Johannesburg in October is a city in full bloom. The jacarandas are turning the streets purple, the spring sun is out, and Pride Month brings a charge of colour, energy, and unapologetic joy to Sandton Central. For one month, the city’s corporate heart swaps ties and briefcases for sequins and rainbow flags. This is the time when Sandton is more than a business district, it becomes the stage for some of Africa’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
From the mystery of secret warehouse parties to the glitter of fashion nights, the serious business of empowerment to the all-out spectacle of the Pride March, October in Sandton has it all. The best part? You can keep the entire celebration within walking distance: pre-party dinners, post-parade drinks, morning-after brunches, and hotels that put you right in the thick of it. Here’s your definitive Pride Month map to the city.
The Big Kick-Off: Secret Venue Party, 4 October
Every Pride season needs a curtain-raiser, and the Secret Venue party is exactly that. The clue is in the name: you buy your ticket, and the location is only revealed at the last minute. In past years it’s popped up in unexpected spaces like industrial warehouses, rooftop terraces, and even art galleries. Wherever it lands, expect pulsating music, live art, drag performances, and a crowd that is ready to start the season in style.
Pro tip for the night: start your evening at Aurum’s Octo Bar, perched inside The Leonardo. It is the tallest building in Africa, so you’ll be sipping your Negroni or Paloma with the entire Joburg skyline laid out beneath you. If you want to add a little more drama to your pre-drinks, the building’s rooftop bar, Alto 234, has got you covered. It’s a pre-party in itself—think city lights, curated cocktails, and an atmosphere that screams Pride chic. Then head off to the mystery venue knowing you’ve already nailed the Instagram moment before the night has even begun.
Pride With Purpose: emPOWERment Summit, 10 October
By the second week, the focus shifts from glitter to growth. The emPOWERment Summit is a flagship Pride of Africa event that puts queer youth and workplace equality front and centre. This is where HR leaders, corporate executives, and activists gather to ask the big questions: how do we create workplaces where queer youth can thrive, not just survive?
Expect panel discussions on everything from inclusive hiring practices to mental health in corporate South Africa. Networking sessions mean you could be rubbing shoulders with CEOs one moment and young activists the next. It’s a reminder that Pride is as much about progress as it is about parties.
Fuel up beforehand at Doppio Zero in Sandton City, where the coffee comes strong and the breakfast bowls are as energising as the conversation you’re about to step into.
Dressed to Excess: Queer Met Gala, 18 October
Forget subtle. The Queer Met Gala is Pride’s ultimate fashion spectacle. It is exactly what it sounds like: a riot of couture, camp, and creativity. One year it might be feathers and sequins, the next year full-scale avant-garde installations worn as outfits. Designers, drag artists, stylists, and performers all bring their A-game to the runway, and the result is a night where no look is too bold.
The Gala is also a social hotspot, with Sandton’s stylish crowd mixing with creatives, influencers, and the who’s-who of Johannesburg’s queer community. The energy is infectious, and the looks alone are worth the price of admission.
For pre-party dining, head to Sinn Restaurant in Sandton Central. It’s the sort of place where you can settle into a plush seat, order a bottle of bubbles, and make a statement before the night even begins. The menu is diverse: think delicate seafood starters, rich beef mains, and desserts that double as edible art. Dress to impress because the Gala is as much about the journey there as it is about the catwalk inside.
The Beating Heart: Johannesburg Pride March, 25 October
This is the day that defines Pride Month. The Johannesburg Pride March has been running since 1990, making it the oldest Pride event on the African continent. What started as a small and brave protest during apartheid has grown into a massive annual celebration of love, resilience, and visibility. Sandton’s streets become rivers of colour, with floats, DJs, dancers, activists, families, and allies all moving together in one giant, joyful procession.
The energy is electric. Banners are raised, whistles blow, drag queens strut down Maude Street, and music spills out of speakers on trucks as thousands march side by side. It’s both a party and a protest, honouring the history of the LGBTQ+ struggle in South Africa while celebrating the progress that has been made.
Getting in and out is easy this year too. The Marc is one of the main parking hubs for the march, and a Tuk Tuk collection point will be running from the centre, making it simple to hop straight into the action without worrying about logistics.
After the march, there’s no reason to stop. Head to Artistry JHB, Sandton’s creative multi-level hotspot where a rooftop bar overlooks the square. With live DJs, crafted cocktails, and an artsy crowd, it’s the perfect place to keep the rhythm going after a day of marching, dancing, and celebrating in the sun.
The Grand Finale: Closing Party, 31 October
Halloween meets Pride at the month’s final send-off. The Closing Party is where Pride Month goes out with a bang. Think flamboyant costumes, international DJs, drag performances that stop you in your tracks, and a last chance to dance until sunrise with your chosen family.
For dinner beforehand, book a table at The Butcher Shop & Grill on Nelson Mandela Square. Known for its impeccable steaks and generous portions, it’s the kind of spot where groups gather to line their stomachs before hitting the dance floor. By the time you leave, you’ll be ready to end the month as it began, surrounded by colour, music, and community.
