September promises music, gastronomy, culture, and sports in KwaZulu-Natal, offering a packed schedule of events covering areas from Durban to Richards Bay and the South Coast.
As Heritage Month begins, KwaZulu-Natal is preparing to be an entertainment hub, with festivals, live performances, theatrical productions, sporting events, and family activities taking place across the province.
Whether you are looking for a weekend out with friends, celebrating Heritage Day, or something for the whole family, there are plenty of options in the calendar.
From September 4th to 6th, the Durban Street Food Festival will take place at the Pavilion Shopping Centre. This festival promises a combination of street food, live performances, participation from local and national artists, family activities, and food vendors. Organizers describe the 2026 edition as a three-day celebration featuring African and Indian cuisine, as well as Asian street food and gourmet snacks.
The 'Shimza and Friends' event will take place on September 5th from 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM at the Durban Exhibition Centre. Additionally, Liquideep in the Park will be held at Chris Sonder's Park in Umhlanga from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, offering a Sunday of outdoor music.
For active recreation enthusiasts, the WOA iQembu Cycle Challenge is scheduled for September 6th. The race starts at 7:00 AM, with the route running along the M4 highway. The start and finish area is located near the Kings Park swimming pool and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The cultural event 'Shall We Dance' will take place at the Opera Playhouse in Durban, offering accessible cultural entertainment.
Heritage Day will be one of the busiest days on the KwaZulu-Natal events calendar, as concerts, festivals, and international sporting competitions will take place across the province.
Music lovers can celebrate Heritage Day at the Durban Botanic Gardens, where Sjava, Simmy, and Q Twins will perform. Gates open at 1:00 PM, and the event will take place in the garden lake area.
For cricket fans, there is another major celebration option: a match between South Africa and Australia in the first ODI series at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. Cricket South Africa has scheduled this match for September 24th at 10:00 AM.
In Richards Bay, the Dolosfees festival will take place over the Heritage Day weekend from September 24th to 26th. The festival will feature artists such as Prime Circle, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Fatman, Tino, ANGUS, and Saxby Twins, alongside cultural performances, fairs, beauty pageants, artistic activities, and children's entertainment.
In Durban, at Berea Rovers, the Shisanyama Heritage Festival will take place on September 26th, featuring Kelvin Momo. The event will start at 12:00 PM.
For maskandi enthusiasts, one can travel to the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal for the sixth annual Ugu Maskandi Festival at the Ugu Sports and Recreation Centre. The festival gates open at 12:00 PM, with performances starting at 2:00 PM. Scheduled performers include Sjava, Mafikizolo, Mbuzeni, Ntencane, Phuzekhemisi, and Mjolisi.
Families can conclude the month by participating in the Scottburgh Mall Family Trail Run on September 27th. Registration begins at 7:00 AM, with races scheduled for 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.
The September calendar in KwaZulu-Natal offers numerous ways to spend the month, from gastronomic and musical events to theatrical performances, maskandi, international cricket, and outdoor activities. Since many major events fall on Heritage Day, September promises to be particularly eventful for entertainment across the province.