First Thursdays in Johannesburg bring the city to life with a monthly roundup of art, culture, food and creativity. From vibrant gallery openings and immersive workshops to unique dining experiences and live music, the evening invites you to explore Johannesburg’s neighbourhoods in a whole new way.
Whether you’re looking for a stroll, a creative spark, or a night out with friends, First Thursdays offer something for everyone. Grab a map, hop on a TukTuk, and let the city surprise and inspire you. Here’s what’s in store.
What’s On at the Wits Art Museum and Origins Centre
What We Do Not See
What We Do Not See is an exhibition that remembers David Goldblatt in what would have been his 95th year, and explores the idea of home – the structures, places, cultures and relationships that we live within – in and around Johannesburg.
In addition to Goldblatt, the exhibition brings together a group of nine mainly Johannesburg- based photographers: Gulshan Khan, Jabulani Dhlamini, Jo Ractliffe, Jodi Bieber, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Madoda Mkhobeni, Mark Lewis, Sabelo Mlangeni and Tshepiso Mazibuko.
Exhibition curated by Brenda Goldblatt and Fiona Rankin-Smith and supported by the David Goldblatt Legacy Trust.
Cost: Free entry
When: Running from 4 August to 24 October 2026 during the Art Museum’s opening hours, which are: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Where: Wits Art Museum, University of the Witwatersrand, Cnr Jorissen and Bertha St, Johannesburg
(Un)charted Territories
(Un)charted Territories, currently showing in the Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts, is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the exhibition, sharing fresh insights and new perspectives.
The exhibition reimagines the artist’s book as a unique cartographic instrument. Moving beyond traditional geography, these works transform the map from a tool of control into a dynamic space for encounter and discovery.
The exhibition highlights diverse books that use physical maps, layered folds, and cartographic symbols to visually translate abstract concepts
Cost: Free entry
When: Running until 23 September 2026 during the Art Museum’s opening hours, which are: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Where: Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts at the Wits Art Museum, University of the Witwatersrand, Cnr Jorissen and Bertha St, Johannesburg
Hentie van der Merwe’s After de Jongh
After de Jongh explores Hentie van der Merwe’s relationship with personal identity, cultural inheritance, and the enduring presence of history through painting.
Drawing inspiration from Bloekomlaan (Avenue of Gum Trees) by the Dutch-born South African painter Tinus de Jongh (1885 – 1942), Hentie van der Merwe revisits an image deeply embedded in Afrikaner visual culture and collective memory.
Cost: Free entry
When: Runs during the Art Museum’s opening hours, which are: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Where: Wits Art Museum, University of the Witwatersrand, Cnr Jorissen and Bertha St, Johannesburg
Experiences and events this First Thursday
Sphelelo Mazibuko at Hugh’s Jazz Club Series
Hugh’s Jazz Club is a premium world-class club designed by Play Braamfontein in collaboration with the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, paying homage to Hugh Masekela through curated performances in an intimate setting.
Every Thursday, the club provides a space for established musicians and emerging talents to express themselves and show off their skills and creativity.
Sphelelo Mazibuko is a studio engineer, drum technician, and music educator from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Born into a family of musicians. His father and siblings are all musicians. Mazibuko began playing drums at the age of 14, and he later attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he studied a BA in Music and Media Studies. He also studied music and drumming under the guidance of respected jazz educators Neil Gonsalves and Bruce Baker.
Having performed and recorded as a drummer with many accomplished artists, Mazibuko’s freelance work has taken him to all corners of South Africa and Virginia in the US. Some of the events he has performed at include the annual International Cape Town Jazz Festival, Macufe Music Festival, Durban Jazz Festival, Midem (France), Jazz Ahead (Germany), Musique en ete (Switzerland), Joy of Jazz, to name a few.
Cost: R300pp. Book online
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm
Where: Hugh’s Jazz Club, Level 13, 10 De Beer St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Melville Art Mile
The Melville Art Mile is back for its monthly celebration of Johannesburg’s bohemian heartland. This Thursday, the suburb wraps up with an ode to women – izimbokodo.
The Art Mile have curated the best offerings across the precinct, from galleries and studios to heritage sites and night markets, creating a vibrant circuit of art and dining.
How to navigate the art
Follow the Lew Geffen Sotheby’s wayfinding arrows to discover hidden studios and live performances.
- White arrows: lead north to bamboo.
- Green arrows: lead west to mudroom.
- Pink arrows: lead south to die pienk kerk.
