October is loaded with topnotch events, including world-class musical acts, high-energy action women’s rugby, exciting local football, a World Athletics label road race marathon and a number of festivals. The City, through its Events Department, is providing funding and/or support in the form of municipal services to at least 21 events hosted in October.
‘September has shown that events season is truly in full flight in Cape Town, with some exciting events having taken place last month. This October, Cape Town has an even more exciting line-up of events to suit a range of interests and appetites. As the City, we are ready to play our role as both a regulator for safety and an enabler of events. Our permitting office along with the Events Coordinating Committee is working hand-in-hand with event organisers to ensure that, as we see a bump in the number of events, we maintain safety standards for the benefit of all event attendees. On the other hand, the City is providing funding and in-kind support to these events because we value their contribution to the local economy and job creation,’ said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance), one of the longest running and most respected cultural festivals, returns to Cape Town this week.
The festival will shine the spotlight on music from all over the globe, with a series of live performances, including a two-day concert celebrating the legacy of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at St George’s Cathedral.
Three-time Grammy nominated American flutist and saxophonist Hubert Laws, the UCT Symphony Orchestra, Jazz singer and pianist Amanda Tiffin and Jazz musician Alexander Ramon will play the first night of the Desmond Tutu United 4 Humanity concert on Thursday, 3 October 2024.
A stellar line-up, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, PJ Powers, Zolani Mahola, Arno Carstens, Hilton Schilder & Shaheema Lakay, St George's Cathedral Choir and more will close out the concert on Friday, 4 October.
The concert is a fundraiser for the Tutu Foundation’s education programmes.
Tickets for the concert are available at Quicket.
In addition to the concert, WOMAD will host free live performances at the V&A Waterfront’s Amphitheatre on Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 to 18:00.
There will be live performances by Joep Pelt & Soweto Soul (Netherlands/SA), Takura Terry (Zimbabwe), Simba Morri (Kenya) and Nomadic Orchestra on Saturday.
Sunday will see Livia & Fred (Brazil), Iskwew Singers (Canada), Igqange Kgati Club, Caribbean Bele’ (Jamaican/SA) and Congo Cowboys (Congo/SA) take to the stage.
From 4 – 6 October, the SA National Defence Force is hosting the SA Navy Festival at Simon’s Town’s East Dockyard.
The festival will showcase the SA Navy’s precision drills, give the public an opportunity to explore Navy ships, watch performances by the Navy Band, the Navy Gun Run and will also have exhibitions, a dry-dock concert and food stalls.
The SA Navy Festival will take place from 10:00 to 17:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry is free.
On Friday and Saturday, Athlone Stadium will host the second round of World Rugby’s WXV 2 tournament.
Wales will play Italy on Friday at 16:00, while on Saturday, Scotland will battle it out with Japan at 14:00.
The Springbok Women will close out round two of the women’s rugby competition against Australia at 17:00 on Saturday.
Athlone will also host the tournament’s third round on 11 and 12 October.
Tickets for the games are available on Ticketmaster.
Cape Town will also host the following events this October:
- Kapstadt Cup - Hartleyvale Stadium, Green Point Shared Fields, Mutual Park in Pinelands, St George’s Grammar School - 2 – 6 October
- World Masters Hockey World Cup - Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium, WP Cricket Club, Wynberg Boys & Girls High Schools - 11 – 21 October
- Loeries Creative Week - City Hall, Homecoming Centre, 7 – 10 October
- Elevate Your Enterprise Summit - V&A Waterfront, Workshop - 16 October
- DHL Stormers vs Munster - DHL Stadium – 19 October
- Sanlam Cape Town Marathon - DHL Stadium & various locations – 20 October
- Cape Town Country Music Festival - DHL Stadium, 26 – 27 October
- SAFA Coke Cup Finals - Athlone Stadium – 26 October
- Cape Town City FC vs Magesi - Athlone Stadium - 27 October
- Cape Town International Kite Festival - Melkbosstrand Beach - 27 October