Winter is Coming! Say Bye to Summer with these March Events

We're suffering from end-of-summer-time sadness, so here are ten top events in March to say a sweet sayonara to the sun. 

March comes marching forth, bringing with it a host of sexy summer events (yes, we know summer technically ends in Feb, but ours is a city of sunshine!) to enjoy outdoors. As autumn approaches and the days get chillier, with that crisp air tinged gold by crunching fallen leaves underfoot; we can’t help but feel the urge to kiss the sun farewell in style. Here’s our pick of 10 events not to be missed in March:

1. For the cinephiles:

If you haven’t yet discovered the hidden gem that is Galileo then it is imperative that you do so with some haste as the open-air cinema events end in April. A classic Capetonian tradition, this summer series involves cuddling up and crunching popcorn under the stars at various pretty venues around our superb city. Covering a range of genres, the movie line-up has something for everyone, and there are always drinks and food stalls on offer to cater for sneaky pre-movie picnickers. There’s also the Pink Flamingo Rooftop Cinema at Grand Daddy Hotel and the Short & Sweet Cinema series if you’re completely movie mad and looking for a slightly different experience.

Various venues | +27(0)71 471 8728 | hello@thegalileo.co.za | www.thegalileo.co.za

2. For the laid-back money makers & shakers:

Hey you business professional you! Are you after a new hot spot to mix, mingle and get your after-work drink fix? Apéro Afrique is the newest darling on the Cape Town radar, offering a relaxed setting for cool kids to chill out on giant bean bags, whilst enjoying live music, games and (a few) beers. Taking place at the Springbok Experience Museum at the V&A Waterfront, this series is all about bringing people together and nurturing good vibes and community bonding in a safe and serene environment.

Rugby Museum | Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | +27 79 031 8943 | melissacucci@gmail.com

3. For the jazzy jammers:

If jazz is your jam then this should strike a chord! Every year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival hosts a free concert for anyone with a love for good music and snazzy, jazzy rhythms. This year’s concert falls on Wednesday, 30 March in Greenmarket Square, and starts at 5pm. Top tune-makers play for six solid hours and listeners are invited to move, grove and boogie to the beats.

Shortmarket Street | +27 (0) 21 671 8716 | info@espafrika.com | www.capetownjazzfest.com

 4. For the bare-bottom-bicycle-enthusiasts:

If you’re a happy-go-lucky naturist, with a love for feeling the wind in your hair (and other places too), you should hop on your bike and join this global initiative.  Go full Monty in the name of saving our planet from indecent exposure to pollution and other environmentally destructive elements. Strip and cycle to combat car culture, whilst also celebrating the freedom and beauty of the human body!  Bikes, skaters, roller-bladers, pram pushers, joggers and walkers are welcome as long as you go bare to show you care. The World Naked Bike Ride happens on the 5th March at 10am, starting at the Sea Point Library. It’s free to take part.

Sea Point Library | Sea Point | www.wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org 

5. If you speak geek:

Get ready to get your nerd on as Museum Night returns to the Mother City! Break out the tweed jackets and fake spectacles to look the part, and head to the CBD to wander between the 10 museums that will all be open from 6pm until 10pm on the 10th March. Entry to all the participating museums is FREE, so get there early to avoid the queues. From ducking from T-Rex and listening to whale songs to wandering the historically-rich hallways of the National Gallery and gazing at billion-year-old constellations, there’ll be plenty to keep you occupied. Did we mention there’ll also be live music, food stalls and other treats too?

Various locations | CBD | www.facebook.com/events/203101010040632

 6. For the sporty souls & fitness freaks:

There are lots of sporty things happening in March, including the Nedbank Cup for laduma-loving lads and lasses, and the upcoming T20 between the Proteas and our rivals from Down Under. Century City is also hosting its annual Sports Festival with a selection of athletic happenings for both competitors and spectators, and there’s the Cape Argus SportsShow if you still haven’t had your fitness fix. The famed Cape Town Cycle Tour spins into town on Sunday, 6 March, so be sure to check road closures to see if your area is affected. Lastly, the Two Oceans Marathon hits the ground running on Easter Saturday, 26 March, traversing one of the most beautiful routes in the world.

