From rose festivals and live music to must-see sporting events, here are a few events to look forward to in October.
LIFESTYLE
SA FASHION WEEK
23-27 OCTOBER 2018 | JOHANNESBURG
South Africa’s premier fashion event includes trade events, installations, runway shows, launches and social gatherings, as participating designers present their seasonal menswear and womenswear collections to the watching world. SA Fashion Week is developing a reputation for fostering young local talent, so expect a few surprises.
MANGAUNG ROSE FESTIVAL
19-21 OCTOBER 2018 | BLOEMFONTEIN
There’s a good reason Bloemfontein (literally meaning “fountain of flowers”) is known as South Africa’s City of Roses. The Free State’s cold winters and long, warm summers make it the perfect turf for roses, and this annual festival offers the ideal showcase for those local blooms.
CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
27-28 OCTOBER 2018 | CAPE TOWN
#RiseUpAndFly as the skies above Muizenberg fill with hundreds of kites, from giant inflatables and stunt kites to made-on-the-spot fliers. Buy one, build one or bring your own, or simply watch the kite battles up above. It’s the ideal opportunity for sky-gazing Instagram snaps. There will also be stalls selling yummy snacks and drinks.
ARTS
AARDKLOP
2-7 OCTOBER 2018 | POTCHEFSTROOM
The ever-popular celebration of Afrikaans arts and culture provides a platform for established artists and up-and-comers alike, with several shows taking place across the university town of Potchefstroom. You’ll get plays, concerts, book launches, stand-up comedy acts and more… all to the soundtrack of boeremusiek.
SA TATTOO 2018
6-7 OCTOBER 2018 | TSHWANE
A perennial sell-out, the South African Tattoo showcases the country’s finest dance, music, marching and ceremonial bands. It’s all about the pipes and drums, with echoes of the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and an unmistakably African twist on Scottish tradition.
MACUFE ARTS FESTIVAL
5-14 OCTOBER 2018 | BLOEMFONTEIN
The Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival has grown into one of Africa’s biggest, with an impressive line-up of local and international African artists. You’ll get bits of everything in Bloemfontein, with this year’s schedule including music, dance, drama, poetry, traditional art, comedy and more.
ROCKING THE DAISIES
5-7 OCTOBER 2018 | WESTERN CAPE
More than just a music festival, Darling’s Rocking the Daisies offers an eco-experience that takes in yoga, buskers, VR, fire-breathers and plenty in between. The music, mind you, is as good as ever, with an international line-up of artists across all genres.
SPORTS
SOUTH AFRICA VS ZIMBABWE T20
9 OCTOBER 2018, EAST LONDON / 12 OCTOBER 2018, POTCHEFSTROOM / 14 OCTOBER 2018, BENONI
If you don’t have the patience for a five-day Test match, T20 cricket is a great introduction to the sport. The Proteas’ season-opening home tour against neighbours Zimbabwe culminates in a three-match T20 series, which promises to see some big hits.
CURRIE CUP FINAL
27 OCTOBER 2018 | VENUE TBC
While international competitions such as Super Rugby and Pro14 may hog the limelight these days, there’s no ignoring the 125-plus years of pride and tradition that pours into the culmination of South Africa’s domestic rugby union season.
ORLANDO PIRATES VS KAIZER CHIEFS
27 OCTOBER 2018 | JOHANNESBURG
South Africa’s two megaclubs go toe-to-toe in the Soweto Derby, with years of mutual loathing making the fixture one of world soccer’s must-see games. Expect plenty of fireworks on and off the field at the FNB Stadium.
AMASHOVA DURBAN CLASSIC
21 OCTOBER 2018 | PIETERMARTIZBURG TO DURBAN
One of South Africa’s toughest road cycling events, the Amashova takes cyclists on the famous Comrades Marathon route, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The 106km main event runs alongside shorter races, including a 65km and 35km route.
FOOD & DRINK
STELLENBOSCH WINE LIVE IN JOBURG
5-7 OCTOBER 2018 | JOHANNESBURG
Join the good people of Johannesburg in a weekend of wine appreciation, with reds, whites and in-betweens sourced from Stellenbosch’s top 40 wine estates. Visitors can engage directly with winemakers, all while listening to live entertainment and enjoying meals from the Gourmet Food Lane.
PE OKTOBERFEST
25-28 OCTOBER 2018 | PORT ELIZABETH
The land of craft beers and Castle Lager was never going to let October pass by without a German-style Oktoberfest. And while the national Bierfest tour hits other cities in other months (Durban and Cape Town in September; Pretoria in November), sleepy Port Elizabeth hosts the country’s biggest event at its local German Club.
SOWETO STREET COOKOUT
27 OCTOBER 2018 | SOWETO
Part social affair, part instructional event, part business networking opportunity, the SSC is entirely unique. Experience street food, live entertainment, and a wide diversity of culinary styles, all in a unique Soweto setting.
WHISKY LIVE JOHANNESBURG
31 OCTOBER–2 NOVEMBER 2018 | JOHANNESBURG
This three-day annual event gives visitors an opportunity to taste, test and try out a selection of more than 180 South African and international whiskies, as well as other premium spirits (like gins, vodkas, rums and tequilas).
