Events Bring Back The Cape Town Vibe
Category Area Profile
Cape Town has always been home to some of the country's most celebrated events. From the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Two Oceans Marathon to The Jazz Festival and Cape Town Carnival, the Mother City always pulls out all the stops. So, with the past couple of years forcing event organisers to push the pause button, it's been incredible to kick off 2022 with some physical events.
The Cycle Tour got things started and the Two Oceans followed suit on Easter Weekend, and it was incredible to see the vibe returning to the city, with the familiar sight of supporters lining the streets as participants finally got to relish in the 'gees'.
And it's not just the OG's returning with a force, but there are plenty of new events adding flavor to the local calendar, Cape Town's first ATP Padel Tournament was a huge success in Camps Bay earlier this month, and the sport is only going to get bigger. Watch that space.
It's been a long time coming and there's more on the way with some big events lined up for the rest of the year. And it's not just kicking off in Cape Town either, with some of our favourite events in the winelands and Garden Route set for big returns this winter, along with some BIG international shows as well.
First Thursdays
Sure, it never really went away, but First Thursdays are starting to hit the notes of old again. If you don't know (surely not!?), the first Thursday of every month, arts and culture in Cape Town has a late night, with dozens of art galleries and cultural events showcasing the wealth of talent that the Mother City has on offer. It's FREE, with no structured tour, and no schedule to follow, you are free to absorb it all at your own leisure.
Knysna Oyster Festival - 1-10 July
The iconic winter festival has been a little subdued over the past couple of years, but you can expect a bumper return to the Garden Route favourite in 2022. Running for over a week in July, the Knysna Oyster Festival is jam-packed with events and local activities. From oysters and wine to live entertainment and sports, the festival is a local favourite. From the annual bicycle race and Forest Marathon to whisky pairings and live music - everybody is catered for at the festival. Race in the morning and relax in the evening, rinse and repeat!
Bastille Day, Franschhoek TBC
Franschhoek has become the jewel in the crown for the Cape Winelands, with foodies and wine connoisseurs, and pretty much everybody else that enjoys a glass of bubbles/wine and world class food, making the town a regular stopover. And the Franschhoek Bastille Festival is a celebration of all that good food, fine wine and a whole lot of carnival fun. Staying true to the town's French roots, this colourful festival includes a village market, barrel-rolling competition, boule, and loads of wine tasting. It's a must-do winter festival and a great excuse for a weekend away.
Rugby World Cup Sevens - 9-11 September
The Stormers have kicked things off at the Cape Town Stadium and done so with aplomb, but no disrespect to the local guys, the Rugby World Cup Sevens will lift things up a notch this September. The Cape Town leg of the IRB Sevens Series has always been a big draw for locals - and international - fans and after being starved of it for more than two years, you can bet that the showpiece event will be one of the biggest in the city this year. If you can't get tickets, hit the Green Point strip and soak up the vibe at one of the bars or restaurants in the area.
Justin Bieber - 28 September
Whether you're a Bieber fan or not, the teenage pop sensation-turned bona fide superstar returning to Cape Town for a live performance is a big deal. It's been a while since the Cape Town Stadium hosted an international act of his caliber and the locals will be overjoyed to welcome the singer to the Mother City. And you can expect more than screaming teenagers to turn up, with a lot of his older fans... well, older now. Expect the Green Point strip to be a hub of activity with pre-drink and post-drink revelries likely to spill over into the popular urban hot spot.
Cape Town Marathon - 15-16 October
Flat, fast and ideal for both elite and amateur runners, the Cape Town Marathon takes over the Mother City's streets in October. Africa's only IAAF Gold Label status marathon, it draws a large foreign contingent every year, with more than 80 countries from around the world being represented in 2018. Whether you are looking to take part or just support, this fantastic race is worth getting up early for. Apart from the 42.2km race, the event includes the 10km Peace Run/Walk, the Cape Town Peace Trail Runs (12km and 22km) and a community fun run.
Ultra-trail Cape Town 25-27 November
UTCT just keeps on getting bigger and better! The event this year will run five races over the iconic Table Mountain Nature Reserve on the last weekend of December - a true test of any trail runner's mettle. The organisers announced the introduction of a 100-miler for this year's edition last year, but they have also recently announced some more tweaks to their distances. The 65km will become a 'mountainous' 55km, while the 21km will now be a 23km, and all three will be run on the Friday, with the 35km now run on the Sunday. There is, of course, the 100km distance still being tackled on the Saturday! This event is not for the novice runner! Support is most definitely welcome with a number of spectator points set up on the day. This is an event not to be missed, by runners or supporters alike. Aspirant athletes might want to take a look first-hand before taking the plunge in 2023, but then, everybody loves an underdog.
Cape Town has always been the jewel in the crown and the return of the city's premier events is serving further notice that things are starting to look a little brighter again.
Author: The Agency Property Group
