Heritage Month 2026: Things to do in Cape Town

Celebrate Heritage Month by exploring the culture, history, food and traditions that make Cape Town unique.
Celebrate Heritage Month by exploring the culture, history, food and traditions that make Cape Town unique.Picture: Pexels

Heritage Month is a chance to slow down and experience the stories, traditions, food, and people that make Cape Town what it is. From cultural celebrations and heritage tours to family braais and food experiences, here are some ways to make the most of it together.

WOMAD Cape Town 2026

Dates: Tuesday, September 15 – Thursday, September 24

WOMAD Cape Town 2026 brings music, arts and dance from around the world to the city, with the Artscape Theatre and venues across Cape Town hosting performances, workshops and cultural experiences.

This year’s programme focuses on cultural exchange, representation and accessibility, with local and international artists sharing stories and traditions through music, dance and performance.

The programme includes performances by UK-based Dyskinetic alongside Cape Town’s Unmute Dance Company, as well as storytelling, workshops and collaborative performances celebrating indigenous knowledge and living traditions.

Bafunny Bafunny at GrandWest

Dates: Fri, Sep 25, 6pm- Sat, Sep 26, 11pm 

South Africa’s “National Team of Comedy” is bringing an evening of stand-up to GrandWest, with Trevor Noah, Eugene Khoza, Learnmore Jonasi, Lindy Johnson and Panch Gasela on the lineup.

Expect sharp observations, storytelling and plenty of laughs as some of the country’s biggest comedy names take to the stage.

Under 18s: Not permitted

Heritage Day at Norval Foundation

Date: Thursday, September 24

Spend Heritage Day exploring exhibitions, live performances, and African-inspired experiences at Norval Foundation.

Families can also grab something to eat from the on-site food trucks, with the full lineup to be announced. If you’re planning to picnic, remember that picnic tickets must be purchased in advance and close the day before the event.

Taste of Mzansi Heritage experience

Date: Thursday, September 24

Head to the Guga S’thebe Arts & Culture Centre in Langa for the Taste of Mzansi Heritage Experience, celebrating local culture through food and community.

Heritage Day braai at Central Park

Date: Thursday, September 24

Gather the family and friends at Central Park, Century City, from 11am to 3pm for a community braai celebrating Heritage Day.

Choose between bringing your own braai for R220 per site, or hiring a braai setup for R550 per site, including the braai, charcoal, and blitz.

There’ll also be live entertainment, kids’ activities, lawn games, boat and tram rides around Century City, plus refreshments from the Century City Clubhouse.

Heritage Day Colour Run

Date: Thursday, September 24

Get active with the Maties Sport Heritage Day Colour Run at Coetzenburg B Field in Stellenbosch.

The event celebrates South Africa’s cultural diversity through sport, bringing participants together for a colourful day focused on inclusivity, wellness, unity and fun.

Explore Cape Town’s history on foot

Explore Cape Town's history on a series of heritage walking tours covering Sea Point, De Waterkant, Green Point, the V&A Waterfront, the Foreshore and the Castle of Good Hope.

There are six tours taking place this month, each focusing on a different part of the city and its past. It's a good option for families with older children and teenagers who want to learn more about Cape Town while exploring its neighbourhoods on foot. Tickets can be purchased here.

September tours:

  • September 12: Gathering Pearls Sea Point and the Promenade
  • September 13: The Cape Catacombs, De Waterkant
  • September 19: Yacht Rocks, Green Point
  • September 20: The Penny Theatre, V&A Waterfront
  • September 26: The Once and Future Cape, Cape Town Foreshore
  • September 27: Tour Through the Castle of Good Hope

VUUR x Cape Grace: Terroir & Table

Dates: Friday, September 25 – Saturday, September 26

For a Heritage weekend experience centred around food, VUUR and Heirloom at Cape Grace are joining forces for a four-hands dining experience across four lunch and dinner seatings.

Chef Shaun Scrooby and executive chef Wesli Jacobs will bring their respective approaches to South African cuisine together, exploring local ingredients, provenance, memory and cooking traditions.

It’s a fitting way to celebrate the country’s food heritage while enjoying a special meal together.

Find Capetowner on TikTok @thecapetowner or Instagram @ccmonlineza