This year’s festival will once again feature performances from schools and music groups across Cape Town, including Parklands College, Pinelands High, SACS High, Springfield, St Cyprian’s, and Hoërskool Stellenberg among many others.
Image: Instagram/ Reddam House Constantia
The sound of marimbas has become one of the city's most recognisable cultural experiences, and every year the Cape Town Marimba Festival brings that energy back to the stage in a celebration of rhythm, youth talent, and African musical tradition.
The festival, a collaboration between the Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival and Woodworx Marimbas, has been held annually at the Baxter Concert Hall since 2009.
Over the years, it has grown into a much-loved fixture on Cape Town’s cultural calendar, drawing schools, music lovers, and families together through the infectious sound of marimba music.
Originally developed in southern Africa from traditional xylophone-style instruments, marimbas are deeply connected to community music-making, storytelling, and celebration.
In South Africa, marimba bands have become especially popular in schools because they encourage teamwork, rhythm, confidence, and performance skills among learners.
This year’s festival will once again feature performances from schools and music groups across Cape Town, including Parklands College, Pinelands High, SACS High, Springfield, St Cyprian’s, and Hoërskool Stellenberg, among many others.
Part of the festival’s lasting appeal is the atmosphere itself. It is loud, joyful, energetic, and deeply rooted in togetherness. For many performers, it is also a chance to showcase months of practice in front of a live audience while celebrating African music in a way that feels both educational and entertaining.
Where: The Baxter Theatre.
When: Friday, May 15, at 7pm.
Cape Town’s ocean community is coming together for an evening of comedy, conversation, surf stories and fundraising ahead of the BWRAG Ocean Safety Summit.
Hosted by comedian Nik Rabinowitz, the event will feature big wave surfers including Frank Solomon, Matt Bromley, Greg Long and Mike Schlebach.
Guests can expect live auctions, ocean stories, comedy, and plenty of connection, with all ticket sales and auction proceeds supporting organisations working to protect coastal ecosystems and improve ocean safety and rescue efforts along the Western Cape coastline.
Where: Jack Black Brewery.
When: Friday, May 15, at 6.30pm.
South African comedian Alfred Adriaan returns with "Positive Strokes", a stand-up show exploring fatherhood, family memories, and the contrast between how he was raised and how he parents today.
Drawing on personal stories and everyday life observations, the show leans into relatable moments many audiences recognise.
Where: Drostdy Theatre.
When: Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, at 3pm and 7pm.