Cape Town is putting on her jazz shoes this week. The sounds of jazz will be heard at various venues as the Mother City is gearing up for a week-long programme of music, culture and creativity. These musical feasts have already started and will end on 28 March 2026, on the last day of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

“Anchored by the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), this week features a dynamic mix of jazz-centric events, including the annual free public concert and an immersive inner-city experience transforming Cape Town into a vibrant jazz stage. “

Cape Town is putting on her jazz shoes this week

The City’s JP Smith says the Cape Town International Jazz Festival remains one of the continent’s premier live music events. He says it attracted more than 16,000 attendees from across the country and from over 20 other countries last year. This injected millions into the local economy. Capetonians can also look forward to the annual free Jazz Concert.  Smith says they support these events because they reflect their commitment to providing inclusive, accessible, and world-class experiences.

“The Free Concert provides an inclusive musical experience for those who aren’t able to attend the main festival,” says Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The free concert will be held on Wednesday, 25 March. Smith says the traditional CTIJF Free Jazz Concert makes a return to Greenmarket Square, “offering a free, open-air musical experience in one of Cape Town’s most historic public spaces. ”

The lineup includes

• Joneca,
• Zolani Mahola,
• Cameron Ward,
• Justin-Lee,
• Zoe Madinga and
• Shiela E. & The E-Train.

“Beyond entertainment, the event plays a meaningful role in community upliftment, creating employment opportunities, supporting local talent and providing hands-on experience for emerging professionals in the events and creative industries.”

The concert will start at 6 pm, with gates opening at 4 pm.

All that jazz takes over Cape Town

Smith is also reminding residents and motorists that temporary road closures will be implemented in and around Greenmarket Square from 06:00 on Tuesday, 24 March until 06:00 on Thursday, 26 March 2026.

The following roads will be impacted:  

• Burg Street (between Wale and Longmarket streets) 
• Longmarket Street (between Long and Adderley streets) 
• Shortmarket Street (between St George’s Mall and Long Street) 
• Additional partial closures on Burg and Church streets on event day   

The first-ever Jazz In The City event comprises several events

For the first time, citizens can also look forward to the hosting of the first-ever Jazz In The City event. This takes place on Thursday, 26 March.

 “It reimagines the traditional festival format and brings jazz directly into the spaces occupied by Capetonians and visitors.”

Smith says for one night only, a six-block stretch of Bree Street between Wale and Castle streets will be transformed into the Bree Street Jazz Hop. This will be a walkable circuit of venues and pop-up performance spaces.

Some of the country’s most exciting jazz voices, including Kujenga, Sisonke Xonti, Vuyo Viwe, Yonela Mnana, Herbie Tsoaeli and Muneeb Hermans, will be on the line-up.  Smith says they will offer intimate, exploratory experiences, encouraging audiences to move between venues and curate their own musical journey.

Spaces such as art galleries, boutique hotels, restaurants and everyday city spaces are reshaped into performance venues, turning the CBD into a living, breathing jazz stage.

 Participating venues include: 

• Athletic Club & Social (35 Buitengracht Street)
• 107 Castle Street
• Vault on Bree (70 Bree Street)
• Youngblood Africa (Bree Street)
• The Blue Room at Grub & Vine (103 Bree Street)
• Room 91 at Chefs Warehouse (91 Bree Street)
• Trade Boutique Hotel (55 Shortmarket Street)
• Story Horse (104 Bree Street)
• Secret Gin Bar (64A Wale Street)
• Openwine (72 Wale Street)
• Pop-up activations along Shortmarket Street

Another International Jazz Festival is here

Smith says the week of jazz will culminate with two nights of world-class performances across multiple stages at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the CTICC. This will be held on Friday, 27 March and Saturday, 28 March. More than 30 leading international artists alongside South Africa’s finest musical talent will deliver a diverse programme that spans jazz, soul, Afro-fusion and genre-blending sounds.  You can expect eight hours of premier live music on both evenings, commencing from 6 pm to 2 am.

“Africa’s Grandest Gathering will bring a week of major performances, pop-up shows around the city, panel discussions and masterclasses.”

Doors will open at 4 pm.

To facilitate the event, the following road closures will be implemented:

• Walter Sisulu Avenue (between Lower Long and Heerengracht streets):
  From 06:00 on Wednesday, 25 March to 17:00 on Sunday, 29 March 2026
• FW de Klerk Boulevard (between Heerengracht and Lower Long streets):
  From 16:00 on Friday, 27 March to 03:00 on Sunday, 29 March 2026
• Lower Long Street (between FW de Klerk Boulevard and Walter Sisulu Avenue): From 16:00 on Friday, 27 March to 03:00 on Sunday, 29 March 2026

READ MORE ABOUT EVENTS IN CAPE TOWN