- Download our Johannesburg Schools Guide
- Purchase the complete Johannesburg City Guide
- Purchase the complete Expat Arrivals Johannesburg Guide (PDF)
Johannesburg is a vibrant, bustling metropolis with an assortment of activities and events on offer. The city boasts numerous art, culture, entertainment and sport activities for expats to explore. Whether they're looking for something to do solo, with the family or with newfound friends, new residents of Joburg won't have a shortage of options.
Below are a few of the top yearly events in Johannesburg.
Annual events in Johannesburg
The Rand Show (April)
Founded more than 120 years ago, the Rand Show is a multi-day festival with non-stop entertainment throughout. Festivalgoers will have plenty to keep themselves occupied with the show split into six main areas each dedicated to a particular type of entertainment and interests. There's a play zone, a foodie zone and a proudly South African zone, to name just a few.
The Wine Show (June)
Attendees at the Wine Show can join fellow wine enthusiasts in tasting and buying wines from dozens of estates around the country. There are also opportunities to learn about winemaking and wine pairing.
Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival (September)
Arts Alive celebrates the city’s awakening from its winter slumber and the onset of spring. This vibrant and eclectic feast of arts and culture takes place at various venues in and around the city throughout September and features the very best in home-grown theatre, dance, music, visual art and entertainment.
FNB Art Joburg (September)
This once-a-year art event is exclusively devoted to African art and features pieces from local and international galleries, as well as photography, sculptures and installations.
Soweto Marathon (November)
Starting and ending at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, this well-known event can be run in various distances to suit different fitness levels. This includes traditional full- and half-marathon lengths as well as a shorter 6-mile (10 km) option.
Further reading
►For info on raising expat children in the city, see Kids and Family in Johannesburg
►See and Do in Johannesburg gives the lowdown on the city's best attractions
Are you an expat living in Johannesburg?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Johannesburg. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
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