Johannesburg is set to host two of the country’s biggest events in one weekend as the Soweto Derby and Ultra South Africa take place back-to-back between 25 and 26 April 2026. The convergence affects thousands of football fans, music attendees and visitors travelling into Gauteng, with organisers adjusting schedules to manage demand and safety. The Soweto Derby has been moved to Sunday, 26 April, following Ultra South Africa’s Johannesburg leg at Nasrec on Saturday. With a public holiday on Monday, the overlap has created an extended weekend of sport, music and travel activity across the province.
Browsing: Events in Gauteng
The weekend energy in Gauteng continues to evolve, with stages, theatres and music venues across the province coming alive once again. From the cultural heartbeat of Newtown to the polished theatres of Sandton and the community-driven spaces in Soweto and Alexandra, Gauteng remains a hub for live entertainment and storytelling.
Gauteng’s Delicious Festival is entering a new phase following the end of its long-running title sponsorship, raising questions about the future of one of the province’s biggest lifestyle events. The shift comes at a time when music tourism is rapidly growing globally, influencing how travellers choose destinations and spend money. For Gauteng, the moment is significant, as large-scale events are increasingly linked to economic activity, job creation, and tourism recovery across the province.
Gauteng is preparing to host the 2026 Gauteng Investment Conference next week, as the province moves to accelerate economic growth, attract new investment and strengthen its position as Africa’s leading business hub. The conference comes amid a leadership shift in the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, following the appointment of a new MEC, replacing former MEC Lebogang Maile.
Johannesburg will host the Rand Show 2026 from 2 to 6 April at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, with organisers confirming five days of live entertainment, family attractions and interactive experiences. The event, one of South Africa’s largest consumer shows, is expected to draw thousands of visitors across Gauteng during the Easter period. For residents, the timing matters as it coincides with school holidays and public holiday travel, increasing both attendance and activity around Nasrec.
@Sandton Hotel has introduced a series of weekend dining experiences in Johannesburg, opening its restaurant and poolside spaces to both hotel guests and the general public. The offering includes breakfast buffets, Easter family events, brunch services and outdoor braai experiences scheduled across March, April and May 2026.
Johannesburg will host a free Easter-themed market at Gold Reef City Casino from 27 to 30 March 2026, offering a four-day family-focused event ahead of the Easter weekend. The market will run daily from 11:00 to 21:00 at the Porte-cochère area, with organisers confirming no entry fee for visitors.
Bookings have officially opened for Restaurant Week South Africa 2026, with more than 200 restaurants across the country set to participate in the limited-time dining event. The programme will run from 27 March to 3 May 2026, offering curated menus at fixed prices aimed at making premium dining more accessible.
The Pretoria Art Museum will host the launch of a new printmaking guide on 25 March 2026, bringing together artists, researchers and the public for a skills-focused arts event in Arcadia. The launch, presented by the Art and Ubuntu Trust, introduces a practical guide aimed at supporting both established and aspiring printmakers.
Johannesburg will host the Johannesburg City Marathon on Sunday, 22 March 2026, with more than 5 000 runners expected across three race distances. The event, organised by the Johannesburg Harriers Athletics Club, will take place at Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre in Kibler Park and includes a 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon and a 10km race. The race is significant for long-distance athletes as it serves as an official qualifier for the Comrades Marathon, while also impacting traffic, local activity and community movement in southern Johannesburg.