Maynardville Open-Air Theatre Festival: Theatre Under the Stars

A Cape Town summer isn’t complete without a visit to Maynardville Open-Air Theatre: clustering into the tiered seats (cushions and blankets in hand) as dusk falls, and the door into another world opens on stage under a starry Cape Town night sky. Shakespeare has always been its mainstay, but in recent years organisers have added more attractions to the mix.

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of this beloved Mother City summer tradition. Alongside a programme that includes opera, orchestra, Shakespeare, ballet, jazz makes its debut in 2026. As always there’s an open-air food market, as well as a brand-new VIP experience!

All the world’s a stage

Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of mistaken identity, unrequited love, and mischievous disguise, is this season’s drama. Infused with the glamour of Italy’s Dolce Vita and set to a sultry jazz soundtrack, it promises a night of revelry, romance and theatrical flair.
Date 30 January – 7 March 2026
Time 8.30pm – 9.30pm
Cost From R212
Book Now

Alfresco ballet

Two ballets are set to enchant audiences at Maynardville this season: Cape Ballet Africa’s Maina Gielgud production of Giselle, a haunting story of timeless romance, and Cape Town City Ballet’s Swingtime, a lively, nostalgic journey through the Big Band Era.
Date Giselle: 20 – 21 January 2026
Swingtime: 23 – 24 January 2026
Time Giselle: 8.15pm – 10.15pm
Swingtime: 8.15pm – 9.45pm
Cost From R254
Book Giselle
Book Swingtime

Jazz takes stage

Jazz joins the Maynardville festival lineup for 2026 with three exciting concerts: Shades of Blue, a classical chamber performance infused with jazz; Jazz in the Park, a dynamic mix of contemporary and classic jazz composites; and The Great American Songbook, brought to life by the Paul Roos Orchestra under conductor Wessel Odendaal, complemented by some of South Africa’s finest vocalists.
Date Shades of Blue: 13 January 2026
Jazz in the Park: 14 – 15 January 2026
The Great American Songbook: 22 February + 1 March 2026
Time Shades of Blue: 7.30pm – 8.40pm
Jazz in the Park: 7.30pm – 8.45pm
The Great American Songbook: 6.30pm – 7.45pm
Cost From R212
Book Shades of Blue
Book Jazz in the Park
Book Great American Songbook

Other alfresco delights

Of course, Maynardville wouldn’t be complete without its signature opera and orchestra performances. This summer, enjoy the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, The Charl du Plessis Trio, and the Cape Town Opera’s Gershwin in the Park.
Date Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra: 16 – 17 January 2026
The Charl du Plessis Trio: 8 February 2026
Gershwin in the Park: 15 February 2026
Time Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra: 8.15pm – 9.45pm
The Charl du Plessis Trio: 6.30pm – 7.40pm
Gershwin in the Park: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra + Gershwin in the Park: from R254
The Charl du Plessis Trio: from R212
Book Orchestra
Book Charl du Plessis Trio
Book Gershwin in the Park

New VIP experience

If you’re after something extra, a new luxury experience is being rolled out with VIP premium tickets. Expect perks such as secure parking, early entrance, a private pre-show seating area, exclusive access to the main bar, and the best seats in the house – complete with pillows and blankets.
Cost R399 – R699

If music be the food of love…

The evening food market is a wonderful part of the Maynardville tradition. Enjoy global cuisine from the food trucks, coffee stations, and The Market Bar for a perfect prelude to the night’s performances. Its available in the park throughout the festival, two hours before each show until late.

Add a sprinkling of starry-sky fairy dust to your summer nights.

Good to know Early bird prices are valid until 31 December 2025.
Contact 068 217 8141, info@maynardville.co.za
Where to find it Maynardville Park, Piers Road, Wynberg, Cape Town

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