Your winter bucket list at the V&A Waterfront

Aquarium sleepover, cruises, parties, & 10+ food specials

Last updated: Friday, 10 July 2026

The V&A is where winter comes to play, with a host of experiences for every budget. The precinct is packed with school holiday adventures: There’s a sleepover at the aquarium and a chance for your kids to meet the Minions in July. Plus, on the Mini Explorers Kids’ Club (now free to join), your kids collect stamps for the activities they do, which they can trade for treats.

Add free parking from Monday to Thursday and the dozens of winter restaurant specials, including at Spur and the food court, and it makes sense. For adults, there are a plethora of free live events, date night specials from sunset cruises to the Tuna Fight Club at Time Out Market and a safari party at Cabo Beach Club. Here’s our pick of the V&A Waterfront’s things to do this winter.

For more, read their feature 100+ Reasons to Love Winter at the V&A Waterfront. 

The V&A neighbourhood is packed with special experiences for families, couples and kids this winter. Image: V&A Waterfront

KIDS’ PASSPORT NOW FREE TO JOIN

Mini Explorers Kids’ Club unlocks cool family perks and is now free to join. Your kids collect stamps for every adventure around the Waterfront and trade them in for treats. During the school holidays (29 June to 20 July 2026), the passport even includes Toy Kingdom train tickets. Read more about the best-kept secrets for parents, Mini Explorers Kids’ Club.

PLUS, MINI EXPLORERS KIDS’ CLUB COMPETITION   

From 3 to 17 July, Mini Explorers Kids' Club members can take part in a special competition. Visit participating Mini Explorers experiences, scan the QR codes and stand a chance to win one of three amazing prizes. Best of all, since joining the Mini Explorers Kids' Club is free, there’s no reason not to give it a go.

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD FEST

The free-to-enter Sustainable Seafood Fest returns to Makers Landing for a weekend celebrating local, responsibly caught seafood. Expect a harbourside feast of oysters, paella and street food, plus cooking demonstrations, seafood workshops, live music, a kids’ zone with a silent disco, and dinners hosted by food storyteller Onezwa Mbola.

Date: Saturday, 4 July to Sunday, 5 July 2026
Venue: Makers Landing
Time: 10am to 5pm
Cost: Free entry

THE MINIONS ARE COMING 

The Waterfront Amphitheatre welcomes two mischievous Minions on 5 July. Kids can meet the characters, snap a photo, spin the prize wheel and stand a chance to win giveaways. Minions & Monsters is at Ster-Kinekor cinemas from 26 June. It's one of several free family activities happening during the school holidays.

FREE TUK-TUK RIDES  

Did you know the V&A Waterfront has  free zero-emission Zbee shuttles? The electric rides run daily between key stops, including Canal Plaza, Silo Square, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Makers Landing and the Watershed.

SLEEPOVER AT THE AQUARIUM  

Every now and then, the Two Oceans Aquarium stays open after hours for kids roam the exhibits, complete a quest, watch a movie and wake up beside the tanks to a buffet breakfast. The cost also includes face painting, crafts, and educational entertainment. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Venue: Two Oceans Aquarium
Time: 6:30pm (Saturday) to 8am (Sunday)
Cost: R395 (adults), R380 (kids 2 to 17 years old). No under-2s.

Dock Road |  V&A Waterfront | @2oceansaquarium | Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

A WINTER MARKET, RAIN OR SHINE

The new Oranjezicht City Farm Market is now covered, with indoor seating making it just as appealing on rainy mornings. It’s open every Saturday from 8am to 2.30pm and Sunday from 8.30am to 2.30pm.

NEW: PLAY AREA AT CTFM   

The recently revamped Cape Town Fish Market in the historic Clock Tower district now has a dedicated children's play area, making family lunches a little easier. They have daily and weekly specials, like 50% off sushi on Tuesdays, and kids under 12 eat free on Thursdays, running until 31 July. See all Cape Town Fish Market’s specials.

TUNA FIGHT CLUB  

Only 150 seats are available for Time Out Market's Tuna Fight Club, where award-winning chefs go head-to-head to create a standout dish using one showpiece ingredient: A giant tuna. Your ticket includes unlimited access to the live tuna carving experience, signature tuna dishes from the chefs, a bottle of wine, ice-cold Stella Artois throughout the evening and live music.

