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Annual Events in Cape Town
From January through to December the Mother City has a jam-packed social calendar of exciting happenings
Last updated: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Year in and year out, Cape Town and its surrounds play host to a kaleidoscope of annual events. While many have become institutions on the Cape’s calendar, others are just starting out and finding their roots.
And so, our comprehensive monthly overviews are a great starting point to get an idea of what to expect during a 12-month period in Cape Town. Plus, if you are visiting South Africa for the very first time, you can have a look at which bank and public holidays take place during the year to complete your list of essential Mzansi info
EVENTS IN 2024
SEE THE FAMOUS FESTIVE LIGHTS SWITCH-ON
Each year, Adderley street lights up with twinkling lights to celebrate the start of the festive season. It’s a Capetonian tradition that’s been happening for more than five decades. The event kicks off in the early afternoon, with famous South African musicians, dancers and comedians taking the stage at the Grand Parade. Read about 2024’s Festive Lights Switch-On happening on 1 December.
Date: 1 December
Cost: Free
Festive Lights Switch-On | Grand Parade | @ctfestivelights | Image: Festive Lights Switch-On
EVENTS IN 2023
ONE OF THE BEST FAMILY FESTIVALS IN SA
If you’ve got kids, the Wolfie Familie Festival along the Olifants River in Citrusdal – just a 2-hour drive from Cape Town – is one to add to your bucket list. It’s a parent-friendly dream weekend for kids of all ages: three days of bonding over non-stop activities, exploring in nature, kayaking, swimming, sleeping under the stars, telling campfire stories…find out how to get tickets while there are still some left for the Wolfie Familie Festival.
Date: 8 - 10 March 2024
Cost: From R293 per child (0-3 years) and R950 per adult
Tickets: Book here
Wolfie Familie Festival | Wolfkop Camping Villages, Citrusdal | howl@wolfie.co.za | Instagram
UNMISSABLE NEW ELECTRONIC MUSIC FEST
Timeless Festival is bringing world class electronic music acts to SA in March 2023. Get tickets while you still can to see the likes of Deep Forest, Tycho, Röyksopp and Booka Shade – plus big local names, including Roger Goode, Das Kapital, DJ Zinhle, Caiiro… you really don’t want to miss this epic 3-day music fest happening on 3 stages, less than 2 hours from Cape Town.
Dates: 10 to 12 March
Cost: From R1250
Tickets: Via Howler
Elandskloof Farm (Off R540) | Dullstroom | Greyton | 071 698 7845 | @timeless_festival_official | Image: The Playground
A WELLNESS FESTIVAL WITH A TWIST
For five days each year, a village dedicated to wellness comes to life at Elandskloof Farm, surrounded by the majestic Riviersonderend Mountains. People come together to connect, dance, eat, move, meditate, learn, breathe, immerse themselves in nature and reset. There may be no cell signal at this festival, but there’s no shortage of entertainment. A resident jazz band, DJs, a roller rink, mountain trails, cacao ceremonies, a spa, a secret dance floor, cooking classes, talking circles, sweat lodges, Pilates and HIIT classes, sound journeys, SUP yoga and breathing meditation… these are are just some of the ways to unwind and be inspired at Retreat Yourself 2023.
Hours: 29 March to 2 April
Cost: From R850 for kids, R1500 for adults
Tickets: Via Howler
Connect and reset at Retreat Yourself 2023. Image: Retreat Yourself
EVENTS IN 2O22
PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL PARTY IN NOVEMBER
Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 is coming to Cape Town. Get ready for a day packed with nail-biting action, live music and loads of food and drink, plus VIP experiences. Watch 32 of the world’s best men and women volleyball teams compete and stay on for the party where there will be live DJs, Heart FM and loads of food and drink offerings. Tickets start from just R100.
Grand Parade City Centre | Cape Town | @beachprotourcapetown | Image: Volleyball Beach Pro Tour
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JANUARY IN CAPE TOWN
After some epic parties and festive season indulgences, the first month of the year is usually a time for quiet reflection and the making of resolutions; just not in Cape Town! Instead, the calendar kicks off with a historic street parade and some of the country’s most prestigious horse racing event.
