Events in May — Wine, wedding, wheels and other wonderful events

The days are get­ting shorter and the nights are longer — winter is on its way. But that doesn't mean the fun stops in Sunny South Africa — What can you look for­ward to this com­ing month? The month of May is filled with wine, wed­ding, cul­tural and agri­cul­tural shows includ­ing import­ant sport­ing events such as the Cadiz Swim and Comrades, and some great annual events.

Book lov­ers will des­cend on Franschhoek for the annual Literary Festival and the Travel Trade will take over Durban for Indaba 2010 in May. So don't let the slightly colder weather con­fine you to your couch just yet (save that for watch­ing the 2010 World Cup in June and July if you haven't got tick­ets to every match). For the next few weeks, get out there and join in the fun...

Let's take a look at what is hap­pen­ing in your province

... in the WESTERN CAPE
From Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 May the V&A Waterfront Wine Affair will be tak­ing place. Make your way to the V&A Waterfront from 4 to 7 May 2010 for an unfor­get­table wine and food exper­i­ence. The V&A has a dual role being both an iconic retail, hos­pit­al­ity and leis­ure des­tin­a­tion as well as Cape Town’s old­est work­ing har­bour. Come and enjoy some wine from the top Western Cape vine­yards and food from the V&A res­taur­ants. Early bird tick­ets cost between R90 and R110 per per­son and are avail­able from Computicket.

The Cadiz Freedom Swim is con­sidered to be one of the toughest, most extreme long dis­tance cold water sea swim races in the world — 7.5km across the fam­ous Robben Island chan­nel, known for its bit­terly cold water (+/- 13 to 14 degrees) and strong, unpre­dict­able currents.

Ceres in the Breede River Valley hosts the annual Chrysanthemum Show on Saturday 8 May and show­cases the work of ded­ic­ated local chrys­an­themum grow­ers. See and have the oppor­tun­ity to pur­chase the prize win­ning flowers as well as other entrants. The entrance is R10 per per­son at the Ceres Welfare Centre, the event is open from 13h00 to 17h00 and for more inform­a­tion you can tele­phone Henrico on +27 (0)23 312‑2033.

If you love books and read­ing then you need to get to the Franschhoek Literary Festival which takes place this year from 14–16 May 2010. There are work­shops, dis­cus­sions and present­a­tions that cater for a range of read­ers and enthu­si­asts. Tickets and more inform­a­tion is avail­able the Franschhoek Wine Valley & Tourist Association (Telephone +27 (0)21 876‑3603) or see our pre­vi­ous announce­ment of this fab annual event at The Franschhoek Literary Fair.

Brides to be will be able to find whatever they are look­ing for at vari­ous Wedding Exhibitions in the Cape. Showcasing beau­ti­ful bridal and spe­cial event designs by some of the Cape’s finest design­ers, the Autumn FAB Bridal Expo at the Cape Town International Convention takes place on the 1^st and 2^nd of May. Expect fant­astic dis­plays by design­ers, flower artists, wed­ding coordin­at­ors, pho­to­graph­ers, wed­ding ven­ues, com­pan­ies spe­cial­ising in cakes, invit­a­tions, jew­ellery and much more.

And then Somerset Mall’s Bridal Fair takes place from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 May 2010. The com­pet­i­tion is offer­ing incred­ible prizes so make sure you are there to take part. Find everything from your dream gown to the ideal hon­ey­moon. For more inform­a­tion you can con­tact Cheryl Wade Events on +27 (0)21 914‑2852. (see more Wedding Exhibitions tak­ing place this month and next at Wedding Exhibitions)

Wheels & Runners Hermanus takes place on the 8^th May in Hermanus. Take part in or sup­port the only fully integ­rated wheel­chairs and run­ners race in South Africa. The race, with the most beau­ti­ful views of sea and moun­tain runs through the cen­ter of Hermanus. Participants include people with dis­ab­il­it­ies in wheel­chairs and able-bodied ath­letes (run­ners). There are a total of ten cat­egor­ies to accom­mod­ate the abil­it­ies of every per­son. The circle route will run along the sea in Marine drive and Westcliff drive and then pass through the cent­ral busi­ness area via Main road. All the roads are more or less level with only a few very slight uphill sec­tions in the longer dis­tance routes. Join or support!

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at Western Cape Events

... in KWAZULU NATAL
On 7–9 May the Karkloof Classic Mountain Bike Festival takes place. This is a three day event that has some spec­tac­u­lar rid­ing, innov­at­ive tracks and awe­some enter­tain­ment. The loc­a­tion is the pic­tur­esque Karkloof Valley just out­side of Howick.

Durban Central hosts the annual Indaba from 8–11 May at the Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC). Indaba is one of the largest tour­ism mar­ket­ing events on the African cal­en­dar. You will be able to find a wide vari­ety of South Africa’s best tour­ism products and it attracts both inter­na­tional vis­it­ors and media from across the world.

