All you need to know about Maynardville Open-Air Festival

Everything you need to know: Parking, VIP experiences, tickets & more

Last updated: Tuesday, 4 November 2025

There’s nowhere quite like the Maynardville Open-Air Festival, where fairy lights glow through the trees and the sound of music fills the air. Since its first Shakespeare performance in 1956, this wooded amphitheatre has evolved into a beloved celebration of the arts, now featuring opera, orchestras, and for the first time, jazz concerts and VIP experiences. Here’s what to expect during their 70th season.

The open-air festival has everything, from captivating musical performances to timeless theatrical masterpieces. Image: Maynardville Open-Air Festival

70 YEARS OF MAGIC IN MAYNARDVILLE

In 2026, the Maynardville Open-Air Festival marks 70 years since its first performance of Shakespeare In The Park transformed a quiet Wynberg park into one of Cape Town’s most beloved summer traditions. 

In 1949, philanthropist Margaret Molteno converted the park into an open-air venue to help fund education in the Cape Flats. After many early dance seasons, Shakespeare arrived in 1956 with The Taming of the Shrew, and the tradition of Shakespeare in Wynberg Park began.

Since then, Maynardville has remained a space for connection and inclusivity, welcoming diverse audiences even during apartheid. That legacy continues today through the All Access programme, which includes sign language-interpreted performances for deaf and hard of hearing audiences.

The 2026 season, themed In Full Swing, honours a vibrant heritage through a diverse programme of Shakespeare, jazz, ballet and orchestral performances in the park.

Maynardville Open-Air Festival runs from 13 January to 8 March 2026. Image: Maynardville Open-Air Festival 

THE FLAGSHIP PRODUCTION: TWELFTH NIGHT 

Shakespeare’s timeless comedy about love, disguise and mischief, Twelfth Night, is Maynardville Open-Air Festival’s flagship production in 2026. 

This modern take on Shakespeare, set in 1960s Rome and inspired by Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, swaps Illyria for the glamour of Italian high society. The story follows Viola, a shipwrecked noblewoman who disguises herself as a man and falls in love with Duke Orsino. The Duke, however, falls for Viola’s male alter ego. 

The production is directed by Steven Stead. Sharp-eyed theatre goers may remember as Ariel in The Tempest in 1994. After nearly a decade directing for English National Opera in London and Europe, he co-founded Durban’s KickstArt Theatre, where he has built a strong reputation for inventive, award-winning productions.

This year’s flagship production is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.. Image: Maynardville Open-Air Festival

BALLET & OPERA IN THE PARK 

The enchanting summer lineup also includes ballet and opera.

The new season opens with Shades of Blue, a tranquil concert led by Elna van der Merwe (piano), Liesl Stoltz (flute), Dylan Tabisher (drums and marimba), Roxane Steffen (double bass) and David Cyster (clarinet). Expect works like 'Sonata Latino' by Mike Mower and Claude Bolling’s 'Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio'. 

Fans of ballet can look forward to two productions this year. Cape Ballet Africa presents Giselle, a haunting tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness, choreographed by the internationally-acclaimed Maina Gielgud. Cape Town City Ballet is true to the theme with Swingtime, Sean Bovim’s tribute to the Big Band era, blending classical ballet with the flair of Broadway.

The festival has everything, from captivating musical performances to timeless theatrical masterpieces. Image: Maynardville Open-Air Festival

JAZZ FOR THE FIRST TIME

This year marks Maynardville’s first-ever Jazz in the Park concert, a celebration of timeless instrumental favourites like ‘My Funny Valentine’, ‘Take Five’ and ‘Summertime’.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will also return for two concerts, a long-standing highlight of the festival. The Charl du Plessis Trio will perform their mix of jazz and classical music, while Cape Town Opera presents Gershwin in the Park, a one-night celebration of the golden age of American music. 

The season ends with The Great American Songbook, featuring the Paul Roos Orchestra, conducted by Wessel Odendaal, alongside Katlego Maboe, Tankiso Mamabolo, Amy Campbell and the Track Five Jazz Vocal Ensemble. They will perform hits like ‘Get Happy’, ‘Cry Me a River’ and ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’. 

Expect ballet, orchestra, jazz and more at the summer festival. Image: Maynardville Open-Air Festival

ELEVATED EVENING FOOD MARKET

The food market is open two hours before the performance begins, so you can arrive early and have dinner at the long tables underneath twinkling strings of lights. Or, following a half-century of tradition, by picnicking on the park lawns overlooking the lake. 

The market celebrates Cape Town’s diverse culinary scene, with indulgent comfort food and gourmet treats, great for dining before the show with a glass of wine. There’s also a bar that opens two hours before performances start.

The Food Market opens two hours before every performance so you can arrive early and grab a bite. Image: Maynardville Open-Air Festival

MAYNARDVILLE GOES VIP 

For the first time, Maynardville Open-Air Theatre is offering a VIP experience which includes premium reserved seating, blankets and pillows, access to a private lounge and bar, early entry, and complimentary secure parking. 

Prices range from R249 to R699 for a VIP experience, a great choice if you’re looking for a unique date night or to experience the theatre in style.

LINEUP & TICKETS

All tickets can be booked via Quicket. Although any available tickets will be sold on the door, it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Pensioners and students receive a 15% discount on all tickets (except VIP seats). Check out the Maynardville Open-Air Festival programme here.

The annual Shakespeare is also popular with school groups, enquire about school bookings here.

BEST PLACE TO PARK

Secure parking is available at Simon van der Stel Primary School Sports Field, just 150 metres from the theatre entrance. It’s patrolled by festival security and costs R50 per vehicle (card payments only). All proceeds support community initiatives at the school and festival. 

There’s also street parking, which is manned by car guards. See Google Maps locations for Wolfe Street, Young Lane, Standard Lane or Roos Lane. 

EXPERIENCE MAYNARDVILLE OPEN-AIR FESTIVAL

Seventy years in and Maynardville Open-Air Festival remains a cherished summer tradition, bringing together theatre, music and dance under the stars. Each season builds on this legacy, with new performances that continue to enchant audiences of all ages.

Maynardville Open-Air Festival is on: 3 January to 8 March 2026

Find it: 27 Piers Road, Wynberg

Cost: From R249

More information and book: Via Maynardville’s website

Contact on: 082 773 5397, boxoffice@maynardville.co.za, @maynardville

By Saarah Gierdien

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