January – June

Cape Fest World Music Festival
Cape Town, South Africa
January

This is one of the countries biggest festivals, as it has music, trade fairs and loads of markets set up.

Kaapse Klopse Carnival
Cape Town, South Africa
January
www.capetownfestival.co.za

This carnival kicks off the day after New Year's Day and it has a parade of marching, costumed minstrel troupes with painted faces. It's an event you don't want to miss.

Cape Town Pride
Cape Town, South Africa
February

This is South Africa’s answer to the Mardi Gras.

Cape Town Festival
Cape Town, South Africa
March
www.capetownfestival.co.za

This South African festival is an international festival with an eclectic mix of art events all over town.

Afrikaburn
Tankwa, South Africa
April
www.afrikaburn.com

This South African festival is a fiery festival featuring flaming artworks, performance pieces and music. As a Burning Man regional event, it's a community effort that produces a temporary art city dedicated to creative expression.

July – December

Hermanus Whale Festival
Hermanus, South Africa
September / October
www.whalefestival.co.za

This South African festival sees the migration of the southern right whale through Walker Bay is magical in its own right. The festival is ecology-focused festival around them is fitting.

Minstrel Carnival
Cape Town, South Africa   
December

This is a festival with parades, singing, dancing and competitions in midsummer.