Various locations | Click through to the individual events for more information

7. For the trance-dance-lunar-lovers:

This psychedelic, underground EDM fest occupies the Circle of Dreams in Riviersonderend from Friday, 11 to Sunday, 13 March. Encouraging lots of loving by the light of the moon and the hypnosis of the tune, the three-day fiesta is all about awakenings, stargazing, meditation and out-of-this-world dancing.  From movies on Shanti Friday and yoga sessions on Soulful Saturday, to non-stop psy-trance from Saturday to Sunday, there’ll be every opportunity to laugh, love, and give thanks at this quixotic affair. You can get tickets from Quicket.co.za and they range from R250p/p to R300p/p (at the gate).

Circle of Dreams |Overberg | gaby@altered-states.co.za | www.facebook.com/events/176137439416805

8. For the music-mad nature lovers:  

Capetonians and tourists alike all know that from Jan to April, the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert series is a must-do. There are few things more enjoyable than settling onto a picnic blanket on the famed botanical garden’s sprawling lawns, tucking into a picnic, and listening to sweet croons from some of the best local and international stars. There aren’t many concerts still to go, so best you book soon if you want to see Shortstraw, The Plastics, Al Bairre, Zebra & Giraffe, Monark, Beatenberg, The Vanilla, December Streets and others live. The shows happen every Sunday from 4pm until 8pm, and the cost of tickets changes according to the performer.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | Newlands | +27(0) 21 799 8783 | kirstenboschinfo@sanbi.org.za | www.sanbi.org/events/kirstenbosch

9. For the littlies and mini-me’s:

March is the season of harvest festivals, which are always grape family-friendly fiestas with plenty of entertainment for everyone, whether you’re 6 or 86! Have a look at this harvest festival overview to pick your favourite from our list of di-vine fests, happening in Durbanville, Franschhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Robertson, Route 62 and Somerset West. From grape stomping and tractor rides, to face-painting, fabulous food and games galore, your kids are sure to have a ball. Easter also falls in March this year, meaning that we have a long weekend from Good Friday on 25 March to Family Day on 28 March. Everybunny loves an eggcellent chocolate hunt, so browse our list of top and tasty events for that weekend.  

Various locations | Click through to the individual events for more information

 10. For those who enjoy a glass (or three) of the good stuff:

A glass (read bottle) of wine solves everything. If you hold this mantra to be true then the Ommiberg Round the Rock Festival is just for you. Spread across 14 wine farms in Paarl, the decentralised celebration of all things grape happens on the 5th March this year, against the dramatic background of the Drakenstein Mountains. Tickets are available from Webtickets.co.za and cost R120p/p, although some of the individual events may be charged separately. If wine isn’t comforting enough and you need to go one step further then head to the Stellenbosch Vineyard’s Pizza and Wine Festival. Yes! Some smart person has realised that pizza and wine go together like… well pizza and wine… and so now there’s a whole day dedicated to this delightful pairing. Located at Welmoed Farm on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 March, your R120p ticket will include a tasting glass and tasting coupons, and both veggie and banting pizza options will be available.

Various locations | Click through to the individual events for more information

 11. For those who like bonus events:

We couldn’t finish this overview of final things to do before summer ends without mentioning the two carnivals coming up in March, so consider this a bonus list addition. The Community Chest Carnival dances into Maynardville Park from 30 March to 2 April, transforming the pretty park into a kid-friendly paradise, with plenty of attractions for the young and young at heart. From a skate park and vintage clothing stalls to a selection of pop-up shops and an international food market, there’ll be plenty to keep everyone entertained, and the event also has a pleasing social welfare stance. Tickets are R50p/p for adults, R30p/p for kids and pensioners enter for free. Alternatively, enjoy magical mayhem at the Mother City’s answer to Mardi Gras as the Cape Town Carnival takes over the CBD on Saturday, 12 March. Elaborate floats, feathers and glitter abound as vibrant dancers parade down the streets in choreographed routines, dressed in ever-more exciting attire. This year’s theme is ‘Street Life’ so expect a wild display from some of the city’s top artists, inventors, designers, makers and influencers. The carnival begins at the top of Somerset Road at 3pm and ends at York Road in Green Point at 7pm. Best of all? Participation is completely free and everyone is welcome!

Various locations | Click through to the individual events for more information

Winter is coming! Take some time to enjoy the last of the summer sunshine with these sensational events that encourage merry-making in our spectacular city. Be sure to take photos of yourself and your friends at the events and tag us on Instagram @capetownmag to stand the chance to be featured on our account. You can also check out our March overview to find out about more exciting upcoming events. 

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Rock through the ages at this ever-popular lake side event, Rocking The Lake. 

Learn a new move or two at a free Salsa Social. 

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