South Africa, known as the 'Rainbow Nation' for its diversity and multiculturalism, offers a plethora of festivals and events that showcase its rich heritage and vibrant culture. From music and arts to food and wine, there's a festival for every interest. Here’s a guide to some of the best festivals in South Africa, offering a mix of local and international experiences.
Cape Town Aerial View
Music Festivals
South Africa's music scene is as diverse as its people, and its music festivals reflect this. Here are some of the top music festivals to consider:
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, often called “Africa’s Grandest Gathering,” is the largest music event in southern Africa. This annual festival is one of the most anticipated events in the South African music scene. For two days in late March or early April, Cape Town sizzles with an eclectic lineup of local and international artists. With crowds of more than 30,000 and performances from 40-plus international and African artists, the two-day African event stretches across five stages and is based at the magnificent Cape Town International Convention Centre. Expect to see big international acts. The tickets often sell out months in advance, so if you're unlucky and miss out, get yourself down to the free community concert at Greenmarket Square to enjoy jazz in the sunshine.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
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Rocking the Daisies
Being South Africa’s premier eco-friendly music and lifestyle festival, Rocking the Daisies raises the bar every year, incorporating innovative environmentally conscious products into the festival and spreading the message of ‘play hard, tread lightly’. Held on the Cloof Wine Estate, set against the stunning, autumnal backdrop of wine country, about an hours drive from Cape Town, an unforgettable weekend camping music experience is guaranteed, whilst experiencing the beauty and magic of South Africa.
Splashy Fen
South Africa’s oldest music festival (started by Woodstock legend David Marks), attracts thousands of music fans. Every year droves of eager music-lovers descend on Splashy Fen farm - located in the beautiful rolling hills of the Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal. In between watching bands, festival-goers frolic in the freshwater stream that runs through the site - and they also get to watch a rugby match or two on large screens! Of the many festivals in South Africa, Splashy Fen has been dubbed as ‘South Africa’s friendliest music festival’. Splashy Fen attracts musicians and fans from all over Africa.
Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival
Northam, north of Johannesburg and Pretoria, is the venue for the Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival in August. Oppikoppi began life as a rock festival, but has grown significantly and now has several stages where folk and jazz artists, house DJs and even comedians cater to all tastes. The original campground at the bottom of the hill still exists and has been complemented by an RV site.
Bazique Festival
Bazique festival, a three day reverie of music, art and ‘absurdism’ set in a majestic lakeside venue, has established itself as one of South Africa’s most original and exciting large-scale festivals. You can expect performing artists and DJ’s to grace the plethora of stages (including the renowned floating stage in the middle of a lake), spliced with pop-up parties, art installations, art boats, art cars and a bit of the unexpected! Takes place: March
Bazique Festival
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Vic Falls Carnival
Described by The Huffington Post as an experience that will “top your bucket list”, The Vic Falls Carnival is one of Southern Africa’s most renowned music festivals, promising a long 3-day weekend of non stop entertainment, the best music, adventure and hospitality that Africa has to offer! A festival that takes place alongside one of the Seven Wonders of The World...what is there not to love! Takes place: April
Ballito Prawn and Jazz Festival
The Kwa-Zulu Natal north coast near Durban is a haven of warm summer beaches, laid-back coastal holiday towns and wonderful fishing spots. The Ballito Prawn and Jazz Festival is a new event that aims to put the up-market, carefree coastal town on the tourist map. The event takes place on the Collisheen Estate in Ballito, which is about 30 minutes drive from the city of Durban. Like many of the towns on the North Coast, Ballito offers visitors a plethora of accommodation options including guest houses, bed and breakfasts, hotels and self-catering chalets. The event aims to raise money for disadvantaged communities in the area and is definitely worth checking out especially if you are travelling with your family.
Mr Price Pro Ballito
Formally held in Durban under the name the Gunston 500, the Mr Price Pro Ballito is an annual surfing competition that draws the masses to the Kwadukuza coast. Whilst it is strictly not a festival, the event does have a lot to offer tourists. If surfing is not your thing, also on offer is a two-day concert at Salt Rock that is free to the public with acoustic performances on the 9th of July, and a rock night being staged on the night of July 10. Some of the main acts include Prime Circle, the Flash Republic, the Dirty Skirts, Ard Matthews and the Pixie Bennett band.
