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First Thursdays helps Cape Town shift into festive gear

First Thursdays helps Cape Town shift into festive gear
The best way to enjoy First Thursdays is to start with a plan but be open to discovery, says founder Gareth Pearson.(Photo: Nkululeko Ndlovu)
Shérie Vollenhoven
By Shérie Vollenhoven
8 Dec 2024
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Dezemba is here and SA is ready to enjoy the summer holidays. In Cape Town, the First Thursdays event provided the perfect start. 

In Cape Town, the festive season carries its own unique charm, blending the city’s vibrant cultural spirit with its sense of community. For many residents, the magic of the holidays begins the moment Dezemba arrives, marking the countdown to celebrations, traditions and memorable moments.

One event that encapsulates this festive energy is First Thursdays, a cultural experience like no other – and its December edition serves as a highlight of the season.

A cultural movement


First Thursdays art gallery One of the participating art galleries in the First Thursdays event on 5 December. (Photo: Nkululeko Ndlovu)



partygoers enjoy First Thursdays Visitors gather in Loop and Bree streets in Cape Town to enjoy the First Thursdays event on 5 December. (Photo: Nkululeko Ndlovu)



First Thursdays is more than just an event – it’s a continuing cultural movement that takes place on the first Thursday of every month. Designed to bring people together in Cape Town’s city centre, it encourages them to explore the local art, food and social scenes. It’s a night when art galleries, boutique stores and eateries open their doors late into the evening, inviting locals and visitors to experience the city’s creative side.

“Central to the concept of First Thursdays is walkability and creating a concentration of things for people to see and do within an area that lends itself to exploration and discovery,” founder Gareth Pearson explains.

First Thursdays is built on the idea of accessibility – not just physical access but also cultural and social accessibility.

“It’s about access to the arts, creating an accessible platform for creativity, and access to the city,” he says.

The origins of First Thursdays date back to 2012 when Pearson and Michael Tymbios, two friends in their 20s, decided to bring new life to Cape Town’s city centre nightlife. At first, the event featured just six participating locations, but its popularity quickly grew. More galleries, restaurants and businesses joined the initiative, recognising its potential to draw foot traffic and create a sense of community in the city centre.

Impactful event


People looking down on First Thursdays revelry. The success of First Thursdays can be seen not only in the number of people the event draws, but also in the ­positive effects it has on the city and its ­residents. (Photo: Nkululeko Ndlovu)



Group of revellers enjoying First Thursdays in the streets of Cape Town. The best way to enjoy First Thursdays is to start with a plan but be open to discovery, says founder Gareth Pearson.(Photo: Nkululeko Ndlovu)



The success of First Thursdays can be seen not only in the number of people the event draws, but also in the ­positive effects it has on the city and its ­residents.

Each month, thousands of people participate, and some of the busiest galleries welcome up to 1,000 visitors in a single night.

“From an initial attendance of just 100 people to over 6,000, we take pride in the journey of this event,” Pearson says.

The event also plays a crucial role in supporting local businesses, artists and cultural spaces. It provides a platform for creative individuals to showcase their work to a ­wider audience, while also encouraging the public to engage with art and culture.

“It’s a platform for artists, galleries and other cultural spaces to access new audiences, and for the public to be able to access art spaces and be exposed to things they might not otherwise seek out,” Pearson says.

In the long term, First Thursdays fosters a greater appreciation for the arts and helps to sustain the economic vitality of the city centre. By drawing people into galleries, shops and restaurants, the event creates a ripple effect, supporting Cape Town’s cultural and economic ecosystem.

A festive highlight


The December edition of First Thursdays is often regarded as the pinnacle on the event’s annual calendar. For six years, one of its most iconic features was the Upper Bree Street Market Dance Festival, hosted by The Station on Bree.

It featured more than 45 market vendors and food stalls, as well as live music performances by renowned South African artists such as J’Something, Jimmy Nevis, Matthew Mole and Kurt Darren.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by street closures, additional security and clean-up crews.

However, despite its popularity, the Upper Bree Street Market was discontinued. The organisers cited concerns from local businesses. In a statement, the event team explained: “The event does not attract the type of clientele they believe is appropriate for the area or for their business, nor does the once-a-month event align with their vision for Upper Bree.”

Even without the Upper Bree Street Market, the final 2024 edition of First Thursdays on 5 December retained its festive charm. The event returned to its roots, focusing on local talent and creativity.

Galleries across the city opened their doors, hosting exhibitions, performances and installations, while pop-up markets like the Remedy Market provided a platform for small businesses and artisans.

For attendees, the magic of First Thursdays lies in its unpredictability. “The best way to do First Thursdays is to start with a plan, but to be open to discovery. You never know what you’ll stumble upon or who you might bump into,” says Pearson.

As Cape Town ushers in the festive season, the most recent event served as a reminder of the city’s vibrant cultural heartbeat. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.



 

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