By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Cape Town is heading into a packed week of entertainment, with Disney on Ice continuing its school-holiday run alongside esports, Currie Cup rugby, sustainable fashion and road running from Thursday to Sunday.
The City of Cape Town said its Events Permit Office would monitor 12 events expected to attract about 20,000 participants and spectators during the week of Monday, 13 July, to Sunday, 19 July.
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Among the biggest attractions is Disney on Ice: Mickey’s Search Party, which resumes at the Grand Arena at GrandWest on Thursday after opening in Cape Town the previous weekend.
The family production combines ice skating, aerial performances and stunts with stories and characters from Disney favourites including Frozen, Moana, Coco, Toy Story, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.
Shows are scheduled for 11:00 and 15:00 on Thursday and Friday. Performances on Saturday and Sunday will take place at 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00.
GrandWest will also become a hub for competitive gaming when the African Gaming Championship takes place from Thursday, 16 July, to Sunday, 19 July.
Gamers will compete across several popular titles for a share of a R150,000 prize pool.
The four-day event will include the Nitro ASL Finals, featuring some of South Africa’s leading school esports teams.
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A separate Call of Duty: Mobile Southern African Qualifier will offer competitors a possible pathway to the Carry1st Africa Cup and the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship.
The championship will run from 09:00 to 17:00 daily, with free entry for registered spectators.
Currie Cup rugby returns to DHL Stadium
Rugby supporters can turn their attention to DHL Stadium on Friday evening when the DHL Stormers XXIII face defending Currie Cup champions Suzuki Griquas.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:05, with stadium gates expected to open at 17:30.
Griquas arrive in Cape Town as the reigning champions after beating the Lions 27-25 in the 2025 Currie Cup final at Ellis Park.
Motorists should prepare for increased traffic and possible disruptions around the stadium. Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Vlei Road and Granger Bay Boulevard are among the roads likely to be affected.
Recycled materials take to the runway
Fashion moves into the spotlight on Saturday when the Mother City Fashion Experience returns to the Artscape Theatre Centre for its 11th edition.
The event, presented by Khayelitsha Fashion Week, gives emerging and established designers an opportunity to showcase their collections on a professional runway.
This year’s programme places a strong emphasis on upcycling, challenging designers to turn recycled and discarded materials into original fashion pieces.
The City said participating designers had attended skills-development workshops, while aspiring models completed runway and professional-development training ahead of the event.
The red-carpet programme begins at 12:00, followed by the fashion show at 13:00. The event is restricted to people aged 18 and older.
Runners take over the Atlantic Seaboard
The week will close with the 26th Cape Town Festival of Running, which will bring ultra-marathon runners, relay teams and half-marathon competitors to the Atlantic Seaboard.
The festival begins at 07:00 on Saturday with its flagship 50km ultra-marathon. A five-member 5km team relay will follow at 12:00.
The 21.1km half marathon starts at 07:30 on Sunday from the Sea Point Promenade, taking runners through sections of Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Camps Bay.
Residents and motorists should expect temporary traffic disruptions in Green Point, Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Camps Bay during the races.
Roads likely to be affected include Beach Road, Queens Road, Kloof Road and Victoria Road.
