Cape Town is set to wrap up February with an action-packed week of events, as the City’s Event Permit Office monitors 39 approved gatherings ranging from community markets to major international showcases.
On Thursday, 26 February, the City partners with the Extreme Fighting Championship for the inaugural Knox Legacy Series at GrandWest Grand Arena. Touted as one of Africa’s biggest MMA events of the year, the fight card features 13 bouts, including a headline clash between EFC middleweight champion Luke Michael and Democratic Republic of Congo contender Diego Bandu. The event is expected to draw strong local and continental interest.
Saturday, 28 February, sees the return of the iconic Cape Town Pride Festival Parade and Mardi Gras, organised by Outreach Africa. The parade begins at 11:00 in De Waterkant’s Alfred Street, moving along Somerset Road towards the Green Point underpass. Celebrating diversity and inclusion while raising awareness of LGBTQI+ issues, the event will result in temporary road closures in parts of De Waterkant and Green Point, with motorists advised to plan accordingly.
Also on Saturday, Kenilworth Racecourse hosts the Lucky Fish Cape Derby Seafood & Jazz Festival, the final instalment of the Summer Festival of Racing. The event blends world-class horse racing with live smooth jazz and fresh seafood. Performers including Jarrad Ricketts, supported by Simply Strings and Selwyn & Roy, will keep audiences entertained from 11:00 to 19:00. Entry is free, with tickets available through official platforms.
Rounding off the weekend on Sunday, 1 March, the South African United Christmas Bands Board presents the fourth round of its annual competition at Erica Park Sports Ground in Belhar. One of Cape Town’s oldest traditions, the competition sees bands judged on marching, discipline, uniformity and military-style deportment. Proceedings begin at 11:00, with entry set at R30 per person.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, February has been a particularly busy month, with around 155 permit applications processed. This week alone, events are expected to attract a combined attendance of approximately 100 000 people — a strong indicator of organiser confidence in Cape Town’s ability to coordinate logistics and ensure safety for residents and visitors alike.