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Arts and Culture Festivals
South Africa’s diverse culture is celebrated through various arts and culture festivals, offering a glimpse into the country’s creative spirit.
National Arts Festival
This 11-day festival held in July is the biggest annual art event in Africa. With a jam-packed lineup featuring performers and artists from far and wide, it's a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in all things creative. The National Arts Festival in Mkanda, Grahamstown, is the biggest art event on the South Africa festival calendar. Every kind of art form that you can imagine is represented: dance, theatre, music. The jazz festival can stand on its own as a world-class event, and there are many other sub-festivals contained within the main festival, including the Think Fest, Spiritfest, Wordfest and the Creative Digital Arts Festival.
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National Arts Festival
AfrikaBurn
"The dusty Karoo desert comes alive to host one of the most radical festivals on the African Festival calendar." AfrikaBurn is the spectacular result of the creative expression of participants who gather once a year in the Tankwa Karoo in South Africa, to create a temporary city of art, creative expression, theme camps, costume, performance and a soundtrack of electronic music from more or less whoever wants to play. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Takes place: April. During the week-long event, participants busy themselves with creative endeavors that sometimes take years to plan and prepare including sculptures, performances, music, and costumes, which they share with the colorful gathering. The event takes place in the remote and dusty Tankwa Karoo; those who attend must bring their supplies and leave no trace when departing. This is one of the most popular festivals in South Africa, and tickets sell out fast.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (Kaapse Klopse)
The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, also known as Kaapse Klopse, is an annual event held on the 2nd of January. The festival began in the early 19th century during colonisation when slaves were brought to Cape Town to celebrate the New Year. It was the one day they were allowed freedom, and despite the language barriers, they would take to the streets to play jazz, dance and sing in colourful attire. The government banned Minstrel marches and parades during apartheid, but they resumed again once apartheid ended and have been in full swing ever since. The event sees teams of costumed minstrels parade through the streets of Cape Town playing traditional music and jazz. The celebration of emancipation attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Arts Alive Festival
During September, Johannesburg hosts the Arts Alive Festival, a 10-day spectacle dedicated to South Africa’s visual and performance arts. Theaters and other venues in the city’s old Newtown precinct stage dance and musical shows. Audiences are just as likely to see local performers enact Afro-fusion as Spanish flamenco dances. International acts often include Chinese puppet groups and ballet troupes.
HIFA (Harare International Festival of the Arts)
This week-long African festival of the arts has been running for 25 years and celebrates theatre, dance, music, art, and poetry. HIFA is an important healing space for Zimbabweans, who have endured decades of political uncertainty and economic hardship and shows “a Zimbabwe that works” to visitors. It is the largest cultural event in the country and ranks among the eight major festivals in Africa.
Food and Wine Festivals
South Africa's culinary scene is as rich and diverse as its culture, with numerous food and wine festivals celebrating local and international flavors.
Knysna Oyster Festival
Knysna Oyster Festival is held at the Garden Route town of Knysna every July. Famous for its beautiful lagoon and delicious seafood, Knysna is one of the most popular destinations on the Garden Route. Despite its name, this annual winter festival held in July offers so much more than oysters. Sure, indulge in some of the country’s freshest, creamiest oysters, but don’t forget about the fun runs, marathons, wine tastings, eating competitions, live music and cooking demos. Dignitaries bill the event “the finest 10 days of winter” and a worthy tribute to the humble oyster. Over 100 events take place including shucking contests, eating challenges, the Knysna Forest Marathon and cycle tours of the region. The state navy dispatches a selection of its fleet as an added diversion for the 65,000 festival attendees. Round up the troops - this one’s a fun day out for the whole family.
Knysna Oyster Festival
South African Cheese Festival
What could be better than a festival dedicated to cheese? A cheese festival set in the stunning Stellenbosch wine region, of course! Hit up the annual South African Cheese Festival in April to indulge in delicious produce from local artisans and international cheesemakers. As well as tastings, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained, from cooking demos to pop-up picnics and live music on the lawn.
