Finding the best time to visit johannesburg. Here are the full guide for perfect month, festivals, activities and bonus travel tips
- Warm, sunny weather with occasional summer showers
- City full of energy with festivals, nightlife, and cultural events
- Best time for sightseeing, safaris, and outdoor activities
- Pleasant, cool weather with clear skies
- Fewer tourists — perfect for peaceful explorers
- Great for walking tours, museums, and cozy cafes
- Cooler temperatures, especially in early mornings and nights
- Least crowded time — budget-friendly stays and deals
- Ideal for indoor attractions, markets, and photography
Weather & Temperature Overview for Best Time To Visit Johannesburg
| Month | Season | Weather | Temp | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | Warm & Rainy | 25°C | 👥👥👥 High |
| February | Peak | Warm & Rainy | 24°C | 👥👥👥 High |
| March | Peak | Pleasant | 22°C | 👥👥 Medium |
| April | Moderate | Mild & Dry | 19°C | 👥👥 Medium |
| May | Moderate | Cool & Dry | 15°C | 👥 Low |
| June | Moderate | Cold Mornings | 12°C | 👥 Low |
| July | Off | Cold & Sunny | 11°C | 👤 Very Low |
| August | Off | Cool & Dry | 14°C | 👤 Very Low |
| September | Off | Spring Begins | 17°C | 👥 Medium |
| October | Off | Jacaranda Bloom | 20°C | 👥👥 Medium |
| November | Peak | Warm & Lively | 22°C | 👥👥👥 High |
| December | Peak | Festive & Hot | 24°C | 👥👥👥 High |
Festivals & Events Overview
Place: Newtown, Johannesburg CBD
Celebration: A colorful street parade with music, dancers, stilt walkers, costumes, and floats. Celebrates cultural diversity and the new year.
Place: Rosebank & various cinemas
Celebration: Independent filmmakers showcase documentaries, short films, and features. Screenings, Q&As, and networking events.
3. Soweto Wine & Lifestyle Festival (some years)
Place: Soweto Theatre, Soweto
Celebration: A fusion of wine tasting, food stalls, and live music, celebrating South Africa’s wine culture in a township setting.
4. Rand Show
Place: Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg
Celebration: One of SA’s biggest consumer shows – entertainment, agriculture expos, food courts, tech showcases, and live performances.
5. AfrikaBurn (though held in the Tankwa desert, Jozi hosts pre-parties)
Place: Pre-parties in Joburg, main event in Northern Cape
Celebration: Art, radical self-expression, and temporary community building (Joburg celebrates with themed parties).
6. Youth Day Events (June 16)
Place: Hector Pieterson Memorial, Soweto
Celebration: Commemorates the 1976 student uprising with memorial walks, speeches, and educational events.
7. Fête de la Musique
Place: Newtown or Maboneng
Celebration: Free live music performances by local and international artists across genres – open-air and street-style concerts.
8. Women’s Day Celebrations (Aug 9)
Place: Constitution Hill, museums, and public spaces
Celebration: Marches, exhibitions, and talks honoring South African women’s rights movements.
9. Heritage Day Festivals (Sept 24)
Place: Gold Reef City, Vilakazi Street, and parks
Celebration: Braais (barbecues), traditional dress, music, and cultural dances to honor SA’s diverse heritage. Also known as Braai Day.
10. Johannesburg International Arts Alive Festival
Place: Various venues across Joburg
Celebration: Entire month of live performances, jazz, poetry, theatre, and visual arts. Focus on pan-African culture.
11. Joburg Art Fair (FNB Art Joburg)
Place: Sandton Convention Centre
Celebration: Africa’s leading contemporary art fair. Galleries, artists, talks, and collectors from across the continent.
12. Comic Con Africa
Place: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
Celebration: Cosplay, gaming, anime, comic art, pop culture panels, and celebrity guests.
13. DSTV Delicious International Food & Music Festival
Place: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit
Celebration: Global chefs, gourmet food, and international music stars (R&B, soul, Afro-pop). A lifestyle and foodie fest.
14. Carols by Candlelight
Place: Johannesburg Zoo
Celebration: Families gather with candles to sing Christmas carols. Lights, picnic, and festive performances.
15. Johannesburg Pride
Place: Sandton
Celebration: LGBTQ+ pride march with floats, music, and after-parties. Focus on rights and inclusivity.