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September is when Mzansi comes together to celebrate the flavours, music, and cultures that make South Africa so special.
And when it comes to Heritage Month, Durban knows how to do it properly!
Music, food, culture, fashion and community are all being celebrated in the city and surrounding regions to showcase the many traditions and sounds that make South Africa what it is.
We’ve rounded up some of the Heritage Month events worth adding to your September calendar.
READ: Learn to cook Durban dishes this Heritage Month
Heritage Day Concert: Sjava, Simmy & Q Twins
- Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
- Location: Durban Botanic Gardens, Lake Area
- Gates: 1pm
- Tickets: Available via Webtickets
- More info: Durban Botanic Gardens Info Centre on 068 598 1396
Celebrate Heritage Day with an afternoon of live music at one of Durban's most scenic outdoor venues. Sjava, Simmy and the Q Twins bring three distinctive KZN voices to the stage, with music spanning contemporary African sounds, Afro-house and isiZulu storytelling.
Bring your picnic blanket and camping chairs, settle in beside the lake and make a day of it. Food and drinks are welcome too.
Dynamic Soul Sessions: Heritage Get-Together
- Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
- Location: The Pier, South Beach, Durban
- Time: 12pm–10pm
- Tickets: R100 via Quicket | R150 at the door
- Age: 23+
Get ready to dress to impress. The Dynamic Soul Sessions' Heritage Get-Together promises a day of culture, music, unity, style and good vibes at The Pier.
Themed Heritage. Soul. Music. Unity. It's an opportunity to celebrate where we come from while enjoying a soundtrack designed to bring people together.
Heritage Day at Westown Square
- Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
- Location: The Bowl, Westown Square, Shongweni
- Bring: A picnic blanket and your family and friends
Celebrate Heritage Day the local way at Westown Square, where The Bowl will transform into an open-air picnic spot celebrating the food, music, people and flavours that make South Africa special.
Settle in on your picnic blanket and enjoy South African favourites and braai-inspired food from Westown Square’s restaurants and vendors, accompanied by homegrown music and proudly South African entertainment. It’s an easy-going afternoon designed for families and friends to gather, eat, listen to live music and soak up the spring sunshine.
Shisanyama Heritage Festival
- Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
- Location: Berea Rovers, 73 Jacko Jackson Drive, Durban
- Time: From 12pm
- Tickets: From R180 through Howler
If your idea of Heritage Month involves smoke, spice, music and a serious plate of meat, this one's for you.
The Shisanyama Heritage Festival brings some of KZN's top shisanyama vendors together for a celebration of township food culture and the entrepreneurs behind it. Expect flame-grilled favourites, regional specialities, live entertainment and a festival atmosphere, with Kelvin Momo heading up the music.
The event was inspired by the legacy of the late Jabulani ‘Mjay’ Zama, founder of Eyadini Lounge, and aims to celebrate the businesses and communities that have helped make shisanyama an important part of Durban's food and tourism culture.
READ: Kelvin Momo to headline Durban's biggest Heritage Day shisanyama festival
Wake and Shake: Heritage Day Edition
- When: Thursday, September 24
- Where: Lineage Coffee Hillcrest
- Time: Wake and Shake: 7.30am
- Yoga: Bring your own mat; space is limited
- Tickets: Yoga + Wake and Shake: R150 | Wake and Shake only: R100 from uTickets
Looking for a different way to spend Heritage Day? Veranda Panda’s Wake and Shake: Heritage Day Edition is bringing an early-morning dose of movement, music and community.
The day starts at 6am with yoga led by Claudia Strydom. Guests will need to bring their own yoga mats, and space is limited. At 7.30am, it’s time to Wake and Shake with Veranda Panda. There’s no strict dress code – dress up, dress down or simply come as you are.
The event is also being held in collaboration with Wellaim, which will bring its Sport RX and Nature’s Nutrition brands to the morning, with spot giveaways and prizes up for grabs.
Heritage Friday at Coffeeberry Café
- Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
- Location: Coffeeberry Café, The Avenues, Hilton
- Time: Dinner from 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Tickets: R150 via Quicket
- Bookings: WhatsApp 082 331 7271
Take a musical trip through South Africa's past and present with Heritage Friday, featuring Charles Webster, Grace Botha, Rudi Engelbrecht and Tanya Nicolson.
Expect a soundtrack inspired by the likes of Johnny Clegg, Freshlyground, Mango Groove, Bright Blue and Paul Simon's Graceland era, alongside dinner and plenty of local flavour.
It's Heritage Month with a distinctly lekker soundtrack – and possibly the perfect excuse to bring along the friend who always insists on making the braai playlist.
Ilembe Heritage Experience
- Dates: 25–27 September 2026
- Location: KwaDukuza
- Tickets: From R100 via TicketPro
- Age: 18+
The Ilembe Heritage Experience turns Heritage Month into a three-day journey through the Zulu Kingdom, combining culture, music, dance, food, sport, and the outdoors.
Hosted by Ilembe Heritage Foundation, the programme includes:
- Day 1: A cultural experience at the King Shaka Memorial and King's Gala Dinner in KwaDukuza.
- Day 2: Ultimatum Tree breakfast and music festival at Mandeni's Ngcedomhlophe Stadium.
- Day 3: A Ballito Beach Experience featuring live music, beach sports, hiking and sunset viewing.
It's a chance to explore the region beyond the usual Heritage Day celebrations, and experience different sides of Ilembe along the way.
Ugu Maskandi Festival
- Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
- Location: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre, Margate
- Gates: 12pm | Performances from 2pm
- Tickets: Early Bird General R80 | VIP R1 200 | Cooler Box R150 from Webtickets
- More info: Ugu Maskandi Festival on Facebook
Head south for a celebration of one of South Africa's most distinctive musical traditions at the 6th Annual Ugu Maskandi Festival.
Expect a full day of Maskandi music, storytelling and live performances celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. With general and VIP tickets available, it's one for anyone wanting to experience the energy of live Maskandi in a festival setting.
READ: 5 women reshaping KwaZulu-Natal's tourism industry
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