Cape Town Jazz Festival

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival returns to central Cape Town, South Africa, from 19 to 21 March 2027. The organizer’s ticket listing (opens in a new tab) places the main festival across three city-centre venues, with a family day on Sunday. It forms part of a wider March programme called the Month of the Mother City; check each event separately for its date and admission terms.

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Dates and the new 2027 format

The festival weekend runs Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March. Friday and Saturday are the main festival days; the organizer describes Sunday as a family day at the Company’s Garden. The ticket page (opens in a new tab) says gate details, individual set times and the full lineup will be announced closer to the event. Check those details before making a tight travel or dinner reservation.

The 2027 edition moves beyond its former home at the Cape Town International Convention Centre to several central venues. The festival’s official site (opens in a new tab) describes the broader Month of the Mother City as a March programme of music, art, fashion and food, including two flagship weekends and three free community concerts. Those community concerts and other March events have their own arrangements. Do not assume that a festival-weekend pass covers the entire month, or that every performance is free.

Where are the stages?

The organizer lists three stages for the main festival: Kippies at the Company’s Garden, Mannenberg at Greenmarket Square, and Rosies at St George’s Cathedral. It says the venues are within walking distance of one another. Sunday’s family day is listed at the Company’s Garden; consult the latest programme for which stages operate on each day and which artists play where.

Allow time between performances for walking, entry checks and finding the right stage. When the detailed map appears, identify entrances and exits rather than navigating only to the venue name. If you need step-free access, seating, accessible toilets or assistance, contact the organizer before buying and ask about each specific venue and the route between them. An answer for one stage may not describe the others.

Cape Town Jazz Festival tickets and prices

The organizer links to Quicket (opens in a new tab) for the 2027 festival weekend. On 5 November 2026, the listing showed tickets from R1,500; availability, categories, fees and prices can change. Open the current listing for the total cost and the exact days, venues and privileges included before paying. Keep your confirmation and check the seller’s refund and entry conditions.

The free community concerts mentioned on the festival website are part of the broader March programme. Their dates, locations and any registration requirements should be confirmed separately when published. A free community concert is not the same ticket product as the main festival weekend.

Lineup and festival history

The festival’s 2027 artist page (opens in a new tab) names performers including Simphiwe Dana with special guest Bongeziwe Mabandla, Ballaké Sissoko and Mahotella Queens. The organizer has not yet published the complete set times on the ticket listing. Check the official lineup again before booking around a particular artist; announced performers and schedules can change.

The festival began in 2000, according to an article on the organizer’s site (opens in a new tab). Its history includes artists such as Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela. These are examples from previous editions, not claims that they will appear in 2027. The move from a convention-centre setting into multiple city spaces gives this edition a different layout to consider when planning.

Visiting with children

The organizer describes Sunday 21 March as an all-ages family day. Its current listing says children under 10 cannot attend on Friday and Saturday evenings, and minors require adult supervision. Confirm the latest age, ticket and entry rules for each day before booking; a family-friendly label does not override those specific conditions. Bring hearing protection for children and agree on a meeting point in case your group separates.

Getting there and where to stay

The stages are in central Cape Town, so a city-centre hotel can reduce travel between your accommodation and the venues. Compare options on Booking.com (opens in a new tab), then check the actual route and transport arrangements before booking. A hotel farther away may suit your budget, but factor in the return journey after the music ends.

The organizer recommends public transport, rideshares or designated parking where available and says detailed parking information will follow. Check its latest notices for access, road closures and pickup points. For local buses, consult MyCiTi (opens in a new tab) for current routes, service times and fares; check the return service as carefully as the outward trip. If using a rideshare after dark, arrange a pickup at a suitable, well-lit location and allow for traffic.

March is early autumn in South Africa. Pack comfortable shoes for moving between venues and a light layer for the evening, and check the forecast before leaving. The ticket listing prohibits outside food and drinks, chairs, umbrellas and several other items; review its current permitted-items list and ask the organizer about any accessibility or medical exception you need.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Cape Town Jazz Festival in 2027?

The main festival weekend is 19–21 March 2027. The wider Month of the Mother City programme runs during March, with individual event dates to check separately.

Is the festival free?

The main weekend has paid tickets. The organizer also mentions three free community concerts in the wider March programme; check their individual details when announced.

Where is the festival held?

The main stages are at the Company’s Garden, Greenmarket Square and St George’s Cathedral in central Cape Town. Sunday’s family day is listed at the Company’s Garden.

Who is performing?

The official site lists a first selection of artists. Consult the current lineup and schedule for additions and performance times.