What's on in Johannesburg
Johannesburg, also fondly referred to as ‘Jozi’ by the locals or the ‘City of Gold’, has grown from a modest shanty town to Africa’s economic powerhouse. In fact, it's the only city on earth that has been completely built in a single century!
Today Johannesburg is a vibrant, bustling multicultural metropolis, with an assortment of activities and events on offer. Joburg boasts numerous art, culture, entertainment, sport and recreation facilities that expats can explore with people from all walks of life.
So if you are looking for something to do alone, with the family or with new-found friends, here’s a few of the top attractions and events to diarise.
Old Mutual Encounters Concert Series
Enjoy a varied line-up of artists on a hot summer afternoon at the Botanic Garden. Each Encounters Concert showcases two or more artists from markedly different genres collaborating to create unique music performances. The open-air concerts cater for all music tastes, from jazz, folk, Afro-pop, to Hip Hop, rock, blues and choral encounters, and are a delightful way to absorb the beautiful surroundings and unwind. So grab your picnic basket, kids, friends or loved ones and come and join us. The concerts are very popular so we suggest you get there early to pick the best spot. See you there.
When: February (monthly thereafter)
Where: Emmarentia Dam, Botanic Gardens
Tel: +27 (0) 11 217 1738.
Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil
Ringmasters of circus entertainment, Cirque du Soleil will be visiting Johannesburg with their latest spectacle: Saltimbanco. This enthralling show blends incredible acts of athleticism and acrobatics with the troupe's practised finesse and penchant for enchantment. Drawing inspiration from urban experience, the idiosyncrasies of city life are explored by an eclectic cast of trapeze artists, acrobats and contortionists, all drawing spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world where diversity is a cause for hope.
When: March (only in 2011)
Where: Coca-Cola Dome
Tel: +27 (0) 11 794 5800
Email: info@coca-coladome.co.za
Jo’burg Art Fair
The Jo’burg Art Fair is exclusively devoted to African art and features pieces from local and international galleries, as well as photography, furniture, moving images and installations. Artists representing the galleries give free talks to ticket holders.
When: March
Where: Sandton Convention Centre
Tel: +27 (0) 11 779 0000
Email joburg@artlogic.co.za
Inanda Club Family Fun Day and Polo Tournament
Everyone is welcome to join us at the Inanda Club Family Fun Day and the Inanda Polo Tournament finals for a great day out for the whole family. Proudly sponsored by luxury cruise line Royal Caribbean International, there will be loads of entertainment on offer as well as market stalls, beer garden and food stands. Don’t miss the opportunity to win great prizes. Also enjoy some really exciting and nail-biting polo games on the day. We hope to see you there.
When: Sunday, 27 March 2011 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Inanda Club, 1 Forrest Road, Inanda, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 884 1414
Email: tknox@inandaclub.co.za
The Rand Show
The Rand Show is an 11-day festival with non-stop entertainment throughout. Boasting an arts festival, outdoor film festival/Bollywood film festival, Rock and Pop music festival, Afrikaans music festival, the Joburg Easter Festival Model of The Year and an all day carnival that includes buskers, stilt walkers, jugglers and tons of other ad hoc and in situ entertainers; expats can count on an enhanced visitor experience. Plus there is an Adventure and Extreme Zone that promises to get the adrenaline levels up pumped up to max.
When: April - May
Where: Johannesburg
Tel:+276 (0) 11 462 1989.
Sasol Bird Fair 2011
The Sasol Birds and Birding Fair is the biggest of its kind in southern Africa and attracts birding enthusiasts from around the country. Expat enthusiasts can look forward to exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and guided bird walks on the Bandstand area in the Zoo. There will also be a variety of exhibitors on hand. Lectures take place in the Discovery Centre (all lectures are on a first come, first serve basis). There will also be a children’s playfair and activities to keep the little ones entertained.
When: May
Where: Johannesburg Zoo, Parkview, Johannesburg
Tel: 0861-Birder or 011 789-1122.
The Wine Show
The Wine Show is where you will be able to taste and buy wines from around 130 estates. Visit the Wine Theatre, a wine-making learning zone, and then enjoy some virtual golf and boules.
When: June
Where: Gallagher Convention Centre
Tel: +27 (0) 21 888 8815
Email: natalie@wineshow.co.za
International Fashion Sale
Get ready for some retail therapy! The ever expanding International Fashion Sale remains a showcase for designer shoes, handbags, jewellery, luxury luggage, sunglasses and cosmetics, and is aimed at the discerning and brand-conscious consumer. Take advantage of well below market value prices on designer wear and stylish brand labels such as Diesel, Nike, Guess, Nine West, Morgan, Gerri, Lee Cooper, Rage, Sketcher and CK. Light snacks are on sale as well as a hot meal of the day.
When: (July - August)
Where: Coca Cola Dome, Randburg, Johannesburg
Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival
Arts Alive will celebrate the city’s awakening from its winter slumber and the onset of Spring. This vibrant and eclectic feast of arts and culture will take place at various venues in and around the city from 1 to 30 September 2011, and will feature the very best in home-grown theatre, dance, music, visual art and general entertainment. You can also look forward to Jazz on the Lake at to Zoo Lake on Sunday, 6 September.
When: September
Where: Johannesburg
Tel: +27 (0)11 788-1631.
Getaway Show Johannesburg
Rated as one of the largest consumer tourism and leisure shows in South Africa, the Getaway Show is a highly regarded source of all things travel related in Southern Africa and beyond. Getaway has evolved into a multi-platform brand offering a 360-degree multimedia solution aimed at a high net wealth common-interest community focused on travel.