Date: Thursday, 30 July
Venue: Time Out Market Studio
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Cost: R900 (incl. multiple dishes, unlimited fresh tuna and a bottle of wine), book via Howler

The Old Power Station, Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @timeoutmarketcapetown | Image: Time Out Market

MORE TIME OUT MARKET EVENTS

Time Out Market keeps the winter calendar packed with events, including World Cup screenings, winter wine tastings, drag nights, chef collaborations and exclusive dining events like Tuna Fight Club. It's absolutely worth checking the calendar before your visit.

ART ADVENTURES FOR EVERYONE

Zeitz MOCAA has something for every age this winter. During the school holidays, children aged 6 to 16 years old can get creative with hands-on art workshops at the BMW Centre for Art Education, while First Thursdays offer half-price museum admission until 9pm to explore the galleries after dark.

Children's Winter Holiday Programme
Date: Monday, 29 June to Friday, 3 July 2026
Venue: BMW Centre for Art Education, Zeitz MOCAA
Time: 10am to 1pm
Cost: R150 per child (R100 for members and Mini-Passport holders), book via Zeitz MOCAA’s website

S Arm Road | V&A Waterfront | @zeitzmocaa | Image: V&A Waterfront

LIVE MUSIC ON THE HARBOUR  

Quay Four's weekend programme brings live bands to the water's edge with no cover charge from 1pm. Grab a table inside or on the deck and settle in while local bands (the line-up changes weekly) play in the afternoon and evening.

WINTER PLAYLIST SERIES 

The Winter Playlist is back with a fresh lineup of live music and top local talent. Craig Lucas, Rowlene and Chad Saaiman headline this year's concert series at Radisson RED, where there’s also food and drinks from Oui Bar available throughout the night. Plus, free Silo parking is located nearby.

Date: Saturday, 11 July and Saturday, 8 August 2026
Venue: Radisson RED
Time: 6pm to 10:30pm
Cost: R250, book via Quicket

SAFARI PARTY

Alcazar's winter edition, Velvet Safari, moves indoors for one night only at Cabo Beach Club. Three stages – Bazique, Kinky Disco and Tropical Roast – each create a different mood, inviting you to wander between dance floors as the night unfolds.

Date: Saturday, 25 July 2026
Venue: Cabo Beach Club
Time: 4pm
Cost: From R300, book via Howler

RESCUE DOGS LOOKING FOR A HOME 

Oscars ARC brings adoptable dogs to their pop-up at Nobel Square (next to Time Out Market). They’ll be there on select weekends up until 16 August 2026 where visitors can meet, play with and even adopt their newest family member. Find the full schedule here.

SUNSET CRUISE

Watch the sun dip behind Table Mountain on Waterfront Charters' daily sunset cruise. Departing from Quay 5, the cruise includes two complimentary glasses of sparkling wine, with a cash bar on board.

GIANT CHESS BOARD

The larger outdoor chess board at Pier Head is free to use and overlooks the harbour. It’s situated in the main open-air square, right behind Den Anker Restaurant. Whether you're playing or simply watching a match unfold, it's an unexpectedly peaceful corner of the Waterfront.

PEDAL BOATS AT BATTERY PARK

These four-seater pedal boats offer a leisurely way to explore Battery Park's canals, with views of the surrounding greenery and the Waterfront skyline. Rides last 30 minutes and cost R100 per person. It’s open from 10am on weekends and 11am on weekdays.

COOKING CLASSES

Spyced's interactive cooking classes (Monday to Saturday) cover everything from folding samosas to blending your own garam masala. Even better is that you can take home what you make.

HISTORIC COBBLESTONE DRY DOCK

The Robinson Dry Dock has been operating since 1882 and remains one of the Waterfront's lesser-known historical landmarks. It sits in the Alfred Basin, offering visitors a glimpse into the working harbour and the maritime history that shaped the V&A Waterfront.

WATCH DIAMONDS BEING CUT

The Cape Town Diamond Museum offers guided tours where visitors can watch artisans cutting and polishing diamonds by hand. The 30 to 45-minute experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at South Africa's diamond industry and includes live polishing demonstrations.