The Delicious Festival
The DStv Delicious Festival is South Africa's favourite lifestyle festival, showcasing the best of local food, alongside international and homegrown musicians. Besides the top-tier music, the festival also boasts food stalls catering for all taste buds as well as appearances by TV chefs and personalities who head up their own kiosks for masterclasses and meet and greets. So if you’re both a foodie and music lover, this festival is definitely for you. The festival also promises a number of ‘country days’ in which the sights and sounds of a specific nation will be showcased.
Robertson Wine Valley's Wacky Wine Weekend
From the 3rd to the 6th of June 2010, the Robertson Wine Valley, approximately 2 hours drive from Cape Town on the R60, will showcase the superb produce of these cape vines. To include a little something for everyone from the novice to the wine connoisseur, the weekend is broken down into ‘Seriously Wine Thursday’, ‘Wine Up Friday’, ‘Full On Wacky Saturday’ and ‘Wine Down Sunday’. In order to be a part of this madcap weekend, visitors will need to purchase a passport (R70 or US$9) at the first winery on route. This entitles you to a festival program, a bottle of water, a goodie bag, an elegant tasting glass and of course free 25ml samples of the wines on display (more can be purchased per glass or bottle).
Other Notable Festivals and Events
Beyond music, arts, and food, South Africa hosts a variety of other unique and exciting events.
Freedom Day
This national public holiday is one of the most important days of the year. It commemorates the anniversary of South Africa’s first non-racial election on 27th April 1994 - a very important sentiment to South Africans living in the post-apartheid world. The day is marked by military flyovers, parades and street parties. South Africans may also visit important sites to honour the struggle for democracy or get together with family and friends for a Braai (barbeque) to celebrate peace and unity.
Cape Town Pride
Held at the end of summer between late February and early March, Cape Town Pride is one of the biggest Pride events in Africa. Thousands of people march alongside vibrant floats through the heart of Cape Town's CBD to raise awareness of LGBT+ issues and campaign for equality. As well as the parade, there are loads of events throughout the week including movie nights, parties, art exhibitions, karaoke and more.
Cape Town International Kite Festival
Running since 1994, this annual kite festival held in Zandvlei Nature Reserve raises awareness and funds for mental health. It promises fun for the whole family (regardless of whether you've ever flown a kite) with impressive kite displays, kite-making workshops, live music and local vendors serving up delicious food. Expect to see kites in every shape, size and colour imaginable.
Two Oceans Marathon
Dubbed “The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon”, the Two Oceans Marathon is a 56km event that incorporates the jaw-dropping views of the Cape peninsula, with a route that includes Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay and Constantia Nek. Since it began in 1970 the marathon has grown in popularity, especially since the half-marathon was introduced in 1989.
Comrades Marathon
The Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of approximately 89 kilometres (approx. 55 miles) which is run annually in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon race.
Month-by-Month Guide to Southern African Events
Here's a quick month-by-month guide to southern African events and festivals to help you plan an African safari with a festive twist:
| Month | Festival/Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (Kaapse Klopse) | Cape Town | Teams of costumed minstrels parade through the streets playing traditional music and jazz. |
| February | Marrabenta Festival | Maputo, Mozambique | Celebration of the Marrabenta musical style with performances and cultural activities. |
| March/April | Cape Town International Jazz Festival | Cape Town | A mix of local and international musicians performing on five different stages. |
| April | AfrikaBurn | Tankwa Karoo | A creative expression festival with art, performances, and music in the desert. |
| July | Knysna Oyster Festival | Knysna | A tribute to the oyster with shucking contests, eating challenges, and more. |
| July | National Arts Festival | Grahamstown | A premier showcase of arts and culture with a wide range of performances. |
| August | Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival | Northam | A music festival with folk, jazz, house DJs, and comedians. |
| September | Arts Alive Festival | Johannesburg | A 10-day spectacle dedicated to South Africa’s visual and performance arts. |
South Africa's festivals offer a unique way to experience the country's rich culture, diverse music scene, and culinary delights. Whether you're a music lover, art enthusiast, or foodie, there's a festival waiting to be explored.
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