MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTIES (APR – OCT)
If an evening meal and a good whodunit get you going, then listen up. The Mother City’s much-loved series of Murder Mystery Dinners is back to blow away the winter blues with new storylines, suspects and victims. Hosted at a number of venues, including Moyo Kirstenbosch, La Mouette and more, the dress-up suppers are scheduled to take place on the last Friday of each month from April to October. So, whether you’re looking to indulge your love of real-life Cluedo or simply want to have a bloody good time with friends, check out our overview of these thrilling events.
WHALE WATCHING (JUN – NOV)
Whale season begins in June and continues until November, so take your winter woollies and get down to Hermanus to watch these majestic creatures frolic in the coves of Walker Bay – it makes for an easy day trip or an ideal weekend getaway. Wedged between the mountains and sea, Hermanus is a bustling little fishing village and a prime land-based whale watching destination. Aside from granting awestruck visitors countless opportunities to watch the mammoth mammals, the town also has a host of restaurants, art galleries, shops and a very popular Saturday craft market.
GORDON’S BAY WINTER WONDERLAND FESTIVAL (24 JUNE – 18 JULY)
Winter is upon us, and there is no better place than Gordon’s Bay to enjoy the cold. The annual Winter Wonderland Festival is back in Gordon’s Bay this year, with the Festival of Lights promising to be bigger and better than ever before. The festival starts on Friday, 24 June 2016 and draws to a sad end on Monday, 18 July 2016. The Carnival Weekend is now a plural, with Gordon’s Bay giving you two opportunities to enjoy the spectacular festivities and atmosphere that only this event can provide. Dress up nice and warm, take a loved one (or seven) with you, and enjoy the picturesque twinkly lights that engulf the entire town!
THE PICK N PAY KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL (1 – 10 JUL)
The 2016 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, a 10-day aphrodisiac affair, invites seafood lovers to tuck into ocean-fresh fare from Friday, 1 to Sunday, 10 July 2016. Hosted in the pretty Garden Route town of Knysna (roughly five hours from Cape Town), the food and wine fiesta is not just centered on mollusc munching and Champagne drinking; rather, the family-friendly celebration also offers competitive sporting activities and fun entertainment for all ages.
THE STELLENBOSCH INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL (1 – 10 JUL)
Billed as the largest of its kind on the continent, the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival returns from Friday, 1, to Sunday, 10 July 2016 at Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape for another round of orchestral music, public master classes and student mentoring. Over the course of 10 days, spectators can indulge in daily student and faculty concerts culminating in performances by the event’s Festival Concert and Symphony Orchestras. What’s more, local and international students will be given the opportunity to receive coaching, attend lectures and perform in front of large audiences.
BREYTEN BREYTENBACH BOOK FAIR (8 – 10 JUL)
Fans of South African literature can descend on the small R62 town of Montagu (180km from Cape Town) for the annual Breyten Breytenbach Book Fair from Friday, 8 to Sunday, 10 July 2016. This year the bilingual book fair celebrates literary greats with a wonderful line-up of keynote speakers, exhibitions and other highlights, including book presentations, author talks, live music, and historical and architectural walks. There’ll be wine tastings too, because we all know how well vino and books pair together.
FRANSCHHOEK BASTILLE DAY FESTIVAL (16 – 17 JUL)
The centuries-old celebration of Bastille Day, France’s Independence Day, is painting Franschhoek red, white and blue on Saturday, 16 and Sunday, 17 July 2016. The much-anticipated fête celebrates its 23rd jol in the quaint village this year and features a feast of good food and great wine and a host of beguiling entertainment. Apart from the decadent fare and top-class vinos, the festival also includes a number of fun games, like the boules competition, the barrel-rolling contest, and a quirky caricature artist to capture your finest Francais moments!
Check out www.capetownmagazine.com for more events as they happen and don’t forget FIRST THURSDAYS AT THE GRAND DADDY 07 July, it’s going to be BIG!
