A picnic blanket, friends on the lawn and live music beneath Table Mountain. The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts return on Sunday, 22 November 2026, with Mi Casa opening a 19-concert season.
Now in its 34th year, the series continues a Cape Town summer tradition of gathering people around music, with Lira, Mandisi Dyantyis, Simphiwe Dana and Mango Groove among the artists on the 2026/27 bill.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts: The 2026/27 Season
Running until 28 March 2027, the line-up pairs South African voices and bands with international guests, plus three distinct concerts featuring the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Across the season, audiences can move from Afro-soul and kwela-pop to rock, electronic music and orchestral storytelling, all in the same open-air setting.
Kirstenbosch’s lawns and the eastern slopes of Table Mountain give the concerts their familiar sense of occasion. For returning concertgoers, it is a chance to add another summer to years of shared songs and picnics. For newcomers, it is an introduction to a long-running part of the city’s cultural life.
“For this season, we have brought together artists and sounds that give people different ways to enjoy live music together. The concerts give people a chance to gather on the lawn, share a picnic, and experience music in Kirstenbosch’s beauty.
This sense of connection is what keeps the tradition alive. Just as importantly, putting South African artists on this stage connects local talent with audiences and supports the people whose skills make live music possible. In that way, the concerts positively contribute to the country and city’s creative economy,” says Sarah Struys, Events and Tourism Manager at Kirstenbosch.
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Concerts
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s three unique performances begin on 31 January with Broadway at Kirstenbosch, featuring American singer Jessica Vosk, known for playing Elphaba in Wicked. Rob van Vuuren joins the orchestra on 7 February for a children’s concert featuring Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. On 7 March, the orchestra and the Cape Town International Piano Competition team up for a symphony concert with conductor Arjan Tien and pianist Emanuil Ivanov, featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
Mi Casa, Freshlyground and Other Familiar Faces
The season brings back performers who have helped shape recent Kirstenbosch summers. Mi Casa, Freshlyground, Mango Groove, Goldfish, Matthew Mole, Jeremy Loops and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra all featured in both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 line-ups.
Rob van Vuuren returns after joining the orchestra for Peter and the Wolf last season, while Mandisi Dyantyis, Lloyiso and Congo Cowboys also featured in the 2024/25 line-up. The Parlotones, a big favourite at Kirstenbosch several years ago, are back this year as well.
This year, Freshlyground shares the bill with Booshle G on 29 November. Mandisi Dyantyis follows on 6 December, The Billy Joel Experience on 13 December and Lira on 27 December. Matthew Mole and Congo Cowboys take the season into 2027 with a New Year’s Eve concert that runs until just after midnight.
January pairs Simphiwe Dana with Selaelo Selota, Kurt Darren with Me & Mr Green, and Just Jinjer with GoodLuck, with Lloyiso also on the line-up. Will Linley takes the Valentine’s Day slot, followed later in February by Mango Groove and The Parlotones. Goldfish and Jeremy Loops return in March, before Canadian duo Neon Dreams and Dutch band Chef’Special close the season on 28 March.
A Stage for South African Creativity
Kirstenbosch gives local artists a recurring platform to perform for local and visiting audiences. Every concert also draws on musicians, technical crews and event services. Supporting local performances helps sustain creative work and keeps live music part of Cape Town’s cultural and visitor offering.
Full Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts Line-up
All concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town.
- 22 November 2026: Mi Casa
- 29 November 2026: Booshle G and Freshlyground
- 6 December 2026: Mandisi Dyantyis
- 13 December 2026: The Billy Joel Experience
- 27 December 2026: Lira
- 31 December 2026: Matthew Mole and Congo Cowboys
- 3 January 2027: Simphiwe Dana and Selaelo Selota
- 10 January 2027: Kurt Darren and Me & Mr Green
- 17 January 2027: Lloyiso
- 24 January 2027: Just Jinjer and GoodLuck
- 31 January 2027: Broadway at Kirstenbosch, featuring Jessica Vosk with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
- 7 February 2027: Carnival of the Animals, a children’s concert with Rob van Vuuren and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
- 14 February 2027: Will Linley
- 21 February 2027: Mango Groove
- 28 February 2027: The Parlotones
- 7 March 2027: Rachmaninoff’s Third, with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in collaboration with the Cape Town International Piano Competition
- 14 March 2027: Goldfish
- 21 March 2027: Jeremy Loops
- 28 March 2027: Neon Dreams and Chef’Special
Tickets and Times for the Kirstenbosch Concerts
Tickets are available exclusively via Webtickets or at Kirstenbosch. Tickets bought from any other source cannot be guaranteed, so concertgoers are encouraged to book early to secure their spot and avoid disappointment.
All Kirstenbosch concert tickets allow holders into the garden from 08:00. For Sunday concerts, the concert venue gates open at 16:00, with music from 17:15 until 19:00. On New Year’s Eve, the gates open at 19:00, with music from 20:30 until just after midnight.
Food, Drinks and Picnics
Concertgoers are welcome to bring a picnic and a blanket and settle in for the afternoon. Food is also available from Moyo Restaurant’s new food trucks and menu. Pizza options include Margherita, Boerewors & Chakalaka, Pepperoni with Hot Honey & Basil, and Garden Melody with roasted butternut, courgette ribbons, pesto and rocket. Beef and chicken prego rolls and boerewors rolls will also be on offer, alongside biltong and droëwors snacks. Gelato, cake cans, coffee, homemade lemonade and other refreshments round out the menu.
Attendees may bring their own alcoholic beverages, but the venue does not sell alcohol. You can also pre-order picnic hampers up to five days in advance from Kirstenbosch Fynkos Restaurant or MOYO Restaurant.
As with all Kirstenbosch concerts, this is a non-smoking venue with no designated smoking areas, and the rule will be strictly enforced.
Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of music, culture and memories. Share your experiences and join the conversation with #KBRocks.
For more information, visit Webtickets or contact Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden directly. Garden information is available at www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch.
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