Festivals & events

43 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

• New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — National public holiday marking the start of the year.
• Cape Town Festival (All January · Cape Town · Western Cape) — A vibrant celebration of Cape Town's culture, music, and food featuring live performances and street events.
• Hermanus Whale Festival (All September · Hermanus · Western Cape) — Celebrates the annual migration of Southern Right Whales to the coast with marine activities, music, and craft markets.
• Human Rights Day (21 March · All regions · National) — National public holiday commemorating the struggle for human rights in South Africa.
• Durban International Film Festival (All July · Durban · KwaZulu-Natal) — One of Africa's largest film festivals showcasing independent and international cinema with screenings and filmmaker talks.
• Freedom Day (27 April · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.
• Grahamstown National Arts Festival (All July · Grahamstown · Eastern Cape) — One of South Africa's premier arts festivals featuring theatre, music, dance, and visual arts in a historic university town.
• Workers' Day (1 May · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating workers' rights and labour movements.
• Youth Day (16 June · All regions · National) — National public holiday commemorating the Soweto Uprising of 1976 and celebrating youth.
• Bastille Festival (All May · Franschhoek · Western Cape) — A French cultural celebration in Franschhoek featuring wine, food, music, and street performances.
• Sani Pass Winter Festival (All June · Sani Pass · Free State) — Mountain adventure festival featuring ski racing, snow activities, and cultural performances at the highest pass in southern Africa.
• National Arts Festival (Durban) (All March · Durban · KwaZulu-Natal) — A vibrant celebration of African arts, music, theatre, and crafts showcasing local and international talent.
• Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July · All regions · National) — Global celebration of Nelson Mandela's life and legacy with community service initiatives and cultural events.
• Encounters South African International Documentary Festival (All July · Johannesburg · Gauteng) — Africa's largest documentary festival featuring groundbreaking films and filmmaker exchanges in Johannesburg.
• Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival (All August · Limpopo Province · Limpopo) — Multi-genre music festival in the bushveld featuring rock, hip-hop, and electronic music with camping and cultural experiences.
• Women's Day (9 August · All regions · National) — National public holiday honoring women and their contributions to South African society and the struggle for freedom.
• Innibos National Arts Festival (All September · Nelspruit · Mpumalanga) — A major arts festival celebrating theatre, music, comedy, and visual arts in the Lowveld region.
• Knysna Oyster Festival (All June · Knysna · Western Cape) — A gourmet festival celebrating oysters and coastal cuisine with live music, crafts, and outdoor activities.
• National Heritage Day (24 September · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating South Africa's cultural diversity and shared heritage.
• Zulu Reed Dance (Umkhosi Womhlanga) (All September · Eshowe · KwaZulu-Natal) — A traditional Zulu cultural ceremony and celebration featuring young women and traditional pageantry at the royal palace.
• Cape Town Comedy Festival (All September · Cape Town · Western Cape) — A celebration of stand-up comedy and humour featuring local and international comedians.
• Diwali Festival (All October · Durban · KwaZulu-Natal) — Hindu Festival of Lights celebrated across South Africa with lanterns, lights, fireworks, and community feasts.
• Soweto Wine & Jazz Festival (All October · Soweto · Gauteng) — A celebration of South African wine and live jazz music in Soweto's cultural heartland.
• Day of Reconciliation (16 December · All regions · National) — National public holiday promoting unity and reconciliation among all South Africans.
• Stellenbosch Wine Festival (All October · Stellenbosch · Western Cape) — A prestigious celebration of winemaking featuring tastings, vineyard tours, and gourmet food experiences.
• Hermanus Abalone Festival (All October · Hermanus · Western Cape) — A coastal food festival celebrating fresh seafood, marine conservation, and local culture.
• Jozi Book Fair (All October · Johannesburg · Gauteng) — Africa's largest book fair featuring author talks, literary discussions, and book launches.
• Cherry Festival (All November · Ficksburg · Free State) — A harvest celebration of cherry season in the Free State with farm visits, tastings, and local crafts.
• Madiba Legacy Festival (All July · Eastern Cape · Eastern Cape) — Celebration of Nelson Mandela's life and legacy in his birthplace Qunu with cultural performances and exhibitions.
• Elgin Wine Festival (All November · Elgin · Western Cape) — A boutique wine and food festival in the Elgin Valley featuring wine tastings and artisanal producers.
• Joburg Carnival (All October · Johannesburg · Gauteng) — A street carnival in Johannesburg featuring vibrant parades, live music, cultural performances, and community celebrations.
• Mangaung Carnival (All November · Bloemfontein · Free State) — A vibrant carnival in the capital showcasing music, dance, food, and cultural performances.
• Garlic Festival (All February · Koeksister · Northern Cape) — A quirky celebration of garlic with food tastings, cooking competitions, and artisan markets.
• Namaqualand Wildflower Season (All August · Namaqualand · Northern Cape) — Spectacular natural display of wildflowers transforming the landscape with guided tours and celebrations.
• Cape Town Pride (All February · Cape Town · Western Cape) — One of Africa's largest Pride celebrations featuring parades, performances, and community festivities.
• Pretoria Jacaranda Festival (All October · Pretoria · Gauteng) — A festival celebrating Pretoria's iconic jacaranda trees in bloom with music, food, and cultural events.
• Splashy Fen Festival (All April · Ficksburg · Free State) — South Africa's premier music festival featuring rock, pop, reggae, and electronic music in the Freestate countryside.
• Ballito Lifestyle Festival (All May · Ballito · KwaZulu-Natal) — A lifestyle festival on the KZN coast featuring food, music, art, and beach activities.
• Kruger National Park Rhino Festival (All September · Kruger National Park · Mpumalanga) — A conservation-focused festival raising awareness about rhino protection with wildlife experiences and talks.
• Cape Town Cycle Tour (All March · Cape Town · Western Cape) — One of the world's largest timed cycling events featuring a scenic 109km route around the Cape Peninsula.
• Christmas Day (25 December · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating Christmas with religious observances and family gatherings.
• Easter (All April · All regions · National) — National public holidays (Good Friday and Family Day) celebrating the Christian Easter festival.
• Durban Jazz Festival (All July · Durban · KwaZulu-Natal) — Celebrating world-class jazz performances featuring local and international artists on the Durban beachfront.