The Cape Town International Jazz Festival returns on Friday, 25, and Saturday, 26 April 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
It’s two nights of world-class music, culture, and connection—set across multiple indoor stages and guided by this year’s theme: Legacy Meets Tomorrow.
Whether you’re pulling up for global stars like Black Coffee, Masego, Ari Lennox, and Thandiswa Mazwai, or showing love to homegrown favourites like Nduduzo Makhathini, Lira, Sjava, Bombay Lights, and The Brother Moves On—you already know, it’s going to be a weekend of pure musical magic.
Whether you’re a returning festino or soaking it in for the first time, we’ve got the guide to help you experience CTIJF 2025 to the fullest.
Where and when is the Cape Town International Jazz Festival this year?
Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2025 is set to take place on Friday, 25 April and Saturday, 26 April 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). With this year’s theme, ‘Legacy Meets Tomorrow,’ the festival continues to honour its deep roots while embracing a new era of global jazz innovation.
From its modest start at the Good Hope Centre with just 6,000 attendees, CTIJF has grown into what many now call Africa’s Grandest Gathering—a cultural cornerstone for music lovers from all corners of the world.
Free warm-up Concert
The Free Concert – Thursday, 24 April
The CTIJF 2025 weekend kicks off early with a free open-air concert on Thursday, 24 April at Greenmarket Square in Cape Town. This annual tradition is the perfect warm-up to the main event and draws massive crowds, so arriving early is highly recommended.
This year’s free concert features an exciting mix of talent including Incognito, TKZEE, The Ploemies, Hannah Ray, Andrea Fortuin, Fancy Galada, and DJ Eazy. The music starts at 16h30, and best believe the vibes will carry you straight into the weekend.
Who’s on this year’s Cape Town Jazz Fest lineup?
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2025 boasts a stellar lineup of both local and international artists, promising unforgettable performances across multiple stages.
The festival promises a sensational mix of jazz, soul, and Afro-futurism, showcased across its iconic stages: Kippies, Manenberg, Rosies, and Moses Molelekwa.
Day One – Friday, 25 April:
- Black Coffee & Nduduzo Makhathini: This groundbreaking collaboration blends jazz, electronic music, and African rhythms, marking their inaugural concert together at CTIJF.
- Masego: Known for his unique “TrapHouseJazz” style, Masego brings a fusion of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop to the stage.
- Incognito – the iconic British acid jazz band known for their smooth fusion of funk, soul, and jazz.
- Victor Masondo Quartet: Delivering a rich tapestry of jazz sounds, this quartet is set to captivate the audience with their performance.
Day Two – Saturday, 26 April:
- Ari Lennox: The American R&B singer-songwriter brings her soulful melodies and powerful vocals to the festival.
- Thandiswa Mazwai: A cultural icon, Mazwai’s performances are a blend of Xhosa heritage, jazz, soul, and Afro-futurism.
- Igor Butman Quartet: Renowned Russian saxophonist Igor Butman leads his quartet in delivering contemporary jazz artistry.
- Lira: South African songstress Lira graces the stage with her Afro-soul sounds.
- Bombay Lights: This ensemble promises an electrifying performance with their unique sound.
- Kelvin Momo: A pivotal figure in the amapiano scene, Momo’s set is anticipated to be a festival highlight.
- The Brother Moves On: Known for their genre-defying music, blending jazz, rock, and indigenous sounds.
- Kandace Springs: The American jazz and R&B vocalist is set to deliver an intimate performance.
- Ritmo: Cape Town’s dynamic ensemble fusing salsa, bossa nova, marrabenta, samba, jazz, and funk.
- Thembi Dunjana: Cape Town-based pianist and singer, known for her expressive playing and rich compositions.
- Melorie Jane: A rising star in South Africa’s music scene, blending contemporary and traditional elements.
- Ramon Alexander Trio ft. Leslie Kleinsmith: Delivering heartfelt fusion of jazz improvisation and soulful storytelling.
- DJ Masoodah: Renowned for eclectic sets traversing house, jazz, and Afrobeat.
