Cape Town events add to Mother City allure

Cape Town has plenty to boast about, from the sea to the mountain, to the laidback lifestyle, the Mother City continues to lure prospective investors to its shores, whether it be local or international.

The city has a growing investment base, with strong provincial governance key to driving a positive outlook and business community that continues to deliver across a variety of sector, Real Estate chief amongst them. The local Real Estate industry continues to thrive, with the city providing a strong argument as the preferred choice to set up as a home base.

The city can also point to its events sector as reason enough to invest, with a host of repeat events, combined with special events, providing locals with a packed calendar of entertainment and lifestyle opportunities.

What makes these events so unique - and quintessentially Cape Town - is how they draw on the surrounds (both natural and urban) to create a sense of place and belonging. 

Events that embrace the Mother City magic

From the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Two Oceans Marathon to Ultra Trail Cape Town, event organisers know what they have in the Mother City when it comes to aesthetics. Drawing on iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and Chapman's Peak, the routes are unparalleled, incorporating both the natural and urban beauty of the city.

First - and last - Thursdays

A mainstay of the local scene, on the first Thursday of every month, arts and culture in Cape Town has a late night, with dozens of art galleries and cultural events showcasing the wealth of talent that the Mother City has on offer - hence the name First Thursdays. The event is completely free, with no structured tour, and no schedule to follow, you are free to absorb it all at your own leisure.

First Thursdays has firmly established itself in the city bowl, drawing on the urban art offerings and local restaurant culture to create a lasting event,  and it has also inspired others to follow suit, with Last Thursdays - a community-driven marketing concept in Hout Bay. Open to the public, Last Thursdays is centred around a primary programme in a focussed area, featuring local artists, performances, and other special attractions.  While most participants fall within the walkable hub of the Hout Bay Main Road Village Precinct, it also includes standalone sites like Victoria Road Galleries, Restaurants, and the Harbour Art precinct.

The initiative is equally about access to the arts, supporting charities, aimed at injecting life into local urban spaces after hours.

Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts

A staple of the Cape Town summer, these outdoor sessions at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are fun, yet chilled, providing audiences with plenty of options, with both local and international musicians on the schedule.

An open-air concert under the backdrop of Table Mountain, in one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, you won't find a match anywhere else.

Concert-goers take advantage of the surroundings by arriving early, taking a stroll, and setting up shop on the lawns, to guarantee a prime location for when the music kicks off.

Galileo Open Air Cinemas

Like the summer concerts, the Galileo Open Air Cinemas are another mainstay of the warmer months in the Mother City.

With a great line-up of movies - from adventure to family fare - and special screenings over the festive period, the Galileo Open Air Cinemas are a firm favourite for both locals and visitors alike.

Based in various locales around the city, the cinemas are as much about their surroundings as they are about the actual line-up of movies. From a surfing documentary at the V&A Waterfront, to a romantic comedy in the Cape Winelands, location really is everything.

The Mother City allure is also serving as a calling card for international events, with the local aesthetics a big draw for global showpieces. Cape Town has been a traditional stop-over for the Volvo Ocean Race, with crews always enjoying their time in the city, while locals will also have a new global event to enjoy this year...

Formula E

After five years of lobbying for a stop on the Formula E circuit, Cape Town unveiled a jaw-dropping route over the weekend. Running around the iconic Green Point precinct, under the shadow of Table Mountain, 22 cars raced their way through Green Point and the Waterfront precincts, with Signal Hill and other famous Cape Town landmarks serving as the track backdrop. The 2.94-kilometer, 12-turn track is one of the fastest in the series, and more than 20 000 spectators turned up to witness the inaugural event.

With a growing track record of successful events like the Formula E extravaganza, and a natural backdrop that is second to none, there is no doubt that Cape Town will continue to establish itself as THE events destination of choice.

Just another reason to make Cape Town your home.