The Mother of all cities is heating up with a festive lineup of cool events! Here’s our pick of where to go and what to do this April.

Cape Town Electronic Music Festival

Where Cape Town
When 6 – 8 April 2018
The lowdown Cape Town’s iconic City Hall is where electronic-music lovers can get their groove on.
The details Featured artists include Chee, Da Capo, Deetron, DJ Stingray, Egyptian Lover, Kay Faith, Kwaitour, Rose Bonica, Stiff Pap and The Hacker.    
Cost R400 – R650 (released in stages)
Tickets available at Nutickets
Contact 082 783 4447, info@ctemf.com
Location To be announced

Burger Festival

Where Cape Town
When 7 April 2018
The lowdown Burger lovers, rejoice! This Cape Town event returns with even more burgers, and now includes a dedicated chef’s menu, a beer garden, bubbly and wine bar, cocktail experiences, an interactive zone, and more!
Cost R295 (early bird standard ticket)
R345 (standard ticket)
R195 (children under 18)
R395 (late bird standard ticket)
R395 (VIP early bird ticket)*
R445 (VIP ticket)*
R495 (VIP late bird ticket)*
Tickets available at Quicket
*VIP tickets include a private zone, with its own wait staff and dedicated bar
Contact info@flavourful.co.za
Location Jan Van Riebeeck High School

Pinotage & Biltong Festival

Where Paarl
When 14 – 15 April 2018
The lowdown The annual Pinotage & Biltong Festival is a celebration of two of our country’s favourites: pinotage and biltong! If neither of those appeal (!), there’ll also be a range of rosés and bubblies, as well as a white pinotage, an oyster and MCC bar and food trucks selling tasty snacks. Live music comes courtesy of Guy Feldman and his band.
The details Participating wineries include Badsberg Winery,  Beyerskloof, Boland Cellar, Bonnievale Wines, Delheim Wines,  Flagstone Winery, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Idiom Wines, Knorhoek Wines, Lanzerac, Mellasat Vineyards, Overhex Wines International,  Perdeberg Cellar, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Simonsvlei Winery, Stellenbosch Hills Wines,  Van Loveren Vineyards, and Wellington Wines.
Cost R200 (online)
R230 (at the gate)
Tickets will be available at Computicket and Plankton
Contact 021 981 0216, bjorn@cvomarketing.co.za
Location Perdeberg Cellar, Vryguns Farm, Windmeul, Paarl

Stellenbosch Oyster & Bubbly Festival

Where Stellenbosch
When 14 – 15 April 2018
The lowdown Enjoy free-flowing bubbly and fresh West Coast oysters at this fun-filled event, now in its second year. There’ll be live entertainment – and food straight off the fire, for those who don’t fancy shucking and slurping.
The details Featured artists include Gian Groen, Hezron Chetty, Jack Stone and Borderline on Saturday; and Mazula, The Hour, Borderline and Jimm Harisson Project on Sunday.
Cost R150 per day
Tickets available at Quicket
Contact 084 522 5223, preventssa@gmail.com
Location D’Trekka Antique Tractor Farm,  R304, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch

Plett Truck & Vine Festival

When 15 April 2018
The lowdown Now in its second year, the Plett Truck & Vine Festival promises to be bigger and better, with live music, picnic baskets, gourmet food trucks, craft beer, wine, cocktails, and even a whisky and gin bar! Come hungry and with loads of cash.
Contact 082 566 4979, events@mediaboxx.co.za
Cost R100 (online)
R150 (at the gate)
Free (children under 12)
Location Redford Lane Wines, Redford Road, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay

Barrels & Beards Harvest Celebration

Where Bot River
When 21 April 2018
The lowdown This hairy celebration of the new harvest includes a best-beard competition, barrel-tasting, a wine auction, the opskop, and a harvest table feast – all in the heart of beautiful Botrivier valley. This year has a Taurean theme, so you’re sure to have barrels, beards and bulls of fun!
The details Participating wineries include Anysbos, Barton, Beaumont, Arcangeli, Eerste Hoop, Gabriëlskloof, Luddite Wines, Genevieve MCC, Goedvertrouw Wine Estate, Luddite Wines, Maremmana Estate, Momento Wines, Paardenkloof Estate, Rivendell Estate, Wildekrans Boutique Wine Estate, and Thorn and Daughters.
Cost R450
Tickets available at Quicket
Contact 028 284 9488, ilze@endlessgroup.co.za
Where Wildekrans Boutique Wine Estate, R43, Bot River

Afrikaburn

Jan Verboom

Where Tankwa Karoo
When 23 – 29 April 2018
The lowdown This year’s theme is Choose Your Own Theme, so let your creative spirit run wild for a week of outrageous costumes, uplifting music, communal bonfires, and much, much more.
Cost R1 645 (general)
R180 (children, under 14)
R645 (subsidised tickets)
R180 (community)
Tickets available online
Contact info@afrikaburn.com
Location Tankwa Karoo, R355, Calvinia

South African Cheese Festival

Where Sandringham
When 27 – 29 April 2018
The lowdown Join 30 000 fromage fans for three days of eating, drinking and general merriment to celebrate South Africa’s cheese-making industry.
Cost R180 (adult)
R120 (senior citizens)
R20 (children 2 – 13)
R850 (connoisseur package)
Tickets available at Computicket
Contact 021 975 4440, admin@agriexpo.co.za
Location Sandringham, Stellenbosch

Elgin Cool Wine and Country Food Festival

Where Elgin
When 28 – 29 April 2018
The lowdown Celebrating the end of the harvest, Elgin invites festival-goers to enjoy a slice of country life. With a host of outdoor activities, culinary experiences, and fun entertainment and activities on offer, you’ll be able to choose the ones you’d like to partake in.
The details Participating farms include Arumdale & Robin Hood Legendary Wines, Belfield, Charles Fox Wines, Corder Family Wines, Elgin Ridge, Elgin Vintners, Hannay Wines, Highlands Road Wines, Iona, Oak Valley, Oneiric Wine Estate, Paul Cluver Wines, Paul Wallace Wines, Shannon Vineyards and South Hill Vineyards.
Please note All tickets can be collected at the Peregrine Farm Stall, and include a tasting glass, festival programme and wine-tasting at any three of the participating wine estates.
Cost R140 (early bird)
R160 (at festival office, depending on availability)
Tickets will be available at Webtickets or at the Peregrine Farm Stall
Contact 071 267 9785, info@ecwcf.elginwine.co.za
Location Various

FanCon

Where Cape Town International Convention Centre
When 28 – 29 April 2018
The lowdown Cape Town’s very own comic convention is back – and bigger than ever – with two days of panels, guests speakers, workshops, comic launches, author (and artist) signings, stalls selling a range of geek products, a cosplay (look it up!) competition, and quizzes. It’s time to geek out.
Cost R150 (Saturday pass)
R130 (Sunday pass)
R230 (two-day pass)
Free (children under 12 accompanied by an adult; limited to two children per adult)
Tickets available at Computicket
Contact info@fancon.co.za
Location Cape Town International Convention Centre, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town

Research by Alicia Chamaillé

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