The Easter weekend is jam packed with a number of events, especially if you are in Cape Town.
One Direction fans packed the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening while football fanatics made their way to Erica park, Belhar for the 27th edition of the Metropolitan Premier Cup add to that all the events around the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon like the Friendship Run, the Trail Run, the Half Marathon, Ultra Marathon and the Expo.
One has to consider that Capetonians are still reeling from being blown away by the stellar line-up of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
These events are all happening right here in Cape Town this weekend, and that’s not all… also on this weekend is the Stellenbosch Slow Market – Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, the Baxter & Artscape Theatre’s and the Cape Town Comedy Club have a full program of great entertainment, while the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts presents Jeremy Loops at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Madame Zingara’s First Annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Company’s Gardens will entertain young and old alike, but if you prefer searching for your Easter eggs amongst live bunnies the Noordhoek Easter Egg Hunt takes place at the Noordhoek farm.
Moonlightmass riders under the Green Point circle.
For the night birds of the Mother City there is the Moonlight Mass, a bicycle night ride taking place on a full moon on Saturday April 04, starting under the Green Point circle at 9pm Cape Town.
Confessions at Calvary in Saldahna
Also right up there are a number of Easter plays taking place across the Peninsula, top of the list is the Emmanuel Players “Confessions at Calvary”, a performance that tells the Easter story in vivid detail with all the roles played by amateur performers. This play has run over the Easter weekend for the last fourteen years, travelling across the Western Cape to much acclaim.
“Confessions at Calvary” will be presented at the West Coast Outreach Centre in Saldanha on Friday 03 and Saturday 04, both shows start at 19h00.
Still to come is the acclaimed “Tribute to Whitney Houston” at the Artscape Theatre and Whitney fans will be keen to note that Belinda Davids stars in the lead role, Davids received rave reviews for her portrayal of the Diva matching the megastar’s vocal performance, this is a must see.
The Cape is the place to be and it’s no wonder that the influx of visitors arrive in their droves hoping to catch one of the many events taking place in Cape Town this weekend.
So where ever you find yourself in the Cape this weekend remember to buckle up, drive safely and arrive alive.
Cape Town kicked off the Festive Season with a series of concerts across the Mother City.
Festive Lights in Cape Town switch on concert on the Grand Parade
Cape Town rocked in celebration of the Switch on of the Festive Lights ceremony at the Grand Parade on Sunday Decmber 14, 2014.
The Grand parade was packed with thousands of revellers who enjoyed the free concert featuring Zahara, Emo Adams, The Arrows, Alistair Izobell, Zahara, Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels and Karin Kortje to name a few.
In recognition of Cape Town’s status as the World Design Capital for 2014, the City of Cape Town included light designs of the themes “Cape Town – Africa’s Greatest City”, “The Musical City” and a “Bird’s Life”.
Festive Lights in Cape Town pic Bruce_Sutherland
The Christmas light installation included a 6m high Christmas tree as well as South Africa’s national flower, the Protea.
This ceremony kicks-off a number of events set to occur during the Festive Season across the city.
In conjunction of the Festive Lights switch on, the City of Cape Town also played host to the WOW concert at the V & A Waterfront featuring an array of artists headed by Ernie Smith.
The De Waal Park Summer Series of Concerts kicked off on Sunday December 14, 2014 with The Rescue, Mark Haze and The Rudimentals entertained the crowds at the Mayor’s Gala Festive Concert. The full line-up of this series of concerts will be online soon.
At Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi took to the stage. From December 18, 2014 the world famous Kirstenbosch Carols by Candlelight concerts take place at the gardens amphitheatre.
Carols by Candlelights at Kirstenboash Botanical Gardens.
The Carols by Candlelight concerts is an ideal family outing and a firm favourite on the local calendar.
The V&A Summer Concerts also provide an ideal family entertainment for locals and visitors alike. The V&A Waterfront features Festive Choirs, Carols by Candlelight.
Wherever you find yourself in the Mother City over the festive season, there is guaranteed to be an event to entertain you.
Locals know that Autumn is perhaps the most spectacular season in Cape Town with perfect temperatures (average maximum temperature is 23 °C) and an endless array of things to do by day and night.
Autumn skies over Cape Town Cape pic: Kenny Nagel)
It is also a key time for events – both cultural and sporting – making it an ideal time to plan a trip to Cape Town, whether as a participant or as a spectator.
“Cape Town’s line-up of events has increasingly become a major draw-card for international visitors,” says Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy, “Cycling events like the Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously known as the Cape Argus) and the ABSA Cape Epic are on the hot-list for serious and adventure riders, runners flock to the breathtakingly beautiful Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon – and the city is on show with jazz, carnivals and parades in full swing.”
Cape Town’s Autumn Weather (March –April) During autumn the climate is mild and sunny with little wind.
