In a summary from a great Travelstart blog post, we take a look at events coming up all over South Africa in the next 4 months. These events will all pull visitors to your area so we suggest you plan a strategy to make them stay.
Set up some promotions, specials and minimum stays on NightsBridge. A special rate offering discount per night over a set period can possibly secure some forward bookings for these already. Please contact our support team if you need help in setting this up.
January
** Cape Town – 12 January – 5 April – Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Say HELLO to summer by treating yourself to a Summer Sunset Concert at Cape Town’s absolutely breathtaking Kirstenbosch Gardens. Choose from heaps of the best artists South Africa has to offer and gear up for sundowners with a show! Upcoming concerts include Mi Casa, AKA, Don Vino and Lady Zamar to name but a few. Tickets range from R170 to R220 and tend to sell out fast, so be sure to book in advance!
February
** Cape Town – 1 February – Sun Met Horse Race
Trade in your jeans, sneakers, slops and the like for a day filled with gowns, three-piece suits, over-the-top hats and oversized shades! The Sun Met Horse Race gives fashionistas a chance to put their best heeled and muled feet forward for a day at the races. Be sure to book your tickets while they last and be extra sure to be Insta-ready at all times!
** Swellendam – 6 – 9 February – Up the Creek
Make your way to Swellendam for South Africa’s second-longest-running outdoor music festival! At 30 years running, Up the Creek has hit an incredible milestone and, as such, promises to deliver four days of excellent music and camping realness. Whether you prefer roughing it or glamping, Up the Creek caters to your every nature-loving whim. Book your spot, pack your weekend life into the boot of your car and gear up for an epic weekend!
** Howick – 8 – 9 February – Midmar Mile
Welcome to the world’s largest open-water swim event! Whether you’re a professional or a novice, the Midmar Mile has something for you to flap your flippers to. The swim takes place at Midmar Dam in Howick, just outside Pietermaritzburg and is open to anyone from children to the most seasoned swimmers. Be sure to be on the lookout, chances are you’ll run into one or two swimming legends so be sure to remain selfie-ready at all times. The Midmar Mile definitely tops the list of events and festivals in South Africa, in our book!
** Cape Town – 14 February – It’s a Love Thing
Stumped on what to get up to on Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered! From as little as R125, you and your significant other can get dolled up and enjoy a night of music and revelry! Robin Pieter’s “It’s a Love Thing” brings together a surprise act comprising of top tier South African musicians each year. The likes of Nur Abrahams, Idols winner Paxton Fielies and homegrown superstars Lira and Belinda Davids regularly grace this stage to name but a few. Be sure to book your tickets as soon as possible as this event has become quite the Cape Town occasion!
** Paarl – 14 February – The Love Music Festival
Options for Valentine’s Day in Cape Town are seemingly endless! Hosted by Cape Town Comedian and MC, Quintin Manuels, the Love Music Festival brings together a scenic wine estate experience paired with the smooth saxophone sounds of iconic saxophonist, Don Vino, and velvety crooning of Loren Erasmus. Take in the gorgeous Paarl Nederberg as you set the night to romance, food, wine and world-class entertainment. Tickets start at R295 and include rates for couples, as well as VIP couple rates. Your ticket gets you a bottle of bubbly too. Booking in advance is essential as tickets do sell out fairly fast. Hurry!
** Cape Town – 15 February – Moonstruck
If surfside romance is more your thing, head for Cape Town’s gorgeous Clifton 4th beach for a night of candles, music and slow dancing in the sand. Cape Talk’s Moonstruck presents top jazz acts such as Camillo Lombard to annually wow beachgoers with the best African jazz offerings. Set to a backdrop as majestic as the Atlantic Seaboard, a magical night is guaranteed to be had!
** Clarens – 21 – 22 February – Clarens Craft Beer Festival
Music, live entertainment, food and craft beer. The things champion weekends are made of! Head for cosy Clarens for a fun family day trip or just a day with the crew. The Clarens Craft Beer Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and, as such, promises a celebration of note! You can book a weekend pass for just R255. Go ahead, spoil yourself!
** Cape Town – 26 February – Design Indaba
Lauded the “best design conference in the world”, tickets to the Design Indaba in Cape Town are worth their weight in gold. Every year creatives, designers, writers, artists and the like flock to Cape Town for networking and specialist conferences on design, design thinking, innovation, creative leadership, design activism and much more. It’s not difficult to see why these tickets are so sought after. Feeling inspired? Book today!
** Cape Town & Johannesburg – 28 – 29 February – Ultra South Africa
Needing no introduction, Ultra South Africa is one of the biggest electronic music festivals to grace our shores. The stellar line-up includes the likes of DJ Black Coffee, Steve Aoki, Dash Berlin, Afrojack and more. Tickets start at R650 and sell out faster than most music festivals. Don’t miss out!
