Events calendar Cape Town

The Cape Argus Cycle Tour is one of the most popular sporting events in the Cape region. This cycle race covers no less than 109km passing through several villages on the Cape Peninsula, not to mention the climb up the legendary Chapman's Pick road which offers a superb view from the top of the mountain in front of the ocean, behind the mountains and the vineyards. For the sporty and adventurous, this is a great opportunity to explore the region, taking in extraordinary landscapes not accessible by car.

The Cape Town Pride Festival usually takes place at the end of February or beginning of March. The party then starts for a whole week. This gay festival proudly displays the tolerance and respect for differences in Cape Town. During the event, there are exhibitions, concerts, a full moon party at Lion's Head and the famous Saturday Pride Parade: the highlight of the festival week, which certainly brings together the most people at the same time.

July 14th is also celebrated in South Africa, more precisely in Franschhoek, the French village. The villagers celebrate their French origins by colouring the village in blue, white and red and by taking their red berets out of the closet. A small festival is organised every year under a big tent where you can buy a "tasting pass" at the entrance: you have to choose your favourite stalls to go and taste various gourmet flavours. Concerts and festive atmosphere!

During the Easter weekend, it is the most important sporting event in Cape Town, both for the locals and the marathon runners, as well as for the economy of the city and even the Cape Town region. And for good reason, it brings together more than 15,000 people each year and is broadcast live on local television. There are two events on the programme: the ultra-marathon, 56 km, and the half-marathon, 21 km. The race route via Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay and Constantia Nek is sublime.

The Vortex festival usually takes place around the beginning of April in the Cape Town area. Sensitive souls please do not attend! Trance music, loud sounds, people from "elsewhere", here you are at Vortex! You camp there for three days, sleep very little and tap your feet a lot. This is the festival, the real thing. We really like the cool lake, which is quite calm in comparison, not far from the camp, where it's good to get some fresh air before going back to the fight. At the Vortex, a psychedelic atmosphere is guaranteed!

Cheese lovers will be delighted to find themselves in the vicinity of Franschhoek at the end of April. For three days, the Cheese Festival takes place in the streets of the small village nestled between the vines, in the highlands of the Cape region. The name of the festival alone is enough to make anyone drool! There are hundreds of cheeses here. On the program, meetings with new producers, and who says cheese, says tasting: we take advantage of it to offer with that a good glass of local red wine.

Every year in early October, Rocking the Daisies rocks Cape Town and sways the daisies. This trendy festival features the best international headliners of the moment: the English rapper Stormzy or the soulful voice of Ari Lennox, but also a lot of small alternative bands and interesting and promising local artists. The three days of the festival are a real vacation: a huge outdoor space in a beautiful setting, incredible stages and a crazy atmosphere: Not to be missed.

At the beginning of May in the Western Cape, the small town of Riebeek comes alive with the flavours of the region. During the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival, tastings of olives, oils and other olive-based products take place to delight the local taste buds. All this is accompanied, of course, by fresh produce and local wines to enhance the visit. You can then take advantage of the opportunity to visit the region while tasting local specialities. What could be better?

Also in the vibrant Cape Town area, in mid-March, Infecting the City takes over the city. This week-long art festival allows more than 50 musicians, dancers and other artists to occupy the public space of the city centre. The streets and squares of the City Bowl, as well as theatres and cinemas, are turned upside down by art and become full-size galleries to present the works. This festival opens the doors of art to everyone, whether they are amateurs, simple wanderers or passers-by. An event not to be missed.