Date: Daily
Venue: Cape Town Diamond Museum
Time: Tours throughout the day
Cost: R400pp, book via Cape Town Diamond Museum’s website

Level 1 Clock Tower, Clock Tower District | V&A Waterfront | @ctdiamondmuseum | Image: Shimansky

A MARINE WILDLIFE TRAIL

This free self-guided trail features eight lookout points for spotting seals, otters, dolphins and even whales around the harbour. The route winds through the harbour, marina and breakwater, highlighting the best places to look out for Cape fur seals, African oystercatchers, dolphins, whales (in season) and, if you're lucky, an African clawless otter. See the route here.

4 FLOORS OF AFRICAN ART

African Trading Port (open daily from 9am to 9pm) houses sculptures, textiles, ceramics and bronze works sourced from across the continent over more than two decades.

FREE SKATEPARK

Battery Park (9am to 7pm) is one of the city's best free outdoor activity spaces, with a public skatepark, basketball court and soccer pitch built on the site of a former Dutch gun emplacement. Free weekend parking is available.

FOOD HUB INSIDE THE HARBOUR

Part incubator for culinary talent, part events hub and part commercial kitchen, Makers Landing celebrates local chefs, flavours and entrepreneurs.

GEMSTONE-COVERED CAVE FOR R40

The Scratch Patch gemstone cave has a floor covered with thousands of polished stones waiting to be discovered. It’s one of the Waterfront's longest-running family attractions where visitors can fill a bag with their favourites starting at R40.

1 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @scratchpatchsa | Image: Scratch Patch

HARBOUR CRUISE FOR UNDER R100

City Sightseeing's 30-minute harbour cruise passes seals, the Bascule Bridge and the historic SAS Somerset boom defence vessel. Tickets start from R89 for adults and R60 for children.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

The bright-yellow frames beside Den Anker and another in the Silo District have become two of the Waterfront's most recognisable photo spots, with Table Mountain perfectly framed behind both.

365 LOCAL BRANDS UNDER ONE ROOF

The Watershed brings together more than 150 vendors selling 365 brands local makers selling ceramics, jewellery, fashion, homeware and art. Browsing is free, and it's one of the easiest places to discover proudly South African design.

INDOOR CAVE GOLF FOR R45

This indoor 18-hole mini-golf course is open rain or shine and costs R45 a round. It's trickier than it looks, making it just as entertaining for adults as it is for kids.

1 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @scratchpatchsa | Image: Scratch Patch

NOBEL SQUARE

Four bronze statues honour South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize laureates, while a fifth sculpture pays tribute to the women and children of the liberation struggle. It's one of the Waterfront's most reflective public spaces – and free to visit.

INDOOR PARK FOR KIDS

Be.Up Park inside the Watershed is an indoor play space designed for younger children (2 years and up), complete with climbing frames, imaginative play areas and a café where parents can relax while keeping an eye on the action. Play sessions start from R55 an hour, it’s an easy all-weather stop.

ESCAPE ROOM FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

HintHunt's immersive escape rooms blend storytelling, puzzles and teamwork into an experience older kids, teenagers and adults can solve together. It's consistently ranked among the best escape rooms in Africa. Read our feature for prices to play HintHunt’s escape room.

The Watershed | 17 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @hinthuntafrica | Image: HintHunt

WORLD-RECORD MILKSHAKES

Gibson's has built a reputation around its over-the-top milkshakes, with more than 200 varieties on the menu. The towering Freak Shake remains one of the Waterfront's signature family treats.

Shop 157 Lower Level | 19 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @gibsons_capetown | Image: V&A Waterfront

10 V&A RESTAURANT SPECIALS

 See more food specials at the V&A Waterfront here.

V&A Waterfront | @vandawatershed | Image: V&A Waterfront

FREE PARKING AT THE V&A WATERFRONT

Every Saturday and Sunday at Silo, Clock Tower & Battery Park. Although there is some construction, the V&A's still open, and there are marshals and signage to manage traffic flow.

VISIT THE V&A WATERFRONT

V&A Waterfront is open: Daily, 9am - 9pm
Find it: Situated on the Atlantic shore and Table Bay Harbour
Contact on: 021 408 7600, info@waterfront.co.za, @vandawaterfront 

By Khadeeja Adams

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MORE THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER

Check out our favourite winter specials and treats in Cape Town.   

Here are 65+ things to do with kids that parents will enjoy too.

There’s always 7+ things to do this weekend.

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