Apart from being blessed with natural beauty, South Africa’s Mother City is a place where you will find a variety of amazing things to do in summer. From stellar theater performances and live music shows to several extraordinary wine and food festivals, there is always something fun and interesting going on in Cape Town. This is my guide to some of the best events and things to do in Cape Town this January.
1 Viennese New Year’s Concert (January 5)
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Head out to the City Hall on the first weekend of January to watch the Viennese New Year’s Concert. Hosted by Richard Cock and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the concert features tenor Sipho Fubesi and soprano Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi. Listen to arias by Puccini and Verdi, the Donna Diana overture, and many polkas, marches, and polkas by Strauss. Tickets for this amazing event range from R80 to R170.
Venue: City Hall, Darling St, CBD, Cape Town
2 Fugard Theatre: A Woman of No Importance (January 6)
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The new classically staged production of Oscar Wilde’s comedy, A Woman of No Importance is coming to Cape Town’s Fugard Theatre this January. First performed at the end of the 19th century, the show tells the story of an English lord and a young American woman. The stars of the production are the famous actress Anne Red and the Olivier award-winner Eve Best. Tickets for the show will set you back R120 per person.
Venue: The Fugard Theatre, Cnr Caledon & Lower Buitenkant St, Cape Town
3 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival 2020 (January 10-11)
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If you are looking for unique things to do in Cape Town this January, I recommend paying a visit to the Kenilworth Racecourse where you can try tasty food and wine and enjoy horse racing. This year’s dress code is blue and white and L’Ormarins decided to give a grand prize of a trip for two to the Qatar Glorious Goodwood Racing Festival Saturday’s Best Dressed couple. If you are visiting on Friday, the best-dressed lady and gentleman award includes Cartier spoils.
Venue: Kenilworth Racecourse, 105 Rosmead Ave, Kenilworth, Cape Town
4 Chenin Party (January 15)
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The Grand Africa Cafe and Beach at the V&A Waterfront is hosting the Chenin Party which celebrates the diversity of the South African famous Chenin Blanc. Everyone is invited to join the party and sample some of the finest Chenin Blanc wines in South Africa. Besides great wine, visitors can enjoy an all you can eat pizza offering. Tickets for the Chenin Party cost R350 per person and include a tasting of Chenin Blanc wines, delicious pizza, and a complimentary DrinkChenin wine glass that you can take back home.
Venue: The Grand Africa Cafe and Beach, 1 Haul Rd V&A Waterfront Front, Granger Bay Blvd, Cape Town
5 ABBA Show Cape Town 2020 (January 18)
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Presented by Showtime Australia, the ABBA Show Cape Town 2020 is one of the most anticipated music events in Cape Town this January. Come and listen to one of the world’s best Abba tribute bands as they perform hits like Knowing me knowing you, Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and many others. The performance also includes a variety of replica costumes, as we as amazing theatrical effects and lighting. Tickets for this full-scale theatrical production range from R180 to R280 and the show lasts for nearly 3 hours.
Venue: GrandWest Casino, 1 Jakes Gerwel Drive, Goodwood, Cape Town
6 Festival of Rebels @ Castle of Good Hope (January 25-26)
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Powered by Harley-Davidson Africa, the Festival of Rebels at the Castle of Good Hope is much more than your average bike event. This is the first edition of the festival and everyone is invited to enjoy over 150 food, lifestyle, fashion, and motorcycle activations, as well as nearly 50 South Africa’s most loved bands and Dj’s who are scheduled to perform over 2 stages.
Venue: Castle of Good Hope, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
7 Matthew Mole Mirage Forever Summer Concerts (January 26)
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There are many amazing things to do in Cape Town this January the 4th edition of the popular Mirage yacht party is definitely one of the must-visit events. Enjoy a cruise along the Cape Atlantic seaboard and listen to the live performance by the popular singer/songwriter, Matthew Mole. The event includes light snacks and unlimited MCC by Graham Beck Winery. There is also a cash bar, as well as plenty of gourmet food options available for guests.
