Cape Winelands Events Calendar
Festivals are back with a bang and we’re getting out for weekends, celebrating and enjoying life. ❤️ And the Cape Winelands is where many Capetonians are heading to this year, to get their festivals on. Join us at these – we’ve listed the most popular ones we’ve been told about. We will keep updating this page as new events, details and dates are released, so bookmark us for checking future Cape Winelands events and festival information.
If you’re a music lover and into vineyard vibes, diarise the 6 April 2024! The popular Oesfees is returning to Franschhoek and promises to yet again become a highlight on the Winelands’ event calendar.
- Date: 6 April, 2024
- Venue: Solms Delta Wine Estate, Delta Road, R45, Franschhoek
- Overnight at: Franschhoek accommodation
- Tickets: Via Plankton / Starts at 12h00 midday until 18h00
This unique event on the South African cultural calendar brings together farm workers and owners from the valley and beyond to celebrate and share their hard work and the Cape’s rich cultural heritage. Experience traditional Boland Rural music and ‘Kaapsekos’ (Cape food) while enjoying the Solms-Delta wines and offerings from food vendors. Casual and fun! We love this one!
The Spier Light Art Festival is an annual event that was launched in December 2018, when the 18 light art installations were showcased to more than 10,000 spectators. It’s no wonder it’s become an annual affair. These art installations are anything but ordinary or average, though. Some are interactive, some convey a message, and some are just plain impressive. Bring your best friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and kids—this beloved yearly celebration has plenty to offer everyone.
Lovingly nurtured by the founder of Tokara over two decades ago, their private farm garden is a place of serenity where awe-inspiring landscapes are accentuated by life-size sculptures from the family’s extensive art collection.
- Date: 20 April, 2024
- Venue: Tokara Wine Estate, Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch
- Overnight at: Stellenbosch accommodation
Tickets will only be available for purchase on the day, at the farm gate. A dedicated oasis of indigenous plants, the extraordinary Adamastor Moss Garden, and the textural cork oak forest are just some of the treasures to be explored while meandering through tranquil walks dotted with sculptures by local artists.
For three days in May, the streets of Franschhoek come alive with the energy of avid book enthusiasts, weaving their way between an array of quaint village venues, all conveniently within strolling distance of each other.
- Dates: 17 to 19 May, 2024
- Venues: Various venues throughout Franschhoek
- Overnight: Franschhoek accommodation
Bookings via Webtickets. Mark your calendars for the annual Franschhoek Literary Festival, a three-day event held on the third weekend of May, commencing on Friday and concluding on Sunday.
This year, Christmas arrives early once more as Tulbagh dons its winter cape in June and invites the rest of the nation to join them for a weekend full of fantastic winter warmers.
- Date: 29 to 30 June, 2024
- Venue: Venues throughout Tulbagh
- Overnight at: Tulbagh accommodation
Admire the variety of holiday décor and sparkling lights, and peruse the handicrafts, galleries, and charming stores. Savour tastings of cheese and olives. The kids will be entertained with face painting, pony rides, jumping castles, and tractor rides, to name a few.
Take a horseback ride through the picturesque scenery to appreciate the peace and beauty of the natural world, or venture further into the Valley on a zip line adventure. This special festival features performances by renowned local and international artists along with student coaching. Ten days of exquisite music – both well-known and obscure – are in store.
- Dates: 5 to 14 July, 2024
- Venue: Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University, Neethling Street, Stellenbosch
- Overnight at: Stellenbosch Guest Houses
Online via Webtickets. Every day concludes with a festival concert featuring pieces by contemporary composers as well as Mozart performed by world-class soloists; the final three evenings feature complete symphony concerts conducted by special guests.
This year’s Bastille Day celebration will take place over the weekend of July 13 and 14, 2024, at the Franschhoek Wine Valley, the Cape’s very own French outpost.
- Dates: 13 to 14 July, 2024
- Venues: Various venues throughout Franschhoek
- Overnight At: Recommended Franschhoek accommodation
Book tickets via Webtickets. With a weekend full of decadent cuisine and Franschhoek wines, the valley is expected to be a hive of activity and French flair. Tickets are available through Webtickets and include eight tokens for wine tasting. Put on your red, white, and blue ensemble, including a beret, and enjoy the French atmosphere. On Saturday the 15th, there will be amazing prizes up for grabs for the best-dressed.
Prescient is pleased to be a part of this year’s Bastille Festival, including all of its Main Street events and celebrations. Visit the Stellenbosch Wine Festival to get a glimpse of the heart of the Cape Winelands. Experience the finest produce from these vineyards in this breathtaking region in Stellenbosch, which was chosen as the International Wine Region of the Year.
- Dates: 2 to 3 August, 2024
- Venues: Stellenbosch Town Hall
- Overnight at: Stellenbosch hotels
Online via Plankton. The festival, which coincides with the yearly harvest, offers you the chance to take part in the celebrations, discover more about the locals and their history, indulge in some delectable cuisine, and sip some amazing wines. A street celebration in the historic Church Street, a harvest parade, cultivar showcases, specialty tours and tastings, art exhibitions, dining-in-the-vine experiences, and other unique events are all part of the Festival schedule.
There’s something so special and grounding about being in the blossoms and bouquet of somebody’s hard planting and pruning work. The Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival in November, showcases the exquisite work of avid gardeners in this beautiful little part of the Cape Winelands.
- Dates: 15 to 17 November, 2024
- Venues: Throughout Franschhoek
- Overnight: Franschhoek accommodation
Online through Web Tickets or from the office in Main Street, Franschhoek. A number of different gardens are showcased for this festival – from sprawling farm gardens to little gardens in the village that have an enchanting charm. Maps and brochures are provided so that you get to enjoy the full experience. In 2023, there were 11 gorgeous gardens on display. Five of these were new, five hadn’t featured in two or more years, and one was from the 2022 festival. This gives visitors an opportunity to see the full array of colourful gardens while also getting to experience the picturesque prettiness of Franschhoek.
Starry-eyed lovers, champagne aficionados, merrymakers, curiosity cats and anyone who simply loves the good life will be heading to Franschhoek for this “Magic of Bubbles” festival.
- Dates: 30 November to 1 December, 2024
- Venues: The Hugenot Monument in Franschhoek
- Overnight: Franschhoek Hotels
Available online via Webtickets. The culinary capital of South Africa has a dazzling array of outstanding eateries. Restaurants will compile special menus to complement the bubbly and awaken your senses to the Valley’s outstanding cuisine. A shopper’s seventh heaven, Franschhoek’s stylish boutiques will entice festive-season shoppers! Of course bubbly in all its guises will be on sale throughout the festivities, a perfect Christmas gift.
Submit your Winelands Events! Let us know of any noteworthy Cape Winelands events or festivals that are not on our calendar, that you think will appeal to a broad audience, especially the ones you plan to attend. ❤️
