What to Do in Durban in October 2026, From Maskandi to Mbaqanga
SOUTH AFRICA · DURBAN · EVENTS
Key Facts
- •The city Durban is the port city of KwaZulu-Natal province on South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast, the province where maskandi, a guitar-led Zulu music, is played at festivals and on local radio.
- •Why now Saturday 10 October is the big day: Maskandi Fest in Greyville by day and the sold-out Top 8 football cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium at 18:00.
- •Later in the month The Mahotella Queens and a gospel live recording at the ICC Arena on Saturday 24 October, and Vusi Mahlasela at the UKZN jazz centre on Saturday 31 October.
- •For US travellers The US State Department rates South Africa Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”. US citizens need no visa for stays under 90 days.
- •The money Most tickets below cost R100 to R400 (about US$6 to US$24), at the Tuesday 6 October close of 16.54 rand per US dollar.
- •Still open Two headline shows are already sold out online, and the Sharks play no home rugby in Durban until December.
Durban, South Africa’s port city on the Indian Ocean, stages two big events on the same day, Saturday 10 October. Maskandi Fest fills a hockey club in Greyville from 10:00, and at 18:00 Orlando Pirates meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the sold-out Top 8 football cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The rest of the month plays out on smaller stages: Beatles and Alanis Morissette tributes, school marimba bands, a gospel live recording at the ICC Arena, the veteran mbaqanga group the Mahotella Queens and the singer Vusi Mahlasela. For an American visitor, most tickets cost less than US$25, and the city is a good base for hearing South African music in the rooms where locals hear it.
This guide lists only events still ahead after Wednesday 7 October, each checked against the organiser’s or ticket seller’s own page. Dates carry their weekday, prices are in South African rand (R) with the US dollar value in brackets, and every event below was on sale or listed when this guide was written.
Saturday 10 October: Maskandi Fest and the Top 8 Cup Final
Saturday 10 October, 10:00 to 20:00
Maskandi Fest Durban
Munies Hockey Club, John Zikhali Road, Greyville · R150 to R500 (about US$9 to US$30) on Computicket
An all-day festival of maskandi, the Zulu guitar music of KwaZulu-Natal, with Khuzani, Umafikizolo, Menzi, Limit Nala and Thandeka Radebe on the bill. It is billed as a Mother’s Day edition that was moved to this date. Tickets cover general access, a seated area with a table, and a cooler box option for cans only.
Saturday 10 October, kick-off 18:00
Top 8 Cup Final: Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Stamford Hill · Sold out
The Top 8, sponsored by the telecoms group MTN and named after it, is South Africa’s early-season cup for the eight best clubs of the previous league season. Orlando Pirates, the Soweto club that won the 2025/26 Premiership, face Mamelodi Sundowns of Pretoria. Pirates said all tickets sold within hours on Friday 2 October; only digital tickets transferred through OpenTickets are valid, and none will be sold at the stadium. SuperSport PSL and SABC 1 show the match live, so a sports bar is the realistic option for most visitors.
Saturday 10 October, 19:30, and Sunday 11 October, 14:00
Get Back 3, The Reals
The Rhumbelow Theatre, Cunningham Road, Umbilo · R180 to R220 (about US$11 to US$13) on Webtickets
A Beatles tribute at the Rhumbelow, a cabaret-style theatre in Umbilo. Seating is at tables of eight, the bar is open, picnic baskets are welcome but you may not bring alcohol, and doors open 90 minutes before the show. A second run plays at the Rhumbelow’s Northlands venue in Durban North on Saturday 17 October.
11 to 19 October: A Township Marathon, Marimba and Jazz Poetry
Sunday 11 October, start 05:00
Ethekwini Township to Township Marathon
Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu · Free to R400 (up to about US$24) on Webtickets
The full 42.2 km marathon starts at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu and the 21.1 km half from a Sasol garage in Chesterville, both at 05:00. Race packs are collected on Saturday 10 October from 09:00 to 17:00 at Kings Park Athletic Stadium. Every finisher gets a medal.
Sunday 11 October, 14:00
KZN Youth Orchestra Year-End Finale
Rhumbelow Theatre at Northlands Bowling Club, 50 Margaret Maytom Avenue, Durban North · R100 (about US$6)
A one-hour concert of classical favourites, film music and South African hits by the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra, its year-end finale after at least 14 concerts this year, presented with the Rhumbelow.
Tuesday 13 October, 17:30
Twosday: Jazz and Poetry Offering
UKZN Jazz Club, Berea · R70 to R130 (about US$4 to US$8)
The poet Thandiwe Nqanda reads work on love, grief, memory and healing with a live jazz ensemble, presented by the Zanemvula Creative Hub.
Tuesday 13 October, 18:30
Northwood Marimba Experience
Milkwood Theatre, Danville Park Girls’ High School, Durban North · R130 (about US$8)
The Northwood school marimba bands, two-time national champions by their own account, mix African rhythms with pop arrangements. Proceeds help pay for the young players’ touring. Parking is on the field via the gate on Newport Avenue.
Monday 19 October, 19:00
Durban Loves Delfi
Milkwood Theatre, Danville Park Girls’ High School, Durban North · R200 to R220 (about US$12 to US$13)
A fundraising variety night by the non-profit Hello Poppy for the Delfi family, whose home and restaurant were destroyed by fire. The bill includes the Glitter Girls, Lisa Bobbert, Liesl Coppin, Marion Loudon, the magician Mo Magic and the comedian Rory Petzer.
23 to 25 October: Gospel, Mbaqanga and the 1990s
Friday 23 October, 19:00
Live in Concert With Deborah McKay
Playhouse Company, Drama Main, 231 Anton Lembede Street, Durban Central · R150 to R400 (about US$9 to US$24)
An evening of gospel, jazz, African jazz and soul at the Playhouse theatre complex in the city centre.
