Cape Town

Festivals and Annual Events

This event takes place annually and lasts well into February. The venue is the Maynardville open air theatre. This tradition has been in place for many decades now, since the 1950s to be more specific. Shakespeare’s world famous plays are performed here by excellent actors.

Showing 1–19 of 19 festivals

City guide section

Festivals and events in Cape Town

Showing 1–19 of 19 festivals

Plan around 19 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.

· Shakespeare at Maynardville Open Air Theatre

Shakespeare at Maynardville Open Air Theatre

This event takes place annually and starting from January, lasts well into February. The venue is the Maynardville open air theatre.

Cape Argus Pick and Pay Cycle Tour

This event takes place annually every March and involves several thousand cyclists riding for over 100 kilometers around the Cape Peninsula.

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

This event takes place annually in March and has become the most famous ultra-modern marathon in South Africa. Apart from being a tough challenge, this race is also a visual treat of nature at her best.

My Coke Fest

This event takes place annually though there is no fixed date for it. It is a 12 hour long concert and performers from all over the world take part in it.

Cape Town Jazz Festival

This event takes place annually. It is an international festival and draws a large number of jazz players from all over the world. The ambience is very relaxed.

Cape Times V&A Waterfront Wine Affair

This event takes place annually. The venue is the water front. This is quite an interesting festival. People flock to taste the wine of various Cape Town producers and tour the vineyards.

Vodacom Funny Festival

This annual event lasts one whole month finishing in mid July. Noted world famous comedians make their way to Baxter Theatre, the venue for this festival.

Cape Town Book Fair

This annual event lasts about three days. The venue is the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Apart from a large book exhibition, the festival also features a number of workshops especially for younger

Meat Festival

During this 3 day festival local and out of town enthusiasts are treated to a variety of lamb stews, kebabs, curries and barbeque.

Cape Town International Comedy Festival

This three week long festival takes place annually in Baxter Theatre Centre. Local and international comedians take part in the festival. Enactments are both in English as well as in Afrikaans.

Whale Festival

The whale festival is held annually in September to welcome the arrival of Spring and to mark the return of the Southern Right whales to Walker Bay.

International Kite Festival

This event takes place annually. There is no fixed venue; the festival takes place all over Cape Town in every garden and along every beach.

Gun Run

This event takes place annually in October. This is Cape Town’s own take of a marathon which stretches for 21 kilometers. Participants can opt for the shorter races [10 or 5 kilometers].

Food and Wine Festival

This event takes place annually at various venues. Cape Town’s world famous cuisine and wine is showcased here. Thousands of enthusiasts flock to the festival along with renowned chefs.

Cape Town Flower and Garden Show

The six hectares that the estate comprises of are a sight to behold with various specimens of plants and flowers being grown and cultivated here.

Sithengi South African Film & Television Market

This event takes place annually in the month of November. The venue is the Artscape Theatre Complex. The idea behind this festival is to promote the South African industry and market.

Cape Town World Cinema Festival

This event takes place annually. The venue is Cinema Nouveau. The focus is on films made in the African continent but really films from all over the globe are screened.

OBZfestival

A number of activities take place including the viewing of films, live music [jazz, hip hop, reggae, soul etc] and exhibitions of arts and crafts produced by local artists and artisans.