South African Events Calendar 2019
Here is First Car Rental's guide to the top events happening in South Africa in 2019.
Click for events in:
Gauteng
Western Cape
KwaZulu-Natal and the rest of South Africa
Gauteng:
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Coffee and Chocolate Expo Johannesburg
This four-day expo is a celebration of the finest coffee and chocolate, showcasing an array of activities like chocolate and coffee samplings, food pairings, hands-on workshops and exciting competitions. Sample hundreds of different types of chocolate and coffee; learn how to roast a bean and pour the perfect cup of coffee; discover the origins of cocoa; or simply relax in the music lounge.
Where: Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg
Dates: 26 - 28 July 2019
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Oppikoppi Music Festival
Oppikoppi is a three-day music festival set in a beautiful part of South Africa, a few hours' drive from Johannesburg. The annual event attracts over 130 local and international bands and 30 000 attendees.
Where: Northam, Gauteng
Dates: 9 - 11 August 2019
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Decorex Jo'burg
This five-day event showcases the latest decor and design trends from around the world, covering every corner from home to garden. Highlights include exclusive exhibitions showcasing fabric designs, interactive platforms and the Craft + Create Market.
Where: Gallaghar Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Dates: 7 - 11 August 2019
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Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival
The annual Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival is set to impress in a spectacular fusion of South Africa's best wine, high-end fashion, food, travel, creativity and entrepreneurship. In between tasting some of the 900 wines on offer, visit the numerous travel exhibitors or relax in the music and entertainment lounge. For the hungry, a wide choice of cuisine is available from Johannesburg's top- restaurants, bistros and food vendors.
Where: Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, Kliptown, Soweto
Dates: 6 - 7 September 2019
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FNB Joburg Art Fair
The FNB Joburg Art Fair is Africa's first international art exhibition, providing a space for leading artists, galleries, collectors, writers, thinkers and art lovers to congregate.
Where: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Dates: 13 - 15 September 2019
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Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
Joy of Jazz is South Africa's oldest jazz music festival and in 2016 features a line-up of over 200 local and international artists.
Where: Venues across Johannesburg
Dates: 27 - 29 September 2019
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Gauteng Getaway Show
Showcasing over 400 exhibits including travel-destinations, outdoor gear, 4X4 products, motor homes, caravans, trailers and camping equipment, there is, without doubt, something for everyone at the Gauteng Getaway Show. Thrill seekers are going to love slacklining and abseiling in the new Adventure Area, and, for the less hardcore visitor there's the new Travel and Taste Theatre featuring local cuisine, wine and beer; and a Chill Zone to have coffee and charge your phone.
Where: Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg
Dates: 04 - 06 October 2019
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RMB WineX
RMB WineX offers wine lovers a great selection of wines under one roof, with more than 150 exhibitors representing a myriad of big brand names, boutique wineries and wine routes. Up to 800 wines, fine brandy and Cape Port are available for tasting. Food products on show are all wine-friendly - charcuterie and cheeses, olives and olive oils, chocolate and nougat.
Where: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Dates: 30 October - 01 November 2019
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Western Cape:
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Good Food & Wine Show Cape Town
Good Food & Wine Show Cape Town is one of South Africa's premium food, wine and lifestyle events, showcasing innovative kitchen gadgets and appliances, cooking techniques and gourmet ingredients with live shows and interactive stages. Experience top chef demonstrations, as well as food, wine, whiskey and craft beer tastings.
Where: Cape Town ICC
Dates: 01 - 03 July 2019
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Wacky Wine Weekend
The Wacky Wine Weekend takes place at a variety of stunning venues in the Robertson Wine Valley, and showcases award-winning wines from over 40 different wineries, inluding boutique estates. Visitors can attend master wine tasting classes, wine & food pairings and educational wine workshops. The weekend also involves MTB and trail running events plus mini music festivals at a number of estates.
Where: Venues across the Robertson Wine Valley
Dates: 07 - 09 June 2019
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Hermanus FynArts Festival
The line-up for Hermanus Fynarts 2019 is elegant, eclectic, extensive and exciting and while the focus is on visual arts this is interspersed with uplifting music, award-winning wines and gourmet food.
