Festivals & events in Cape Town

There’s always something happening in Cape Town, but it’s not always possible to say when. In true laid-back Mother City fashion, plans are made and cancelled on a whim. This adds to the improvisatory feel of the place, but does make forward planning rather difficult. Thus many of our Calendar events are pencilled in, rather than set in stone.

During the summer Capetonians are treated to a range of outdoorsy festivals and events, be they sports-, culture- or music-related. Be sure to keep an eye on the local press for updates, or phone the Cape Town Tourism Bureau for the latest on what’s going on.

Summer

Kirstenbosch Sundowner Concerts

Where: Rhodes Drive, Newlands
When: late Nov-early Apr
Tel & website: 021 799 8783/www.sanbi.org
Beat the Sunday blues with a few good bottles of wine and a sunset backdrop during the popular weekly Kirstenbosch sundowner concerts. These performances have become a summer institution among Capetonians, so get there early if you want a grassy patch from which to see hot local talents like Freshlyground, the Parlotones and Fokofpolisiekar.

OBZ Festival

Where: various locations in Observatory
When: late Nov-early Dec
Tel & website: www.obzfestival.com
Each year the slightly grungy ’burb of Obz transforms into a hotspot of cultural happenings for this street festival. Top local musos pump the jams from a number of stages and a market sells local and imported threads as well as its fair share of food.

Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival

Where: out of town – various locations in Franschhoek
When: early Dec
Tel & website: 021 876 3603/www.franschhoek.org
So, what’s the difference between Methode Cap Classique and champagne? Grab a glass and start sampling the barrage of bubblies at this fabulous affair to find out. There are gourmet offerings from the area’s restaurants too.

Suidoosterfees

Where: Artscape Theatre
When: 26-31 Jan 2010
Tel & website: 021 421 7839/021 406 2835/www.artscape.co.za / www.suidoosterfees.co.za
A multicultural festival named after the Mother City’s feisty south-easterly wind, which is famous for playing havoc on the streets, chasing runaway skirts and acrobatic plastic bags. The festival aims to promote the art world’s Big Five – dance, music, theatre, film and fine art. Offerings range from mainstream to arthouse with a special focus on
productions in Afrikaans.

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival

Where: City Centre
When: 1-2 Jan
There’s something about the luminous multi-coloured satin suits and frenetic banjo-strumming of the Cape Minstrels that puts Capetonians in the party mood. The tradition has roots in the practices associated with slavery, when 2 January was given as a holiday to the slaves. Today singers and musicians still march through the streets of the Mother City (usually along Wale Street) complete with face paint, twirling parasols and some infectious beats, while ringing in the tweede nuwejaar (second new year).

L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate

Where: Kenilworth Race Course, Rosmead Avenue
When: early Jan
Tel & website: 021 700 1600/www.lqp.co.za
Horsing around takes on a distinctly classy air at this annual racing event. Already in its 148th year, the Queen’s Plate (in honour of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, naturally) will see Kenilworth racecourse transformed into an arena of haute couture, vintage cars, fine wine and gleaming thoroughbred fillies ready to tear up the track.

Shakespeare at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

Where: Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
When: early Jan-late Feb
The annual Shakespeare-in-Maynardville experience is an essential experience, as is the preceding picnic in the park. Each year sees a different Bard-production brought to life on the tree-shrouded stage. Be sure to bring a blanket or two, as the open-air theatre gets quite chilly in the evenings.

J&B Metropolitan Handicap

Where: Kenilworth Race Course, Rosmead Avenue
When: end Jan/beginning Feb
Tel & website: 021 426 5775/www.jbmet.co.za
Fancy takes on a whole new meaning at this swish equestrian extravaganza. Primped and preened lads and ladies get kitted out in their theme-appropriate best, sip champagne, pose for the social pages, and of course watch the feisty fillies kick up clumps of grass all along the ten furlongs of the Kenilworth Racecourse.

Spier Arts Festivals

Where: out of town – Spier Estate, R310 Lynedoch Road, Stellenbosch
When: Feb-Oct
Tel & website: 021 809 1100/www.spier.co.za
This three-in-one arts extravaganza held in the cultural hub of Stellenbosch runs through most of the year. The initiative promotes South African and pan-African artists in a range of events encompassing an open-air poetry festival, a performing arts festival and a music festival.

Design Indaba Expo

Where: CTICC
When: late Feb-March
Tel & website: 021 465 9966/www.designindabaexpo.com
Local architects, decorators, designers and a host of other illuminated thinkers showcase cutting-edge creations during this annual expo.

