South Africa is the vibrant host of hundreds of events every year – ranging from international sports events and music concerts to local wine tastings and urban markets. Many of these events and festivals are perfect for the whole family, while others are a little more exclusive. This is the ideal destination for such a range of events because the climate is temperate, the cities and towns are unique and full of character, and the infrastructure is equipped to handle the influx of visitors that love supporting the festivities.

One of the best known South African events is the international Iron Man 70.3 World Championship, which sees more than 6000 athletes coming to Port Elizabeth from all over the world to conquer this famous triathlon. Families and fans flank the beaches and the streets to watch the 3.8 kilometre ocean swim, 90 kilometre cycle, and 42.2 kilometre run to the victory. Other massive sporting events in South Africa include the Two Oceans Marathon, Comrades Marathon and the Cape Town Cycle Tour (which remains the largest timed cycle race in the world).

South Africa is also a country of massive cultural diversity and, to celebrate this, there are many fun and inspiring events. The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is touted as being the largest annual arts festival in Africa, while the Design Indaba in Cape Town is a massive testimony to the incredibly progressive world of international design in all of its multifaceted genres. Other very popular cultural events include the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, AfrikaBurn and the KKNK.

To experience a destination's events is to get a real taste of its essence, to be part of its soul. Find out what events will be on during your time here and make the most of your South African adventure.

Some Popular Events

Sporting Events

Magoebaskloof Mountain Bike Classic

The Magoesbaskloof Mountain Bike Challenge came about after Gray Braadvedt and Rudi Viljoen sparked the brilliant idea of hosting a moutain bikin...

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Annual Festivals

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival

Kaapse klopse' or Cape Town Minstrel Carnival: The city of Cape Town comes alive to celebrate new year in a raucous carnival the likes of which a...

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Entertainment

Clarens Craft Beer Festival

Prepare for an unparalleled craft beer experience in South Africa, set against the backdrop of Clarens, a charming village at the base of the ico...

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Sporting Events

Cape Town Cycle Tour

The Cape Town Cycle Tour is the largest timed cycling event in the world. Attracting in excess of 35 000 cyclists from around the globe each year...

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Sporting Events

Two Oceans Marathon

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is run under the rules of IAAF, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics.A marathon with global a...

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Entertainment

Experience the Sardine Run

The Greatest Shoal on Earth, as it has been named, sees thousands of visitors flock to the KwaZulu Natal east coast to witness the annual migrati...

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Outdoor Events

Knysna Oyster Festival

Knysna's Oyster Festival has been a roaring success since 1983, when it was still called the Knysna Winter Festival. Attracting sport enthusiasts...

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Entertainment

Durban July

The excitement of Durban July Day surpasses that of any other event on the African continent. 56,000 people are expected at Greyville to witness ...

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Food & Wine

Franschhoek Bastille Festival

Due to recent stormy weather, the Iconic Bastille 2024 celebrations have been rescheduled for this coming weekend, 20 and 21 July, and will now b...

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Outdoor Events

Hermanus Whale Festival

The Hermanus Whale Festival stands as a unique testament to ecological stewardship, marking its distinction as the sole ECO-MARINE Festival world...

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Annual Festivals

Standard Bank Joy of Jazz

The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has a fantastic line up of top international and local artists. This year international artists hail from America, ...

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Music Festivals

Rocking the Daisies Music Festival

Rocking the Daisies is an eco-friendly music and lifestyle festival taking place at the Cloof Wine Estate in Darling (Western Cape). The festival...

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Events by Destination

Western Cape

Overnight? Cape Town, Western Cape
From open-air music concerts at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and exhibitions at the Cape Town ICC, to country festivals celebrating its abundant natural resources, the Western Cape with its many varied regions, offers a host of ...

Events & Festivals in Western Cape

Garden Route

Overnight? Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
The scenic, unrivalled beauty of the Garden Route serves as inspiration for a wide variety of festivals and sporting events, including the annual and ever-popular Knysna Oyster Festival, the Summer Fun Festival in Mossel Bay and ...

Events & Festivals in Garden Route

Eastern Cape

Overnight? Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Perhaps the most famous of the annual events which take place in the Eastern Cape is the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, but there are many more on offer to delight the traveller. Jeffreys Bay, renowned for its surf breaks, is host to the Billabong Pro ...

Events & Festivals in Eastern Cape

KwaZulu Natal / Durban

Overnight? Durban, KwaZulu Natal
A multitude of sporting events take place annually in KwaZulu Natal, including the Midmar Mile, the Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Comrades Marathon (to name but a few), but KwaZulu Natal with its abundant wildlife and spectacular coastline has ...

Events & Festivals in KwaZulu Natal

Gauteng / Johannesburg

Overnight? Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gauteng
You'll be spoiled for choice in Johannesburg. This vibrant metropolis has a faster pace and this is all the more apparent when you consider the number of exhibitions, fairs, expos and festivals available. From food and wine, to documentaries and ...

Events & Festivals in Gauteng

Mpumalanga

Overnight? Nelspruit, Kruger Park, Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga is one of South Africa's top tourist destinations, largely due to its natural attractions (wildlife, panoramic mountain passes, waterfalls and forests) and this province is home to a number of outdoor events, which take advantage of these ...

Events & Festivals in Mpumalanga

Limpopo Province

Overnight? Limpopo
Agricultural and industrial shows, bushveld and game festivals, marathons traversing scenic and challenging terrain and the Tour De Kruger Mountain Biking Event take centre stage in South Africa’s northernmost province, which borders Mozambique ...

Events & Festivals in Limpopo

North West Province

Overnight? North West Province
The North West Province is home to one of South Africa's most visited tourist attractions, Sun City, which is host to the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge. The province boasts an enviable setting in the western Magaliesberg and there's always plenty ...

Events & Festivals in North West Province

The Free State

Overnight? Bloemfontein, Free State
The Free State, with it's wide open spaces and a landscape which Nelson Mandela famously described as gladdening his heart, is the setting for many annual sporting events. Bloemfontein hosts many festivals throughout the year, including the much ...

Events & Festivals in Free State

The Northern Cape

Overnight? Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is renowned for its warm hospitality and this is never more apparant than when joining some of the local festivals. Consider the Hantam Vleisfees in Calvinia (try a potjie or traditional braai) or visit Kimberley during the Gariep Kunstefees ...

Events & Festivals in Northern Cape

Additional Reading

View all events and festivals by province, indicated with red markers on the map below.
Blue markers show some of the most popular events which take place around the country.

A comprehensive directory of Events in South Africa

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