South Africa is bursting with all sorts of awesome events that should be on your radar when you’re plotting your next epic trip. Get ready to mark your calendars because we’ve put together the ultimate list of the coolest events and festivals that light up South Africa every year.
From November to March, watch as female loggerhead and leatherback turtles hit the shores of the Elephant Coast in South Africa to lay their eggs. Don’t miss the magic happening in spots between Kosi Bay and St Lucia, including the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – it’s a natural spectacle you won’t want to miss!
2 January 2024 – Cape Minstrel Carnival – Cape Town City Centre
Every year the Cape Minstrels take over the streets of the Mother City for the historic annual New Year Street Parade. Picture this: a historical New Year Street Parade where a vibrant posse of musicians, singers, and dancers turns the streets into a kaleidoscope of colours and beats.
23 -24 February 2024 – Cape Town International Jazz Festival – Cape Town
Get ready to jazz it up at the Cape Town International Jazz Fest – a two-day event that will bring together 40 mind-blowing acts from around the globe and the heart of Africa, all jamming out on five stages. And this event isn’t just about the beats – it’s a visual feast too, with snazzy photographic and the coolest art exhibitions!
February (dates to be confirmed) – Cape Town’s LGBTQ+ Festival is the ultimate celebration, usually popping up in February or March and turning the city into a week-long party playground. We’re talking parades that sashay through the streets, parties that are off the charts, cultural shindigs that’ll blow your mind, and educational workshops that make learning a blast. It’s a fabulous fiesta where diversity takes the spotlight, and the fun never takes a backseat!
10 March 2024 – Cape Town Cycle Tour – Cape Town area
What started as a protest ride nudging the city council to pedal into bike-friendly urban planning has now been transformed into the world’s top-notch cycling event! The irony? Thanks to the Cape Town Cycle Tour, those dreams have pedalled into reality with bike lanes and safety projects, turning the city into a cyclist’s dreamland!
23 to 31 March 2024 – Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees
Get ready for a cultural explosion at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees! This Afrikaan-arts fiesta turns Oudtshoorn into a creative carnival every year, boasting a fabulous mashup of visual and performing arts.
13 to 14 April 2024 – Two Oceans Marathon – Cape Town area
Step into the running wonderland that is the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon – Officially crowned the world’s most beautiful marathon, it started back in 1970, when 26 brave souls took on the unknown marathon adventure. Nowadays it’s a national treasure, adored by local legends, out-of-towners, and athletes from across the globe. Lace-up those running shoes, because this marathon isn’t just a race, it’s a scenic spectacle that’s become a runner’s paradise!
17 to 19 May 2024 – Franschhoek Literary Festival – Franschhoek
Franschhoek transforms into a bookworm’s paradise for three glorious days, where readers, writers, bookish buddies, and publishers collide in a whirlwind of words. Visiting authors are handpicked for their epic writing, friendly vibes, and unbridled passion for spreading the joy of reading!
9 June 2024 – Comrades Marathon – Between Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Get ready for the SA ultramarathon! Every June, runners tackle the colossal 89km route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in a race that’s big, bold, and downright legendary.
20-30 June 2024 – Grahamstown National Arts Festival – Grahamstown
Get ready to join the art party! With over 200,000 art enthusiasts in the mix, the Grahamstown National Arts Festival is THE hotspot for theatre and music maestros. Fly into Port Elizabeth or East London, then buckle up for a scenic drive to Grahamstown—it’s where the festival magic happens!
21-30 June 2024 -Knysna Oyster Festival – Knysna
Dive into the celebration in Knysna, where oysters steal the show! Beyond oyster feasts, taste-offs, and epic mollusc showdowns, get ready for a seaside bash with live entertainment and sports events.
Get ready for nature’s grand show! Known as “the greatest shoal on earth,” the annual sardine run lights up southern KwaZulu-Natal’s waters during winter, attracting a bustling crew of fishermen. While the sardines usually shimmy their way between June and July, the exact timing is nature’s surprise party. Choose your spot wisely – whether it’s the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape or the KwaZulu Natal South Coast – and get front-row seats to this marine spectacle!
15 to 16 July 2024 – Franschhoek Bastille Festival – Franschhoek
Get ready for a taste of France in the heart of South Africa at the Franschhoek Bastille Festival! The charming village dresses up in French flair, painting the town red, blue, and white, while the Food & Wine Marquee, nestled against the historic Huguenot Monument, becomes the ultimate spot to see and be seen.
Get ready for a burst of floral magic! South Africa boasts the Cape Floral Kingdom, a plant paradise with a whopping 9,600 unique species. When spring kicks in from August to September, the Western and Northern Cape regions come alive with a vibrant carpet of flowers, especially on the Cape West Coast. Keep an eye on the weather – it’s nature’s cue for this colourful show!
28 to 30 September 2024 – Hermanus Whale Festival – Hermanus
Southern right whales are jet-setting thousands of miles to Cape South Coast for a coastal bash. Dive into the fun at Hermanus’ Fest, where whale watching meets shorefront events: here you’ll find live shows, family entertainment, street spectacles, film fests, music jams, and a feast of seafood and local goodies!
Buzzing Cape Town, the tranquil Winelands, a 'Big 5' safari and pristine beaches; this is the perfect romantic escape for travellers seeking a combination of tropical island paradise and stunning safari vistas.
10+ days
