JOHANNESBURG · Culture
Wednesday 4 November is a public holiday for the local elections, and Oskido’s Big Day Out and Piano People fill 28 November. The month, day by day.
JOHANNESBURG — This is your guide to things to do in Johannesburg in November 2026, from a family pantomime to the city’s big open-air music days. Prices are in rand (R); at about R16.7 to the US dollar (market-data provider RT, 1 November), R100 is roughly US$6.
The month opens with an unusual midweek break. Wednesday 4 November is a national public holiday so that South Africans can vote in the local government elections, which choose city and town councils.
The big music days then cluster on Saturday 28 November.This guide lists only events we could confirm with an organiser, venue or official page.
Times and prices can change, so check the seller’s page before you travel.
Early November: Pantomime and a Holiday
Until Thursday 24 December
Alice in Wonderland pantomime
Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein (a central arts and student district) · from R170 (about US$10) · Webtickets, a South African ticket seller
Director Janice Honeyman stages the family pantomime, with Desmond Dube, Russel Savadier and Brendan Van Rhyn in the cast and Ashley Scott as Alice.
Wednesday 4 November
Election-day public holiday
Nationwide · declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa under South Africa’s Public Holidays Act
Most workplaces and public services close, so expect a quiet city. Check opening hours with venues you plan to visit.
Saturday 7 November: Tembisa and Linksfield
Saturday 7 November
Tembisa Kota Festival
Transnet School of Rail, Esselen Park · Computicket, a South African ticket seller
A daytime festival built around the kota, the township sandwich of bread stuffed with chips, egg and polony.
Saturday 7 November, 12:00 to 22:00
Kunye Jozi XI
Huddle Park, Linksfield (a golf and events venue in the eastern suburbs) · Howler, a South African ticket seller
The Afro-house showcase returns to Huddle Park. The event is cashless, so bring a card or phone for payments. We could not confirm the ticket price.
Late November: Soweto, Newtown and the Big Days
Saturday 28 November, 12:00 to 22:00
Oskido’s Big Day Out
Huddle Park, Linksfield · R695 general, R1,950 VIP (about US$42 and US$117) · Webtickets only
Oskido, a veteran of South African house music, runs two stages this year, with Liquideep, Brothers of Peace and MDU named as the first headliners.
Saturday 28 November
Piano People Johannesburg
Old Park Station, 140 Carr Street, Newtown · from R500 (about US$30) · Howler
The amapiano festival, built on South Africa’s piano-led house sound, is listed for 28 and 29 November on the organiser’s Howler page. Uncle Waffles, a DJ and producer, is named as headliner on a local events listing.
Saturday 28 November, 18:00
The Music Vault: ILali
Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Brakpan (a casino and entertainment complex east of Johannesburg) · from R250 (about US$15)
Sun International, a casino and resort operator, lists the show on its Carnival City events page.
Saturday 28 November
Miss Soweto, 47th edition
Soweto Theatre, Jabulani
The Soweto beauty pageant crowns its winner at the Soweto Theatre. We could not confirm the start time or ticket price.
Sunday 29 November: Music in the Garden
Sunday 29 November, from 13:00
Sunset Music Series: Sjava
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort · from R195 (about US$12), excluding booking fee
Sjava, a Zulu-language singer-songwriter, headlines the afternoon concert in the gardens.
Planning Your Johannesburg November
Saturday 28 November is the busiest day of the month: Oskido, Piano People, a concert in Brakpan and the Miss Soweto final all fall on it. Pick one early and book ahead.
Most events sell through Webtickets, Howler, Quicket or Computicket, and foreign cards generally work on them. Huddle Park events are cashless.
Distances are large. Use e-hailing apps instead of driving home after dark, and allow extra time to reach Brakpan, Linksfield or Kempton Park on show days.
Not confirmed: we could not verify several listings that circulate online, including comedy, jazz and silent-disco nights, so they are left out. We also found no November fixtures at FNB Stadium or Ellis Park, Johannesburg’s main football and rugby grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a public holiday in Johannesburg in November 2026?
Yes. Wednesday 4 November 2026 is a national public holiday, declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the local government elections.
What is the biggest music event in Johannesburg in November 2026?
Oskido’s Big Day Out on Saturday 28 November at Huddle Park. General tickets cost R695 (about US$42) on Webtickets.
Where can I take children in Johannesburg this November?
Janice Honeyman’s Alice in Wonderland pantomime runs at Joburg Theatre until 24 December, with tickets from R170 (about US$10) on Webtickets.
Where do I buy tickets for Johannesburg events?
Most listings sell through Webtickets, Howler, Quicket or Computicket. Use the seller named on each event.
Sources: Time Out Johannesburg, November events; Time Out, Alice in Wonderland; Time Out, Miss Soweto; SAnews, government news agency, 4 November holiday; Howler, Piano People; Sun International, Carnival City; Gauteng provincial tourism body, Sunset Music Series; Computicket, Tembisa Kota Festival; Oskido line-up; RT exchange rates. Retrieved 1 November 2026.
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
The Johannesburg Guide
What The Rio Times publishes for foreigners in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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