March
** Randfontein – 5 – 8 March – Randfontein Show Food & Music Festival
Treat the whole family to a day of funfair rides, glorious food, live entertainment and much more. The Randfontein Show has been wowing festival-goers for more than 30 years and continues to do so with a lineup that includes Early B, Nicholas Louw, Kurt Darren, Sky Ocean, Tanya V and many more South African entertainment veterans. Tickets start at R80 and include discounted rates for senior citizens and children.
** Potchefstroom – 7 March – One Day International Cricket
The South Africa v Australia ODI cricket series takes places at Senwes Cricket Stadium in Potchefstroom. Check out the lovely game as well as your favourite local and international cricket players from as little as R100 per person. Sunblock is always advisable as well as a willingness to bring the gees. Back our boys by making noise!
** Cape Town – 8 March – Cape Town Cycle Tour
Cape Town Stadium will once again become the rendezvous point for local and international cyclists alike. The 42nd race takes place on 8 March 2020 and kicks off in the shadow of the majestic Table Mountain before stretching to picturesque Constantia, Glencairn, Noordhoek, Kalk Bay, Simonstown and more. The Cycle Tour has always provided a unique way of seeing Cape Town’s breathtaking beaches and, weather permitting offers cyclists views of Robben Island as well. Local entry tickets start at R470 while international entrants pay a flat entry fee of R1,100.
** Elgin – 13 – 15 March – Bazique
Imagine Woodstock, reimagined. Trade in the mud and drugs for glamping, food trucks, spa days and starlight nights. Boasting five stages, some of which are beach facing, Bazique offers festival-goers a truly unique experience. Take part in enjoying anything from art exhibitions and fire dancing to silent discos and a starlit spa! Book tickets and get to glamping with ease.
** Oudtshoorn – 24 – 29 March – Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK)
Once a year, thespians, musicians, arts students and theatre lovers fill the streets of Oudtshoorn for a fun-filled celebration of art, music and culture.
** Cape Town – 27 – 28 March – Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Cape Town’s biggest Jazz festival takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 27 and 28 March. As usual, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is complemented by a free concert in Greenmarket Square and heels and mules give way for comfortable walking shoes as tourists take to the streets to mingle with locals and hit up local karaoke bars. This year’s line-up includes Abdullah Ibrahim, Lira, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Lady Zamar and many more internationally acclaimed artists. Tickets start at R649 and are already available for purchase.
April
** Johannesburg – 8 – 13 April – The Rand Show
The Rand Show in Johannesburg truly has something for everyone. Check out anything from how to optimize your living space to expos on health and wellness, live music and much more. This year’s show will be divided into zones dedicated to food, entertainment, lifestyle and retail, and much more. This one is definitely not to be missed!
** Pietermaritzburg – 9 – 13 April – Splashy Fen Music Festival
Head for the Splashy Fen Farm in Pietermaritzburg to experience South Africa’s longest and oldest running music festival. Choose from five different stages and family-friendly activities like camping, food stalls. Weekend Passes start at R740 and include discounted rates for children.
** Cape Town – 10 – 11 April – Two Oceans Marathon
Gear up for one of the most scenic half and/or full marathons around! The Two Oceans Marathon sees a whopping 30,000+ runners taking part in this absolutely Capetonian event. Choose to take on either the 56km ultra-marathon or the 21,1 km half-marathon, either way, you deserve bragging rights! You can also choose to run for charity and make every step count. Entries start at R575 for the ultra-marathon, R275 for the half-marathon and R850 for the trail runs.
** Stellenbosch – 25 – 27 April – SA Cheese Festival
Foodies unite and get ready for a culinary journey. Make the most of your long weekend in picture-perfect Stellenbosch as it comes alive with patrons enjoying good food, cheese, wine, beer, gin and more at the SA Cheese Festival. Live music sets the mood for ambience abuzz with full tummies and happy people. Secure your tickets from R200 with discounted rates for children.
** Cape Town – 27 April – Suidoosterfees
The Suidoosterfees is a melting pot of theatre, music and captivating conversation. Watch the best of Cape Town talent tell truly Cape Town stories through performance art and music. This Artscape tradition also gives talented hopefuls a platform to showcase their art. Think you have what it takes? Sign up for the Suidoosterfees talent search! Tickets start at R120. Be sure to doublecheck the show you are booking!
** Tankwa Karoo National Park – 27 April – 3 May – AfrikaBurn
AfrikaBurn is a festival that cannot be described. It needs to be experienced. Pitch your tent among mammoth sculptures beneath a Karoo sky and watch as fire meets art in a dazzling display of setting pieces on fire. This year’s theme is Afroboratory. Interpret that however you want and let your creativity wash over you. Tickets are R1,985 for the weekend.
** Knysna – 30 April – 3 May – Pink Loerie Festival
Welcome to Knysna Pride! Celebrate queer pride with a flourish at the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras. Paint the town pink with flamboyant outfits, drag shows, live music, dancing, great food and more. Yes darling, its pride.
Keep an eye out for the next edition to be sent out early in April covering May – August.
Original blog post accreditation: Travelstart