Each week we round up the latest concerts, markets, parties, tours and other cool happenings so you don’t miss them! For a full guide to what’s on in Joburg, check out our online events calendar and subscribe to our newsletter guide to Joburg published every Thursday morning.
Here’s our pick of cool events to put on your calendar this weekend.
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra Winter Season
THU JUN 23 The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra brings back its popular World Symphony Series to the Linder Auditorium this winter, presenting an exciting programme that sees the orchestra collaborating with leading local and international guest conductors and soloists. On the programme for the performance on June 23 are Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Dvorák’s Symphony No. 6. Performance starts at 19:30. Tickets R150, available online here.
Encounters Festival 2022 at The Bioscope Theatre
FRI JUN 24–SUN JUL 3 The Bioscope independent cinema presents the 24th edition of the annual Encounters Documentary Film Festival. Always a favourite on The Bioscope’s annual film festival calendar, the cinema has hosted this festival every year since it opened in 2010. The festival showcases the best of the most recent South African documentary films as well as prominent new documentary films from around the globe. Have a look at the full programme here and book your tickets.
Night Embassy – Kaofela Kaofela by Kombonation
FRI JUN 24–SUN JUN 26 The next edition of the Night Embassy party series kicks off with a party weekend in Soweto created by Kombonation led by Kananelo Kabelo Sello and Kgotso Selomah. The Kaofela Kaofela event at Uncle Tom’s Community Centre on Khumalo Street in Orlando West takes place across three days and is filled with music, fashion, photography, film screenings, exhibitions, and more. The duo aim to showcase the best of Sowetan creativity through an immersive alternative nightlife offering. Admission is free. Doors open at 18:00. Bring your vaccination certificate and ID. Those who are unvaccinated can take a rapid Antigen test at the door.
The Soil Live at Emperors Palace
FRI JUN 24 & SAT JUN 25 Famous Kasi-soul acapella trio The Soil takes to the Theatre of Marcellus stage at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park for two nights, performing their distinctive take on contemporary township grooves that mixes genres including jazz, hip hop, Afro-pop, and soul. Buhle Mda, Luphindo Ngxanga and Ntsika Fana Ngxanga have shared their music far and wide both locally and internationally and have a loyal and enthusiastic fan base who also help make every performance extra special. Doors open at 19:00 (music starts at 20:00). Tickets R180-R280, available online here.
DJ Shimza at The Playground
SUN JUN 26 Enjoy a groovy Sunday day-night rooftop party at Braamfontein’s The Playground with a major DJ party kicking off until late. Making this an extra special occasion of the Braamfontein Sunday rooftop party scene is a fierce lineup that will take things through the afternoon into the night. The DJs are on the decks from 12:00 and the headliner act for the night is the one and only DJ Shimza. Other top DJs on the lineup include DJ Darque, FKA Mash and DJ Earful Soul. Doors open at 12:00. Tickets R200 online available online here, or R300 on the door.
Select Sundays at The Living Room
SUN JUN 26 The rooftop party venue Living Room in Maboneng is always at its most happening on Sunday afternoons when you can typically expect buzzing DJ sets and a fantastic urban view. This weekend’s DJ lineup includes Weston & Engine, Guy Herman, Kane, James Justin, Laminin Music, Aidin Caye, and Fields Of You. Presale tickets R60, available online here, R100 at the door.
COMING SOON!
Here’s a look ahead to some exciting events coming soon that we recommend booking for now…
Turbine Art Fair 2022
JULY 21-24 The annual Turbine Art Fair (TAF) returns to Joburg for its tenth edition, happening from July 21 to July 24 at a new venue in the Oxford Parks precinct in Rosebank. TAF has become known for its playful and edgy approach to an art fair, creating a unique experience for art lovers and enticing a diverse audience with an accessible pricing policy that usually sets a ceiling price for works at R50,000. Early bird tickets for this year’s fair are now on sale at R130 per day, or buy a weekend pass for R300. Buy your tickets online here.
Johannesburg In Your Pocket Sunset Rooftops Experience
SAT JUL 30 Our final In Your Pocket experience of the winter is coming up on Sat Jul 30, in collaboration with MicroAdventure Tours and the open-top City Sightseeing red bus. This is a tour dedicated to sunsets and rooftops – with stops across the city and an opportunity to visit sensational locations stress-free, including our signature Munro Drive stop for bubbly, drinks on a sky-high Braamfontein rooftop and delicious canapes with a view of the city by night at the Hallmark House rooftop. The experience runs from 14:30 until 19:00 starting and ending in Rosebank. Tickets R850, on sale here on Quicket.
Ayurvedic Retreat at Farmhouse 58
JUL 15–JUL 20 Looking for a wellness getaway with a difference that doesn’t require getting on a plane out of Joburg…? Farmhouse 58 in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind is hosting a 5-day Ayurvedic retreat from July 15 to 20, led by Dr Zohreh Sadeghi from Roha, an Ayurvedic healing space based in San Francisco. Included in the 5-day retreat are classes on how to live a life in balance according to the basic principles of the Aryuvedic tradition, ranging from how to cook Ayurvedic meals to daily yoga, meditation and pranayama (breathwork) classes hosted in the Farmhouse’s tranquil surrounds. Find out more and book here.