MARCH IN CAPE TOWN: 91 EVENTS, 300 000 PEOPLE
March is one of the most exciting months on Cape Town’s annual events calendar, with around 91 events set to attract approximately 300 000 people.
This month’s calendar includes a few of the Mother City’s top annual events including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Town Carnival, Absa Cape Epic and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Other highlights range from women’s sport, performing arts extravaganza, to community celebrations and family-friendly experiences.
Standard Bank Ladies Open
The Standard Bank Ladies Open tees off from 5 – 7 March 2026 at the Durbanville Golf Club.
As part of the Sunshine Ladies Tour, the tournament brings together more than 80 professional golfers competing over three rounds for a R1 million prize purse.
With free entry for spectators, the event offers a front-row seat to elite women’s golf while reinforcing Cape Town’s reputation as a premier sporting and tourism destination.
Cape Town Cycle Tour
The 48th edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour takes place on 8 March 2026, drawing approximately 30 000 cyclists.
The flagship 109km route begins at the Grand Parade and winds around the Cape Peninsula, delivering breathtaking ocean views and a vehicle-free riding experience.
Beyond being South Africa’s premier mass participation cycling event, the Tour is expected to generate around R500 million in economic impact — a major boost for hospitality and tourism businesses.
Cape Town City FC vs Milford FC
On 10 March 2026, Cape Town City FC host Milford FC in a top-of-the-table clash at Athlone Stadium.
This crucial Motsepe Foundation Championship encounter might have implications in the push for promotion with City and Milford FC separated by a point on top of the log.
The Citizens go into the match with a strong home record, having not lost at Athlone since October.
With promotion ambitions on the line, the fixture promises an electric afternoon of football in the Mother City.
Kick-off for the game is at 15:30 with gates opening an hour before the start of the match.
Entry to watch the game is free. Spectators can get free tickets through Webtickets.
National Extreme Festival
Speed enthusiasts will be thrilled when the National Extreme Festival, South Africa’s premier circuit racing series, roars into action at Killarney International Raceway.
The event features a stacked lineup of competitive categories, including the Polo Cup, Extreme SuperCars Driven by Dunlop, Formula Ford Kent, GR Cup, MSA4, South African Touring Cars, SupaCup, ZX10 Masters Cup and the Rookie Cup.
The National Championship Series draws around 150 visiting teams to Cape Town, bringing with them approximately 700 race crew members and travelling support staff, adding to the buzz around the circuit.
The day combines high-performance motorsport with live entertainment, food vendors and interactive attractions, making it a full-family outing.
Racing gets underway at 08:00, with high-octane action on track right through until 18:00.
Tickets are available via Webtickets from R40, and children under 12 enter free.
Absa Cape Epic
From 15 – 22 March 2026, the Absa Cape Epic once again tests the world’s best riders across approximately 700km and 16 000m of climbing.
Recognised as the world’s most televised mountain bike race, the Epic attracts elite professionals and determined amateurs alike.
What will start with a 20 km ride and 650 metres of climbing from the Meerendal Wine Estate on 15 March will conclude in Stellenbosch after going through Montagu and Greyton among other Western Cape towns.
Meerendal Wine Estate will host the prologue.
Cape Town Carnival
The Cape Town Carnival will light up the Green Point Fan Walk with an extravaganza featuring around 1 500 performers and several floats on 21 March 2026
Under the theme Follow Your HEART, the Carnival will be led by 12 creative champions who will share stories of following their passion while highlighting Cape Town’s role in shaping their careers and artistic voices.
This celebration of creativity, culture and community is in its 16th year and promises to deliver a spectacular show in front of more than 30 000 spectators.
The Cape Town Carnival is a free event. However, should you be interested in some limited ticket options in VIP, seated stands or the Red Bus, you have options.
DHL Stormers vs Dragons RFC
The DHL Stormers return to play in the Mother City after a three-game tour through Durban, Johannesburg and Tshwane, and they’re ready to reignite DHL Stadium.
The blue and white stripes take on Dragons RFC on 22 March in this round 13 Vodacom URC clash.
The Stormers will be looking to go back to winning ways after a stumble over the last couple of games and keep its playoff momentum.
Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster from R85.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Cape Town International Jazz Festival weekend kicks off with the traditional free concert on Greenmarket Square on 25 March.
The open-air performance offers residents and visitors the opportunity to experience world-class music at no cost, bringing the spirit of the festival directly into the heart of the city.
The concert also provides an opportunity to local emerging artists to perform in front of large audiences.
This is followed by the main jazz festival, taking place at the CTICC on 27 – 28 March.
As one of the continent’s leading music festivals, blending jazz legacy with contemporary global talent.
Legendary pianist Abdullah Ibrahim will take to the stage as part of a line up that also includes Jacob Collier, Yellowjackets, and Yussef Dayes Experience.
International acts include the UK’s Jasmine Myra, Salomão Soares & Vanessa Moreno from Brazil) and India’s Varijashree Venugopal.
Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Rorisang Sechel, Jimmy Nevis, Scorpion Kings, Jazzwrld & Thukuthele and Nduduzo Makhathini will lead a line up of South African artists will grace the festival’s four stages.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Cape Town Sixes Festival
If you’re a sport enthusiast who enjoys cricket, golf, or padel, the Cape Town Sixes Festival is for you.
Taking placeon 28 and 29 March, the Sixes Festival offers a vibrant mix of sport, music and gourmet food in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
It takes place at the Western Province Cricket Club in Rondebosch and entry into the venue is free.
Prepare for a world of sixes, intense back hand returns and the possibility of a hole-in-one.
Wynberg Family Festival
Cape Town’s longest running community event, the Southern Mail Wynberg Family Festival, takes over Maynardville Park for a whole weekend.
From 27 – 29 March, the park will become a hub for live performances, amusement rides and a curated selection of food vendors.
The Wynberg Family Festival creates a welcoming space for families and supports local businesses.
You can get your tickets through Computicket.
SPAR Women’s Challenge
Over 18 000 runners will take on the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Women’s Challenge on 29 March 2026.
The race will take the athletes on a route starting outside the DHL Stadium, through Green Point, Mouille Point and Sea Point before finishing in the Green Point Shared Fields.
The 2026 edition of the SPAR Women’s Challenge will be celebrating inclusivity under the theme #CelebrateHer.
The event promotes health and wellness while supporting initiatives aimed at ending period poverty.
