It might be getting colder here in Cape Town, but that doesn’t mean that festival season has disappeared. South Africa carries on through the winter months with some amazing festivals. Music, art, food, wine, we have it all. We have selected the best festivals from June to October to keep you busy over the winter months! Here we go… 

JUNE

Vortex Phoenix festival of fire

Where? Riviersonderend
When? 23 – 25 June 2017
Price? R450 (full festival ticket)
R350 online (Saturday & Sunday)
R500 (Friday)
R400 (Saturday) at the gate
 
Are you up for a fiery festival? Celebrate the Winter’s solstice with thousands of people and let yourself get thrilled by trance music and psychedelic sounds! Vortex celebrates every aspects of fire as it is a symbol of rebirth and growth so you are more than welcomed to bring your performance art (flame throwers etc.) as there will be many night fires! You will also have the possibility to take part in many workshops!
 

 

Grahamstown Art Festival

Where? Grahamstown
When? 29 June – 9 July 2017
 
If arts, dance and culture are your cup of tea then you will definitely love this festival! The National Art Festival also known as Grahamstown art festival is the largest cultural event in Africa. Every space is turned into theaters or flea markets and the festival has more than 300 shows to offer! Whatever your tastes are, you will find something you like, be it opera, cabaret, jazz, drama, stand-up comics or folk music!

  

 

 

Stellenbosch International Chamber
of Music Festival

Where? Stellenbosch
When? 30 June – 9 July 2017
Price? R125 (adults, 30 June – 5 July)
R140 (adults, 6 July – 9 July)
R90 (pensioners, 30 June – 5 July)
R100 (pensioners, 6 July – 9 July)
 
This very special festival was made for classical music lovers! This international event does not only bring together world-famous musicians but it also gives budding young musicians/students the opportunity to perform in orchestral concerts or recitals.

 

 

JULY

Innibos festival 

Where? Nelspruit
When? 5 – 8 July
 
Innibos festival welcomes everyone for 3 days of fun and celebrations! Innibos is an art festival and it therefore focuses on theatre, cabaret, literature and anything else which could be considered as art. Many artists, actors and musicians will be performing to keep you entertained!

  

 

 

Knysna Oyster Festival

Where? Knysna
When? 7 – 16 July 2017
 
Knysna oyster festival is set to draw in sport enthusiasts, families and people looking for a great party. The festival offers a wide range of activities: cooking competitions, food and wine pairings, live music! You can also taste different wines and whiskeys while enjoying some delicious oysters! The venue is family-friendly so there will be a special programme for children!

 

 

 

Jive Funny Festival    

Where? Rondebosch
When? 10 July – 6 August 2017
Price? R190
 
Laugh yourself sick at this funny festival! Local and international comedians will take the stage for 2 hours every night and make sure you won’t do anything else apart from laughing! The line-up includes Marc Lottering, Dalin Oliver, Mel Jones, Loyiso Madinga, Ndumiso Lindi and Daniel Richards to name a few!
 

 

 

Franschhoek Bastille Festival

Where? Franschhoek
When? 15 – 16 July 2017
Price? Free (under 18) – R280 (adults)
 
To mark France’s Independence day, festival-goers will paint the town red (white and blue)! The place to be is the Food and Wine marquee where you will find the finest wines! You can also enjoy delicious food of course! There will be plenty of activities and entertainment!

 

 

SEPTEMBER

Hermanus whale festival

Where? Hermanus
When? 29 September – 1 October
 
 
This festival is one of a kind as it it the only eco-marine festival in South Africa! It takes place in Hermanus, which is home to migrating Southern Right Whales! The town is also considered the best whale watching destination in the world! Each year, thousands of visitors come to enjoy the mouth-watering food and all the activities. The festival is a great combination of whale watching, live shows, street parades, film, music and seafood!

  

 

OCTOBER

Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival

 
Where? Northam
When? 5 – 7 October
 
The famous festival is coming back this year to entertain the masses on 7 different stages! There is a couple of bands that you should be looking forward to listening to such as aKING, Bittereinder, Baskerville, Beast, Black Cat Bones, Catlike Thieves, Dance, you’re on Fire, Fokofpolisiekar, Gert Vlok Nel, Jack Parow, Lilly Million, Shadowclub, The Kiffness, Thieve, Toya Delazy and many more!
 

 

Rocking the Daisies Music and Lifestyle Festival

Where? Darling, Western Cape
When? 5 – 8 October
Price? From R950
 
Rocking the Daisies is one of the biggest festival in South Africa, it features the best local and international musicians, comedians and artists who will be performing on multiple stages! There will be a food village and other activities are planned. You will dance till you drop, eat till you can no more, in a nutshell: you’re going to have a whale of a time for sure!

 
 
Want to attend one of these festivals and need accommodation in Cape Town? Book with Ashanti Lodge.

Looking for tours or activities to do in South Africa? Check out Ashanti Travel Online.