Annual Events in Cape Town

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival

Every New Year, thousands of minstrels take to the streets in a dazzling display of colourful satin uniforms, shiny parasols, painted faces and foot-tapping banjo tunes that accompany the traditional folk songs, many of Cape Malay origin. The parade is known colloquially as the 'Coon Carnival' ('coon' referring to a member of a minstrel troupe) among the predominately Afrikaans-speaking 'coloured' community who make up the majority of the performers. The traditional event has its origins in the 19th century when minstrel entertainers on American cruise ships stopped off in Cape Town; their sounds and styles were incorporated into the New Year festivals of the newly freed Malay slaves. The Carnival begins in the new year and the festivities continue into January with extravagant street parades; singing, dancing, costume competitions and marches through the streets from the central city area of District Six.

The J&B Met

One of the most prestigious and anticipated events on Cape Town's social calendar, the J&B Met is not only about thoroughbreds, but is a day of glamorous fashion, entertainment and sophistication, accompanied by J&B Scotch Whiskey. The R1.5-million prize money is in keeping with its status as the premier horseracing event in South Africa, and the Official After Party is a highly rated post-race event that continues the festivities well into the early hours.

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

Bring family and friends every Sunday afternoon to relax on the lawns with a picnic and a glass of wine as the sun sets behind the mountain, while listening to a mixed selection of classical and contemporary music. The setting provides for one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, the stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain and all around the well-kept beds of the Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Spier Summer Arts Festival

The annual summer program at Spier celebrates a proudly African line-up, presenting a diverse variety of performances. Music, theatre, film, comedy and the famous sunset Christmas carols all take place within the unique Winelands development in the Stellenbosch region.

Shakespeare at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

Inspired by the annual productions in London's Regent Park, Shakespeare has been performed every summer at the open-air theatre in Wynberg, generally performed with a local twist to add to the entertainment. On warm summer evenings many theatre-goers begin the evening by picnicking in the park before the show begins. For more information phone 021 421 7695.

The Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race

The Cape Epic has established itself as a prestigious international event, attracting a competitive field of riders eager to compete against the best or simply to finish the gruelling eight-day off-road race. The event has become the largest full service mountain bike race in the world. The Vigne à Vigne mountain bike race coincides with the final leg of the Cape Epic, a ride between the vineyards of the Western Cape, and finishes in the carnival atmosphere that greets the riders at Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour

The Argus is the largest timed sporting event on earth, attracting more than 35,000 cyclists from around the world. The spectacle is watched by thousands who line the 67-mile (108km) route, which follows some of the Cape's most spectacular coastal scenery. The race is enjoyed by serious cyclists and social riders alike.

Two Oceans Marathon

Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery of any road event on earth, the Two Oceans has become the second most famous ultra-marathon (34.8 miles/56km) in South Africa after the Comrades Marathon. Runners race over and around the mountains of Cape Town every Easter Saturday in what is well known internationally for its scenic beauty despite the gruelling course.

Cape Times Waterfront Wine Affair

Featuring many of the Cape's top wine estates, producers and boutique wineries, with over 300 different wines to taste, the Wine Affair offers a unique opportunity to sample many of the Western Cape's finest wines under one roof. Chat to enthusiastic wine makers and mix with wine lovers in a relaxed environment. A variety of wineries also offer a wide selection of gourmet food tastings to complement their wine, while an array of delicacies, such as local and French cheeses, sushi, oysters, olives and olive oils, pestos and chocolate will be available to taste and buy.

Cape Gourmet Festival

Widely acknowledged as South Africa's premier food, wine, travel and lifestyle event, the annual Gourmet Festival is a blend of culinary events showcasing its restaurant industry to the rest of the world. It is the only African associate of the esteemed World Gourmet Club in St Moritz and is the finest culinary festival on the continent, highlighting international as well as local foods. Incorporated into the extravaganza is the Good Food and Wine Show, the pinnacle of the festival, where chefs cook the best of contemporary South African cuisine.

Kirstenbosch Winter Concert Series

Come and enjoy Cape Town 's top musical talent in the warmth of the beautiful Silvertree Restaurant at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Tickets include a welcome drink and soup, and patrons are also welcome to have a main course or dessert and coffee during or after the concert. The annual event continues from the summer sunset concerts (November to April), ensuring visitors a treat in classical and contemporary music all year round. Call 021 799 8783 for more Kirstenbosch event information.

Spring wildflowers

The West Coast National Park incorporates the Langebaan Lagoon and wetland areas, which are the habitat of thousands of migratory and resident waterbirds, a rocky coastline with some beautiful sea views and beaches, and wildlife scattered about the interior bushland. It also encompasses the rocky Postberg Peninsula that is carpeted in a glorious tapestry of wildflowers every spring (open August to September only). Visitors come from near and far to see the spectacularly colourful display that the pre-summer season produces all along the west coast. The small town of Darling is at the centre of the wildflower region; visitors can walk around the surrounding wildflower reserves and real enthusiasts can visit the Darling Wildflower Show (15-17 September 2006), where the extravagant displays include the botanical and common names of all flowers exhibited. Call the Flower Hotline on 083 910 1028 for up-to-date information all year round.

Hermanus Whale Festival

Celebrating the Southern Right Whale, the annual festival offers art and crafts, theatre, music, a half marathon and surf festival in addition to some of the best shore-based whale watching opportunities in the world. Hermanus boasts the world's only Whale Crier who alerts visitors to whale sightings with a kelp horn every day during whale season. Every year from July to September the Southern Right Whales travel thousands of miles to the southern coast of South Africa to mate and calve in the bays.

Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) Costume Party

Now in its 13th year, the 12-hour MCQP party is the biggest annual gay event in South Africa, attracting a diverse crowd of people from around the world. Each year party-goers come in teams dressed according to the theme that changes every year (The Circus in 2005, Comic Strip in 2006). Costumes are usually elaborate, sexy and worn without inhibition, and the event is immensely popular with the gay and straight communities. Different dance arenas play various types of music to party the night away.

Wavescapes

The first festival of its kind in South Africa, Wavescapes Surf Film Festival launched in December 2004, and will be an annual, national event that showcases the best international and local surf films following the popular revival of big screen surf movies around the world. In celebration of 'Surf-Afrikan' beach culture, top surf films will be shown to beachgoers and holidaymakers in venues that include outdoor screenings on the beach using South Africa's first inflatable cinema-sized screen.