Average minimum temperature: 13 °C
Average maximum temperature: 23 °C
Average sea temperature: 20 °C
Average rainfall: 40mm
Sunshine hours: 7 hours
Top Events to Get To
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Date: 8 March 2015
Venue: From Cape Town CBD to Green Point
The Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously known as the Cape Argus) is one of the largest sporting events in the world and offers a 109km route that takes you along a spectacular scenic circle around Cape Town, sporting significant mountain and ocean views. Local entries are full, but international participants are able to enter up until a week before race day.
Cape Town Jazz Festival
Date: 27 & 28 March 2015
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Affectionately referred to as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering” the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the largest music event in sub-Saharan Africa. The vibrant two-day event usually delivers a star-studded line up of well-known jazz musicians from around the world with different stages and entertainment areas.
Cape Town Carnival
Date: 14 March 2015
Venue: Fanwalk in Greenpoint , Cape Town
The Cape Town Carnival is a glamorous celebration presenting a colourful parade of large scale floats accompanied by over 2000 costumed dancers, musicians and performers. There’s a variety of food vendors, stalls and festive hospitality areas with well-known DJ’s to entertain.
Cape Town Gay Pride
Date: 27 February – 8 March 2015
Venue: Cape Town CBD
Celebrate LGBTQI rights with a round of rainbow-coloured parades, parties and pageants over 10 days of festivities. The highlight of Pride is the big march in Cape Town’s CBD and the De Waterkant festival that follows, with many other events taking place throughout.
Infecting the City
Date: 9-14 March 2015
Venue: Cape Town CBD
The 8th annual Infecting the City public arts festival brings new artworks out of theatres and galleries and into public spaces. Presented by the Africa Centre, a leading international cultural innovator; visitors can expect a blend of local, national and international artists popping up all over the streets of Cape Town. The 2015 programme promises to offer wonder, beauty, provocation and, as always, the unexpected. All events are free and accessible to all.
Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon
Date: Date: 3- 4 April
Venue: Cape Town
Known as the world’s most beautiful marathon, this 21km and 56km road race follows a scenic route all along the ocean and mountains for which Cape Town is so famous. Many other smaller fun runs are also available. Entries open from 15 October onwards.
Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town
Date: 25 – 26 April
Venue: V&A Waterfront
The ITU World Triathlon Series is the pinnacle of the sport and takes place in the best locations in the most iconic cities in the world – including the Mother City.It also has the largest and world’s best age-group events – for sprint and standard distance.
Absa Cape Epic
Date: 15- 22 March 2015
Venue: From Durbanville to Stellenbosch
An annual mountain bike stage race for elite professional mountain bikers covering more than 700 km and lasting eight days – a prologue and seven stages.
The entries are closed for 2015, but spectators can enjoy spectacular views along the route.
Top Autumn Activities to Try
Outdoor Activities:
Beaches Cape Town boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with eight of its beaches and three marinas achieving Blue Flag status. These include:Bikini, Mnandi, Strandfontein, Muizenberg, Llandudno, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th Beach and Silwerstroomstrand.
Ocean sports
Fishing
Cape Town offers a wide choice of saltwater and freshwater fishing, from fly-fishing in rivers and dams to deep sea fishing from a charter. Try your luck at catching Yellowfin Tuna, Longfin Tuna, Yellowtail, Snoek, Mako Shark or Dorado. www.capetown.travel/activities/entry/fishing
Sea Kayaking
Experience the ocean from the seat of your kayak while taking in the incredible views of Cape Town from the water. Along the way you’re likely to see penguins, cormorants, gulls, oystercatchers, fish, jellyfish and even seals swimming under your kayak.
Cape Town offers the most highly concentrated number of surf spots in South Africa with about 50 spots within an hour’s drive from the city. Waves and swells are available for everyone (from experienced surfers to beginners) looking to learn at one of our accredited surf schools.
Driven by the Cape’s south-easter winds, Bloubergstrand’s most popular pastime is kitesurfing. With a wide, spacious beach, 10 – 30 knot winds and unbelievable views of Table Mountain, it’s not surprising that this place is a prime spot.
One of the best wildlife experiences in Cape Town, Animal Ocean runs incredible trips to snorkel or scuba dive with playful seals at Duiker Island, just outside Hout Bay. The area home to 15 000 Cape Fur seals.
For a majestic encounter with a Great White shark, you can either try and spot them from a boat trip or do shark cage diving. Most shark experiences happen off the coast of Gansbaai or Kleinbaai, two hours outside of Cape Town.
With fresh produce, gourmet food and chefs galore, markets have become hangouts for weekend mornings. The Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock is the original – and still most popular – but there are now more than 70 markets in just about every corner of Cape Town and surrounds.
Catch your favourite movie at one of four movie theatres under the stars. Choose between the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Hillcrest Quarry, the Stellenbosch Winelands or the V&A Waterfront.
During summer and autumn, Capetonians flock to Kirstenbosch to recline on the verdant lawns while enjoying live music from local and international acts. Armed with a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, lovers of music – and nature – are guaranteed a spectacular evening.
Cape Town in Colour 