Autumn

Cape Argus Cycle Tour

Where: Cape Peninsula
When: early March
Website: www.cycletour.co.za
Each year over 40,000 keen cyclists from hither and thither converge to partake in this epic 109km pedal. The scenic circular route starts in the City Centre, and snakes its way through the Southern Peninsula and past the Atlantic Coast before coming to an end in Green Point.

Cape Winelands Film Festival

Where: out of town – Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, Stellenbosch
When: Mar
Tel & website: 021 809 7380/www.oudelibertas.co.za
This promising new festival, which shows award-winning short films, features and documentaries from across the globe, was inaugurated in 2009. The picturesque Oude Libertas Theatre outside Stellenbosch served as the home base, with other screenings at smaller venues throughout the town. Films were divided into categories: these ranged from world cinema to eco cinema, cinema of conscience and food on film, as well as a category for South African premieres.

Tulbagh Goes Dutch

Where: out of town – various locations in Tulbagh
When: late Mar
Tel & website: 023 230 1348/www.tourismtulbagh.co.za
This festival, which celebrates all things Dutch, is probably the only time of the year when wooden clogs are fashionable. The raucous Saturday night Dutch Courage party is always good fun, and Sunday’s Cape Dutch Breakfast is the ideal way to get over the previous night’s overindulgence.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

Where: CTICC
When: early Apr 
Tel & website: 021 422 5651/www.capetownjazzfest.com
Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2009, the Cape Town Jazz Festival is now one of the top-five jazz events in the world. Over 40 local and international talents improvise the toe-tapping beats.

Taste of Cape Town

Where: Jan van Riebeeck Sports Fields, De Hoop Avenue, City Bowl
When: early Apr
Tel & website: www.tasteofcapetown.com
Nibble your way though stalls of sophisticated nosh brought to you by the Cape’s top restaurants. Or park yourself on a conveniently placed couch and sip some suitable tipple along with your gourmet delicacies.

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

Where: Newlands
When: Sat, Easter weekend
Tel & website: 021 671 9407/www.twooceansmarathon.co.za
Every Easter Weekend dedicated joggers slog it out in the 56km ultra marathon, which starts in Newlands and winds its way along the bends of the picturesque Chapman’s Peak Drive before ending at the UCT campus. The more timid athletes trot the equally popular 21km half marathon route following the length of Southern Cross Drive.

SA Cheese Festival, Franschhoek

Where: out of town – Bien Donné, R45 between Paarl & Franschhoek
When: late Apr
Tel & website: 021 975 444/www.cheesefestival.co.za
Cheese and cheer abound at this outdoorsy bacchanal of gourmet food and fine wines. The festival features a marquee brimming with cheesy delights and a live music area – a must for cheese-lovers.

V&A Waterfront Wine Affair

Where: V&A Waterfront, Dock Road, Foreshore
When: early May
Tel & website: 021 408 7600/www.waterfront.co.za
Probably the easiest way to drink your way through the Winelands without leaving the city, this Waterfront tipple spectacular showcases the wares of over 75 Western Cape wine estates in one convenient sip-and-saunter venue.

Riebeek Valley Olive Festival

Where: out of town – Riebeek Valley
When: early May
Tel & website: 022 448 1584/www.riebeekvalley.info
The quaint villages of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West team up for the biggest olive festival in the country. In between olive and olive-oil tastings, visitors can explore the olive groves, go on wine-cellar tours or pick and mix fresh produce at the local farmers market. Or simply kick back and listen to live music.

Franschhoek Literary Festival

Where: out of town – various locations in Franschhoek
When: mid-May
Tel & website: 021 876 2861/www.flf.co.za
Novelists, publishers and hordes of bibliophiles from here and abroad converge on the touristy but oh-so-lovely town of Franschhoek during this relatively new literary festival started by award-winning author Christopher Hope. Apart from book and poetry readings, there are also plays and music to help set the cultured mood.

Good Food & Wine Show

Where: CTICC
When: late May
Tel & website: 021 797 4500/www.gourmetsa.com
Eat, drink and get ready to be overwhelmed by the heady smells of hundreds of restaurant and food stalls all putting their best culinary feet forward. When you’ve eaten your fill, head to one of the state-of-the-art demo kitchen theatres where you’ll spot BBC chefs comparing knife sizes with the local master cooks.

