TRAVEL & EVENTS - CAPE TOWN & WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

Known as 'Africa's grandest gathering' the Cape Town International Jazz Festival brings together the best international Jazz musicians and South African artists and is held in March. Ranked no 4, it is one of the best Jazz Festivals in the world and outshines events such as Switzerland's Montreaux Festival and even it's founding father, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.

ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kuntefees

This Kunstefees (cultural festival) is one of South Africa's biggest and most diverse arts festivals drawing thousands every year in early April. The festival offers various genres of theatre–drama, music theatre and dance–a première experience in every sense of the word.

Dubbed the world's most beautiful marathon, this attracts more than 26, 000 entrees. Held annually over the Easter weekend in April, the marathon provides entrants with a mixture of breathtaking scenery and a grueling test of fitness for both the elite and recreational runner.

The annual Riebeek Valley Olive festival held in May, is the largest of its kind in South Africa, takes place in the picturesque country hamlets of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West located in the West Coast region of the Western Cape.

Wackey Wine Weekend

Join thousands of wine lovers in early June at South Africa's biggest regional wine festival, the Wacky Wine Weekend. This wine and lifestyle festival takes place in the stunning Robertson Wine Valley and there are a host of extra activities to just wine tasting, such as live music, outdoor, sport, adventure and family-fun.

Franschhoek Bastille Festival

Franschhoek, celebrates its centuries-old French Huguenot heritage with a wonderful feast of food, wine and entertainment at its annual Bastille Festival in mid July. It is classed as South Africa’s Gourmet Capital and so should not be missed.

ARISE Cape Town Fashion Week

This fashion event which provides a national and international platform for fashion designers across Africa, takes place annually in August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and is a major highlight in Africa's fashion calendar.

The Darling Wildflower Show

Since 1917 the Darling Wildflower Show has been presented by the Darling Wildflower Society. The work of the society which is mainly done by volunteers, focusses on two significant aspects of renosterveld, namely its unique character and the urgent need for its conservation.

Hermanus Whale Festival

Held annually in late September to celebrate the return of the Southern Right Whale to the Cape Overberg's Whale Coast, this Enviro Arts festival in Hermanus - the best land based whale watching destination in the world, is the only one of its kind in South Africa. Thousands of visitors flock to the seaside resort to watch whales and revel in food, music and comedy every night during the festival.

ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kuntefees

This Kunstefees (cultural festival) is one of South Africa's biggest and most diverse arts festivals drawing thousands every year in early April. The festival offers various genres of theatre–drama, music theatre and dance–a première experience in every sense of the word.

Every year, Cape Town welcomes the New Year in a bright, colourful and slightly mad cap way with the Cape Minstrel Carnival. A hundred thousand brightly garbed minstrels joyously dance in a new year through the streets of Cape Town. It is a reflection of the heart and soul of vibrant Cape Town & the Western Cape, and a must-see for everyone, local or visitor.

The glitz and glamorous J&B Met, South Africa's most prestigious horse racing event takes place annually at Kenilworth Race Course in Cape Town towards the end of January. Whether you're dressing to impress, betting on horses or partying the day away, the J&B Met is definitely one of the biggest events in South Africa.

Cape Town is the host port to two of the biggest international yacht races i.e. the Volvo Ocean Race and the Heineken Cape to Rio. These are two of yachting’s greatest challenges, attracting participation from both professional and amateur yachtsmen and women in January every year.

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour

Every second Sunday in March, the world's largest Cycle Tour kicks off in Cape Town’s city centre and winds its way for 105,5 kms all the way around the scenic Cape Peninsula to the finish in Green Point.