What’s on in Cape Town

The Sun Met

27 January 2024

Kenilworth Race Course

Formerly known as the J&B Met, the Sun Met is the premier horseracing event in South Africa, with over ZAR 1.5-million in prize money on the table. It's also one of the most prestigious and anticipated events on Cape Town's social calendar, where entertainment, sophistication and glamorous fashion come together.

The Official After Party is a highly rated post-race event that continues the festivities well into the early hours. The Met attracts many of South Africa's biggest celebrities and socialites, who compete in the fashion stakes. Like many horse racing events, creative couture and glamorous hats are the order of the day.

Attendees usually get drawn into the excitement of the races, even if they're neophytes. A staggering average of 50,000 people attend the event annually, interpreting the year's fashion theme however they like.

Placing bets is very simple and easy and attendees can bet as little or as much as they want. There are numerous fancy pavilions on the grounds for VIP guests.

Website www.sunmet.co.za

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

November to April annually

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts are idyllic experiences set beneath the gorgeous expanse of the mountains. With a picnic and a glass of wine, audiences can listen to a mixed selection of classical and contemporary music.

The gardens themselves provide one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, with the stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain and sprawling flowers of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

In fact, National Geographic voted this exquisite floral wonderland as one of the greatest places in the world for a picnic. One can only imagine the atmosphere generated when international artists like Michael Buble, The Lumineers, and Paolo Nutini take to the stage.

For a full programme of who is performing, music fans should check out the official website. Ticket prices range depending on the artist. As there are no assigned seats, it is a good idea to arrive early to set up a good spot near the stage and enjoy a stroll around the beautiful gardens before the show begins.

Website www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/summer-concerts

Hermanus Whale Festival

TBC 2024

Hermanus

The annual Hermanus Whale Festival is an enviro-arts festival, celebrating local arts and crafts, the southern right whale, and the environment in equal measure. The event is immensely popular, now attracting about 100,000 visitors.

The festival offers arts and crafts, theatre, live music, a half marathon, and surf festival in addition to some of the best shore-based whale-watching opportunities in the world. Hermanus boasts the world's only traditional Whale Crier, who alerts visitors to whale sightings with a kelp horn every day during whale season.

Every year between July and September, the Southern Right Whales travel thousands of miles to the southern coast of South Africa to mate and calve in the bays. Hermanus is frequented by these majestic animals and the steep cliffs and numerous vantage points looking out over the bay make it the ideal spot to go whale watching in the Cape.

In fact, it is often lauded as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world. Hermanus is a charming coastal town even without this wonderful natural spectacle, with plenty of little cafés and restaurants, quaint shops, a very picturesque setting, and a friendly and artistic atmosphere.

Website hermanuswhalefestival.co.za

Shakespeare at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

Various dates between January and March annually

Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

Inspired by the annual productions in London's Regent Park, Shakespeare is performed every summer at the open-air theatre in Wynberg. It is generally performed with a local, contemporary twist to add to the entertainment.

Some very talented South African actors and directors have been showcased at Maynardville and the plays are extremely varied despite the fact that they are all Shakespearean. Recently, ballet has been added to the Maynardville itinerary, with world-class ballet companies performing.

Every season there are at least two or three productions so there is some choice, and they often try to ensure that there is something more traditional and something contemporary from which to choose. On warm summer evenings, many theatre-goers begin the evening by picnicking in the park before the show begins.

There is also often a small funfair and a food market with numerous stalls selling different culinary treats, just a little way away from the actual theatre area. Theatre lovers should check the official website for details on what is showing.

Absa Cape Epic

17 March 2024

Start: Gordons Bay; Finish: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West

The Absa Cape Epic has established itself as a prestigious international sporting event, attracting a competitive field of riders eager to compete against the best or simply to finish the gruelling eight-day off-road race. The event has become the largest full service mountain bike race in the world, and is the most televised mountain bike race ever.

The route is changed every year, but always winds through gruelling, but spectacular surroundings. The race covers 559 miles (900km) of unspoilt nature, with about 52,493 feet (16,000m) of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.

Participants and spectators can enjoy wine tasting, fine dining and live entertainment in the afternoon. Special activities such as magicians, balloon artists and jumping castles are laid on for the children.

Website www.cape-epic.com

Cape Town Cycle Tour

10 March 2024

Start: City Centre; Finish: Greenpoint Stadium

The Argus is the largest timed sporting event on earth, attracting more than 35,000 cyclists from around the world. The spectacle is watched by thousands who line the 67-mile (108km) route, which follows some of the Cape's most spectacular coastal scenery. The race is enjoyed by serious cyclists and social riders alike and is almost a rite of passage for young, athletic Capetonians.

Established in 1978 to raise awareness about the lack of bike trails in South Africa, the event has grown in popularity ever since. The route takes riders along the False Bay Coast, including the famously scenic Chapman's Peak pass, past the entrance to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, along the Atlantic coast, over Suikerbossie Hill, and on to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point near the city centre, in what must be the most staggeringly beautiful cycling race in the world. There are numerous refreshment stations and on the day a very festive atmosphere pervades the route, especially as many of the coastal suburbs are somewhat cut off by the race due to all the road closures.

Website www.capetowncycletour.com

Two Oceans Marathon

13 April 2024

Start: Main Road, Newlands. Finish: UCT sports fields, Upper Campus

Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery of any road running event on earth, the Two Oceans Marathon has become the second most famous ultra-marathon (34.8 miles/56km) in South Africa, after the Comrades Marathon. Runners race over and around the mountains of Cape Town every Easter Saturday in a race that is as internationally renowned for its scenic beauty, as the gruelling nature of the route.

The race starts in Newlands and follows a vaguely circular route through False Bay (Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Chapman's Peak) and Constantia Nek, and eventually finishes on the rugby fields at the lovely University of Cape Town campus.

Apart from the ultra-marathon, there is a half marathon (13 miles/21km), a trail run through the forests above the University of Cape Town, several fun runs ideal for families, and an International Friendship Run designed to showcase Cape Town's famous landmarks for international entrants. The fun runs include a Nappy Dash, for children under three, a Toddler's Trot, for kids between four and six, and several other short races for people of any age.

Website www.twooceansmarathon.org.za

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

23 — 24 February 2024

Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

Ranked as one of the best jazz festivals in the world, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is a must for jazz fanatics visiting the Mother City. Hosting about 40 African and international artists, the CTIJF is an awe inspiring musical jam of jazz and its popular music relatives such as soul, funk, kwaito, blues, and more. The dynamic music event should not be missed as it's hosted the likes of Cesaria Evora, Herbie Hancock, Youssou N'dour, India Arie, Randy Crawford, George Duke, Al Di Meola, Archie Shepp, Erykah Badu, Andreas Vollenweider, and Angie Stone.

Even those who don't consider themselves jazz lovers will find the big live performances accessible and exciting. There are also workshops and classes to attend during the festival, revolving naturally around jazz music but also a number of interesting artistic subjects, such as photography and music journalism.

Website www.capetownjazzfest.com

Cape Town