5 Outdoor Festivals in the Western Cape this October



Now that tree’s leaves are green and flowers are beginning to bloom, festivals are popping up everywhere from Robertson and Darling, to Hermanus and Breedekloof. So pack your camping gear, bicycles, running shoes, cameras and party clothes because October is set to be a rocking month in the Western Cape for food, music, wine and outdoor lovers.


1. The Two Oceans Hermanus Whale Festival

This festival begins on the 30 September and runs until the 4th October in the seaside town of Hermanus. For such a small place, it fits a relatively large crowd in with thousands of visitors driving through each year. There’ll be performance by Prime Circle and Dr Victor & the Rasta rebels, a half marathon to participate in if you’re feeling particularly energetic. There’s also an abundance of markets, shopping, eating and activities for the kids on offer.

The festival boasts for being the only Enviro-arts one of its kind in the country with a Rhino Project where the largest wire rhino sculpture in the world will be showcased (to raise awareness about the dire situation of our rhinos) along with designs from 40 disadvantaged crafters. There will be eco talks lasting 20 mins on topics ranging from Great white shark research and rethinking the plastic bag to protect nature to ‘Seafood: Have we reached the end of our line?’

Tickets for all the main show are sold through Computicket and I would suggest setting out early on that Friday or leaving Saturday to avoid huge traffic jams into Hermanus.

For more information visit http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php

2. Robertson Spring Show

The show will take place between 4-8 October at the Robertson Show Grounds in Church Street. There’s bound to be fun for the entire family in the forms of toddler’s competition, tea and games for senior citizens, dog performances and a woman’s breakfast.

On Friday and Saturday there’ll be entertainment by a steel band, ventriloquist and various singers and musicians.

For only slightly more information visit http://bit.ly/oLrGpF
3. Rocking the Daisies Music Festival

It is already time for my favourite music festival on 7-9 October on Cloof wine estate in Darling. It’s a weekend combining camping, dam swimming, partying, tanning and best of all, being totally entertained from morning til night.

Pitch your tent, or hire a pre-erected one and walk down to the Main stage to listen to SA artists such as Tumi & the Volume, Prime circle, The Arrows, Just Jinger and more. Sweat and jive all night in the Red Bull Studio live with djs such as Killer Robot, Anthea Schoultz and Phat Jack to name but a few. You’ll find comedy and performance in the Lemon Tree Theatre and the Nu World Beat Ring featuring traditional music from around the globe.

Tickets for the full weekend bought online will cost you R450, while it’s R100 more at the gate. You can also choose to cycle to the daisies for R300 or Walk the Daisies and be kind to the environment and you’ll get a ticket for free and experience a beautiful trek up along the West Coast.

Don’t forget sunblock, warm clothes for the chilly nights, swimwear for the hot days beside the dam, a tent to avoid having to snooze in a car and shower during non-peak times to avoid hour long waiting periods.

Information can be found at http://www.rockingthedaisies.com/


4. Breedekloof Outdoor & Wine Festival

What a better way to explore this naturally beautiful area with its mountains, vineyards and streams than over the weekend of 7-9 October with additional races, activities and entertainment to make your weekend unforgettable? For the active festival-goers there are fynbos hikes and bird-watching walks, vineyard runs, a bike race and fishing contest.

For those who wish to sit back and relax, you can watch the live entertainment hosted by the local wineries, sample tasty treats from food stalls, browse around the photographic, jewellery or craft exhibitions and chill out at your campsite or wooden cabin. There’s an annual Dance under the Stars for those who wish to shimmy beneath the night sky and all this is only an hour away the city of Cape Town.

Visit http://bit.ly/qMr7eU for more information.

5. Robertson Wine on the River

This festival has a lot more than just wine on offer. Aside from tastings of 300 wines and cheese tastings, you can relax beside the river with the family whilst listening to live music and savouring samples from food stalls and your picnic basket. On the banks of the Breede River at the Goudmyn Farm between the 14-16 October is when you need to drive up this way and don’t worry about missing the Rugby World cup as big screens will also be available. Boat trips are also on offer at an additional R15 pp.

A weekend pass will cost you between R135 and R190 whilst a Saturday Pass will be on sale from R90. Early Bird tickets are available before 3 October.

Visit http://www.wineonriver.com/ to get tickets now.



For transfers to and from any one of these festivals and Cape Town email Cape Impressions Tours & Travels info@capeimpresstours.com or call Godfrey +27 83261 9597 for competitive rates and group discounts.