When: September
Where: Coca Cola Dome, Randburg, Johannesburg
Tel: +27 (0) 11 783 7030.
Today Johannesburg is a vibrant, bustling multicultural metropolis, with an assortment of activities and events on offer. Joburg boasts numerous art, culture, entertainment, sport and recreation facilities that expats can explore with people from all walks of life.
So if you are looking for something to do alone, with the family or with new-found friends, here’s a few of the top attractions and events to diarise.
What's on in Johannesburg
Old Mutual Encounters Concert Series
Enjoy a varied line-up of artists on a hot summer afternoon at the Botanic Garden. Each Encounters Concert showcases two or more artists from markedly different genres collaborating to create unique music performances. The open-air concerts cater for all music tastes, from jazz, folk, Afro-pop, to Hip Hop, rock, blues and choral encounters, and are a delightful way to absorb the beautiful surroundings and unwind. So grab your picnic basket, kids, friends or loved ones and come and join us. The concerts are very popular so we suggest you get there early to pick the best spot. See you there.When: February (monthly thereafter)
Where: Emmarentia Dam, Botanic Gardens
Tel: +27 (0) 11 217 1738.
Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil
Ringmasters of circus entertainment, Cirque du Soleil will be visiting Johannesburg with their latest spectacle: Saltimbanco. This enthralling show blends incredible acts of athleticism and acrobatics with the troupe's practised finesse and penchant for enchantment. Drawing inspiration from urban experience, the idiosyncrasies of city life are explored by an eclectic cast of trapeze artists, acrobats and contortionists, all drawing spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world where diversity is a cause for hope.When: March (only in 2011)
Where: Coca-Cola Dome
Tel: +27 (0) 11 794 5800
Email: info@coca-coladome.co.za
Jo’burg Art Fair
The Jo’burg Art Fair is exclusively devoted to African art and features pieces from local and international galleries, as well as photography, furniture, moving images and installations. Artists representing the galleries give free talks to ticket holders.When: March
Where: Sandton Convention Centre
Tel: +27 (0) 11 779 0000
Email joburg@artlogic.co.za
Inanda Club Family Fun Day and Polo Tournament
Everyone is welcome to join us at the Inanda Club Family Fun Day and the Inanda Polo Tournament finals for a great day out for the whole family. Proudly sponsored by luxury cruise line Royal Caribbean International, there will be loads of entertainment on offer as well as market stalls, beer garden and food stands. Don’t miss the opportunity to win great prizes. Also enjoy some really exciting and nail-biting polo games on the day. We hope to see you there.When: Sunday, 27 March 2011 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Inanda Club, 1 Forrest Road, Inanda, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 884 1414
Email: tknox@inandaclub.co.za
The Rand Show
The Rand Show is an 11-day festival with non-stop entertainment throughout. Boasting an arts festival, outdoor film festival/Bollywood film festival, Rock and Pop music festival, Afrikaans music festival, the Joburg Easter Festival Model of The Year and an all day carnival that includes buskers, stilt walkers, jugglers and tons of other ad hoc and in situ entertainers; expats can count on an enhanced visitor experience. Plus there is an Adventure and Extreme Zone that promises to get the adrenaline levels up pumped up to max.When: April - May
Where: Johannesburg
Tel:+276 (0) 11 462 1989.
Sasol Bird Fair 2011
The Sasol Birds and Birding Fair is the biggest of its kind in southern Africa and attracts birding enthusiasts from around the country. Expat enthusiasts can look forward to exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and guided bird walks on the Bandstand area in the Zoo. There will also be a variety of exhibitors on hand. Lectures take place in the Discovery Centre (all lectures are on a first come, first serve basis). There will also be a children’s playfair and activities to keep the little ones entertained.When: May
Where: Johannesburg Zoo, Parkview, Johannesburg
Tel: 0861-Birder or 011 789-1122.
The Wine Show
The Wine Show is where you will be able to taste and buy wines from around 130 estates. Visit the Wine Theatre, a wine-making learning zone, and then enjoy some virtual golf and boules.When: June
Where: Gallagher Convention Centre
Tel: +27 (0) 21 888 8815
Email: natalie@wineshow.co.za
International Fashion Sale
Get ready for some retail therapy! The ever expanding International Fashion Sale remains a showcase for designer shoes, handbags, jewellery, luxury luggage, sunglasses and cosmetics, and is aimed at the discerning and brand-conscious consumer. Take advantage of well below market value prices on designer wear and stylish brand labels such as Diesel, Nike, Guess, Nine West, Morgan, Gerri, Lee Cooper, Rage, Sketcher and CK. Light snacks are on sale as well as a hot meal of the day.When: (July - August)
Where: Coca Cola Dome, Randburg, Johannesburg
Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival
Arts Alive will celebrate the city’s awakening from its winter slumber and the onset of Spring. This vibrant and eclectic feast of arts and culture will take place at various venues in and around the city from 1 to 30 September 2011, and will feature the very best in home-grown theatre, dance, music, visual art and general entertainment. You can also look forward to Jazz on the Lake at to Zoo Lake on Sunday, 6 September.When: September
Where: Johannesburg
Tel: +27 (0)11 788-1631.
Getaway Show Johannesburg
Rated as one of the largest consumer tourism and leisure shows in South Africa, the Getaway Show is a highly regarded source of all things travel related in Southern Africa and beyond. Getaway has evolved into a multi-platform brand offering a 360-degree multimedia solution aimed at a high net wealth common-interest community focused on travel.When: September
Where: Coca Cola Dome, Randburg, Johannesburg
Tel: +27 (0) 11 783 7030.
