Cape Town has a busy September ahead, with comedy, live music, theatre, literature, and boxing all featuring on the city’s entertainment calendar.
For those deciding what to do in Cape Town this month, there is plenty of variety, whether you are looking for a big night out, a live performance or something different to do with family and friends.
Here are some of the events taking place across the city in September 2026.
Fight Island 6: 3 Crowns
Makers Landing and the V&A Waterfront will host another professional boxing event, with a 10-fight card featuring fighters from across South Africa.
The programme includes championship bouts as well as regional clashes across several weight classes, including the 10-round fights between Kaya Mlata and Hassan Milanzi, and Josh Feldman and Emile Brits.
- When: Saturday, September 5, 5 pm to 11.50 pm
- Where: Makers Landing, 5 S Arm Road, Cape Town
- Cost: From R270 standing, R550 seated
- Tickets: Quicket
Open Book Festival
The Open Book Festival returns to the Homecoming Centre for three days of conversations, authors, storytelling and literary events.
The 2026 programme explores a range of genres and themes, with a focus on African stories.
There will also be culinary events featuring authors including Onezwa Mbola, Karen Dudley, Fehmz and Jane Nshuti, as well as a marketplace supporting local creatives and businesses.
- When: September 4 to 6, times vary
- Where: Homecoming Centre, corner Buitenkant and Caledon streets, District Six
- Cost: From R50 per event
- Tickets: Webtickets
Mamma Mia!
The South African production of “Mamma Mia!” brings ABBA’s music to the Artscape Theatre Centre, with a local cast, crew and band.
Amra-Faye Wright stars as Donna Sheridan in the production, which features songs including “Dancing Queen”, “Knowing Me, Knowing You” and “Voulez Vous”.
- When: September 3 to October 11, Tuesdays to Fridays from 7.30pm, with weekend matinees
- Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, Opera House, D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore
- Cost: R280 to R580
- Tickets: Ticketmaster
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra: Spring Symphonies
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Cape Town City Hall for its spring symphony series, with Russian conductor Daniel Raiskin and French pianist Lisa de la Salle joining the orchestra.
The programme includes Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15.
- When: Thursday, September 10, from 7.30 pm
- Where: Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, Cape Town City Centre
- Cost: R210 to R495
- Tickets: Webtickets
Hilton Schilder Quartet Live
Cape Jazz and ghoema musician Hilton Schilder takes to the stage at Athletic Club & Social for an intimate quartet performance.
He will be joined by Carin Thompson on violin, Clayton Norman Pretorius on bass and Kurt Bowers on drums.
- When: Friday, September 11, 9pm to 11pm
- Where: Athletic Club & Social, 35 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town City Centre
- Cost: R200
- Tickets: Quicket
Kenny Lattimore
Grammy-nominated R&B singer Kenny Lattimore returns to Cape Town for a one-night performance, marking his first major show in the city in more than a decade.
The singer is known for his R&B and soul catalogue, including “For You”, “Never Too Busy” and “Forever”.
- When: Sunday, September 20, gates open from 5 pm, show starts at 8 pm
- Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Drive, Acacia Park, Goodwood
- Cost: R990 to R1,490
- Tickets: Webtickets
Bafunny Bafunny: Festival Of Comedy
Trevor Noah leads the debut “Bafunny Bafunny: Festival of Comedy”, bringing a team of established and emerging South African comedians to Cape Town.
Noah serves as Lead Curator and Captain of the SA National Team of Comedy, with Eugene Khoza as Vice Captain.
The national comedy tour is designed to bring the energy of a major sporting event to stand-up comedy.
- When: Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26, 6pm to 11pm
- Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Drive, Acacia Park, Cape Town
- Cost: From R475
- Tickets: Quicket
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