From medieval fayres to rap concerts and beer festivals we’ve got you covered with all the hip and happening lifestyle and arts events going on across South Arica in June.
Lifestyle
7-17 June | Hermanus
Sure, it is an artful tool to attract the tourists during the long, pre-whales winter months. But the Hermanus FynArts Fest is nonetheless a day trip worth taking from Cape Town. Talks, film screenings, comedy shows, art exhibitions, workshops… there is plenty to do there, and plenty of reason to stay overnight.
26-29 June | Nelspruit
This arts festival brings more than 200 musicians, actors and artists – along with more than 100 000 visitors – to Mpumalanga to enjoy the best of contemporary Afrikaans culture. Books, food, music, performing arts, religious events… it is all there.
21-30 June | Knysna
Shortly after the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras, Knysna comes to life again during the spectacular 10-day Oyster Festival. Combining food, arts and sport, the festival has a packed schedule, taking in everything from live music to trail runs and the Forest Marathon.
8 June | Muldersdrift
Drink mead, fight knights, see weapons being forged, and dress up like a fearless Viking raider at the Medieval Fayre! Sure, it sounds silly, but if you are into quests and riding unicorns, you will want to sally forth to La Vue Lodge for a day of magic.
29 June | Gamalakhe, KZN
With an excellent line-up that features artists such as Lira, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Judith Sepuma, Mafikizolo and Thandiswa Mazwai, festivalgoers are in for a great experience. Tickets are available at Computicket.
Arts
From 27 June | Grahamstown
The 45th National Arts Festival brings an explosion of theatre, dance, music and interactive pieces to sleepy Grahamstown. While the timing (during the winter school holidays) makes it accessible to teens and children, there is plenty of grown-up fare to be enjoyed.
Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival
30 May to 2 June | Knysna
Catch the end of the South Africa’s biggest and most popular LGBTQ+ event, with the weekend culminating in the famous parade. It will be a busy and crowded weekend, but one that you will not forget in a hurry.
1, 4, 6 June | Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ben Harper kicks off his South African tour with a headlining slot at Durban’s Zafiko Music Festival. Thereafter, the show moves to Cape Town’s GrandWest and Time Square in Pretoria. Harper is a genuine global star, with a unique voice across multiple genres.
Castle Lite Unlocks Feat. Post Malone
18 June | Johannesburg
This two-day street culture festival – featuring dance acts and guest speakers – culminates in musical performances by hip-hop artists Nasty C, Rouge and Riky Rick, along with the main attraction: red-hot global star Post Malone.
Encounters Documentary Film Festival
6-16 June | Johannesburg and Cape Town
The 21st South African International Documentary Festival (to give its full name) showcases documentary films from across the country and across the world – including student and independent films. Expect a line-up of over 70 features and short films, covering real stories from the personal to the political (and, often, both).
From 11 June | Cape Town
Boasting a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots is truly a world-class show. Now the smash hit comes to Cape Town’s Fugard Theatre, produced by the same creative team behind recent local productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl, and West Side Story.
5-30 June | Montecasino
South African comedian Mark Banks turns 60 this year, and to celebrate he is coming in from the cold with a new one-man stand-up show. There will definitely be laughs… whether any actual ice will be involved, remains to be seen.
Lookout for more events taking place this June.
