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, Jan 29 – Wed, Feb 4, 2026)
Thu, Jan 29 – Sun, Feb 15 – Go back to 1930s Joburg with Marabi at the Market Theatre in Newtown. A powerful story of love, family, and the city’s musical heartbeat – part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations.Fri, Jan 30 – Roll the dice, stack it high, and belt it out. Ludo, Jenga, karaoke, and more at Queeriokie Games Night at Artüro, Melville.
Fri, Jan 30 – Singer Lady Zamar takes the stage to launch her new album Emperor Eclipse – Realm 1: Awakening, followed by dinner and an after-party that keeps the night glowing at Artistry, Sandton.
Fri, Jan 30 – Feel the heat at Slow Poison Summer Jam at Club A.M., Newtown – sounds, sweat, and non-stop dancefloor energy.
Sat, Jan 31 – Sun, Feb 1 – Take off on a “Passport to the Cape” with Ground Cru at Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift. Sip, paint, munch, and explore top wine regions from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek – fun for the whole family, with kids' activities too.
Sat, Jan 31 – Dress in your coolest whites/off-whites for Picnic & Thrift Cloud Dancer Market, where there's plenty of thrift shopping on offer at Rivonia Recreation Club.
Sat, Jan 31 – Pizza, beats, and good times collide at Pizza Night at Kitchener's, Braamfontein, with DJs on deck, slices flowing, and free admission from 16:00 till late.
Sat, Jan 31 – Design sneakers that exist nowhere else but on your feet at a hands-on sneaker design workshop by Wizard's Vintage at Manor House in Dunkeld.
Sat, Jan 31 – Step into the kitchen as a studio at Food in Bloom with Mpho Phalane, an intimate afternoon of storytelling, tasting, and shared presence at Phalane’s own table, where food, memory, and culture meet at Food, I Love You at Constitution Hill.
Sat, Jan 31 – Immerse yourself in a sea of blooms and pick your own at Akanaka Blooms Flower Picking at Walker Fruit Farms, De Deur.
Sat, Jan 31 – Spin, scratch, and learn the basics of DJing at My Friend Toto’s beginner-friendly workshop at Democracy Bar, Illovo.
Sat, Jan 31 – Finish January with a 5km run, then keep the energy flowing with beats and ice baths at Coffee & Plunge in Sandton.
Until Sat, Jan 31 – Go back in time to the Roaring Twenties with dazzling acrobats, swirling dancers, and jaw-dropping circus feats at Gatsby: A Cirque Extravaganza by The Cirk at Cresta Shopping Centre.
Until Sun, Feb 22 – Experience the magic of Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking show that brings music and dance to the stage at The Teatro at Montecasino.
Every Sat and Sun – Cuddle and interact with puppies and dogs at Woodrock Animal Rescue's Parktown North Pop-Pup at Nine Yards.
Ongoing – Relive movie magic with Ster-Kinekor’s Throwback Cinema. High-octane thrills, iconic rom-coms, and chilling classics hit the big screen for just R50.
What's happening at The Troyeville
Sun, Feb 1 – Catch Frans Karoo, Swimmer, Man As Machine, and Later Alligator bringing folk, alt-rock, and gritty rock energy to The Hangout at Troyeville for a full day of live music.
Sun, Feb 8 – The Hangout at Troyeville becomes a folk-rock playground with Stelth Ulvang of The Lumineers and Rambling Bones serving up foot-stomping, heart-swelling tunes and road-trip-ready blues-rock.
Sat, Feb 14 – Lee Cole brings his signature pop, R&B, and soul grooves, while Sweetie turns up the smooth, soulful sounds for a night of romance at The Hangout at The Troyeville.
First weekend of the month
Sun, Feb 1 – Give your wardrobe (and your heart) a little love at Dress for Less at the Rosebank Sunday Market. Expect a Valentine’s-themed market with hand-crafted bespoke gifts and live music to set the mood from 12:00–13:00.
Sun, Feb 1 – Thrift shopping, food market, kids' crafts, and mocktails at the latest edition of First Sunday at Victoria Yards.
Sun, Feb 1 – Everyone is a DJ at Kōhī Sessions with a chance to spin your own vinyl at Kōhī, 44 Stanley.
Hot tickets
Thu, Feb 12 – Tue, Feb 16 – Joburg Ballet kicks off its 25th anniversary year with the timeless romance and drama of Giselle on stage at the Joburg Theatre.
Sat, Feb 7 – Brooklyn's Antique Fair in Brooklyn Mall, Pretoria, is a trove of trinkets and treasures. It's a bit of a drive, but always worth it.
Sun, Feb 8 – The Firs in Rosebank becomes a hunting ground for unusual collectables and other little treasures at The Firs Antique Fair.
Sat, Feb 14 – Lover’s Rock Festival is a soulful Valentine’s Day gathering celebrating love in all its forms, with music, food, picnics, markets, and a carnival at The Ground Venue in Muldersdrift.
Sat, Feb 21 – South African jazz artist Carlo Mombelli joins forces with Msaki, Kyle Shepherd, Marcus Wyatt, and Jonno Sweetman for a night of genre-blending brilliance with Mombelli’s Chapter 7 at Wits Theatre, Braamfontein.
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