The Cape is awash with fabulous things to celebrate this season. Here’s our roundup of the best festivals in the Mother City from March through to May 2019.

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Have you been to any wonderful festivals that you think we should know about? Let us know in the comments below.

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March 2019
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March 2019 Festivals

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January 2019 Festivals

February 2019 Festivals

March

Robertson Wine Valley Hands-On Harvest 2019

eatdrinkcapetown

Where Robertson
When 1 – 3 March 2019
About the event This family-friendly festival celebrates autumn’s bountiful grape harvest at several farms and venues in the Robertson Wine Valley.
Cost Free entrance; activities are priced individually
Contact 023 626 3167, events@robertsonwinevalley.com
Location Robertson Valley

Paarl Harvest Celebration 2019

estatemagazine.com

Where Paarl
When 2 March 2019
About the event Ommiberg Round the Rock returns as the Paarl Harvest Celebration where visitors are invited to stomp grapes, take part in the blending process, enjoy wine-and-food pairings or just relax under the trees with a glass of the good stuff, and a plate of delicious grub.
The details Participating wineries include Boland Cellar, Domaine Brahms Wines, Mellasat Vineyards, Nederburg Wines, Perdeberg Wines, Rhebokskloof, Simonsvlei Winery, Vendôme Wine Estate and Windmeul Kelder.
Cost Free entrance; activities are priced individually
Contact 021 872 4842, paarlwineroute@dlta.co.za
Where Paarl Winelands, Western Cape

Italian Festival @ Idiom 2019

Where Somerset West
When 2 – 3 March 2019
The lowdown For one weekend only, this picturesque farm in the heart of wine country is transformed into The Italian Festival, where festival-goers can experience la dolce vita, while enjoying sweeping views of the Helderberg mountains and False Bay beyond. So, round up the famiglia for a weekend trip to Italy – er, Somerset West where delicious food (think pizzas, pastas, and gelatos), vino, Prosecco, Italian craft beer and live music awaits.
Cost R200 (adults, day pass)
R80 (children, day pass)
Book Now
Contact 021 858 1088, reservations@idiom.co.za
Location Idiom Wine Farm, Knorhoek Estate, Knorhoek Road, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West

Knysna Literary Festival 2019

Where Thesen Island
When 8 – 10 March 2019
About the event Three days of interactive sessions, presentations, and informal chats with some of South Africa’s feted authors.
Cost Please check the activities programme for the cost of individual activities.
Book Now
Location Thesen Islands, Long Street, Knysna Central, Knysna

World Naked Bike Ride 2019

Where Sea Point
When 9 March 2019
About the event Go for a clothing-optional ride on any human-powered vehicle to raise awareness around clean energy and cutting down of carbon emissions.
Cost Free
Contact aimee@unicorncafe.co.za
Location Colin Eglin Sea Point Library, Sea Point, Cape Town

Durbanville Plaasfees 2019

Where Diemersdal Wine Estate
When 9 March 2019
About the event The 12th annual Durbanville Farm Festival is back, promising even more fun than in previous years. Expect tractor rides, farm animals, delicious wine, and flavourful country food, all while being entertained by Cobus and Christo, as well as well-known artists Elandré.
Cost R60 (adults)
R20 (children 2 – 18 years)
Free (children under 2)
Book Now
Contact 082 376 3236, plaasfees@bergsigdv.co.za
Location Diemersdal Wine Estate, Koeberg Road, Durbanville

Cape Town Carnival 2019

When 16 March 2019
About the event An extravagant parade through the streets of Cape Town in celebration of African identity, creativity, diversity and community.
Cost R350 (seated)
Free (general access)
R1 390 (VIP)
Book Now
Location Green Point Fan Walk, Green Point, Cape Town

Klein Karoo National Arts Festival 2019

Where Oudtshoorn
When 21 – 27 March 2019
About the event Now in its 25th year, this weeklong arts festival offers guests more than 150 shows across all genres.
Cost Free entrance; activities are priced individually
Book Now
Contact 044 203 8600, info@kknk.co.za
Location Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape

Equilibrium Festival 2019

Where Paarl
When 23 March 2019
About the event Brand-new to the festival scene, Equilibrium Festival is all about finding the perfect balance, with conscious living and explore our own creativity as the focus. With yoga, workshops, talks, music, DJs and dancing, craft and food stalls, wine-tastings, and more, this 14-hour festival offers a novel way of partying.
Cost R300 (early bird)
R350 (normal bird)
R400 (late bird)
Book Now
Contact info@equilibriumfestival.com
Location Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate, Paarl, Western Cape

Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2019

Merrick Winter

Where CBD
When 29 – 31 March 2019
About the event Two days of world-class music from international jazz greats and emerging stars (over 40 in total) on five stages, with over 37 000 music lovers in attendance.
Cost R1 290 (weekend pass)
R850 (day pass)
Book Now
Contact 021 671 0506, info@espafrika.com
Location Cape Town International Convention Centre, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town

April 2019

Pinotage & Biltong Festival 2019

Where Paarl
When 13 – 14 April 2019
About the event 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, food trucks selling tasty snacks and live music.
The details TBC
Cost R230 (online)
R250 (at the gate)
R500 (VIP tickets)
Free (children 0 – 18 years)
Contact 021 981 0216, cobie@cvomarketing.co.za
Location Perdeberg Cellar, Vryguns Farm, Windmeul, Paarl

South African Cheese Festival

Where Stellenbosch
When 26 – 28 April 2019
The details Join 30 000 fromage fans at the18th annual Cheese Festival for three days of eating, drinking and general merriment to celebrate South Africa’s cheese-making industry.
Cost R950 (connoisseurs package)
R180 (general access)
R120 (pensioners)
R20 (children, 2 – 13 years)
Book Now
Contact 021 975 4440, admin@agriexpo.co.za
Location Sandringham Estate, (via N1) Stellenbosch

Afrikaburn 2019

Jan Verboom

Where Tankwa Karoo
When 29 April – 5 May 2019
About the event This year’s theme is Ephemeropolis – the temporary nature of existence. So let your creative spirit run wild for a week of outrageous costumes, uplifting music, communal bonfires, cashless living, and much, much more.
Cost R1 895 (general)
R200 (children 0 – 14 years, online)
R250 (children 0 – 14 years, at the gate)
R695 (subsidised tickets)
R200 (community)
R200 (vehicle pass, online)
R250 (vehicle pass, at the gate)
Contact info@afrikaburn.com
Location Tankwa Karoo, R355, Calvinia

Oysters, Bubbles and Blanc Festival 2019

Where Durbanville
When 27 April 2019
About the event Formerly known as the Oyster & Champagne Festival, this year’s event celebrates the best oyster producers in South Africa, SA’s Cap Classique and sparkling wine producers, as well as a range of tipples from Europe: champagne from France, prosecco from Italy and cava from Spain. The day is complete with live musical entertainment, celebrity chef demonstrations, and a number of fun competitions.
Cost R200
Book Now
Contact 021 976 4959, events@thequarry.co.za
Location Hillcrest Quarry, Tygerberg Valley Road, Durbanville, Cape Town

May 2019

Decorex Cape Town 2019

Where CBD
When 1 – 5 May 2019
About the event Decorex 2019 is where home-makers, interior designers, architects and full-time shoppers go in search of the latest home decor-related trends, products, information and tips.
Cost TBC
Contact 011 549 8300, decorexinfo@ThebeReed.co.za
Location Cape Town International Convention Centre, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town

Riebeek Valley Olive Festival 2019

Laurenda van Breda at CapeClick

Where Riebeek Valley
When 4 – 5 May 2019
About the event The 19th annual Olive Festival is back with more of our favourite olive goodies (think jams, pickles, preserves, tapenades, extra-virgin olive oil, and delicious olive breads) as well as some fabulous olive-related experiences, such as guided walks in the olive groves, craft-beer tasting, live music, and more.
The details Participating farms and brands include Riebeek Valley Wine Co, Pulpit Rock Winery, The Olive Boutique, Meerhof Wines, Kloovenburg Wine and Olive Farm, Het Vlok Kasteel, Allesverloren, and The Riebeek Kasteel Town Square.
Good to know Check out The Wild Olive Acoustic stage at Riebeek Valley Wine Co. for toe-tapping beats.
Cost R125 (weekend pass)
Book Now
R80 (Sunday-only pass)
Book Now
Free (children under 18)
Location Riebeek Valley, Western Cape

Franschhoek Literary Festival 2019

Where Franschhoek
When 19 – 21 May 2019
About the event Authors, poets, editors and all literary aficionados converge on this winelands town for a weekend of over 90 fascinating events across various locations. From literary discussions and book launches to writing workshops, classical music concerts, dinners and more, there’s sure to be something that appeals.
Where to stay Check out our picks of the best Franschhoek accommodation.
Cost R70
Contact 021 876 3603, help@flf.co.za
Location Franschhoek Wine Valley, Western Cape

Cabernet Franc Carnival 2019

Where Somerset West
When 18 May 2019
About the event Celebrate the best cabernet francs in the land at this countryside festival.
Cost R275 (online, includes a branded wine glass, and a R50 food coupon)
R300 (at the gate, includes a branded wine glass, and a R50 food coupon)
Contact 021 981 0216, cobie@cvomarketing.co.za
Location Avontuur Estate, Route 44, Somerset West

Compiled by Alicia Chamaillé and Annabel Short

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