The first Thursday in Joburg – and other firsts

04 Feb 2026

Pottery demos, artist walkabouts and a wine fair at the official opening of Melville Art Mile. Photo: Melville Mudroom via Instagram.

Fresh exhibitions, conversations with strangers and a candle-making class are all happening at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub. Photo: 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub via Instagram.

Make new connections with A StrangerKind at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub. Photo - A StrangerKind 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 that salary in style. Here are all the events you can add to your calendar to make sure you're starting February right.

What to do on Thu, Feb 5, 2026

From 16:00 – Wander through the official grand opening of the Melville Art Mile for a Thursday packed with artist walkabouts, live music, a night market, pottery, an art and wine fair, and that unmistakable Melville spirit.
From 17:00 – Thirst Thursdays kicks off at Winebar by Father Coffee in Rosebank with juicy under-R99 wines by the glass, loaded hotdogs, classic cocktails, and easy midweek revelry.
From 17:30 – Thursday gets a twist with Van Gogh-inspired cake painting at Here. in Rosebank, featuring golden-hour sundowners and art you can admire, then eat.
From 17:30 – Join A StrangerKind for intimate conversations with volunteers sharing their lived experiences. Explore new exhibitions as well as become your own artist with a doodle session with Black Sable Designs, all at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub, Rosebank.
From 17:30 – Asisebenze Art Gallery keeps the gallery open for live music and a poetry reading by Thokozani Mthiyane to accompany his exhibition, Residuals.
From 18:00 – Keyes Art Mile's galleries and restaurants stay open late to bring you the first Keyes Art Night of 2026 – enjoy the latest exhibitions, eats, and live music.
From 18:00 – The Eyethu Franco Xchange brings a screening of Atlantique, Mati Diop’s haunting, award-winning film set in Dakar, Senegal, to Eyethu Heritage Hall, Soweto.
From 18:00 – Become an artist with Wine & Create Social Club at Studio Artwave at 44 Stanley. This Thursday's edition includes a social still-life drawing session.
From 18:30 – Experience contemporary South African jazz with the Bokani Dyer Trio (ft. Simon Manana), blending soul, and grooves live at the new Hugh’s jazz club in Braamfontein.