mhlanga delivers an intimate performance shaped by decades of global touring at Jazz at The Bioscope, 44 Stanley.