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FOOD & WINE FESTIVALS

FEBRUARY

The Prickly Pear Festival in Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape is held in late February or early March, and offers traditional food such as ginger beer, pancakes, potjiekos, a spit braai and fish braai, bunnychow and home-made pudding.

The Tonteldoos Peach Festival in Tonteldoos, Mpumalanga occurs in late March or early April in the village of Tonteldoos, and offers peaches and everything that can be made from the fruit, including peach mampoer.
The Chocolate Festival in Midrand, Johannesburg, features a sensational line-up of exhibitors, chefs cooking with chocolate, entertainment, a fairyland for the younger visitors, a theme park with jumping castles and inflatable toys, musicians, puppet shows, drumming to list but a few to be enjoyed by the visitors.

The Philippolis Witblits Festival in the Free State is held in early April, and offers a taste of a proud local tradition - witblits (Afrikaans for "white lightning" is a potent locally distilled alcohol), boere sports, food, drink and more witblits.
The delicious SA Cheese Festival takes place in Paarl every April. Cheese lovers enjoy old favourites, taste new products and experience cooking demonstrations, tastings and shopping.
Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival held in April in Prince Albert, Western Cape, boasts the region's famous olives and wine, as well as art, beer tents, live music, witblits tastings, crafts, historic tours, a cycle race, an olive pip-spitting competition, culinary demonstrations, a midnight ghost walk, stalls, cabaret, a dance and more.

The Riebeek Kasteel Olive Festival in the Western Cape is a feast of wine and the best olives in SA, as well as an art competition, live entertainment, stalls and food.

The Wacky Wine Weekend in Robertson, Western Cape, held in June spans the valley with activities taking place at cellar doors and other hot spots. Visitors are treated to fantastic food and wine, sports, adventure, family-fun and live music.

The Stellenbosch Wine Festival in July offers an opportunity to taste over 500 wines, meet winemakers and watch professional chefs compete in cooking competitions. Other highlights include historic tours, food, arts and crafts, related product and foods stalls, as well as a children's entertainment area.
The Knysna Oyster Festival takes place in the coastal town of Knysna, famous for its oysters. The festival offers oyster braais, oyster tasting, oyster-eating competitions and other molluscular activities, plus live entertainment and sporting events.
During July the Klein Karoo town of Calitzdorp hosts its annual Calitzdorp Port Festival. The festival is held over a weekend in July, and showcases the top 15 South African port makers.
Madame Zingara's Christmas in July takes place in Cape Town. This entertainment restaurant hosts up to 10 000 people in a mid-year celebration of Christmas, in aid of the children's charity Ikamva Labantu.

The Hantam Vleisfees in Calvinia in the Northern Cape celebrates meat. There's meat braaied, stewed, curried, in pita, on sosaties, in potjies and even sheep's head. The festival also includes a music concert, street party, vintage car rally and the Miss Vleisfees competition.
Every August the Cellar Rats Wine Festival takes place in Magaliesberg, Gauteng and features wine tasting, picnics, and activities for the kids.
At the Klein Karoo Klassique in Oudsthoorn in the Western Cape, visitors enjoy classical music and the best of South African wines. The event is held annually in August.

The Knysna Gastronomica in September is a celebration of good food, wine and culture in the coastal town of Knysna.
The Soweto Wine Festival is held in Soweto, Gauteng, annually in September. Visitors to this popular event can taste over 850 wines.

A local’s favourite, is the Diemersfontein Pinotage-on-Tap in Wellington, Western Cape, held annually in October. Spend a day in the vineyards and savour Diemersfontein’s award winning Pinotage, which boasts chocolate/ berry flavours. Delicious snacks and local entertainment are also on the menu.
Robertson Wine on the River in the Western Cape is a fun filled weekend. Taste the region’s best wine and relax on the banks of the river. This festive weekend is held annually in October.

The Ficksburg Cherry Festival in the Free State is held every November, and includes cherry and asparagus tastings, tours, picnics, music, and the Miss Cherry Blossom and Miss Cherry Pip competitions.

At the Spier Summer Festival in Stellenbosch visitors are treated to four months of music, opera, dance, stand-up comedy and theatre. First held in 1995, the festival runs from December to March.
The Champagne & Cape Classique Festival, takes place every December in the heart of Franschhoek in the Western Cape. The festival offers a wide selection of Champagne, Cap Classique, delicious cuisine and entertainment.
The Good Food & Wine Show, takes place in Cape Town (May), Durban (July) and Johannesburg (October). The Show features celebrity chefs, top cuisine, cooking demonstrations, and tastings.