For Brides-to-be in KwaZulu Natal, the Heritage Market Bridal Fair in Hillcrest takes place from 22–23 May 2010. This is the Heritage’s 14^th Bridal Fair; an event which is becom­ing ever more pop­u­lar with brides. The lower boulevard and the Keg’s park­ing lot will be trans­formed into a wed­ding won­der­land. Best of all, entrance is free to brides and visitors!

The East Coast Radio Big Walk (on 23^rd May) has seen enorm­ous growth and improve­ment over the last 6 years. and has become one of the biggest fam­ily fun events Durban has ever seen. With start­ing points at Ushaka Marine World the walk is a four-route event, with dis­tances of 5km; 10km; 15km; and 20km. Walk with a worthy cause!

Pietermaritzburg and Durban are pre­par­ing for the Comrades Marathon tak­ing place on 30 May 2010. This is the world’s greatest ultra-marathon – all 90 kilo­metres of it. The race altern­ates annu­ally between the up run from Durban and the down run from Pietermaritzburg, this year the race begins at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg. Come and sup­port these ath­letes in this tough race, the encour­age­ment is really appreciated.

Also get to the Bonitas Comrades Expo. All major sport­ing brands will be exhib­it­ing at the expo as well as a num­ber of other exhib­it­ors. Visitors will get a taste of everything that involves run­ning, cyc­ling and other sport­ing dis­cip­lines. If you are a ser­i­ous long dis­tance run­ner or just a keen sports­man you will be enter­tained and enlightened!

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at KwaZulu Natal Events

... in GAUTENG
Be a part of the second biggest Oyster Festival in South Africa at the Oyster, Wine and Food Festival on 1–2 May 2010 in Randburg. Enjoy some deli­cious oyster dishes or eat them fresh as nature made them. The event takes place at the Brightwater Commons and for more inform­a­tion you can tele­phone: +27 (0)11 795‑1901.

Have you ever watched a joust­ing demon­stra­tion? The chances are quite slim, how­ever, if you would like to see this as well as a whole lot more medi­aeval fun then get your­self to the Mediaeval Fayre at the Pretoria Showground from 8–9 May 2010. Tickets cost R40 for adults and R25 for chil­dren, fam­il­ies or groups of 4 or more qual­ify for a dis­count. The fayre is open from 09h00 until late.

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at Gauteng Events

... in the EASTERN CAPE
La Femme Bridal Fair in Port Elizabeth takes place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May 2010 and is the largest bridal fair in the Eastern Cape. One of the high­lights of the fair is the announce­ment of the Win a Dream Wedding com­pet­i­tion as well as fash­ion shows show­cas­ing wed­ding dresses and accessor­ies. Get your­self to the Feather Market Centre on Baakens street from 09h00 to 18h00 daily or for more inform­a­tion you can tele­phone Linda Harwood on +27 (0)41 373‑8714.

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at Eastern Cape Events

... in MPUMALANGA
From 28–30 May the Uplands Festival enter­tains in White River. With children’s enter­tain­ment, a food and drinks mar­quee, live music, a jazz fest­ival, a coun­try mar­ket and live theatre this fest­ival prom­ises a feast for all senses.

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at Mpumalanga Events

... in LIMPOPO
On Saturday 15 May the Mabalingwe Lion Man Mountain Bike Race takes place in Bela Bela. Chose between the 35km or 80km race through the Mabalingwe Game Reserve. You can bring your entire fam­ily as there will be plenty of enter­tain­ment to keep them busy while you have the ride of your life.

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at Limpopo Events

... in the NORT WEST PROVINCE
If arts and antiques are your thing then make your way to Potchefstroom on Saturday 8 May for the Oppiewerf Arts & Antiques Fair. There will be an excit­ing attrac­tion such as the old photographer's pro­ject which took place at pre­vi­ous fairs. Fill your bel­lies with potjiekos, pan­cakes and other treats at the food stalls. The loc­a­tion is at the President Pretorius Museum on Thabo Mbeki Avenue from 09h00 to 15h00 and for more info tele­phone +27 (0)18 299‑8036.

The annual Rustenburg Show ( 28 May to 7 June 2010) is a fun-filled fest­ival that has agri­cul­tural cham­pi­on­ships and auc­tions for small live­stock, cattle, poultry and more as well as musical per­form­ances by pop­u­lar local artists. For more inform­a­tion tele­phone Carisma on +27 (0)14 592‑1318/9.

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at North West Province Events

... in the NORTHERN CAPE
The Upington Landbou Skou takes place from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 May 2010. Listen to a num­ber of top South African artists, browse through vari­ous stalls and enjoy good food. Come and see what Upington has to offer.

... see more wwwon­der­ful events and fest­ivals at Northern Cape Events

Once again South Africa has a lot going on this com­ing month. There is no excuse for you to sit and home and be bored, get out there and enjoy what South Africa has to offer.

Useful Pages:
South Africa Events
Fun things to do in South Africa
101 Things to Do with Kids in Cape Town
South Africa Hotels
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