Venue: The Mirage, Pierhead, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
8 Delheim Estate Harvest Festival (January 25)
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Head out to the historic Delheim property in Stellenbosch this January to attend the spectacular Delheim Estate Harvest Festival. From tractor rides and picking grapes to live music and surprise awards, there is plenty to look forward to at the festival. One ticket to the event includes a bottle of Delheim Rosé 2019/Sauvignon Blanc 2019 or Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, while children’s tickets come with snack treats, two juices, and grape picking and stomping. A portion of tickets will be donated to the Pebbles Project, a non-profit organization whose main aim is to provide a better life for families and children in the Winelands farming community.
Venue: Delheim Wines, Knorhoek Rd, Stellenbosch
9 Andrew Young Summer Sunset Concert (January 25)
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Do you wish to enjoy some of the finest South African wines while listening to a world-class music performance? Visit the Courtyard at Benguela Cove in Hermanus where you will have an opportunity to listen to Andrew Young, a UK-born musician who performed for Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Festival Hall and worked alongside famous artists like Shirley Bassey, Jonathan Butler, Sir James Galway, and many others.
Venue: The Courtyard at Benguela Cove, R43 Bot River Lagoon Walker Bay, Hermanus
Recommended Accommodation
10 A Night in Vienna with Cornelia Hermann (January 25)
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A part of the La Motte Classical Concert Series, a Night in Vienna with Cornelia Hermann showcases a program of Viennese works by Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schoenberg. An award-winning pianist from Austria with three albums behind her, Cornelia Hermann has played alongside some of the most famous international orchestras. Come to the La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek valley to see this amazing artist perform. After the show, you can enjoy a glass of La Motte wine at this picturesque estate.
Venue: La Motte Wine Estate, R45, Franschhoek
11 PSL Stellenbosch FC vs Polokwane City (January 25)
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Sports fans can attend the PSL Stellenbosch FC vs Polokwane City match at the Cape Town Stadium. Capetonians are crazy about this game and it’s always fun to watch an important match here in the Mother City. Both teams are battling the relegation zone and this promises to be a very interesting match. Tickets are sold for R40 per person.
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
12 The Hucksters @ the Baxter Theatre (January 22-February 1)
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There is no shortage of fun things to do in Cape Town this January and we suggest checking out the Hucksters theater performance at the famous Baxter Theatre. Written and directed by Louis Viljoen, the show features award-winning actors including Nicholas Pauling and Emily Child. The play tells the story of a man and woman who haven’t seen each other in a while. What starts as a romantic evening between two reconnected souls, becomes a mystery with stories from their past and previous lives.
Venue: Baxter Concert Hall, Main Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town
13 Cape Town 10’s (January 31-February 1)
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South Africa’s biggest sport and lifestyle event is back! Some of the South African’s biggest names in popular music are scheduled to perform at the popular Cape Town 10’s event which is taking place in Green Point. Expect to find Africa’s largest beer tent, as well as thousands of visitors from all over the country enjoying their favorite sports and socializing.
Venue: Green Point, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
14 The Franschhoek Wine Tram Village Walking Tour (December 1-March 1)
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Besides offering easy access to some of the most beautiful wine estates in the region, Franschhoek Wine Tram has decided to start a Village Walking Tour where visitors can enjoy a stroll through Franschhoek and discover some of the most important cultural sites and attractions. The price for the tour is R195 per person and includes a chocolate tasting and demonstration at Huguenot Fine Chocolates, free entrance to the Huguenot Memorial Monument, a clay sculpture demonstration at Orgari, and a complimentary drink at the lovely River Café. If you wish to see the best of Franschhoek and ride on a historic wine tram, you should definitely consider booking this amazing tour.
Venue: Franschhoek, Cape Town, Western Cape
15 Origin Festival 2020 (January 31–February 2)
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If your idea of having a good time includes awesome live music, art galleries, swimming in the river, and forest camping, you should visit the Origin Festival in Helderstroom. Musicians like Tristan (UK), Noir (UK), Avalon (UK), Oliver Koletzki (DE), Niko Schwind (DE), KillerWatts (UK), Tsubi (HU) and Dirty Doering (DE) are scheduled to perform. Besides music, there will be plenty of other entertainment, as well as various foods with plenty of vegetarian/vegan options.
Venue: Elandskloof Guest Farm, Helderstroom
Planning to visit Cape Town in 2020? Learn more about the Mother City, how to get around, free things to do in Cape Town in 2020, and more from our blog. We can help you find the perfect place to stay. Get in touch if you’d like help finding accommodation or Cape Town tours to indulge in when you are around.
