At the height of summer, sifting through millions of events can be a little tedious. Luckily, I’ve done it for you. Whether you enjoy classical music or dubstep, organic markets or 4×4 races, there will be something in one of these top 10 summer events in Johannesburg for you.
1. Mystery Movie night at the Bioscope (every Wednesday)
Tarantino: photo courtesy of The Bioscope Independent Cinema
The Bioscope is the only truly independent cinema theatre in Joburg, which is reason enough to visit. But if that’s not enough, they have a new special whereby the purchase of a pizza or any meal from their adjoining restaurant gets you free entry to Mystery Movie night. If you’re a control freak, this might not be the event for you; however, there is at least a weekly hint. Seeing as previous hints have been ‘Tarantino’ and ‘Connery, Sean Connery’, it should be easy enough to figure out if the film will be to your liking.
Find out more at The Bioscope Mystery Movie Night
2. RAMfest
RAMfest is no longer exclusive to Johannesburg: it’s a migrating rock festival, so there will be shows in Cape Town, Joburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban! Shoo, it makes me feel quite sorry for the artists. But then again, if you can’t deal with nine days of dust in your rum, you’re not much of a metal-head. It just makes your drink darker. This year’s international headliners are Rise Against and Bring me the Horizon.
Cape Town
7 – 10 March
Durban
8 and 15 March
Port Elizabeth
15 March
Johannesburg
15 – 16 March
You can find more information on the RAMfest Facebook page
3. Johannesburg International Mozart Festival (27 Jan – 10 Feb)
From the crass to the cultural: the theme of this year’s Johannesburg International Mozart Festival is ‘Se Vuol Ballare – If You Would Dance,’ which is a quote from Mozart’s famous opera Figaro. This year, nearly 50 performers and ensembles come together to perform pieces from Bach, Schumann, and (naturally) Mozart, among many others. One of the particular highlights is a collaboration between the prestigious Zurich Chamber Orchestra and the South African National Youth Orchestra.
Ticket prices can be found online at Johannesburg International Mozart Festival tickets and the schedule is available at Johannesburg International Mozart Festival schedule
4. Chinese New Year in Randburg (2 February)
Photo by Yjenith
Everyone loves New Year’s Eve. But if you’re in Joburg, you’re not restricted to one a year! The celebrations for Chinese New Year include a martial arts display, traditional Chinese arts and crafts, food stalls and an acrobatics troupe. And, of course, it would be a New Year without dancing: in this case you can look forward to dragon and lion dancing, as well as fan and flower dances. If you don’t know the difference, it might be time to witness them first-hand.
Venue
Brightwater Commons
Times
11h00 to 17h00
Contact
Candice on +27 (0)82 402-5774 for more information.
5. Bryanston Organic Market (every Thursday and Saturday)
Photo by Lisa Johnston
The Bryanston Organic Market claimed to be the oldest outdoor market in Joburg: though the name has changed, they’ve been selling fresh, organic produce for 35 years! Open on Thursdays and Saturdays, the range has expanded to include hand-bound notebooks, fresh trout, sculptures, raw chocolate, wooden rocking horses, and other amazing hand-made surprises.
Times
09:00 – 15:00
Find out more from the Bryanston Organic Market website
6. Irene Village Market
Photo by Rachel Robinson
The focus of the Irene Village Market is on art, rather than food (though there are plenty of food stalls too). There’s pottery, decoupage, candles, furniture, and many other varieties, all nestled in the shady ground of the Smuts House Museum. Everyone should visit their tea garden at least once! It’s on every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
Find out more from the Irene Village Market website
7. Lover’s Rock Annual Vintage and Classic Car Show (3 February)
Lover’s Rock is only a little way out of Joburg: and anyway, this celebration is all about driving. It’s the ideal family event: there will be face-painting, swimming pools and putt-putt for the kids, while parents can be entertained by live music, beautiful classic cars, and a cash bar.
Times
08:00 – 18:00
Find out more about the Lover’s Rock Annual Vintage and Classic Car Show on their website
8. Vastrap Fees (11 February)
Photo by Tyson Jopson
If you’d prefer to adopt a more hands-on approach to cars, you’ll just have to wait one more weekend for your chance to get behind the wheel at the Vastrap Fees at the new Krugersdorp Game Reserve. There will be 4×4 events, mountain bike races, and a petting zoo with lion cubs.
Entrance is R20.
For more information call+27(0)11-951-5900
9. Skrillex (2 March)
Photo by NRK P3
For those who are more interested in dancing than driving, international DJ Skrillex will be dropping some serious bass in Joburg this summer. He’s the reigning king of dubstep music and his first visit to Africa has been highly anticipated, so make sure to book your tickets on 28 January via Computicket.
10. Red Hot Chili Peppers (2 February)
Photo by Upshaw Images
If you don’t already have a ticket for Red Hot Chili Peppers, you’ll have to hustle on social media and sites like gumtree for a chance to see these aging rockers on stage. This year, they’ll have been playing together for 30 years, but all sources say that their enthusiasm is yet to waver. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would pay to see Flea playing bass, even with a Zimmerframe.
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