Cape Town CBD to host three day weekend festival

A series of public space activations and open street programming will take place across the Cape Town Central Business District from 29 to 31 May.

The Mission for Inner City Cape Town organised the initiative to encourage people to اعمل experience the urban centre beyond the traditional workweek. The programme includes Street Feast, Inner City Saturdays, and the return of Bree Street Sundays.

On Friday, 29 May, Street Feast will take place at Thibault Square from 11:30am to 2:00pm. The event features live music from the Jason Marshall Quartet and food vendors including Sticky Lips, Ishushu, and Herenity.

The Saturday programme includes the inaugural Open Ateliers from 10:00am to 2:00pm, providing free access to local creative businesses such as Anthony Shapiro Ceramics, HAN, Anna Rosholt Jewellery Design, Black Betty Design, Ida Elsje Jewellery, and Philippa Green Jewellery. Visitors can also visit METRO-HANDMADE, Alexandra Höjer, Gozdava 1590, and artist studios at Lemkus Gallery featuring Aaron Philander and Smiso Cele.

A guided walking tour titled "Studio City!: A Tour through Five Centuries of Cape Town's Creativity" will depart from outside the Cape Heritage Hotel at 10:00am. Led by Cameron Peters of Cape Town Heritage Tours, the walk explores the history of manufacturing and creativity in the centre.

On Sunday, 31 May, Bree Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Wale and Strand Streets, including Shortmarket Street, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. This open street takeover is presented in partnership with the Mayor's Office and the City of Cape Town's Urban Mobility Directorate as an experiment for pedestrian friendly zones.

The weekend concludes with the final winter edition of Bree St Food Sundays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, alongside urban gardening activations hosted by Vincent Truter. Gareth Pearson, Placemaking Lead at the Mission for Inner City Cape Town, said these activations help people reconnect with the city and one another, and that creating more opportunities for people to safely experience the city in engaging ways is ultimately what makes the inner city stronger, more connected, and more people-focused.

Frequently asked questions

What is Street Feast and when does it happen?

Street Feast takes place at Thibault Square on Friday, 29 May from 11:30am to 2:00pm. It features live music from the Jason Marshall Quartet and food vendors including Sticky Lips, Ishushu, and Herenity, offering residents and workers a chance to experience the CBD beyond the traditional workweek.

What is the inaugural Open Ateliers event?

Open Ateliers runs on Saturday, 30 May from 10:00am to 2:00pm and provides free, behind-the-scenes access to local creative studios and businesses such as Anthony Shapiro Ceramics, jewellery designers, and artist studios at Lemkus Gallery.

Why is Bree Street closed on Sunday and what happens there?

Bree Street between Wale and Strand Streets closes to vehicles from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday, 31 May as an experiment for pedestrian-friendly zones. The final winter edition of Bree St Food Sundays runs from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, alongside urban gardening activations.

Who is organising this festival weekend?

The Mission for Inner City Cape Town is driving the weekend festival. The open street takeover on Sunday is presented in partnership with the Mayor's Office and the City of Cape Town's Urban Mobility Directorate.

What is the purpose of these public space activations?

The activations are part of the Mission for Inner City Cape Town's placemaking efforts to encourage people to experience the urban centre beyond the workweek and help people safely reconnect with the city and one another, making the inner city stronger and more people-focused.

Source: weekendargus.co.za