The entire route is secured by the Melville Security Initiative (MSI). Prefer a ride? Jump on one of the official tuk-tuks to zip between venues:
- Ticket holders (vip/explorer): unlimited free rides.
- General public: pay-as-you-go (R25 per trip).
Cost: R450pp for a premium guided tour including drinks, activities and a souvenir. R150pp for a self-guided tour with unlimited tuk-tuks. Free to explore on your own and pay-as-you-go. Book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 1 October from 4pm to 9pm
Where: 27 Boxes, 76a 4th Ave, Melville, Johannesburg
Linda Sikhakhane Live at Untitled Basement
A South African saxophonist and composer, Linda Sikhakhane has always had a remarkable ability to leave a mark while quietly allowing everyone around him to shine. There is generosity in his playing and a deep understanding of what it means to be part of an ensemble. He is a true collaborator and, above all, a gentleman of the craft.
In this performance, he presents “L I N D A”, his self-titled fifth album that is both introspective and communal. The album draws deeply from his cultural heritage while continuing to explore new sonic frontiers, blending contemporary textures with the enduring language of South African jazz.
Cost: From R300pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm
Where: Untittled Basement, 7 Reserve St, Johannesburg
Joburg Artist Market
The Joburg Artist Market is home to an evolving mix of local artists, designers and independent makers showcasing handcrafted jewellery, fashion, homeware, artworks and one-of-a-kind finds. The space regularly hosts live music performances, workshops and interactive experiences that create a more immersive visit.
Set within the distinctive 27 Boxes precinct, itself built from repurposed shipping containers, there are also food and drink stalls to turn your visit into an easy afternoon outing. The market aims to create direct engagement between creatives and visitors, allowing guests to discover the stories and people behind the work on display.
Cost: Free entry
When: Thursday, 1 October from 4pm to 9pm
Where: Joburg Artist Market @ 27 Boxes, 6a 4th Ave, Melville, Johannesburg
Keyes Art Night at Keyes Art Mile
This Keyes Art Night begins with a city still being imagined.
In the Atrium, the Makers Table, in collaboration with Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Open Window, invites you to work directly with archival photographs from Marc Latilla’s Johannesburg Then and Now. Hand-colour, collage, draw, and reimagine the city through your own lens, from impossible futures to deeply personal interventions.
In Gallery 1, Groundwork enters its final weeks. Spend time with an exhibition shaped by stone, dust, carbon, and clay, and the questions they leave behind about construction, memory, and time.
And just around the corner at CIRCA Gallery, Bag Factory Art marks 35 years with When We Gather…the ordinary becomes extraordinary – a fundraising group exhibition bringing together alumni and current artists from three and a half decades of studio practice.
At Lizamore & Associates, A Small Kind of Magic brings together Rosemary Marriott, Moloko Mabotja and Jenny Nijenhuis in a quiet exploration of identity, memory and the things we absorb before we have language for them.
At BKhz, Stephen Tebogo Langa opens Until Love Makes Sense – paintings that hold love in uncertain, shifting moments, somewhere between thought and feeling.
Cost: Free entry, food and drink are for your own account
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm
Where: Keyes Art Mile, 21 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Travelling Date Night at Indaba Hotel
Warm evenings call for romance, adventure, and a little indulgence. Join Indaba Hotel on the First Thursday of every month for an unforgettable 4-stop dining journey across the Hotel property:
- Sundowner cocktail and canapés at the Gin School
- Do dinner and a glass of wine at Epsom Restaurant
- Dessert and bubbly at the Indaba Tasting Room
- End with fire-side s’mores and a nightcap in the Courtyard
Cost: R785 per couple, book via email at [email protected]
When: First Thursday of every month
Where: Indaba Hotel, cnr. Winnie Mandela Drive & Pieter Wenning Rd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Roedean Art Fair
The Roedean Art Fair 2026 aims to highlight the importance of creativity and creative spaces that reflect the school and the world.
The art-filled weekend promises exciting installations, as well as limited-edition art prints exclusive to the Roedean Art Fair 2026 from renowned artists.
Thursday features an opening cocktail night where guests can enjoy delicious food and listen to a keynote address from Old Roedean student and art fintech entrepreneur Karabo Morule.
Cost: From R50pp per day; from R130pp for a weekend pass; from R25pp for kids aged 6 to 12; from R350pp for the cocktail evening on Thursday, 1 October. Book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 1 October 2026, from 5.30pm to 9pm.
