Written by: Katrien Pienaar
Step into the city’s entertainment: from candlelit concerts to intimate theatre and big-stage performances. In a time of constant scrolling, these live experiences remind us why showing up still matters, connecting us through shared moments of culture and where strangers start to feel like friends. Come see why Pretoria can truly be seen as an arts hub.
In a time when most of our entertainment lives on screens, there’s something so special about live performance. And right now, Pretoria’s stages are offering exactly that: a reason to look up, step out, and experience something together. Here are a few ideas if you’re looking to step out.
From theatre to live music, here’s what’s happening in Pretoria
This April, Pretorians are lucky to have the opportunity to see Bryan Adams with his Roll With The Punches Tour on 25 and 26 April 2026. It’s the kind of show where you don’t even realise how many songs you know until you’re singing along to all of them. Think proper nostalgia, loud crowds, and that full concert atmosphere that fills a space like nothing else. Whether you’ve been a fan for years or simply want that big concert experience, this is a night you’ll remember.
Get your tickets here: www.ticketmaster.co.za
The Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performance on 18 April 2026 is one of those experiences that will slow you down and perhaps take your breath away. Set in the beautiful, Roman-inspired Colosseum Reale venue right here in Pretoria and surrounded by candlelight, it’s an experience that draws you into the music in a completely different way. Whether for a date night, a night out with friends, or even a night where you go solo and appreciate the music for yourself, it’s something truly special.
Get your tickets here: www.feverup.com
Spoegwolf is back in Pretoria from 8 to 10 April 2026 at Fairtree Atterbury Theatre. As part of their biggest tour they’ve ever had (even making a turn in Dubai), they’ll also be stopping in Pretoria on these dates. Their shows always feel a bit more personal — a mix of alternative rock and really poetic, emotional lyrics. If I were you, I’d go early, have dinner at one of the restaurants around Lynnwood Bridge, and then get ready for the show. If you can’t make these dates, or if you’d like to experience them again, they’ll also be at Padstal in Pretoria on 11 April 2026.
Get your tickets here: www.spoegwolf.com
All the cultural and theatrical events we’ve mentioned so far take place in more traditional seated venues, but here we’re changing things up a bit; we’re asking you to bring your picnic blankets. The Picnic Club presents their Carnival event, bringing live performances into a more relaxed, outdoor setting. Imagine a day filled with a lineup including Van Pletzen, Yo Nax, Zoe, Hoofmeisie, and many more, along with food stalls, cocktails, and a picnic-style atmosphere. Taking place on 2 May 2026 and located at Fort Schanskop, it feels like Pretoria at its best: live music, good food, drinks, and people simply enjoying being outside together, while still being part of the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/364555-picnic-club-carnival/?ref=organiser-profile#/
If you’re in the mood for something quieter, The Viewing Room Art Gallery in Brooklyn is worth a visit. On 11 April 2026, they’re hosting Being and Becoming by Masir Kresenshun, a solo exhibition exploring themes of identity, love, power, and personal growth. Set across two floors, the space invites you to move through the work at your own pace. It’s the kind of experience that feels slower and offers a different kind of cultural moment within the city.
Facebook: The Viewing Room Art Gallery
Contact: 066 274 2094
With so many cultural and theatrical events in Pretoria, there is every reason to step out and experience them and Pretoria itself is inviting you in. All that’s left to do is choose where to start.