Yes, the braai will be happening. But if standing around a fire all day isn't your thing, there is cycling, live orchestral jazz, pop culture, creative gatherings, markets and a few very Jozi ways to celebrate the day.

We’ve rounded up eight events worth knowing about, including a couple just outside Johannesburg that are close enough to make the trip.

1. Rooted Night Market at Irene Farm

Wednesday, 23 September | 16:00 - 22:00
Irene Dairy Farm, Centurion

If you want to ease into the Heritage Day long weekend a day early, the Irene Farm Rooted Night Market is a good place to start.

The market takes place on Wednesday, 23 September, rather than Heritage Day itself. The appeal is pretty simple: head out of the city, spend the afternoon on the farm and browse the market as the sun goes down. It has the relaxed, family-friendly feel that makes Irene Farm a regular weekend escape for Joburg and Pretoria residents.

Broke & About tip: Make this your Wednesday plan, then keep Thursday open. It is a nice way to start the long weekend without burning yourself out before Heritage Day even arrives.

2. One Big MINI Morning

Thursday, 24 September | From 08:30
Meet: The Acreage, Midrand
Finish: Casalinga, Muldersdrift

For the car people, this one is a little different.

MINI South Africa is bringing together MINI owners from across Johannesburg for One Big MINI Morning, a Heritage Day convoy through the city.

The convoy meets at The Acreage in Midrand at 08:30 before setting off through Johannesburg and eventually arriving at Casalinga in Muldersdrift. The idea is part road trip, part community gathering, with the cars themselves becoming part of the celebration.

Once everyone reaches Casalinga, the morning turns into a family-friendly gathering with food trucks, kids' activities, lifestyle stalls and brand activations. MINI apparel will also be available, while MINI Financial Services will be on site.

The event is also tied to MINI's 24-year presence, making the convoy as much about the owners and the community around the cars as it is about the vehicles.

Registration is required to take part in the convoy.

3. JPO Heritage Day Symphonic Jazz

Thursday, 24 September | 19:00
Linder Auditorium, Parktown
Tickets from R190

Heritage Day doesn't have to mean a loud party.

The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra is marking the day with its annual Heritage Day Symphonic Jazz concert at Linder Auditorium.

The concert is being conducted by Daniel Boico and features pianist Lindi Ngonelo, with a programme that connects orchestral music with the history and influence of jazz. The programme includes Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite, a West Side Story medley by Leonard Bernstein and a Porgy and Bess medley by George Gershwin.

It is a particularly fitting Heritage Day programme because the evening looks at how jazz has moved between generations, cultures and musical traditions.

The concert runs from approximately 19:00 to 21:15, making it an easy evening plan after spending the day elsewhere.

Broke & About tip: Dress up a little. Grab dinner in Rosebank or Parkhurst afterwards and make a proper evening of it.

4. Homies & Girlies Heritage Day Ride

Thursday, 24 September | 09:00 - 13:00
Cycle Boutique, 44 Stanley

If you'd rather celebrate Heritage Day on two wheels, Homies & Girlies is bringing its public-holiday ride back to Joburg.

The ride brings together Banditz Bicycle Club and Girls On Bikes for a mixed social cycle around the city. Riders meet at Cycle Boutique at 44 Stanley at 09:00, with departure scheduled for 09:30.

The route heads through familiar Joburg roads and neighbourhoods towards Sandton City and back.

This isn't positioned as a serious cycling race. The emphasis is on riding together, meeting people and enjoying the city. Riders of different experience levels are welcome.

Don't own a bike? Bike and helmet hire is available, although quantities are limited. The organisers recommend eating something light beforehand and bringing water and a snack.

The ride is for 18s and older.

Broke & About tip: This is one of those events where the social part is just as important as the cycling. Bring your friends, but be prepared to make new ones too.

5. Heritage in Bloom ft. Amahle Zama

Thursday, 24 September
Mamakashaka & Friends, Braamfontein

Heritage Day also gets a creative treatment at Mamakashaka & Friends in Braamfontein with Heritage In Bloom ft. Amahle Zama.

The event is listed for 24 September at Mamakashaka & Friends, the Braamfontein creative space founded by cultural entrepreneur Nandi Dlepu.