Where: Roedean School (SA) – Gymnasium, 35 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg
Lesedi Ntsane – Jazz At The Bioscope
Curated by award-winning musician Mandla Mlangeni, Jazz At The Bioscope brings together established musicians and emerging voices, with performances designed to surprise and engage audiences.
Lesedi Ntsane offers an intimate showcase of his distinctive blend of South African musical heritage and contemporary improvisational flair. Audiences can expect a performance shaped by Ntsane’s deep roots in brass tradition and his expansive international journey – from early mentorship in Tshwane to advanced studies and collaborations in New York’s jazz circles.
Cost: R225pp, book via TixSA
When: Thursday, 1 October from 8pm. Guests are encouraged to arrive earlier to enjoy food and drink at The Bioscope Cafe
Where: The Bioscope at 44 Stanley, 44 Stanley Avenue, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg
Venturo Game Night at Shooters in Fourways
Venturo Game Night is back, and this time they’ve found a new playground: Shooters in Fourways. Swing by after work with friends or colleagues, or go solo and make new ones. Entry is free, the vibe is easy, and Shooters has a solid food menu ready for when the hunger hits. Expect a mix of classic favourites, fast-paced party games and plenty of laughs across the tables.
Cost: Free entry
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm to 11pm
Where: Shop F13, Fourways Mall, 11 Ruby Cl, Fourways, Sandton
Stained Glass Paint Night
The Pisces Glass Studio hosts a creative and relaxing glass painting evening where guests transform an ordinary glass bottle into a beautiful, hand-painted keepsake.
The event provides all materials and creates a vibrant atmosphere where beginners and seasoned creatives can order delicious food and drinks, have fun, socialise, and stay inspired. Fun, social, and inspiring.
Cost: R480pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm to 9pm
Where: The Noble Experiment, Prison Break Market, 10 MacMillan Rd, Glenferness AH, Johannesburg
Special Screening of Don’t Be Late For My Funeral
In South Africa, countless families were shaped by the quiet, profound influence of domestic workers — women who raised children not their own while leaving their own behind. Margaret Bogopa Matlala was one of them. Now, decades later, filmmaker Diana Keam returns to the rural town where Margaret has retired, to honour the woman who helped raise her — her other mother. What begins as a visit becomes a deeply personal reflection on unconditional love, sacrifice, and a bond that endured apartheid’s deep divisions.
Don’t Be Late For My Funeral is a uniquely personal film – a love letter to selfless care and chosen family – and Keam invites you to share in the act of remembering, and this event invites guests to meet filmmaker Keam at a special screening and Q&A of the film.
Cost: R125pp, book via TixSA
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm
Where: The Bioscope at 44 Stanley, 44 Stanley Avenue, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg
Messy Masterpieces Paint & Sip
A relaxing evening where visitors paint a beautiful seaside artwork featuring tranquil blue waters, a sailboat, and vibrant cherry blossoms.
With step-by-step guidance, a pre-drawn canvas, and all materials provided, this workshop is perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike.
Cost: R320pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm to 8pm
Where: Bennigan’s Grillhouse & Bar Boksburg, Shop 25, Sunward Lifestyle Centre, Kingfisher Ave, Sunward Park, Boksburg
Jazz evening at Doppio Zero with Hendrick Monyeki
Hendrick Monyeki is a gifted singer with a distinctive tenor and musical versatility that spreads across the jazz, ballad and gospel genres.
A graduate of the Music Academy of Gauteng (the Johnny Mekoa School) in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, he was auditioned by Dr Johnny Mekoa, the late founder of the academy, as well as American saxophonist Kirk Whalum, as one of the criteria for enrolling at the institution. Subsequently, he studied performing arts there between 2006 and 2009 while he also acquired grades with the Royal School of Music in London.
Cost: R250pp, book via Tixsa
When: Thursday, 1 October from 6pm
Where: The Jazz Room, Doppio Zero Rosebank, Cnr Cradock Street and Biermann Ave, Johannesburg
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR.
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. is a brand-new musical revue celebrating 100 years of Disney magic, featuring contemporary anthems from Encanto, Moana, Frozen and Coco alongside the timeless classics you grew up loving. Directed by the incomparable Ivor Jones and performed live on a professional Johannesburg stage by fifteen dazzling young South African artists, this is the show the whole family has been waiting for.
Cost: From R120pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 1 October from 10.30am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Where: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Ave, Parktown
