South Africa Travel Guide and Information

Festivals in South Africa? Most famous events and festivals to Enjoy

South Africa, as the name suggests, is at the southern tip of Africa. The country's culture is an amalgamation of the indigenous African customs and the traditions brought over by the European settlers. If you are ever in South Africa, the colourful culture and the beautiful people of the country will quickly make you their own. Being part of South African festivals is like having a crash course in African history, music and way of life.

Splashy Fen Music Festival

The Splashy Fen Music Festival takes place in the Drakensberg, in the last weeks of April. The festival first amassed pop rock music pilgrims in 1990 but now has grown to become a phenomenal event. Local and foreign bands come to the open fields of Drakensberg and for four days express their artistic freedoms and talents on the stage. Tourists can visit the festival for a day, but do not be surprised to see tents pitched around the festival area housing hardcore fans from all over the country.

National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival is among the most celebrated festival in South Africa. The festival is celebrated in Grahamstown, in the last week of June. The 11 days of celebration are a treat for moviegoers and film enthusiasts but the festival is much more than just a movie event. There are live performances of music and dance, workshops, exhibitions and public talks about everything under the sun. Never miss the chance of feeling the vibes of South Africa at this festival.

Knysna Oyster Festival

Knysna Oyster Festival is the festival for those who love to slurp and gulp down oysters. This oyster festival is the best for people who are new to the exquisite taste of the oysters. Competitions, exhibitions and feasts run along this festival. A separate children's section at the oyster festival makes it all the more comfortable for families to participate in the event. Marathon races, cooking competitions and even naval displays of powerboats and ships make this event truly wholesome. The festival warms up South African hearts in the cold month of July.

Hermanus Whale Festival

The Hermanus Whale Festival is a festival that celebrates the complex marine ecology that South Africa has been blessed with. Even though the festival revolves around the annual arrival of the Southern Right whales, the festival promotes the education and connection humans have with all marine life. Watch the whales rise and sink in the ocean currents, trumpeting their blowholes and splashing their tails. The festival is not limited to just whale watching, musicians and food stalls also help release the happy hormones in the tourist's brain. The festival takes place right at the end of September.

Ficksburg Cherry Festival

November is the time of the year to visit the cherry farms in Ficksburg. The local economy depends heavily on the fruit and to promote the beloved produce, the Ficksburgians created the Ficksburg Cherry Festival. The festival was first celebrated in 1969. Right under the foot of the Imperani Mountains, the village of the glittering red cherries is a dreamy place to visit, especially for those who enjoy the subtleties of life. Pick the cherries from the farms, and enjoying the sweetness of the nutrient-rich African fruit. If you are fond of some action, how about competing in the cherry pip spitting contest and see if you can shoot the pip the farthest.

Flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. However some are not and at time of booking you confirm what protection is applicable. This website is a part of Moresand Ltd (registration no. 02114691) T/A Travelhouseuk registered in England and wales . Office , 10-11 Percy St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1DN. All bookings protected under the ATOL scheme will receive an ATOL certificate. In cases where a part payment is made that flight booking is ATOL protected. In some cases a certificate does not indicate all the trip segments - this means the omitted parts are not ATOL protected). Please refer to our booking conditions for further information please visit www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

X