Events calendar South Africa

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.

At the beginning of July, the National Art Festival is held in Grahamstown, a small town inland in the south-east of the country. It is the biggest and most interesting theatrical event of the year, as all the country's troupes come to perform, from large companies to small alternative structures. The theatre is put in the spotlight. This art is a real vector of integration in South Africa, especially for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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!

The Hermanus Whale Festival takes place at the end of September or beginning of October, in the heart of the whale season, of course. For three days,is a "2 in 1" show: typical food and drinks, South African music and, on the horizon, the spectacle of the whales jumping off the coast... A spectacular event in Hermanus. High place of passage of our favorite rorqual, especially, the Hermanus festival takes place in and for the respect of the environment and the marine wildlife.

From October to December in Johannesburg, art comes to life. Arts Alive has more than twenty-five years of experience. The event is made for art lovers in general, art in all its dimensions. From painting to poetry, through music, dance or theater, everything is there! More than 600 artists participate in this long awaited event in Johannesburg, perform and bring their art to life. The last day of the festival is usually dedicated to jazz. Experience art as you've never experienced it before.

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.

It's almost like being in the South of France! This family festival lasts two days at the end of April. On the program, tasting of olives and cheeses coming straight from the farm, traditional dishes of all kinds, cultural games for the children... You can also take a tractor ride with your family! For the more athletic, you can register for the 10 km marathon. At the end of the day, you can participate in the ghost hunt in the city, shivers guaranteed!

Often in late April and early May, we head to Lambert's Bay on the west coast of Cape Town to eat fresh crayfish in front of a rock concert. Yes, yes, it's possible! Well, we admit it, the music is not always at its best, but after having gobbled up a good dozen crayfish and a good glass of white wine, you will have the choice between lazing around with a cold beer, bungee jumping for the more daring, or a half-marathon for the sporty ones... What a lot of activities in Lambert's Bay !

This FNB Dance Umbrella event has over thirty years of choreography behind it. A breathtaking show! Usually during the first two weeks of March throughout Johannesburg, it's a dance party. The FNB Dance Space hosts several groups of South African dancers performing for international recruiters. Believe it or not, it's all happening here! The choreography is mainly contemporary, and it's top notch. It is highly recommended to book in advance.

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.