Knysna, but not the Knysna you think
Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem
Unpacked: The legendary UK nightclub fabric returns to Cape Town
A night under the stars of serious clubbing with music you can’t Shazam
Last updated: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
One of the world’s most influential clubs will take over a venue unlike anything it has touched before: The Castle of Good Hope.
The 17th-century fortress, usually home to galleries, battlements and centuries of stories, will become the stage for a fabric event that pushes world-class club culture into a place few could ever imagine dancing. Here’s why this year’s edition is unmissable.
1 NIGHT ONLY: FABRIC CAPE TOWN
We’re not exaggerating when we say fabric is the world’s best club: DJ Magazine, the British monthly dedicated to electronic dance music and DJs, has awarded it the World’s Number 1 Club title twice.
“It’s well known for being a top techno club, and it’s also incubated the beat scene in London, giving artists huge exposure across different genres,” says Richard Marshall, South African DJ and founder of Sub Sahara, the events and radio company bringing fabric to South Africa.
If anyone knows about top-notch clubbing, it’s Richard. He’s performed at Pikes in Ibiza, Members Only in New York (where he played for eight hours straight to a packed rooftop), Crowd Control in Bucharest, and more.
“We want to deliver an experience that many South Africans wouldn’t be able to have, and that’s fabric for one night,” he adds.
View this post on Instagram
fabric is happening on Saturday, 10 January 2026. Image: fabric
ICONIC NEW VENUE FOR FABRIC
This year’s edition shifts from a dark underground club to a monumental heritage site. Built in the 1600s, the Castle of Good Hope is South Africa’s oldest surviving building, and for one night only, it becomes a multi-room club inspired by fabric London’s own architecture.
Much like fabric’s famed Room 1, Room 2 and Room 3, the Castle will offer spaces with different genres. Instead of dark brick walls and a low-slung club basement, dancers will move between the Castle’s vast inner courtyard, its echoing archways and its heavy stone chambers.
The open-air Dolphin Pond becomes the main stage, while the barracks will have low-lit, intimate spaces for more experimental sets. A large-scale projection-mapping installation will turn the Castle walls and courtyards into a dynamic backdrop for the night.
This marks the first time the site has hosted an electronic music event of this scale. Image: fabric
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINERS
The 2026 lineup is stacked with four international artists who each represent a different pillar of electronic music.
Marcel Dettmann is recognised as one of the most influential DJs of contemporary techno, who also incorporates elements of deep house, and experimental electronic music.
Joining him are Gerd Janson, whose playful, groove-heavy house sets have made him a favourite across Europe, and Horse Meat Disco, a globally acclaimed, four-member DJ collective. They’re best known for their Sunday parties at The Eagle in London and mixes that blend disco, house, and punk funk classics.
And finally, Gabrielle Kwarteng, who seamlessly weaves in the most obscure genres like Japanese disco, Brazilian funk, and Ethiopian jazz.
View this post on Instagram
fabric is famous for its commitment to electronic music. Image: fabric
MIXES TO MAKE YOUR DAY
Mixes from Marcel Dettmann, Gerd Janson, Horse Meat Disco and Gabrielle Kwarteng to give you a taste:
LOCAL DJs: HOUSE, TECHNO & MORE
Alongside the internationals, local DJs will once again have their names amplified to fabric’s global audience. “Their names will be shared with a worldwide network of electronic music fanatics,” says Richard.
There’s Leighton Moody, co-founder of one of Cape Town’s best deep house events, We House Sundays. Plus sets by Lady M, with her blend of deep house and techno, Thamiache, bringing Afro-centric infused sets, house, and melodic techno to the dance floor.
View this post on Instagram
The club has attracted people from around the world for the past 25 years. Image: fabric
FABRIC TICKET PRICES
Tickets for fabric are R450 (pre-7pm entry), R550 for standard tickets, and R750 for late bird & door tickets. Tickets can be booked on Howler.
VIP tickets cost R1 200 and include access to a VIP bar, viewing decks overlooking the stages, upstairs chill room, private toilets, parking and separate entrance.
There are also six and 10- seater tables with waiter service, a VIP bar, backstage access to Room 1, and separate parking, entrance, and toilet. Tickets are R12 000 for the six-seater and R18 000 for the 10-seaters.
Richard Marshall’s Sub Sahara is on a mission to spotlight South African DJs and share their music and stories with the world. For more event details, follow Sub Sahara on Instagram.
GET THE DETAILS: FABRIC CAPE TOWN
fabric is happening: Saturday, 10 January 2026; 5pm to 12am
Find it: The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
Book: Via Howler
Follow: Sub Sahara on Instagram
By Khadeeja Adams
---
CLUBS & MIDNIGHT THINGS TO DO
Do you know about Dunkley Square’s late night secret?
The oldest, newest and most unique nightclubs in Cape Town.
Here’s our list of 7+ things to do this weekend.
---
Loved discovering this? Make sure you get our popular weekly newsletter. Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.
