As the month of January comes to a close, the City of Cape Town is rolling out a final flourish of sport, culture and feel-good events to carry the city into the month of love.
From soccer fixtures and fashion-forward racing to theatre under the trees and a buzzing lifestyle expo, the coming days are stacked with reasons to get out and about. And, according to the City, that’s very much the point.
‘Cape Town has kicked off the new year with a lively mix of events, from the iconic minstrel parade to thrilling rugby and cricket action, as well as open-air theatre,’ says City’s MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith.
‘The coming week continues this strong start to 2026, and the excitement grows as the year unfolds and several standout showpieces take centre stage in the months ahead. This is welcome news, not only for event lovers, but also for the thousands of people who rely on events to earn a living.’
Here’s what’s happening as January signs off:
A global meeting of minds
The City is partnering with Counder for the Counder Conference 2026, which kicked off today and runs on 27 January too. The invite-only event brings together around 500 global leaders, innovators and decision-makers from across industries, reinforcing Cape Town’s growing reputation as a hub for big ideas and meaningful conversations.
Football at Athlone
Local football fans can look forward to Cape Town City FC’s first home game of the year, when the Citizens face the University of Pretoria at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday, 27 January.
Kick-off is at 3:30pm (with gates opening at 1:30pm), and entry is free (just grab your tickets via Webtickets. With City unbeaten in six of their last eight matches, it’s shaping up to be an exciting afternoon on home turf.
Ramadan and lifestyle inspiration at Green Point
The SPAR Cape Town Ramadan and Lifestyle Expo runs from Friday, 30 January to Sunday, 1 February at the Green Point A-Track. Expect three days of culture, cuisine and creativity, with over 100 exhibitors, an interactive cooking theatre, fashion showcases, entertainment and prizes.
Tickets start from R35 for adults, R20 for pensioners and children under ten enter free (head’s up: no public parking at the venue, but several nearby parking areas will be available.)
The Cape Town Met returns
Closing out the month in signature style is the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, taking place on Saturday, 31 January 2026 at Kenilworth Racecourse.
Now in its 164th year, the Met once again blends elite horse racing with high fashion and lifestyle flair. This year’s theme, Symphony of Style, promises a rich mix of music, movement and sartorial creativity.
Tickets are available via Computicket, with motorists advised to expect traffic disruptions in and around Kenilworth and Lansdowne on the day.
Theatre under the trees
Rounding off the line-up is the Maynardville Open-Air Festival, which continues its two-month run at the Maynardville Theatre in Wynberg.
Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the festival’s programme spans classic theatre, chamber music, performances by Cape Town Opera and a special musical tribute, Sunday in the Park with Sondheim. The festival runs until 8 March, with tickets available through Quicket.
Whether you’re in the mood for live sport, alfresco theatre, cultural celebrations or simply soaking up the city’s summer energy, Cape Town is giving January a proper send-off.
Also read:
World Sports Betting Cape Town Met presents Symphony of Style
Picture: City of Cape Town
