If you are contemplating a visit to our fair city, Cape Town and the beauty that surrounds it from all sides, let us confound you with even more items to add to your calendar for 2017, making an annual visit a must.
We are going to take you on a diarised whirlwind of events and festivals to suit even the most discerning palate.
JANUARY
“Kaapse Klopse” or Cape Town Minstrel carnival – you thought the Mardi Gras in New Orleans was colourful and rowdy? Try over 10 000 dancing, banjo-playing, costumed musicians with their white-painted faces to set your feet tapping.
FEBRUARY
Stellenbosch Wine Festival. Sample the best of the wine valley in the picturesque and historical town of Stellenbosch, whilst basking in the sun and marveling at the unique scenery and architecture of this university town.
Constantia Fresh Wine Festival let’s you sip wine and taste perfectly prepared canapès from farms in this region that have been producing wine for centuries…
Feast of the Grape. The Durbanville wine region invites you to experience the end of harvest celebrations, from feet-stomping grapes to sampling the produce, lots of food and fun on all participating farms…
MARCH
Woordfees or Festival of the Word, is the literary and art festival of the University of Stellenbosch. It is a celebration of art and literature, but also a celebration of this beautiful and historic town, as all events are in town and restaurants and pubs partake with gusto.
Paarl “Ommiberg” or Round the Mountain festival, celebrates the harvest season by featuring the region’s young wines, before they are filtered. There are 14 venues taking part and each farm will also offer food and more food.
APRIL
SA Cheese Festival for cheese lovers, make sure not to miss this one! Sandringham, outside Stellenbosch is the venue for a gourmet spread made up of cheese, wine, olives, nuts, to name a few. There is also whiskey-tasting, chocolate tasting, food demonstrations and wine… lots of wine…
Lamberts Bay Crayfish Festival is two and a half hours’ drive from Cape Town, you will encounter the Diamond of the West Coast as well as the crayfish mecca of the region. Come and sample this most delicious of seafood and learn to cook it too… well worth the drive.
MAY
Riebeeck Valley Olive Festival. Welcome to the Swartland “Black Soil”. These quant little towns will welcome the visitor to a country fair, a fresh goods market and Olive Martini Bar. There is a wide selection of olives, olive oils, preserves, tapenades and beauty products for sale and to sample. This valley is also know as the Shiraz Valley, so more wine tastings on offer…
Franschhoek Literary Festival. This beautiful French Huguenot town has been named the food and wine capital of South Africa and the valley as “the most beautiful wine valley in the world”. For this festival she welcomes readers, writers, booksellers and publishers to share their love of the written word…
Good Food & Wine Show welcomes all to the finest food and beverage exhibition you will find..anywhere. Meet celebrity chefs and taste their creations at various stalls and exhibits. Attend workshops and demonstrations with top local and international chefs..
JUNE
Wacky Wine Weekend experience a heady weekend of wine tasting, food and festivities. This is the 12th year of the highlight of wine tasting with visitors both local and international that make the annual pilgrimage to the region of Robertson, Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Montaque. Shake off the winter blues and party the day and night away with like-minded souls…
JULY
The Knysna Oyster Festival is without a doubt one of the most popular events in the Western Cape. From humble beginnings in 1983, where it began as the Knysna Winter Festival, it is now heralded as the”Best 10 days of your Winter”. It is spread across two weekends. Come and sample undoubtedly the best oysters, served naked, cooked or garnished at over 30 local hotspots.
Franschhoek Bastille Festival celebrate the colourful French heritage. See how artfully the tricolor is draped over gate posts, around trees, worn in the form of a scarf, beret or jacket. Mingle with busloads of French tourists, where gastronomic heaven awaits the visitor. Esteemed chefs parade their wares at countless stalls and winemakers break out their best for your appreciation and wonder…
AUGUST
Robertson Slow Festival time will go by slowly in the beautiful Robertson Wine Valley when visitors are welcomed into the homes and dining tables of selected wine farms and guest houses. Look forward to traditional fare like “waterblommetjie bredie, melktert, venison and Karoo Lamb. Wine will be central to the weekend, and interesting combinations of wine with chocolate, cookies, charcuterie and more!
SEPTEMBER
Franschhoek Uncorked is the Franschhoek Wine Valley once again, hosts a spring meander on satellite farms throughout the valley where well-know and less well-known wineries are given the opportunity to show off their wines accompanied by charming events of their farms. Vineyard and cellar tours, barrel-tastings, wine pairings, all is available in abundance…
OCTOBER
Hermanus Whale Festival this festival is held annually to celebrate the return of the Souther Right Whales to the waters of Walker Bay and a celebration of the arrival of Spring. Thousands of visitors flock to the seaside village to see the star performers strut their stuff in the waves.
NOVEMBER
Whisky Live Festival Cape Town come and sample a wee dram of more than 180 top brands from master blenders in Scotland and Ireland to lesser-known spirit makers from Japan and Wales.
DECEMBER
Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival kick off the silly season with the fizzy “Magic of Bubbles” festival at the Huguenot Museum. Sample the best in local Mèthode Cap Classiques, as well as French champagne from Veuve Clicquot and Guy Charbout, coupled with the variety of cuisine from the region.
: Written by Christa Rheeder