FEBRUARY IN CAPE TOWN
No matter what time zone you’re in, February is globally recognised as the month of love. Of course, there is more to life than just Valentine’s Day events and romantic gifts, so it’s great to know that the Mother City is also home to, foodie fiestas, a music hoedown and a design-focused conference and expo during this month.
MARCH IN CAPE TOWN
While the summer season starts to wind down during March, this is not the case when it comes to Cape Town’s event calendar. March is overflowing with events and to-dos whether its a big jazz festival or an off the wall get together for tattoo lovers. Bikes are also big this month whether you're about the internationally renowned Cape Town Cycle Tour or the more extreme dirt jumping scene.
APRIL IN CAPE TOWN
At this point the new year is 91 days old (92 if it’s a leap year), and the Western Cape is still in a celebratory mood. Mzansi’s answer to America’s Burning Man festival heads out to the dusty Tankwa Karoo. Alternatively, if you consider yourself a foodie then you simply have to check into the SA Cheese Festival or just be like April, dress up and play the fool.
MAY IN CAPE TOWN
As the city edges toward the mid-year and the vibe of the festive celebrations peters out, Cape Town’s diary makes up for the slower pace by offering to-dos that celebrate olives and acoustic vibes with some of SA's biggest musicians while also featuring some serious literary events in the Winelands.
JUNE IN CAPE TOWN
From June onwards, the mercury takes a dip and most locals tend to go into hibernation. Even though the weather gets a little wet and windy, there are still a pile of reasons to visit the Mother City during winter. More importantly, June marks the start of the whale season in the Western Cape and we have just the overview to see you through these majestic mammals’ mating months.
JULY IN CAPE TOWN
The Mother City is in the grips of winter in July, but that does not stop Capetonians from partying up a storm. If you’re looking for some of the best food and wine festivals (think French cuisine, oysters, gourmet soups and more), gruelling sporting events (like a canoe marathon and trail challenge) or a week of dazzling couture, then best make a mid-year trip to the Mother City! You can also check out our list of things to do for Christmas in July, if you simply must have a double dose of Xmas cheer every year. For our American friends living or visiting Cape Town, we even feature Independence Day events on the 4th of July!
AUGUST IN CAPE TOWN
If New York is the city that never sleeps, then Cape Town is the city that never takes a break from offering locals and tourists alike a slew of hot and happening things to do! The month before spring is chockfull of awesome things to do including a hip-hop festival, an antique showcase, a mountain bike race and one of the Mother City’s biggest charity fun walks and much more.
SEPTEMBER IN CAPE TOWN
Spring has sprung and the Cape’s hills and fields are a-bloom with indigenous flora. The season rebirth also sees many outdoor events springing up and many Capetonians making the most of weekends in the sun. What’s more, since the cobwebs of the cooler months have been dusted from the corners, the city becomes alive with events like Darling’s ever-popular Voorkamerfest, the Cape Town Marathon and a throng of flower festivals and shows.
OCTOBER IN CAPE TOWN
The first day of October means that there are only 85 days left until Christmas, and the festive vibe in the Mother City starts to become palpable. Cape Town gets colourful this time of year with fun runs, an international short film festival and free-flowing vino festival to name but a few. Not to mention, the Cape also hosts its fair share of things to do for Halloween on the spookiest day of the year!
NOVEMBER IN CAPE TOWN
While the silly season officially kicks off next month, the 11th month of the year is when the national pandemic of November-itis takes the city by storm. Sitting in the office for those final days of the year is not everyone’s cup of cocktail, especially because the activities on the penultimate month’s list are nothing short of riveting. To give just one example, the Cape’s much-loved rockabilly-themed festival gets things off to a rocking start, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens kicks off its much-loved outdoor summer concert series.
DECEMBER IN CAPE TOWN
“It’s beginning to look a lot like...CHRISTMAS!” December sees an influx of tourists to the Mother City and is the time when locals gear up for the summer festivities with all the pomp and circumstance that goes along with the merry holidays. Aside from the Christmas Eve dinners, Christmas day lunches and New Year’s Eve parties, the 12th month of the year also presents a number of fun family-friendly festivals, weekend-long outdoor electro music events, food and wine to-dos and so much more.
PLEASE NOTE: All dates are subject to change.
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Cape Town’s newest art festival, HEAT, is on from 11 to 21 July 2024.
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