Cape Town: The City is buzzing with events this week. As the Event Permit Office is monitoring 39 approved events, ranging from local markets to running events and major international events.
Reportedly, the events include KNOX Legacy Series (MMA), Cape Town Pride Parade & Mardi Gras, the Cape Derby Seafood & Jazz Festival and the South African United Christmas Bands competition. Following this, the City is supporting some of the events taking place this week and beyond.
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the City of Cape Town is partnering with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) for the inaugural KNOX Legacy Series, poised to be Africa’s biggest MMA event of the year. The event at GrandWest’s Grand Arena will feature 13 bouts, including the headlining fight with EFC middleweight champion Luke Michael taking on Democratic Republic of Congo’s Diego Bandu.
Cape Town Pride Parade
The Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras on Saturday, February 28, 2026 will bring down the curtain on the month-long Cape Town Pride Festival celebrating diversity, inclusion and raising awareness of LGBTQI+ Community.
Organised by Outreach Africa, the parade starts in De Waterkant’s Alfred Street at 11:00 a.m. by making its way to the Green Point underpass via Somerset Road. Residents and motorists are advised that some roads will be impacted by the event.
Prestwich Street between Chiappini and Napier Streets, as well as Afred Street between Somerset Road and Prestwich Street, will be closed from 10:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There will be no restrictions in place during this time at the start of the parade and around Somerset Road.
Cape Derby Seafood & Jazz Festival
Along other events, Kenilworth Racecourse will host the Lucky Fish Cape Derby Seafood & Jazz Festival, that marked the final event of the Summer Festival of Racing, on Saturday. The festival is a day of world-class horse racing paired with live smooth jazz and fresh seafood.
Jarrad Ricketts, supported by Simply Strings and deck-favourites, Selwyn & Roy, will take to the stage to provide patrons with the beats to keep the day moving. Entry to the festival is completely free and patrons can claim their tickets through Computicket. The festival will be observed from 11:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
South African United Christmas Bands
To end off a thrilling week of events, the South African United Christmas Bands Board will host the penultimate round of its annual competitions on Sunday, March 01, 2026. The fourth round of the South African United Christmas Bands competition is one of the oldest traditions on Cape Town’s calendar, that will be taking place at Erica Park Sports Ground in Belhar.
Bands from across the city and various parts of the province will participate in competition, will be judged on marching, discipline, uniformity and military-style deportment. The competition kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Entry to Erica Park will cost R30 per person.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that February has been a busy month for the permit office and processed around 155 applications from event organisers interested in hosting events in Cape Town.
Smith added that this week, the permit officers will be monitoring events with an estimated visit of 100,000 people. This, highlights event organisers’ confidence in Cape Town’s ability to coordinate logistics and safety measures to ensure that they host the best events for residents and visitors.