- Ivan Mazuze: Mozambican-born saxophonist blending African traditions with modern improvisation.
- Nubya Garcia: The British saxophonist brings her contemporary jazz sounds to the festival.
- Bongeziwe Mabandla: Known for his soulful voice and fusion of traditional Xhosa music with modern sounds.
- Nomfundo Xaluva: Jazz vocalist and pianist, delivering powerful performances rooted in South African heritage.
- Kyle Shepherd: One of South Africa’s most celebrated jazz pianists, leading his dynamic trio.
ticketmaster.co.za - Malcolm Jiyane: Trombonist and composer, known for his innovative contributions to South African jazz.
- Gotts Street Park: The UK-based band brings their blend of soul, jazz, and hip-hop to the CTIJF stage.
What Time Does CTIJF Open and Close?
Day 1 – Friday, 25 April:
Doors open at 17h45, and the music keeps flowing until 01h45 on Saturday morning.
Day 2 – Saturday, 26 April:
Gates open a little earlier at 16h45, with performances running through the night until the festival officially wraps up at 01h45 on Sunday, 27 April.
What to Expect on the Ground?
CTIJF isn’t just about what happens on stage—it’s a full experience. Inside the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), you can expect a professionally run event with multiple indoor stages, spacious lounges, great food vendors, and curated brand activations.
From laid-back jazz lounges to high-energy headline performances, the venue is designed to keep you moving, grooving, and discovering something new around every corner. Whether you’re there to see your favourites or explore new sounds, the atmosphere is warm, stylish, and proudly South African.
Why the Cape Town International Jazz Festival Matters?
More than just a weekend of great music, CTIJF has become a cultural institution—celebrating jazz in all its forms while investing back into the community. Since its early days at the Good Hope Centre, the festival has grown into a world-class event that attracts thousands of local and international visitors each year.
According to festival head Shaakirah Adams, “the festival employs a significant number of people to help stage the event. In fact, up till 2024, the festival has created more than 31,000 jobs (direct and indirect), hosted more than 2,000 South African and 1,600 international artists, trained and developed 3,749 young people in a variety of skills and hosted 18,659 masterclass beneficiaries.”
From job creation to artist development and skills training, CTIJF continues to play a key role in uplifting the creative economy—while giving music lovers a reason to return to Cape Town every year.
How to get tickets to the Cape Town Jazz Fest?
Tickets for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2025 are officially on sale via Ticketmaster.
General admission gives you access to the Kippies, Manenberg, and Moses Molelekwa stages, where you can catch most of the performances throughout the weekend.
If you’re keen to experience more intimate and elevated sets, Rosies stage tickets will be sold separately at R30 per person, per show—those will be available a little closer to the event.
With a stellar lineup and limited capacity, it’s best to secure your pass sooner than later. Don’t sleep on this one—Africa’s Grandest Gathering only comes around once a year.
Getting around Cape Town during CTIJF
Whether you’re a local or flying in for the festival, getting around Cape Town is relatively smooth—especially if you plan ahead.
The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is centrally located in the city, making it easily accessible via ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt, which are the most convenient options for festival-goers. If you’re driving, secure parking is available around the CTICC, but it’s best to arrive early as spots can fill up fast.
For those staying nearby, walking is also a great option, especially with the city’s vibrant atmosphere over festival weekend. If you’re relying on MyCiTi buses, check the schedules in advance as operating hours may vary in the evenings.
As always, stay safe—travel in groups when possible and avoid isolated areas late at night.
What to Wear to CTIJF 2025?
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival may be about the music—but trust, style takes center stage too. The crowd comes dressed in everything from bold prints and Afrocentric glam to laid-back cool and effortless elegance. Whether you’re channeling jazz sophistication or modern street flair, the key is to strike the balance between style and comfort—you’ll be on your feet, moving between stages and soaking it all in.
Don’t forget the basics: comfy shoes, a light jacket for those late-night sets, and a crossbody bag to keep your essentials close.
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