Winter

Vodacom Funny Festival

Where: Baxter Theatre
When: June-July
Tel & website: 021 685 7880/021 680 3989/www.baxter.co.za
Although this comedy festival is on the small side, it still elicits big laughs.

Wacky Wine Weekend

Where: out of town – various wineries in Robertson
When: early June
Tel & website: 023 626 3167/www.wackywineweekend.com
Go crazy with the help of a few bottles of vino, courtesy of over 45 regional wineries, and take part in the range of zany activities including the likes of vineyard quad biking, wine diving and Italian pole climbing.

Cape Town Book Fair

Where: CTICC
When: mid-June
Tel & website: 021 418 5493/www.capetownbookfair.com
A world-class assembly of local and international book stores and publishing houses showcasing everything from Swiss comic books to fairy tales from France. Add to the mix a host of renowned authors, illustrators and publishers sharing nuggets of wisdom and you’ve got the perfect fix for any self-respecting book junkie.

Encounters South African Inter-national Documentary Festival

Where: Nu Metro
When: July
Tel & website: 021 465 4686/www.encounters.co.za
Encounters is an annual highlight for film buffs and documentary junkies, who get to pick from an array of local and international productions by emerging and established filmmakers. In 2009 more than 49 films were showcased. The festival has done much to raise the bar for South Africa’s documentary-making industry. Initiatives also include taking the festival to the townships and running workshops.

Knysna Marathon

Where: Knysna Forest, N2, Knysna, outside Cape Town
Website: www.knysnamarathon.org.za
When: mid-July
Mollusc maniacs can work off their over-indulgence during this beautiful marathon which is part of the Knysna Oyster Festival. The trail winds its way through the majestic Knysna Forest, and there is a 21km half and 42km full marathon, so both the fiddling fit and leisurely lopers will be able to see the woods for the trees.

Cape Town Fashion Week

Where: CTICC
When: early Aug
Tel & website:  021 422 0390/www.africanfashioninternational.com
Channel your inner Heidi Klum and ooh and aah at the haute couture creations floating past you during this Capetonian Project Runway. The proudly SA fashion show sports threads by local designers.

TRI Continental Film Festival

Where: Cinema Nouveau
When: 22-31 Aug
Tel & website: 021 788 5462/www.3continentsfestival.co.za
This global initiative connects filmmakers from the Americas, Asia and Africa who are striving to use the power of film for social change. All the narrative, documentary, feature and short films on show have strong socio-political messages, addressing topics like human rights, equality and freedom. Various workshops, township and rural screenings, discussion forums and seminars are employed to get the message across.

Spring

Out in Africa: South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Where: Nu Metro
When: Sept
Tel & website: 021 461 4027/www.oia.co.za
Now in its 16th year, South Africa’s annual gay and lesbian film festival showcases the hottest new shorts, series, doccies and features.

Voorkamerfest

Where: out of town – Various locations in Darling
When: early Sept
Tel & website: 022 492 3427/www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za
Performers come from as far afield as Belgium and India to take part in this unique arts festival that’s hosted in the voorkamers (front rooms) of venues that include everything from small township shacks to large Victorian manor houses.

Out the Box Festival

Where: various locations in City Bowl
When: early Sept
Tel & website: www.unima.za.org/festival.html
Far superseding the humble Punch and Judy sock-puppet show, this week-long puppetry and visual performance festival organised by UNIMA SA (the International Association of Puppetry, South Africa) is the largest of its kind to take place in Africa. Indulge in a little suspension of disbelief as you watch puppets from around the world – from France and the Czech Republic to Burkina Faso – become magically animated, some even interacting with audience members. Apart from the live puppet shows, the festival also screens an inspiring array of documentaries and films, and hosts puppetry workshops for aspiring Geppettos.

Rocking the Daisies

Where: out of town – Cloof Wine Estate, Darling
When: mid-Sept
Tel & website: http://rockingthedaisies.com
A young, annual festival where some of the country’s biggest rock, blues, pop and folk bands play alongside lesser-known artists. Make sure your camping gear is sorted. Pack warm clothes, and avoid blow-up mattresses and open shoes as the devil thorns in the area truly are from hell.

Crazy Store Table

Where: Mountain Challenge Table Mountain, Tafelberg Road
When: mid-Sept
Tel & website: 021 424 4760/www.crazystore.co.za
Yes, the zany store that sells everything from plastic roses to hula-hoops and nail clippers also sponsors a 35km run around Table Mountain. You can run the fynbos-bedazzled circuit on your own or split up the slog between your mates into somewhat more manageable 17km snatches.