Saturday 24 October, 17:00
A Night of Praise and Worship
Durban ICC Arena, 45 Bram Fischer Road · R300 to R650 (about US$18 to US$39) on Computicket
A live recording by the Isethembiso Gospel group with Ntokozo Mbambo, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Benjamin Dube, Khaya Mthethwa, Khuzani Mpungose and others. Children under two get in free, and paid parking at the venue is limited.
Saturday 24 October, 19:00
Mahotella Queens, Buyelekhaya Tour
Playhouse Company, Drama Main, Durban Central · R250 to R350 (about US$15 to US$21) on Webtickets
The mbaqanga vocal group, which the Playhouse says has carried the sound of South African music for more than six decades, brings its tour to Durban with the maskandi star Limit Nala as guest. No children under four.
Saturday 24 October, 19:30, and Sunday 25 October, 14:00
Jagged Little Tribute: The Music of Alanis Morissette
The Rhumbelow Theatre, Cunningham Road, Umbilo · R180 to R220 (about US$11 to US$13)
Colin Peddie, Tory Du Plessis, Paul Cassells and Marion Loudon play the songs of Jagged Little Pill, from “Ironic” to “You Oughta Know”. Same table seating and picnic rules as the Beatles show.
29 to 31 October: Dance Theatre, Mthunzi and Vusi Mahlasela
Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November
Naina, Based on a True Story
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN Howard College campus · R180 to R200 (about US$11 to US$12)
A dance-theatre piece about a girl born blind and deaf. Shows run at 19:00 on Thursday and Friday, 14:00 and 19:00 on Saturday 31 October, and 16:00 on Sunday 1 November. Wheelchair users should book the step-free seats in the back row, row N.
Friday 30 October, 19:30
A Night With Mthunzi
Playhouse Company, Opera Theatre, 231 Smith Street, Durban Central · R250 to R580 (about US$15 to US$35), sold out online
The Afropop singer, known for his chart-topping collaborations with the producer Kabza De Small, plays with a full live band. Webtickets shows the show as sold out online.
Saturday 31 October, 17:00
An Evening With Vusi Mahlasela
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, UKZN Howard College campus · R100 to R200 (about US$6 to US$12)
The singer-songwriter known in South Africa as “The Voice” sang at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994 and has shared stages with Dave Matthews Band, Sting and Paul Simon, according to the event listing. One night only, sponsored by the Cameron Schrier Foundation in support of the Ronnie Madonsela Scholarship. For many American visitors this is the pick of the month.
What It Means for You
The US State Department rates South Africa at Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”, in an advisory issued on 27 May 2025 that cites crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping. It warns that violent crime is common, especially in the downtown areas of large cities after dark. Several venues here are in central Durban, so plan a car or ride-hailing trip to the door rather than walking at night.
US citizens need no visa for a stay under 90 days. Your passport must be valid for 30 days after you leave South Africa and must have two consecutive blank visa pages. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
October has no South African public holidays, so shops, banks and offices keep normal hours. The next holiday is the Day of Reconciliation on Wednesday 16 December. Buy tickets from the sellers named above, Computicket and Webtickets; Webtickets also takes payment at Pick n Pay and Boxer stores. The Top 8 final sold only digital tickets through OpenTickets.
Rugby fans should know that the Sharks, Durban’s United Rugby Championship team, play all their remaining October games away. Their next home match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park is against the Stormers on Saturday 5 December.
What Is Not Known
Start times for the individual Maskandi Fest acts are not published. Webtickets lists A Night With Mthunzi as sold out online, and it is not known whether the organisers will release more seats.
Some events in earlier listings for the month could not be confirmed with an organiser or ticket seller and are left out, among them a Music at the Lake concert with Lira on 19 October and an arts festival in Durban North. Prices in US dollars move with the rand, so the amount on your card statement may differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Durban in October 2026?
Maskandi Fest and the sold-out Top 8 cup final on Saturday 10 October, the Mahotella Queens and a gospel live recording at the ICC Arena on Saturday 24 October, and Vusi Mahlasela on Saturday 31 October.
Can I still get tickets for the Top 8 cup final in Durban?
Not from the seller. Orlando Pirates said the final sold out within hours on 2 October and that no tickets will be sold at the stadium. Only digital tickets transferred through OpenTickets are valid.
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Durban?
No, not for stays under 90 days. The passport must be valid for 30 days after departure and have two consecutive blank visa pages.
Is Durban safe for American visitors?
The US State Department rates South Africa Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”, citing crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping. Use a car or ride-hailing app at night, especially in the city centre.
Sources: Computicket, Maskandi Fest Durban, Computicket, A Night of Praise and Worship, Orlando Pirates, cup final tickets, 1 October 2026, Orlando Pirates, cup final sold out, 2 October 2026, Webtickets, Get Back 3, Webtickets, Township to Township Marathon, Webtickets, KZNYO Finale, Webtickets, Twosday, Webtickets, Northwood Marimba, Webtickets, Durban Loves Delfi, Webtickets, Deborah McKay, Webtickets, Mahotella Queens, Webtickets, Jagged Little Tribute, Webtickets, Naina, Webtickets, A Night With Mthunzi, Webtickets, Vusi Mahlasela, Sharks Rugby, fixtures 2026/27, US State Department, South Africa travel advisory, US State Department, South Africa entry requirements, South African Government, public holidays. All retrieved 7 October 2026. Exchange rate: Tuesday 6 October 2026 close, 16.5352 rand per US dollar.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief