The Best Events in the Cape: What’s On in June 2023

Here’s our pick of where to go and what to do this June. Look forward to visual kicks in Cape Town and our favourite country towns putting on the ritz.

Which are your favourite events in Cape Town? We’d love to hear from you on the comments below.

Jive Cape Town Funny Festival

Where Rondebosch
When 5 June – 2 July 2023
Time 8pm
Saturday + Sunday, also 4pm
The lowdown Now in its 24th year, SA’s oldest and largest comedy festival is back at the Baxter, with a stellar line-up of local and international acts guaranteed to banish those pesky winter blues. Alan Committie returns as host, joined by Marc Lottering, Riaad Moosa, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Dalin Oliver, Emo Adams, mentalist Larry Soffer and madcap San Francisco street act Banana Chicken (a mix of puppetry, magic, burlesque and more). The winner of the Jive Funny Championship new talent search will also be on stage.
Good to know There’s an under-16 age restriction.
Cost R210
Group discounts from R175 per person
Contact 082 450 3151, eddy@eddycassarpr.co.za
Location Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Book Now

Hermanus FynArts

Where Hermanus
When 9 – 18 June 2023
The lowdown An exuberant celebration of creativity in all its forms, in a wonderful setting. There’s a full programme bursting with delights, from theatre shows and live music (classical, opera, jazz) to art exhibitions (including new sculptures on the Cliff Path and fibre art), “Coffee & Croissant” talks, food and wine experiences, and workshops (cellphone photography, cupcakes, ceramic lace, recycled art). There are also tons of fun options for kids.
Contact 060 957 5371, fynarts@hermanus.co.za
Cost R150 – R450; talks R100 – R200; workshops from R120
R80 – R120 (scholars); R30 – R100 (children)
Location Various venues in and around Hermanus
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Silver Mountain Music Festival

Where Grootvaderbosch Valley, near Swellendam
When 15 – 18 June 2023
The lowdown This secret valley and enchanted forest near Swellendam is the perfect backdrop for a fantastic weekend music fest, initiated by popular conductor Richard Cock. This year’s gathering – themed “The Rhythm of Life” – celebrates percussion instruments of all kinds, and features SA’s best classical marimba player, along with a host of other musicians. The festival also highlights the natural beauty of the region (a biodiversity hotspot), its rich heritage and country hospitality with wine and brandy tastings, a mindfulness forest walk, hand-weaving demos, author talks and farm experiences.
Cost R2 200 (adult weekend pass)
R100 – R360 per event
R50 – R200 (children 5 – 14 years)
Contact 079 335 0269, info@silvermountainmusic.co.za
Location Venues in Grootvadersbosch, Buffeljags, Swellendam, Heidelberg and Barrydale
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Calitzdorp Expressed

Where Calitzdorp
When 16 – 18 June 2023
The lowdown Experience the heart of the Klein Karoo at this weekend festival, where everyone in town joins in to host activities, entertain the crowds and serve great food and wine – especially Calitzdorp’s claim to fame, port-style wines. Expect a market and church bazaar, a trail run (including a route for families), choc-and-coffee pairings, live music, a show-and-shine car show, cosy fires and more.
Cost R250 (passport)
Good to know The passport includes free wine tastings, discounts on meals, hop-on hop-off farm transport and a goodie bag.
Contact 082 469 8143, tourism@calitzdorp.org.za
Location Various venues in and around Calitzdorp
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Delheim Magic Mushroom Days

Where Stellenbosch
When 16 – 18 June 2023
Time 8.45am – 4.30pm
The lowdown Fans of fungi look forward to winter, when they can go foraging in the Simonsberg forests for over 20 types of wild mushrooms (from porcini and pine bolete to chicken-of-the-woods) – under the expert eye of guru Gary Goldman. Over three days, there’s a set programme: workshops on growing your own and medicinal uses, a three-hour foraging session and a mushroom-celebrating lunch at Delheim’s restaurant, along with warming glühwein, coffee and estate wines. Booking is essential.
Cost R250 (workshops)
R350 (mushroom feast lunch)
R450 (guided foraging)
Contact 021 888 4600, info@delheim.com
Location Delheim Wines, Knorhoek Road (off R44), Stellenbosch
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Father’s Day Lunch at Cellars-Hohenort

Where Constantia
When 18 June 2023
Time 12pm – 2.30pm
The lowdown Take Dad for a winding drive through the forests on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain to this historic hotel, where a fine three-course Sunday lunch awaits in the glass-walled Conservatory, overlooking the beautiful gardens. The star of the show is traditional beef roast with all the trimmings – roasted potatoes, seasonal garden veg, Yorkshire pudding and a rich jus. Starters are a (difficult) choice of aged Boland double-baked cheese soufflé with a gin cheese sauce, or pea and parmesan velouté. Dessert is traditional too – Malva pudding with creme anglaise and vanilla-bean ice cream. Afterwards, retire to the Martini Bar & Lounge for digestifs, or the Greenhouse Bar to relax next to the fire with a glass of natural wine.
Cost R325 per person (three courses, excluding drinks)
Contact 021 794 2137, coordinator@cellars-hohenort.co.za
Location 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town
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Encounters Documentary Festival

Where Gardens + V&A Waterfront
When 23 June – 2 July 2023
Time Two screenings nightly
The lowdown For 25 years now, this film festival has been thrilling movie buffs with its mix of local and international non-fiction films (and showing that real life can be far more extraordinary than fantastical stories). It mixes the most buzzed-about topics in contemporary pop culture with cutting-edge statements, nostalgic biographies and more poetic musings on the meaning of life. This year’s lineup includes Ukrainian film 20 Days in Mariupol, Fashion Reimagined (about trailblazing designer Amy Powney), Hidden Letters (Millennial vs traditional in China), modern dance reinterpreted around the world in Dancing Pina, and Merkel, about you know who.
Cost R80
Contact 021 465 4686, distribution@encounters.co.za
Location Labia Theatre, Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Ster-Kinekor, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Cape Town Decor & Design Week + Decorex

Where Cape Town
When 19 – 25 June 2023 (Decor & Design Week)
22 – 25 June (Decorex)
Time Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm; Sunday until 5pm
The lowdown A must-do for lovers of all things beautiful looking for the latest trends, products, info and tips. This year Decorex launches with a week of events around town, offering open showrooms and studios, factory tours, workshops and talks from top local and global talents. At Decorex itself, in addition to over 120 exhibitors, there’ll be product launches, curated displays, a cooking theatre, the Future of Design Studio + Talks, and fabulously creative bars and eateries for visitors to relax in.
Cost R125 (adults)
R100 (students + pensioners)
R25 (children under 12 years)
Contact 010 496 3500, decorexafrica@rxglobal.com
Location Decorex: CTICC, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
Decor & Design Week: Various locations across the city
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Wine, Whales & Music Weekend

Where De Hoop Nature Reserve
When 23 – 25 June 2023
Time Friday, 4pm – Sunday, 12pm
The lowdown The name says it all – spectacular whale-watching, superb wine and marvellous live music (along with fine dinners and high tea), enjoyed in a pristine wilderness at the southern tip of Africa. But there’s more… visitors can explore the reserve on a sundowner nature drive, eco boat cruise or birding walk), enjoy nature talks about turtles and whales, plus a workshop with luxury chocolatier Richard von Geusau.
Cost Most activities included in accommodation rates
Nature outings: R195 – R395 per person (children under 12 years half-price)
Chocolate workshop: R145 (adult), R70 (child)
Good to know Rates for a two-night festival stay range from R2 580 per person sharing a cottage to R6 800 per person sharing a suite. This includes all breakfasts and dinners, high tea, wine and cheese tastings, music concerts and guest speaker presentations.
Contact 021 422 4522, res@dehoopcollection.co.za
Location De Hoop Nature Reserve, off the N2 near Swellendam
Enquire Now

Tulbagh Christmas in Winter

Where Tulbagh
When 24 – 25 June 2023
The lowdown Experience a proper cold-season Christmas, with all the trimmings, twinkling lights and festive fare (and possibly snow). Tulbagh’s historic Church Street will be lined with stalls, and farms in the valley will also give a warm welcome to visitors. Indulge in cheese, olive, chocolate and wine tastings, go for a scenic tractor ride, party at the Winterland Blues festival, enjoy roaring log fires, and more.
Cost R120 (adults); R180 (with wine-tasting glass)
R50 (children 13 – 17 years); free (12 years and under)
Contact 023 230 1348, tulbaghtourism@lando.co.za
Location Venues in and around Tulbagh, Cape Winelands
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Steenberg Red Wine Rendezvous Dinner

Where Tokai
When 29 June + 24 August 2023
Time 6.30pm – 9.30pm
The lowdown When the blustery weather hits the Cape, with cold fronts and snow on the mountains, full-bodied red wine and heart-warming food is the only answer to banishing the winter blues. And where better to get your dose of this age-old antidote than at Steenberg! Their annual Red Wine Rendezvous dinner series is back at Bistro Sixteen82, where executive chef Kerry Kilpin has designed sumptuous three-course dinners to suit the season, accompanied by the farm’s notable reds flowing freely throughout the meal.
Cost R595 (three courses + red wine)
Contact 021 713 2211, reservations@bistro1682.co.za
Location Steenberg Farm, Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
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Knysna Oyster Festival

Where Knysna
When 30 June – 9 July 2023
The lowdown Apart from magnificent molluscs (served dozens of different ways), this festival offers a dazzling range of outdoor activities – running and biking on stunning forest routes, a fun sunset wine run at Pezula, golfing, watersports – plus music shows, markets, nature outings, kids’ entertainment, heaps of creativity and more. Join the Oyster Hunt (an online game and real-life treasure hunt) and get to know the town. And don’t miss the Wine Festival on 7 + 8 July.
Cost Various prices for events; some free
Contact 044 382 5510, info@oysterfestival.co.za
Location Venues in and around Knysna, Garden Route
Book Now

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