If you’re looking for the top spring festivals and fairs this season, you’re in luck! We’ve found the best around SA, so mark your calendars and relish one or two of these fun outdoor events, offering everything from bottomless wine to foodie indulgences and the best live music.
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Open Book Festival, Cape Town
The annual Open Book Festival has become a staple event for Cape Town locals. Over a period of five days, from 4 to 8 September, you’ll be treated to informative panel discussions, intriguing illustrative exhibitions, and inspirational Q&A’s with prolific authors. It’s a bookworm’s paradise! Click here for more information and tickets to varying Q&A sessions or talks.
Fire & Feast Meat and Food Festival, Joburg
It’s finally time for the third annual Fire & Feast Meat and Food Festival, taking place this weekend from 6 to 8 September at the Ticketpro Dome in Joburg. The event is a proudly-South-African affair, packed with roaring fires, impressive braais, and soulful live music.
Here, you’ll get to grips with the many cuts of meat you could experiment with and how best to cook them. Celeb Chefs that’ll be showing of their skills over the weekend include Lorna Maseko, J’Something, The Bearded Chef, and Jeremy Mansfield. Click here for more information and ticket bookings.
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SA Book Fair, Joburg
The family-friendly SA Book Fair is known for presenting a superb programme brimming with talks, workshops, and activities for visitors from all walks of life. Topics are geared towards showing the informative power of books in South Africa – and across the globe. Click here for more information and tickets.
FNB Art Fair, Joburg
Indulge your artistic eye next weekend by visiting the FNB Joburg Art Fair at the Sandton Convention Centre from 13 to 15 September. As one of SA’s leading art fairs, this premium event is a highlight on the annual cultural calendar.
There’s no better way to welcome spring than to rope a few of your friends into joining you for an outing to this utterly inspiring artistic showcase. Click here for more information and tickets.
Appetite Fest, Pretoria
Foodies will be in culinary heaven this spring at Appetite Fest, held in Pretoria from 13 to 15 September at Time Square’s Sun Arena. Expect to see this venue transformed into a mouthwatering spectacle teeming with tasting tables, interactive food stalls, and culinary theatres. Click here for more information and tickets.
Latitudes Art Fair, Joburg
This newly-established art fair will showcase African art in international times. The beautifully curated programme will display a host of selected pieces from artists whose work is unknown or underrepresented. You’ll not want to miss this fair’s debut. Click here for more information and tickets.
Street Food Festival, Durban
Food aficionados will love experiencing the culinary heritage of KZN with flavoursome curries, sweet cakes, and spicy tacos at the Street Food Festival in Durban Central from 27 to 29 September. All your senses will be delighted with plenty to smell, taste and see. Click here more information.
Pinotage on Tap, Wellington and Clarens
Diemersfontein Wine Estate proudly presents this one-day festival as a not-to-be-missed event for wine lovers in SA. This year, there’ll be one Pinotage On Tap event in Wellington on 28 September, as well as another in Clarens on 2 November. Click here for more information and tickets.
Steenberg Garden Party, Joburg
Steenberg Vineyards, hailed as one of the finest stops on the Constantia Wine Route, will bring their delightful wines and bubbly to Joburg for a fabulous Garden Party on 5 October. This al fresco event is simply a must on the spring calendar – especially for those with a discerned palate. Click here for more information. Tickets are available here.
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Cheese & Wine festival, Durban
Join in on the celebration of all things cheese (paired with wine) at the Durban Cheese & Wine Festival on 5 October at the idyllic Chris Saunders Park in Umhlanga. You’ll receive a complimentary wine glass upon entrance as well as a selection of bottomless wines. Take a picnic blanket along and find a cosy spot on the grass with friends or family at your side. Click here for more information and tickets.
Handmade Contemporary Fair, Joburg
Celebrating its 10th year, the annual Handmade Contemporary Fair in Joburg is one of SA’s most culturally rich markets. Over three days, from 11 to 13 October, you’ll discover some of the top products made across the African continent, including: skincare items, jewellery, home-ware items, high-end textiles, tasty gins, and vibrant fashion pieces. Click here for more information and tickets.
By Features Writer, Marike Watson
