A Cape Town favourite, First Thursdays is on today. Free to the public – the event opens unlocks art galleries and cultural events around the CBD. The buzzing streets attract locals and visitors, and galleries stay open until 9pm and bars even later on the first Thursday of every month. Here’s how to get the most out of your experience:
1. Pick a place to start
Ideally, take a MyCiti bus or taxi ride to your starting point. From there, you can bar hop and enjoy street food while browsing galleries. If you’re driving, find parking in the general area of where you think you’d end up at the end of the night.
2. Be prepared for the weather
Come rain or shine, First Thursday will happen. The cultural walkabout event takes place throughout the year, except for January, no matter the weather. If it’s cloudy, grab a jacket and brave the elements. A pocket-size plastic poncho is also a good idea if you don’t want to carry around a jacket.
3. Stay safe
The nature of the event is to enjoy walking around the city centre at night. While relatively safe because of how busy First Thursdays can get, it’s still important to keep an eye out and make sure you don’t leave any visible valuables in your car or jutting out of your pockets. Rather safe than sorry.
4. Explore
The city bursting at the seams with awesome artsy and cultural exhibitions, galleries and more. First Thursdays offers you the opportunity to explore a part of the inner city you never thought you’d gander into. Walk around, pop into somewhere unexpected and most importantly, have fun.
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