When planning your vacation this is an opportunity for you to immerse oneself in the vibrant holidays and festivities of this nation. These are some of the famous festivals in South Africa and this is your ultimate guide to South African Cultural Festivals.
Many people are of the belief that South Africa is only famous for its stunning landscapes, game parks, and coastal shorelines. But its festive nature it’s integrated as part of its culture and every year around they host a tremendous number of festivals.
These festivals attract tourists from all around the world, bringing everyone together for a lifetime of experience. The festivities consist of live jazz concerts, cheese tasting, and oyster festivals and many more.
Famous festivals in South Africa
- The Knysna Oyster Festival
A festival known to be one the best outdoor events that brings together family and communities in South Africa. Celebrating the popular oysters among a variety of sports such as Pick n Pay Cape Times Forest Mountains and Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Cycle Tour.
- South African Cheese Festival
It celebrates local South African cheese where you can indulge in a wide range of cheese tasting. This festival also gives representation to international cheese makers where you can enjoy with a variety of contemporary music.
- AfrikaBurn
If you look beyond the word ‘festival’ this event celebrates the radical expression of creativity, inclusivity built on a community of principals. Through the use of art, music and performance it brings representation to all. It’s quite the interactive festival where you get to explore and promote a spirit of togetherness and self-discovery.
- Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
In this ultimate guide to South African Cultural Festivals you will discover this to be among one of the top 10 festivals in South Africa. Over 10,000 minstrels arrive to the streets for celebration with costumes, traditional songs, a range of musical instruments and umbrellas. This is a site not worth missing.
- Ficksburg Cherry Festival
The cherry festival celebrates South Africa’s oldest crops. Apart from the many cherry competitors in the market, this event consist of tours, exhibitions, games, marathons, food stalls and a wide range of beverages.
• Johannesburg Wine Festival
Discover a variety of wines from the renowned vineyards of the country. This is accompanied by a range of flavours and cuisines which also include live music and entertainment. It’s a rare event that happens in the heart of the bustling Johannesburg city.
National Festivals in South Africa
• Freedom Day
This is a national public holiday and it is also one of the most significant days of the year. It resembles the anniversary of the first non-racial election of South Africa. This day was marked on the 27th of April 1994 signifying the post-apartheid world of South Africans. The day hosts military flowers, colourful parades and street parties.
- The National Arts Festival
Packed with jam line-ups and performing artists, this festival happens across 11 days. And it is known to be one of the biggest annual art events in African cultural festivals. If you are vacationing South Africa, this is not an opportunity to miss. This will help you experience a plethora of artistic creativity and performance.
- Heritage Day (or Braai Day)
This day is known among South African Traditional Festivals to be a day that celebrates honor and the rich and diverse cultural heritage of this nation. Across the nation communities come together to share barbecuing, music, and food.
National Festivals in South Africa
• Freedom Day
This is a national public holiday and it is also one of the most significant days of the year. It resembles the anniversary of the first non-racial election of South Africa. This day was marked on the 27th of April 1994 which signifies the post-apartheid world of South Africans. The day is hosted with military flowers, colourful parades and street parties.
- The National Arts Festival
Packed with jam line-ups and performing artists, this festival happens across 11 days. And it is known to be one of the biggest annual art events in African cultural festivals. If you are vacationing South Africa, this is not an opportunity to miss. This will help you experience a plethora of artistic creativity and performance.
- Heritage Day (or Braai Day)
This day is known among South African Traditional Festivals to be a day that celebrates honor and the rich and diverse cultural heritage of this nation. Across the nation communities come together to share barbecuing, music, and food.
International Festivals in South Africa
• International Jazz Festival of Cape Town
As one of the biggest festival in South Africa this stands to be the epitome of musical excellence. This festival draws musicians from all around the world to one stage and is ideal for music lovers. You will be engrossed in a plethora of experience from jazz, traditional and contemporary music.
- Cape Town International Kite Festival
This annual colourful kite festival taking place since 1994 is more than just for entertainment. It also shares a message of awareness and raises funds for mental health, however promising a sense of fun and memories for families that attend globally. You take part in kite making workshops and engross in a range of delicacies and cuisines.
- Durban International Film Festival
The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of Kwazulu-Natal is known as the leading film festival in Africa. It presents over 100 screenings and offer workshops, seminars and outreach activities.
One of the best opportunities filmmakers have to network and expand their representation. Moreover, this festival also consists of a competition, where the Best Documentary and Best Short Films automatically qualify for the Oscars race.
The Dates and Locations of the famous festivals in South Africa
- Knysna Oyster Festival
Dates: Annually in late June to early July
Location: Knysna, Western Cape
- South African Cheese Festival
Dates: Annually in April
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
- AfrikaBurn
Dates: Annually in late April to early May
Location: Tankwa Karoo, Northern Cape
- Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (Kaapse Klopse)
Dates: Annually on January 2nd and the first Saturday of January
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Ficksburg Cherry Festival
Dates: Annually in mid-November
Location: Ficksburg, Free State
- Johannesburg Wine Festival
Dates: Annually in October
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Freedom Day
Date: April 27th
Location: Nationwide
- National Arts Festival
Dates: Annually in late June to early July
Location: Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape
- Heritage Day (Braai Day)
Date: September 24th
Location: Nationwide
- Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Dates: Annually in late March to early April
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Cape Town International Kite Festival
Dates: Annually in late October
Location: Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg, Cape Town, Western Cape
- Durban International Film Festival
Dates: Annually in late July
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
These dates can vary slightly each year, so it’s good to check closer to the event for exact details.
Conclusion
This ultimate guide to South African Cultural Festivals helps you understand the diverse number of festivals this country celebrates. You can choose a festival of your liking and suitability to blend in for a wide range of experiences.
In addition, do not miss these festivals and unique experiences when visiting this colorful and vibrant nation. It is an opportunity and experience of a lifetime.
Key Points
- South Africa’s vibrant festivals are key to its culture, beyond just landscapes and coastlines.
- The country hosts diverse festivals, attracting tourists with unique experiences like live jazz and cheese tasting.
- Global audiences flock to events like the Cape Town Jazz Festival and Durban Film Festival.
- National events like Freedom Day and Heritage Day celebrate South Africa’s rich history and unity.
- These festivals occur across the country year-round, so plan visits according to specific dates and locations.
FAQs
What is the largest cultural festival in Africa?
The Grahamstown National Arts Festival is the largest cultural event that takes place in Africa. And it is held between June to July every year attracting a large number of both local and foreign individuals.
What is a special event in South Africa
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Durban July Cultural Festival, and the Grahamstown National Arts Festival known as some of the most special events held. Additionally, these events embrace diverse cultural exchanges and offer memorable experiences for both locals and international guests.
What is the culture like in South Africa?
The South African culture is friendly and polite. Religion plays a vital role and is immerses into the culture where many families attend religious gatherings which are quite common. And families are genrally closed knit.
What is Culture day in South Africa?
Held on the 24th of September every year, this day embraces and celebrates the nations cultural wealth. South Africans celebrate this day through a diversity of events which taking place throughout the country.