When a country town puts on its party shoes and invites everyone to join in, that may well be the best time – or an irresistible reason – to visit. Our round-up of must-visit festivals for 2024 covers six unique regions of the Cape, each with its own festive flavour and character, and a wide range of events, from the arty and cultured to food and music celebrations, to suit every kind of festino!
Where do you want to go?
The West Coast
The Winelands
The Overberg
The Garden Route
The Klein Karoo
The Great Karoo
Darling Brew Winter Festival
Where Darling
When July 2024 (date TBC)
The lowdown Also known as the “Stoute” Stout Festival, it’s all about enjoying season-appropriate dark beers from local craft brewers (like Darling Brew’s Black Mist and award-winning Arrowhead Russian imperial stout) – along with rocking good music. There are food stalls and a cash bar for other drinks; your first, the festival beer, is on the house. Dust off your leather jacket and slip on those trusty tackies…
Good to know Darling Brew also hosts a mountain-biking event in May, a trail-running event in August, and a weekend-long Spring Market.
Contact 076 092 8313, shop@darlingbrew.co.za
Venue Darling Brew Taproom, 48 Caledon Street
Rocking the Daisies
Where Darling
When October 2024 (dates TBC)
The lowdown This legendary three-day event is one of the longest-running outdoor music festivals in South Africa – and it’s managed to last because it has morphed with the times and has a finger on the pulse of what’s hot. With four stages, multiple dance floors, and a line-up of local and international musical talent (solo artists, bands and DJs), there’s something to suit most tastes. The addition of art and interactive experiences, lifestyle pop-ups, food and drinks stalls, a beach zone next to a dam, and cool camping options create the ultimate festival vibe.
Good to know Tickets go on sale from around April, so keep an eye out. No under-18s.
Contact hello@rockingthedaisies.com
Venue Cloof Wine Estate, Mamre Road (R315)
Franschhoek Literary Festival
Where Franschhoek
When 17 – 19 May 2024
The lowdown Authors (local and international), poets, literary figures, creatives, publishers and bookworms converge on this Winelands town for a weekend comprising over 80 thought-provoking events. From debates and discussions of current trends and the state of the nation, to book readings, writing workshops, music concerts, film screenings, gourmet food and fine wines, this is brain food of the most nutritious kind. With venues in close proximity, it’s a literary takeover of the town’s streets.
Good to know In the week leading up to the event, there’s a Reading Festival aimed at children, with storytelling, puppetry, word games, mascots and more.
Contact hello@flf.co.za
Venue Various venues in town
SA Cheese Festival
Where Stellenbosch
When September 2024 (dates TBC)
The lowdown Join thousands of fellow fromage fans for a weekend of eating, drinking, indulgence and general merriment to celebrate South Africa’s cheese-making industry. You can pair your favourites with wine, craft beer and gin; and enjoy foodie events, live demos and artisanal products at the marketplace and in Gourmet Lane. Music concerts and a carnival-style theme park will keep kids of all ages happy.
Contact info@cheesefestival.co.za
Venue Sandringham Estate, Sandringham Road (off R304)
Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival
Where Franschhoek
When Early December 2024 (dates TBC)
The lowdown A suitably sparkling start to the festive season, this festival showcases the best of South African and French bubbles, sipped in glam garden-party surroundings. Tastings of cap classiques from more than 20 local producers, Champagnes by the glass or bottle and pop-up food stalls (from frites to chocolate and oysters) make for a day of indulgence.
Good to know No under-18s allowed.
Contact 066 224 6360, franschhoekevents@franschhoek.org.za
Venue Huguenot Monument, Lambrechts Road
Elgin Railway Cool Wine Festival
Where Elgin
When May 2024 (dates TBC)
The lowdown The Elgin Valley – home to Paul Cluver, South Hill, Oak Valley, Almenkerk and a dozen more – has a reputation for excellent cool-climate wines (from pinot noir and chardonnay to malbec and merlot). At this weekend festival, you can taste them all in one place: the super-atmospheric, steampunk-styled Art Deco Railway Market. Pick food to pair with your vino from a range of artisanal producers, and enjoy live entertainment.
Good to know Add a fantastic steam-train journey to this wonderful day out.
Contact 021 204 1158, info@elginrailwaymarket.co.za
Venue Elgin Railway Market, Oak Avenue
Hermanus Whale Festival
Where Hermanus
When 26 – 29 September 2024
The lowdown It’s the high point of whale-watching season (celebrating 32 years this year), when the whole town comes alive in festival mode – from street parades to a live music stage at Gearings Point, arts and crafts tents, food and wine, a strongman competition and other sports events, plus loads of kids activities. At the heart of the festival (besides the whales playing their part in the waves offshore) is the Eco-Marine Tent, with a wide range of environmental exhibits including colourful, interactive ocean displays, films and talks by marine biologists and experts.
Cost Events priced individually
Contact 066 478 0081, festival@hermanuswhalefestival.co.za
Venue Various venues in and around town
Knysna Speed Festival
Where Knysna
When 2 – 5 May 2024
The lowdown One for the petrolheads… Enjoy thrilling races on a unique 1.9km hillside course for all levels of drivers and all kinds of cars – from supercars and sports cars to modified street cars and vintage beauties (and even a bakkie last year!). Classic Car Friday sees drivers and spectators dressing up in vintage fancy-dress. Keep an eye out for famous racing drivers and celebrities too. A Fan Fest at Knysna High School allows spectators to get up close to the vehicles, and offers other activities, food and drink. FYI: the course record is 34 seconds, set by Andre Bezuidenhout in 2022, going 200km/h!
Cost R160 per day; R400 (all days); free for children under 12 years
Pit access or Grandstand seating upgrade: R250 per day; R700 (all days)
VIP lounges: From R3 000 per day
Contact 044 382 7500, info@speedfestival.co.za
Venue Old Cape Road (near Simola Golf & Country Estate)
Klein Karoo National Arts Festival
Where Oudtshoorn
When 23 – 31 March 2024
The lowdown This small town famously hosts South Africa’s pre-eminent Afrikaans arts festival, known as the KKNK, where you’ll discover how multifaceted the language and culture is (leave your stereotypes at home!). With more than 150 shows across all genres – theatre, dance, comedy, etc – one doesn’t need to speak Afrikaans to enjoy this fest. Many productions are multilingual, some don’t require an understanding of the language, and music is universally understood. There are also arts and crafts, workshops, markets and more to keep visitors entertained.
Cost Varies; tickets for individual events
Tickets on sale from the middle of January 2024.
Contact 044 203 8600, info@kknk.co.za
Venue Various venues around town
Tankwa Classics
Where Near Ceres
When 12 – 15 April 2024
The lowdown A celebration of classical music, in a place you’d least expect it, under the glittering star-filled skies in a millennia-old canyon amphitheatre. The three-day open-air concert programme offers a variety of instruments, singers and composers – from music of the movies to opera. Guests can also look forward to fabulous cuisine, a dam with a beach, bush walks, an outdoor art walk and glamping accommodation. This is “unplugged” in its best possible form. Note there is 200-person capacity.
Good to know The Easter Family Edition is a fun-filled “desert shindig” with activities and music for all ages (28 March – 1 April 2024).
Cost From R2 560 (BYO camping); R6 500 (glamping); R10 000 (cottage)
Contact 060 960 0859, hello@placeofdreams.co.za
Venue Place of Dreams, R356
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