Welcome to Johannesburg, a city bursting with energy and a vibrant spirit. Joburg offers an array of exciting activities and experiences for everyone, whether you're new to the city (check out our list of best Joburg tours and experiences) or a nature admirer (visit Joburg's most beautiful parks). If you love to shop for unusual items, see our round-up of Joburg's best markets.
Joburg's galleries are always active, with new shows opening weekly. You can read our exhibitions guide here. If you're a jazz lover, check out our list of places to listen to jazz in Joburg. For movie lovers, there are many cinemas in the city, plus stage productions including ballet, theatre and opera if that's your style. And if you have kids or want to find family-friendly activities (check out our fun Gauteng attractions for families guide), there are plenty of options from which to choose.
For a full guide to what’s on in Joburg, explore our events calendar and subscribe to our weekly newsletter published every Thursday morning. Follow us on Instagram, where we publish daily updates on events in our Instagram stories.
Note: While we update this information regularly, Johannesburg is an ever-changing city, so make sure to click on links, follow our booking advice, and if in doubt, call ahead, as venues do not always communicate changes.
Our top picks for the week ahead (Thu, May 28 – Wed, Jun 3, 2026)
Fri, May 29 – Groove the night away at Gbedu Nights at Mamakashaka & Friends, where Afrobeats, dancehall and diaspora sounds bring the dancefloor to life.Fri, May 29 – Swap your sneakers for fuzzy slippers and help make dreams come true at Reach For A Dream’s Slipper Day, with free Wimpy coffees, feel-good prizes and plenty of cosy fun happening nationwide.
Fri, May 29 – Sun, May 31 – From Aeropress to pour-over and everything in between, the Jo’burg Coffee Festival takes over Fourways Mall with South Africa’s biggest celebration of speciality coffee.
Fri, May 29 – Step into full Euphoria fantasy as Prime brings glitter, tinsel and late-night chaos to Club AM in Newtown.
Sat, May 30 – Sun, May 31 – Enjoy an effervescent afternoon of South African and French bubbles at the Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival with J.C. Le Roux at the Inanada Polo Club.
Sat, May 30 – Explore over 25 artists open their doors for a full day of exhibitions, printmaking demos, film screenings and creative at Transwerke Open Studios at Constitution Hill.
Sat, May 30 – Take a sensory stroll through Fordsburg with Chef Ishvara on the SHEM Circuits Food & Spice Tour, exploring one of Joburg’s most underrated food neighbourhoods.
Sat, May 30 – Sun, May 31 – There's handmade finds, local design and tasty treats as The Linden Market hosts its winter edition at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia.
Sun, May 31 – Soak up sunset soul with singer Lloyiso at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, where live music, picnic blankets and golden-hour views come together for a laid-back afternoon of nature and unforgettable Joburg sounds.
Sun, May 31 – Go all in on pink, bold, bright and unapologetically extra at Pantone Sundays: Cotton Candy Edition at Kromdraai Creativity & Impact Hub.
Sun, May 31 – From Soweto to the UK and back again, The AfroDiaspora Connection (Part 2) brings a powerful cross-cultural celebration of jazz and alternative sounds to the Soweto Equestrian Centre.
Until Sun, May 31 – Experience the power of Sarafina! at Soweto Theatre, a moving revival of the iconic musical blending song, dance and resistance in a story of courage, youth and freedom.
Until Sun, Jun 14 – A dazzling blend of couture and aerial performance as Behind the Crimson Door by Gert-Johan Coetzee and The Cirk takes you on an adventure of dreams and courage at Cresta Shopping Centre.
Ongoing – It's cinema on a whole new scale: next-level picture, sound and spectacle via IMAX with Laser at Ster-Kinekor at The Zone @ Rosebank.
Hot tickets
Wed, Jun 4 – Sun, Jun 14 – Experience 58 powerful documentaries from 33 countries at Encounters 2026, Africa’s leading documentary film festival, where stories of love, memory, resistance and joy come alive on screens across Johannesburg.
Sat, Jun 20 – Groove to jazz, pop, rock, soul, indie, funk and slam poetry at Fête de la Musique Joburg at Victoria Yards, the city’s free festival giving emerging artists the spotlight and everyone a reason to move.
Thu, Jun 25 – Sat, Jun 27 – It's all about art, music, fashion and film at the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, celebrating South African youth, creativity and culture across three action-packed days at Constitution Hill.
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