Hermanus Whale Festival

Where: out of town – various locations in Hermanus
When: late Sept
Tel & website: www.whalefestival.co.za
Hermanus is at its most happening when the southern right whales come out to play. See how many blubbery beauts you can spot amid the festivities that include an art gallery ramble, live music, stand-up comedy, boules championship and half-marathon.

Cape Town International Kite Festival

Where: Zandvlei, Muizenberg
When: late Oct/early Nov
Tel & website: 021 447 9040/www.tourismcapetown.co.za
The sky’s the limit as far as designs go at Africa’s biggest kite festival. Larger-than-life South Park characters dip and dive along with giant octopi and Chinese dragons on Muizenberg’s Zandvlei grounds.

Khayelitsha Festival

Where: OR Thambo Hall, Khayelitsha
When: late Oct
Tel & website: 021 442 9628/www.khayelitshafestival.co.za
Shake your groove thang at this new festival celebrating the vibrant community of Khayelitsha. Apart from a large expo showcasing local businesses, NGOs and corporate companies, there’s a stage dedicated to live music, fashion shows boasting local design talents, and a storytelling boma that promises a fair amount of yarn spinning.

FNB Whisky Live Festival

Where: CTICC
When: early Nov
Tel & website: 021 880 0180/www.whiskyfestival.co.za
Whether you indulge in the odd dram or have an extensive range of single malts, you’ll get your money’s worth out of this tipple fest. There are over 180 top brands from stalwart master blenders in Scotland and Ireland to lesser-known spirit makers from Japan and Wales.

Discovery Cape Times Big Walk

Where: various locations in Cape Peninsula
When: 9 Nov
Tel & website: 021 685 3333/www.bigwalk.co.za
Put on your walking shoes and work those calves for charity (all proceeds are donated to a selected organisation). The Big Walk is made up of eight different routes starting at Mowbray. Timorous trundlers can opt for the 5km or 10km walks, while the fighting fit will get their lion’s share of cardio from the double-digit routes.

Gay & lesbian

Cape Town Pride

Where: various venues around town
When: ten days somewhere from mid to late February
Tel & website: 021 425 6463, www.capetownpride.co.za
Don your party shoes and shake it up at these events. Cape Town Pride celebrates everything ‘pink’ in Cape Town. The festival celebrates the city and the country’s diversity – the title of ‘Rainbow Nation’ really rings true during the festivities. Expect beauty pageants (love your hair, hope you win), champagne hikes (athletic bubbled-up queens hiking up mountains), seminars and workshops (helpful and embracing), and much more. The festival culminates with the Pride Carnival Parade and Closing Party. Don’t expect the spectacle of Sydney’s Mardi Gras but it’s a great party nonetheless.

Pink Loerie Mardi Gras

Where: out of town – Knysna
When: last weekend of April
Tel & website: www.pinkloerie.com
Many would now claim that Pink Loerie Mardi Gras is the pinkest of all festivals in the Western Cape.  It’s very much worth driving four hours from Cape Town along the gorgeous Garden Route for it. The festival has grown significantly over the last few years and features all types of gay and gay-friendly participants, usually sporting the colour pink.

Out in Africa: South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Where: Nu Metro
When: September
Tel & website: 021 461 4027/www.oia.co.za
This long-running annual film festival is hailed as the best-dressed, best-attended and longest-running human rights-themed film festival on the African continent.

MCQP: Mother City Queer Project Party

Tel & website: www.mcqp.co.za
Unless you want to be sent home in shame, don’t bother showing up unless you’re in costume. Better yet, create a themed uniform your entire entourage can sport. Every queen, prince and princess goes to town – and often beyond – to exhibit their interpretation of the year’s theme. From ‘shopping trolleys’ and ‘weddings’ to ‘comic strips’, no expense is spared to make this the most decadent themed event on the gay calendar.

GAT Party

Where: Theo Marais Park, Koeberg Road, Milnerton
When: the first, second and last Saturday of every month… all year round
Tel: 082 821 9185
 A sort of gay tea dance or hoedown. At this slightly out-of-town sports hall you can expect a divine mixture of gay Afrikaans suburban men, lipstick lesbians, dykes with bikes and a handful of Strictly Come Dancing wannabes. The music is probably the most varied on earth, ranging from boeremusiek to rave and kwaito (with everything in between thrown in for good measure).