Another weekend in Johannesburg is here — and it’s bursting with colour, culture, and creative energy. Whether you’re in the mood for art, food, fashion, or fresh air, there’s something happening in every corner of the city. From live music under the stars to spa indulgences and silent reading sessions, here’s your guide to what’s on in Joburg this weekend.
Sip, Sparkle & Support with PinkDrive
Indaba Hotel transforms Sundays into a celebration of purpose with the PinkDrive Bubbly Brunch. Every glass poured supports breast cancer awareness initiatives, while guests enjoy live music, mimosas, and raffle prizes — proving brunch can make a real difference.
When: Sunday, 19 October
Where: Epsom Restaurant, Indaba Hotel, Fourways
Cost: R295pp (via email booking)
Parklive Festival: Joburg’s Favourite Outdoor Party
Few events capture the city’s springtime spirit quite like the Parklive Festival at Marks Park, Emmarentia. This year’s lineup is a crowd-pleaser, featuring top acts like Matthew Mole, Shekhinah, The Parlotones, Freshly Ground, Ross Learmonth, and more. Expect sunshine, street food, and family-friendly vibes with plenty of space to dance.
When: Saturday, 18 October | 10am to 8pm
Where: Marks Park, Orange Road, Emmarentia
Cost: From R295pp (via Howler)
Gatsby – A Cirque Extravaganza
Step back into the roaring 1920s with Gatsby – A Cirque Extravaganza at The Cirk in Cresta. This show fuses acrobatics, dance, and circus artistry into a dazzling reimagining of The Great Gatsby. Think sequins, jazz, and gravity-defying performances that transport you straight into the era of champagne dreams and tragic romance.
When: 18 October 2025 to 31 January 2026 | Fri & Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm
Where: The Cirk, Cresta Shopping Centre, Randburg
Cost: From R180pp (via Koid)
Goethe-Institut South Africa’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
The Goethe-Institut marks 30 years of cultural exchange between South Africa and Germany this weekend. The free celebration includes exhibitions, live music, birthday cake, and family-friendly activities, reflecting on three decades of creativity, language, and collaboration.
When: Saturday, 18 October from 2pm
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, Parkwood
Cost: Free entry
Msaki & Jesse Clegg Live at Walter Sisulu Gardens
Two of South Africa’s most soulful voices, Msaki and Jesse Clegg, come together for an intimate outdoor concert at the Walter Sisulu Gardens. Expect a blend of poetic vocals, rock influences, and heartfelt storytelling in one of Joburg’s most scenic settings.
When: Sunday, 19 October | Gates open 12.30pm
Where: Walter Sisulu Gardens, Roodepoort
Cost: From R250pp (via Ticketpro)
Imagine Visionary Animals by Erla S. Haraldsdóttir
Over at the Wits Origins Centre, Icelandic artist Erla S. Haraldsdóttir presents an exhibition that reimagines the ancient through modern eyes. Her paintings explore how images link memory, myth, and experience — all within the museum’s new wing that celebrates humanity’s earliest art.
When: Opens 16 October | Runs until 15 February 2026
Where: Origins Centre, Wits University, Braamfontein
Cost: R60 (adults), R30 (students) via Webtickets
The Maslow Sandton’s Friday Fivefold Indulgence
Kick off the weekend in style at The Maslow Hotel’s Lacuna Bistro with a five-course culinary journey curated by Executive Sous Chef Thokozane Shongwe. This is elegance on a plate — a perfect blend of fine dining, seasonal ingredients, and laid-back sophistication.
When: Friday, 17 October from 6pm
Where: Lacuna Bistro, The Maslow Hotel, Sandton
Cost: R1350 per couple (via Quicket)
The 12th European Film Festival in South Africa
Cinema lovers can catch 10 award-winning films from across Europe at The Bioscope and Nu Metro Hyde Park. This year’s festival explores themes of love, identity, and belonging — with screenings that promise both breathtaking visuals and emotional depth.
When: 9–19 October
Where: The Bioscope (44 Stanley) & Nu Metro Hyde Park
Cost: From R90pp
Fatherhood at The Market Theatre
Winner of the Zwakala Festival, Fatherhood takes centre stage at The Market Theatre. This moving play unpacks the realities of absent fathers in South Africa with honesty and compassion, featuring a powerful young cast under the direction of Archie Oupa Matsetela.
When: Until 19 October | 3pm and 7pm
Where: Barney Simon Theatre, Market Theatre, Newtown
Cost: From R140pp (via Webtickets)
Magalies Mayhem Obstacle Race
For those craving adventure, the Magalies Mayhem Obstacle Race at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm delivers the perfect adrenaline rush. Expect mud, climbs, and laughter across 5km and 10km trails. Even kids can join in with their own mini course.
When: Saturday, 18 October | From 6am
Where: Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Hartbeespoort
Cost: From R200–R600pp (book online)
Pantone Sundays – Desert Taupe Edition
This month’s Pantone Sundays celebrates style and self-expression through the colour Desert Taupe. Expect curated DJ sets from NKLY and Pona Colada, plus a fashion-forward crowd ready to turn Kromdraai into a runway-meets-dancefloor experience.
When: Sunday, 19 October | 1pm to 7pm
Where: Kromdraai Creativity & Impact Hub, Krugersdorp
Cost: From R250pp (via Quicket)
Johannesburg Garden Club Open Garden
For a slower pace, the Johannesburg Garden Club invites visitors to explore the lush Burkleigh House gardens. Enjoy champagne and salmon at the tea garden, browse plant stalls, and enter raffles for prizes — all in aid of children’s welfare in the city.
When: 18 & 19 October | 10am to 4pm
Where: Burkleigh House, Ferndale, Randburg
Cost: R100pp; kids under 12 free (via Quicket)
Umngqungqo Orchestral Experience
After captivating the Eastern Cape, Dumza Maswana’s Umngqungqo Orchestral Experience finally lands in Joburg. Blending isiXhosa traditional rhythms with jazz and orchestral grandeur, the show is a celebration of African heritage and musical storytelling.
When: Saturday, 18 October | 7.30pm
Where: John Kani Theatre, Market Theatre, Newtown
Cost: From R280pp (via Webtickets)
Movement That Matters Pilates Pop-Up
Move with purpose at the Movement That Matters Pilates Pop-Up, where fitness meets philanthropy. Proceeds support the Remi Foundation, which funds education scholarships. Bring a friend, stretch, and give back.
When: Saturday, 18 October | 11.30am
Where: Nuru House Studio, 44 Stanley Ave
Cost: From R260pp (via Quicket)
Jozi Silent Book Club
If quiet connection is more your speed, the Jozi Silent Book Club is your escape. Bring any book, find a cosy spot in the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, and enjoy an hour of peaceful reading followed by optional chats with fellow bookworms.
When: Sunday, 19 October | 10.30am
Where: Rose Gardens, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
Cost: Free entry
Bonus: Pretoria & Beyond
If you’re heading north, explore the Thrifting at The Village market in Hazelwood on Saturday morning — a treasure hunt for vintage lovers. Or bring the family to At The River’s Family Fun Fair in Centurion for rides, food, and a car show all weekend.
When: 17–19 October
Where: Hazelwood & Centurion
Cost: From R30pp (via Quicket)
Joburg at Its Best
Whether you’re chasing fine art or fine dining, jazz or gymnastics, Joburg this weekend is alive with creativity and connection. The city continues to prove that it’s not just a place to live — it’s a place to experience, explore, and enjoy.
Source: What’s on In Joburg
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