October 2026 Gig Guide: The Shows, Concerts and Festivals on Our Radar

October 2026 is bringing a live entertainment calendar to South Africa. There are international stars, major festivals and theatre productions that will rake over venues across Gauteng and take Western Cape. These are some of the shows, concerts and festivals on the radar this month.

Dave: The Boy Who Played the Harp Tour

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UK rapper Dave kicks off October with two South African dates. He performs at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 3 October before heading to Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on 6 October. The shows are part of his The Boy Who Played the Harp Tour. 

Spring Fiesta 2026

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Spring Fiesta returns to Wild Waters in Boksburg on 3 October for a full day of dance music. The festival will feature stages covering house, deep house, hip-hop and electronic music. The line-up includes Atjazz, Jullian Gomes, Dwson, Kid Fonque, KUDbEU, Aquatone and Vinny Da Vinci with DJ Christos amongst others. 

In The City JHB: Isaiah Rashad

Isaiah Rashad brings In The City JHB to Montecasino Outdoor Events Arena on 4 October. The American rapper will be joined by UK R&B singer Sinead Harnett and rum.gold. 

Read Also: Kelvin Momo Set to Host “One Man Concert” in Durban

Mamma Mia! The Musical

Fans of musical theatre can catch Mamma Mia! at Artscape in Cape Town until 11 October. The production stars Amra-Faye Wright as Donna Sheridan, with Samantha Peo as Tanya, Lindy Abromowitz as Rosie and Leah Mari as Sophie. Directed by Janice Honeyman, the South African production features songs from ABBA.

Back to the City Festival

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Johannesburg’s Back to the City Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary on 10 October at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown. It features international acts including Ab-Soul, Slum Village and Blu & Exile.  Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, Blxckie, Stogie T, Reason, Tuks, Touchline and Trompies among the South African acts on the lineup. Guests will also be treated to street art, fashion, skateboarding, gaming and DJ battles.

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo returns to South Africa for two October shows. The singer performs at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on 17 October and SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 18 October. Songs to expect include “So Sick”, “Miss Independent”, “Closer” and “Because of You”. 

Zonke: The Evergreen Series

Zonke brings The Evergreen Series to Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on 24 October. The South African Afro-soul singer will perform with a 30-piece live band, revisiting songs from across her career.

Ultimate R&B Experience Tour

Cape Town gets another major R&B date on 28 October when Brian McKnight, All-4-One and SWV perform at Grand Arena, GrandWest. The concert will bring together R&B hits from the 1990s and early 2000.

Brian McKnight and All-4-One are scheduled to perform at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 30 and 31 October.