As it warms up and people head outdoors, leave space in your calendars for these inspiring events around the country.
Our list of 30 outdoor spring events in South Africa …
in the WESTERN CAPE…
1. Hopefield Fynbos Show ย 29 โ 31 August 2014
Head for the West Coastโs oldest town; its fields of spring daisies, over 500 different species of fynbos and four fynbos regions make it the place to welcome in the spring.
2. Blisters For Bread Charity Walkย ย 31 August 2014
Thousands of walkers head to Green Point, Cape Town, to take part in this charity fun walk, raising money to feed hungry school children throughout the Western Cape.
3. Cape Horticultural Societyโs Flower and Garden Showย ย 6โ7 September 2014
Interesting displays of plants in the exhibition hall whilst outside stallholders sell different gardening accessories; plus exotic and indigenous plants for sale.
4. Tulbagh Spring Arts Festival 12โ14 September 2014
The historic Cape Winelands town celebrates arts in all its forms โ musical performances, exhibitions, food and wine, endless entertainment for children โ at various venues around Tulbagh.
5. Spring into Fynbosย ย 14 September 2014
The indigenous plant nursery offers a spring celebration โ fynbos walks, food stalls, a succulent footpath, outdoor tea garden, arts and crafts, kids fun, and expert gardening advice.
6. Darling Wild Flower Showย ย 19-21 September 2014
The highlight is the lazy tractor ride to see the flowers in their original place in a private area of Darling. Also enjoy the Darling Brew Classic (nature+beverage+beauty of the West Coast) and a hall filled with wild flowers.
7. Hermanus Whale Festivalย ย 3-6 October 2014
Celebrate the annual coming of the southern right whales to the bay with an Enviro-Arts festival in the town with the best land-based whale watching in the world.
in the GARDEN ROUTE…
8. Karoo to Coast 100km Mountain Bike Challengeย 21 September 2014
One of the top ten mountain bike races in the country, cyclists tackle 100 km off-road race between Uniondale and Knysna, via Prince Alfredโs Pass.
in the EASTERN CAPE
9. Port St Francis Calamari Classic Festivalย ย 25-27 September 2014
Golfers, bowlers, runners, swimmers, cyclists and surfski racers enjoy the various sporting events of the festival. But hold out for the night market on the Friday โ fun for all.
10. Camdeboo Rallyย ย 26-27 September 2014
A weekโs worth of rally with rock โn roll, and outrides on the plains of the Camdeboo with the Harley-Davidson Club of Cape Town. This is the largest โfreedom rallyโ the country has seen.
11. Northern Arts Festivalย ย 27-29 September 2014
A wealth of local talent performs in the Van Der Kemps Kloof in Bethelsdorp, PE, bridging the divide between community development and the arts. Expect community crafters, musicians, businesses, food vendors and music.
12. Karoo-lusย ย 3-4 October 2014
Graaff-Reinet plays host to this culture-rich festival โ a celebration of Karoo traditions, lifestyle, food, music and arts. Top SA music stars entertain, whilst 80 stalls provide food, drink and more.
13. Hogsback Arts Festival ย 3-5 October 2014
A line-up of multi-cultural events with a focus on local visual artists, as well as a line-up of music โ jazz, opera, blues, rhythm and more.
in KWAZULU-NATAL…
14. KZN Music Imbizoย ย 28-30 August 2014
A platform to share, network and exhibit over three days for all music industry players. Join the panel to discuss issues about the music industry. Music from every genre from pop to maskandi.
15. BMW International Polo Series โ Shongweniย ย 7 September 2014
This year look forward to compelling tests between the USA national polo team and the recently announced South African team.
16. The Witness Hilton Arts Festivalย ย 18-19 September 2014
The largest theatrical event of its kind, this four-day festival brings together theatre, dance and music productions on the Hilton College campus near the village of Hilton. Plus: buskers, craft markets, art exhibitions and workshops.
17. Sunday Tribune Garden & Leisure Showย ย 19-21 September 2014
Both indoors and out, expect floral art talks and demonstrations, green displays, parks departments from major cities, the Bonsai Society, an Orchid Hall, many nursery displays, garden products etc.
18. Bierfest Durbanย ย 19-21 September 2014
Bierfest promises an authentic Bavarian Brauhaus festival, with limited edition beers brewed just for the event, German food and even Oompah bands.
19. White Mountain Festivalย ย 24-28 September 2014
Laidback, acoustic music surrounded by mountains in the central Drakensberg. A line-up of well-known singers, fishing, swimming, a childrenโs playground area, arts and crafts, food and a popular beer market.
in GAUTENG…
20. I Heart Joburg Music Festivalย ย 6 September 2014
A 12-hour music spectacle. Expect an eclectic mix of six international heavyweights and six local favourites across musical genres from 11am until 11pm.
21. SCOPEXย ย 13 September 2014
A large variety of quality telescopes, accessories, books and exhibitions of self-made telescopes for those interested in astronomy. For sky-gazing and astrophotography, visit the astronomy event of the year.
22. The Pick n Pay Taste of Joburgย ย 25-28 September 2014
Montecasinoโs Outdoor event area plays host to Joburgโs top restaurants serving up their signature dishes. Alongside them are award-winning wineries, premium drink brands and other exhibitors.
23. Bierfest Sandtonย ย 17-26 October 2014
As close to the Munich Bierfest as Sandton can get โ an authentic Bavarian Brauhaus festival complete with limited edition beers, German food and Oompah bands.
in LIMPOPO…
24. Magoebaskloof Spring Festivalย ย 20-28 September 2014
The village of Haenertsburg and the Magoebaskloof Hotel play host to arts and crafts, hands-on craft demos plus a hall filled with mouth-watering foods, an orchid display, gardens in bloom and a host of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops.
in the NORTH WEST…
25. National Arts Festivalย ย 7-11 October 2014
A string of live performers including Theuns Jordaan, Kurt Darren and Steve Hofmeyr, international acts Smokie and Pussycat, and a list of theatre productions from theatres and other festivals.
26. Bosrumoerย ย 10-12 October 2014
Recharge your batteries with loads of fun โ quad biking, veldfietsritte, survivorbaan, sniper.22 shooting competition, strong man and baby competition and more.
27. Bosman Weekendย ย 17-19 October 2014
Groot Marico celebrates all things Herman Charles Bosman. Festivities centre around the Herman Charles Bosman Museum and include live acts and performances.
in the FREE STATE…
28. Boertjie Kontreifeesย ย 4-6 September 2014
Bultfontein’s annual country festival where some 20 000 people visit 220 stalls, watch 10 best artists, agricultural shows, animals, stalls, competitions, kiddies rugby and sports, cycling and a half marathon.
29. Macufeย ย 3-12 October 2014
10 days of the cream of African and international talent featuring: jazz, gospel, kwaito, hip-hop, R&B, rock and classical music, as well as dance, drama, cabaret, musical theatre, poetry, fine art, traditional arts and more.
in the NORTHERN CAPE…
30. Kalahari Kuierfeesย ย 25-27 September 2014
On the banks of the Orange River is a four-day festival of 170 stalls, entertainment that ranges from top artists to circus, and a โkuiertentโ filled with food and wine stalls in a relaxed atmosphere. But there are also flea market stalls, a childrenโs tent, buskers, sport and a street carnival.