| Maynardville Open-Air Festival 2026 When: January 13 to March 8, 2026 Where: Maynardville Park, Piers Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town, 7800 Website: www.maynardville.co.za Bookings: Quicket Direct booking link: https://www.quicket.co.za/organisers/56357-maynardville-open-air-festival Discounted tickets: Concessions available for seniors, students and families. Family of Four Discount Package Schools discount bookings: Contact boxoffice@maynardville.co.za for educational discounts Box office phone line: Active from 14h00 – 17h00 Monday to Friday. Call or WhatsApp 069 792 6020 Box office on site: Open during the festival season to assist with any last-minute queries or sales Parking: R50 by credit card for secure parking at Simon Van Der Stel Primary School Sports Field located just past the Engen Chelsea Village Convenience Centre at 6B Carr Hill Road -150m from the entrance with security patrolling the walkways. venuehttps://maynardville.co.za/parking/ Free Unsecured Parking is also available by the Wynberg Public Library on Glaren Road or along public roads near the venue |
This year, 2026 and Maynardville Open-Air Festival in Cape Town, is celebrating its 70th summer. The jazz themed and inspired festival, titled, In Full Swing, opens on Tuesday January 13 with Shades of Blue, a programme of “jazz inspired classical works”. The Shakespeare production, Twelfth Night, directed by Steven Stead, is set in Italy in the 1960s, against a jazz background in Italy. The dates for Twelfth Night are Jan 30– March 8 (Mon-Sat). Maynardville wraps up on March 8. We must mention that for those with hearing challenges, a hearing loop is available throughout the festival. There will be two interpreted performances of Twelfth Night (with sign language). Read on for more about the programme. Info as supplied:
Maynardville’s 70th Summer Kicks Off with a Feast of Jazz, Classical Music, Ballet and Shakespeare Under the Stars
SHADES OF BLUE
January 13, 2026 | 19:30
A captivating evening of jazz-inspired classical works, featuring vibrant rhythms, lush harmonies, and virtuosic performances. The programme includes:
- Sonata Latino – Mike Mower (Flute, Piano, Double Bass & Drums)
- Concerto for Marimba and String – II. Rythmique, énergique by Emmanuel Séjourné b. 1961 cdvf (Marimba, Piano)
- An American in Paris – George Gershwin / arr. Mangani (Clarinet & Piano)
- Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano – Joseph Horovitz (Clarinet & Piano)
- Suite for Flute & Jazz Piano Trio – Claude Bolling (Flute, Piano, Double Bass & Drums)
Performed by:
Elna van der Merwe (Piano) · Liesl Stoltz (Flute) · Roxane Steffen (Double Bass) · Dylan Tabisher (Drums & Marimba) · David Cyster (Clarinet)
Duration: 70 minutes | No interval
JAZZ IN THE PARK
January 14 & 15, 2026 | 19:30
Swing into summer with a collection of beloved jazz standards including My Funny Valentine, Take Five, Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon and more – performed by a quartet of world-class musicians.
Performed by:
Blake Hellaby (Piano) · Buddy Wells (Saxophone) · Wesley Rustin (Double Bass) · Matt Keswell (Drums)
Duration: 70 minutes | No interval
CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
January 16 & 17, 2026 | 20:15
Join the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra as they fill Maynardville Park with the glorious sound of symphonic summer, performing a programme of jazz-inspired orchestral favourites.
Duration: 90 minutes | No interval
CAPE BALLET AFRICA – GISELLE
January 20 & 21, 2026 | 20:15
Cape Ballet Africa’s Giselle brings together international and local excellence under the artistic direction of Maina Gielgud. The romantic ballet follows a peasant girl whose love and forgiveness transcend betrayal and death – one of the most moving stories in the classical repertoire.
Featuring guest artists from Europe and South Africa, with new designs by Michael Mitchell and performances to recordings by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Duration: 110 minutes | Inclusive of interval
CAPE TOWN CITY BALLET – SWINGTIME
January 23 & 24, 2026 | 20:15
Choreographed by Sean Bovim, Swingtime sweeps audiences into the golden age of the Big Band Era. At its heart is Bojangles, owner of the famed Swing Club, whose memories of love, laughter and late-night dancing come vividly to life.
A stylish fusion of Broadway glamour and ballet artistry, Swingtime is a high-energy celebration for audiences of all ages.
Duration: 90 minutes | Inclusive of interval
TWELFTH NIGHT
January 29 to March 8, 2026 | 20:15 (Mondays to Saturdays)
Experience Shakespeare’s beloved comedy like never before in this al fresco production of Twelfth Night, directed by Steven Stead and set to a sultry jazz soundtrack by Wessel Odendaal, with sound design by David Classen, that echoes the sophisticated sounds of 1960s Rome.
Maritha Visagie’s Sofia Loren-style couture costumes, shimmer under the stars as the cast featuring stage luminaries such as Graham Hopkins, Emily Child, David Viviers, Jenny Stead, Natasha Sutherland, Aiden Scott, Ntlanhla Morgan Kutu and more – brings to life this timeless tale of love, deception, and mistaken identity – infused with the decadent glamour of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.
Running Time: 90 minutes | No interval
CHARL DU PLESSIS TRIO
8 February 2026 | 18:30
The Charl du Plessis Trio – featuring pianist Charl du Plessis, bassist Werner Spies, and drummer Peter Auret – has been captivating audiences since 2006 with its seamless blend of classical sophistication and jazz flair.
United by intuitive musical chemistry, the trio’s performances are fresh, dynamic, and deeply engaging. Their innovative fusion of styles has earned them international acclaim as one of the leading voices in contemporary crossover music.
Duration: 70 minutes | No interval
CAPE TOWN OPERA – GERSHWIN IN THE PARK
15 February 2026 | 18:30
Experience Cape Town Opera in Gershwin in the Park – a one-night-only celebration of the golden age of American music.
Featuring the Cape Town Opera Chorus and guest soloists performing highlights from Porgy and Bess and other Gershwin-era classics, this performance blends jazz, opera, and Broadway in a magical open-air concert not to be missed.
Duration: 120 minutes | Inclusive of interval
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
22 February & 1 March 2026 | 18:30
Bask in the golden glow of late afternoon with an unforgettable celebration of timeless jazz. The Paul Roos Orchestra, conducted by Wessel Odendaal, teams up with some of South Africa’s finest vocalists – Katlego Maboe (SABC 3 Expresso Show Presenter), Tankiso Mamabolo (Chicago, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest), and Amy Campbell (AcaNote, Kinky Boots) – as well as the dynamic a cappella ensemble Track 5, a five-voice group specialising in classic jazz standards and popular music.
Expect beloved classics by Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Duke Ellington – smooth swing, soulful ballads, and irresistible rhythms in a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern artistry.
Duration: 75 minutes | No interval
Maynardville Open-Air Festival is grateful to the City of Cape Town for their support of the 2026 season.
✳ Jazz in the Park will be on at Maynardville 2026 – January 14 and 15 and will feature the quartet of Blake Hellaby (piano) · Buddy Wells (saxophone) · Wesley Rustin (Double Bass) · Matt Keswell (drums). Sponsored content. Image:Tamryn Wdowinski. Supplied.