Mamakashaka & Friends has become known as a space where music, fashion, design, food and creative communities overlap. The venue itself operates as a creative studio and gathering space, opening for selected events and collaborations. It is located at 5 De Beer Street, in the former Great Dane space.

The Heritage In Bloom event features Amahle Zama, giving the day another option for people looking for something rooted in Johannesburg's creative scene rather than the traditional festival format.

Details around the programme and ticketing are limited in the publicly available listings, so we'd recommend checking the organiser's latest information before heading out.

6. Heinz Braai Day

Thursday, 24 September | 12:00–20:00
The River Cabin, Fourways
Tickets required in advance

If you believe Heritage Day should involve meat, fire and a serious amount of sauce, Heinz has you covered.

Heinz Braai Day is taking place at The River Cabin in Fourways, with 125 braai stands planned for the event. Guests bring their own meat while Heinz provides the braai stands, coal, firelighters and sauces.

The braai portion runs from 12:00 to 15:00. After that, the event shifts into more of a music and entertainment festival.

The lineup includes DJ Kent, Vin D, Chrizz Beatz, Nate and Bazzy, with games including Giant Jenga, bean bag toss and Mix It Up. There is also a family zone for younger guests.

The event runs until 20:00.

One important detail: tickets must be booked in advance and there won't be tickets available at the gate.

7. Comic Con Africa

Thursday, 24 – Sunday, 27 September
Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec

Not every Heritage Day celebration needs to involve traditional food.

Comic Con Africa returns to the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec for four days over the Heritage Day long weekend. The festival runs from 24 to 27 September, with doors open from 09:00 to 18:00 daily.

Expect the usual Comic Con universe: cosplay, comics, gaming, anime, collectibles, artists, merchandise, tabletop gaming, esports, celebrity appearances and fan experiences.

The 2026 edition is the festival's seventh edition, with organisers expecting around 70,000 visitors across the four days.

The nice thing about Comic Con is that you don't have to be a hardcore comic-book fan to enjoy it. The cosplay alone makes the Expo Centre worth exploring, and there is enough food, shopping, gaming and entertainment to fill an entire day.

Broke & About tip: If you want to see the cosplay crowds at their biggest, Saturday is generally the day to watch. If you'd rather have a little more breathing room, Thursday or Friday may be easier.

8. The World's Biggest Braai

Thursday, 24 September | 09:00–20:00
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Okay, this one technically isn't Johannesburg.

But if we're talking about things happening around Joburg over Heritage Day, it would be impossible to leave this one out.

The World's Biggest Braai returns to Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Heritage Day, with organisers aiming to have 3,000 people braai simultaneously as part of another Guinness World Records title attempt.

There is some important context here.

In 2025, organisers had 2,412 people officially counted in the braai area, exceeding Japan's then-standing figure of 2,220. However, the attempt wasn't certified by Guinness World Records because participants did not all remain at their allocated braai stations for the required period.

This year's attempt is designed around those rules. Participants will need to remain at their allocated stations during the official attempt.

Your ticket includes a portion of wors, a roll or pap, an apron, tongs and access to a prepared braai station. There are also vegetarian and halaal options. After the official attempt, the event turns into a full Heritage Day festival with live music, food vendors, a beer garden and family entertainment.

The event runs from 09:00 to 20:00, with the official braai attempt scheduled for 10:00.

Broke & About tip: If you want to be part of the record attempt, don't treat it like a normal festival. The rules matter. Get to your allocated station and stay there during the official attempt.

So, what are you doing this Heritage Day?

Johannesburg's Heritage Day calendar is a pretty good reflection of the city itself.

You can spend the morning cycling through Joburg. You can put on something nice and listen to a full orchestra interpret jazz. You can spend the day getting lost in cosplay at Comic Con. Or you can keep it classic and stand around a fire with your friends.

And if you're willing to drive a little further, there is a 3,000-person braai waiting in Pretoria.

Heritage Day is 24 September. Pick your vibe.

Event details and prices can change. Check the organiser or ticketing platform before heading out, especially for ticket availability, registration requirements and parking.