Where: Venues in and around Hermanus
Dates: 07 - 17 June 2019
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Knysna Oyster Festival
The 10-day Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is one of South Africa's most popular events for the whole family, encompassing a huge range of sports, leisure and entertainment activities. This includes road and mountain bike races; wine, food and music festivals; the Knysna Oyster Festival Shuckle (where oysters and comedy take centre stage); and an arts and design market.
Where: Venues in and around Knysna
Dates: 21 - 30 July 2019
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Franschhoek Bastille Festival
The Franschhoek Bastille Festival is a celebration of the region's French heritage, showcasing Franschhoek's finest food, wine and culture. Highlights include the Food & Wine Marquee, set against the backdrop of the historic Huguenot Monument; the barrel rolling contest; the minstrel street parade where everyone dresses up in French attire; and French-inspired musicians and performers.
Where: Franschhoek, Western Cape
Dates: 13 - 14 July 2019
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Hermanus Whale Festival
The Hermanus Whale Festival is South Africa's only eco-marine festival. The event is centred around the migration of Southern Right Whales, with ocean-themed activities and exhibitions that emphasise education and encourage environmentally-responsible practices. The whales are always the star performers and will be joined on land by great food, quality crafters, sport events, kids' entertainment, a music stage, the Marine ECO Village and a vintage car show.
Where: Hermanus, Western Cape
Dates: 27 - 29 September 2019
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KwaZulu-Natal and the rest of South Africa
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Comrades Marathon, KZN
The 89-km Comrades Marathon is the world's largest and most prestigious ultra-marathon. The best place to catch all the action is from the only official spectator point on route, the Nedbank Green Mile, located in Kloof. Here there'll be grandstands for spectators, two big screen TVs broadcasting live race coverage, live music and entertainment, a kids zone, and food and beverage tents, plus many more surprises.
Where: Pietermaritburg - Durban
Dates: 09 June 2019
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Durban International Film Festival, KZN
The Durban International Film Festival is Africa's biggest cinema event, attracting both film-lovers and industry representatives from across Africa and beyond, and screening world-class new features, documentaries and short films from around the globe with a special focus on African film. The festival also includes the Wavescape Surf Film Festival as well as a programme of seminars and workshops with notable industry figures.
Where: Various venues around Durban
Dates: 18 - 28 July 2019
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National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
The National Arts Festival is the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent. For 11 days, Grahamstown's population doubles, as people flock to the city for a feast of local and international arts, crafts and entertainment. The festival offers more than 600 shows from opera, cabaret, drama and jazz to stand-up comics and folk music.
Where: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
Dates: 27 June - 07 July 2019
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Vodacom Durban July, KZN
The Vodacom Durban July is Africa's premier horse racing event. Tens of thousands of people are expected at Greyville to witness South Africa's best thoroughbreds storm down the home straight to the finish Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July. The event is also the perfect place for fashionistas, designers and couturiers to show off their designs.
Where: Greyville Race Course, Durban
Dates: 06 July 2019
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Jbay Winterfest, Eastern Cape
The Jbay Winterfest is a sports and music festival set in the beautiful seaside town of Jeffrey's Bay. The featured event is the Jbay Open Surfing competition, which attracts internationally-acclaimed surfers, including Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, as well as South African hero, Jordy Smith. Spectators and participants can also look forward to MTB, Downhill, trail running and X-Over sports events, as well as the music festival featuring top local and international bands.
Where: Jeffrey's Bay, Eastern Cape
Dates: 09 - 22 July 2019
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Durban Bierfest, KZN
South Africa's best-loved bierfest will once again be bringing its lederhosen, dirndls, pigtails, oompah music, frauleins, eisbeins and jugs of delicious, specially-made, cold craft beer to fans in Durban. Expect to find a huge range of beer, Bavarian cuisine and an entertainment line-up that includes top local bands and stand-up comedy at this Oktoberfest-inspired festival.
Where: Sibaya Casino and Entertainment World, Durban
Dates: 31 August - 01 September 2019
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Planning on attending one of these 2016 South African events? Book a car with First Car Rental to get you there. We have 51 branches located nationwide in all major tourist and business hubs.