June events in Cape Town and the Western Cape

Dispel those winter blues with a hearty list of annual events in June

It’s June and winter is here. The wind is getting nippier and the cold more biting, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking in the many festivals Cape Town has to offer. Snuggle up with your favourite authors at the book fair; laugh your head off at a comedy festival or enjoy some delicious food paired with an array of wines at all the food and wine festivals. Get out of the house and enjoy these winter warming events - that’s an order.

June events in Cape Town and beyond

Whale Watching (June - November)
Wedged between the mountains and sea, Hermanus is a bustling little fishing village and a prime land-based whale watching destination. Aside from opportunities to watch the mammoth mammals, the town also has a host of restaurants, art galleries, shops and a very popular craft market on Saturdays. Whale season starts in June and continues until November, so take your winter woollies and get down to Hermanus to watch these majestic creatures frolic in the coves of Walker Bay - it makes for an easy day trip or an ideal weekend getaway.

Wacky Wine Weekend (7 – 10 June)
Robertson gets wacky this June with the Wacky Wine Weekend. Get ready for a string of activities hosted by wineries in and around Robertson. What’s more, other than wine tasting, there’s a host of loony fun to be had, including outdoor, kid-friendly family fun, sport for the adventurous, some live music to chill out to and fine dining to boot.

Encounters International Documentary Festival (7 – 24 June)
It’s that time of the year again, docu-lovers. Encounters, the South African International Documentary Festival, is here, which means film buffs can look forward to a showcase of documentary films from around the world, with a particular focus on South African work. If you’re mad about movies, and even if you’re not, then this is a must on your calendar. Watch international and local films, including world premiers.

Celebrate Life Festival (9 - 10 June)
Celebrating life for ten years, the Celebrate Life Festival shows no signs of slowing down soon. Promoting health and wellness while advocating for principles of peace, the festival is an eco-friendly, light hearted celebration. “Spoil your body, stretch your mind and feed your spirit” with the range of speakers, demonstrations, workshops and stalls on offer. Don’t miss out on the photographic exhibition and the fashion show. Secure parking is available on site.

Vodacom Funny Festival (11 June - 8 July)
Featuring both local and international stand-up comedians and speciality acts, this side-splitting festival is the only comedy event in Cape Town to be officially included in the “Cape of Greats Events” listing by the city’s tourism department. Tickle your funny bone at the Vodacom Funny Festival with this year’s hilarious line-up.

Cape Town Book Fair (15 - 17 June)
Bibliophiles of all persuasions are bound to congregate at this year’s Cape Town Book Fair. Set to be “one for the books”, there will be hundreds of exhibitors and a program laden with functions, events, displays and workshops of the literary persuasion. Whether you’re an avid reader, a budding author, a lover of print or a publishing guru, this fair is going to be the story of the year.

Napier “Patatfees” (Sweet Potato Festival) (15 - 17 June)
This “Afrikaans dorp” will be the stomping ground for those participating in the Napier Half Marathon and 10km race. For those of you who would rather stroll around and wander through the stalls, the “Patatfees”(Sweet Potato Festival) takes place at the finishing line. Indulge your senses with the cooking demonstrations, live music entertainment and the open garden exhibition. Expect a healthy dose of small town charm and plenty of hospitality.

High Street Winter Wine Festival (21 – 23 June)
This June, the High Street Shopping Village in Durbanville will again be transformed into a market floor of wine and food exhibitors. Folk from the Northern Suburbs need not travel farther than this shopping centre to sample some of the winelands’ warming  reds and to taste the wares of the city’s most passionate foodies.    

Jazz and Cheese Fondue Festival (every Sunday from 24 June – 05 August)
Jazz up the cold winter months at the Delheim Jazz and Cheese Fondue Festival, happening every Sunday from June through to August. Gather your friends around a steaming pot of fondue while you enjoy a glass or three of Delheim wines. The sweet tunes of the Pierre-Henri Wicomb Jazz Trio makes for an extra-special entertainment accompaniment.

PLEASE NOTE: All dates are subject to change.

---

June 16 is Youth Day, commemorating the start of the Soweto Riots of 1976. Find all South African Public Holidays in our overview Public Holidays.

---

These are only a few of the great event happening in Cape Town and surrounds for the month of May, so be sure to check out our Cape Town Events Calendar, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest and greatest updates on everything happening in the Mother City in June.