12 Spring Events and Festivals in South Africa

It is finally spring! All over South Africa, people are celebrating the new season which brings warmer weather, pretty flowers and a renewed commitment to self-care. As the season of renewal, spring is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. And what better way to explore than by attending a festival? Here are 12 spring events and festivals in South Africa that you should definitely check out.

Hilton Arts Festival

The Hilton Arts Festival is one of the most anticipated festivals in KwaZulu-Natal. From theatre, music, dance, craft and visual art to excellent food, this spring festival offers various entertainment.

For the people who like arts and crafts, there is a crafter market and for the niche group that likes bird watching, there is Rockjumper Birding Adventures which can take you on birdwatching tours.

There will also be an art and photography exhibition that will showcase various works from various artists. This includes professional bird photos to local oil paintings.

If you need some inspiration, this next attraction is for you! The art exhibition, “Mandela: A Life’s Journey”, showcases the inspirational life of President Nelson Mandela through a variety of art pieces and memoirs from his life.

• Hilton, KZN
• Weekend of the 23-25 September
• Look at the Hilton Arts Festival website here.

The Darling Wild Flower Show

Flowers, fynbos, arts and fun! That is what the Darling Flower Show is all about.

This show aims to celebrate the vast fynbos area and all the beautiful flowers and plants that populate the area with flower arrangements, tractor rides to various flower locations in their habitats and an entertainment tent with music, artists and drinks.

A variety of activities will be available to everyone who visits the show. From the Darling Museum with all the flowers and fynbos growing in their natural habitat, to the Darling Brew Market. From the Annual Orchid Fair to the Darling Artists Exhibition. With hundreds of food and craft market stalls with playparks for kids and beer tents for adults, the Darling Wild Flower Show has something for everyone, young and old, to enjoy.

While you’re in the area, make a stop at Tinie Versfeld Wild Flower Reserve. Here, you can stroll through a lush field of spring flowers.

So tick off the weekend of the 16th to 18th of September on your calendar to go visit the celebration of one of South Africa’s proud natural wonders.

• Darling, Western Cape
• 16-18 September
• Visit the 2022 Darling Wild Flower Show here.

Spring Fest Under18 Music Festival

You have heard of indoor music festivals. You have heard of outdoor music festivals. Have you ever heard about a festival that offers both? This is the Spring Fest Under18 Music Festival!

With multiple stages, both indoor and outdoor this festival offers you huge dance floors, exhilarating light shows, a Boba and dessert lounge when you want to take a break from dancing, fire dancers, and a TikTok influencer meet and greet.

Dancing makes one hungry and thirsty. Quench your thirst and hunger with the food village and non-alcoholic beverage tents.

The organisers, Together, aim to host the best world-class event where each show is breathtaking and memorable and where the safety of the event-goers is their top priority. This is very important because this event is only for people over 13 and under 18 years of age. No drugs, alcohol, smoking or sharp objects are allowed at this event.

The safety of the event-goers will be ensured by Together as well as the City of Cape Town and the SAPS.

Teens, book your afternoon on the 30th of September now! This event will be held at the Kenilworth Racecourse.

• Cape Town
• 30 September
• Book via Quicket.

Avianto Estate Spring Festival

Spending time with your family is very important. The Avianto Estate Spring Festival aims to allow families to celebrate spring together in a safe wholesome environment.

Enthralling entertainment, amazing adventure, local music artists, gourmet delights and family activities for all age groups are what this festival is all about on the 22nd of October.

Get on your mountain bicycles and hit the gravel together with your family at the Avianto Estate Spring Festival MTB trails. You can ride different lengths of trails with your family, from 10km to 45km. The trails will open on the same day as the festival and will close just in time for you to get yourself ready for the festival in the evening.

After mountain biking, you will be starving. Do not worry! At the event, you can enjoy gourmet food from all over the world as well as fresh local market food. From Mexican food to vegetarian dishes and fresh fruit and bread.

The children can drink cooldrink while the parents and grandparents enjoy an array of local wines, champagnes, and craft beer as well as a full bar full of various spirits.

Enjoying all the food without some music feels bland. The festival has you covered with live music throughout the whole festival featuring local artists and South African DJs.

“The team who has collaborated in making the Avianto Estate Spring Festival a reality pulled out all the stops. From the very beginning, everyone involved was so excited and passionate about the project – it’s as if that energy has infused the whole event making it something you want to be involved with” said Lloyd Pienaar, Chief Marketing Officer of Avianto Estate.

• Muldersdrift, Gauteng
• 22 October
• Visit the Avianto Estate Spring Festival website here.

CG Gin and Beer Fest

Yes! Gin and beer are delicious, but they are more delicious when locally crafted and enjoyed at a festival.

The Capegate shopping centre has a treat for you. To celebrate spring they are hosting a gin and beer festival with lots of festive food which you can pair with these locally crafted drinks.

For those interested in a little competition while you drink, this festival is for you! There is a braai challenge where you can compete to be the best braaier and win a prize hamper worth R30 000.

Eating and drinking are not fun to do in silence. The festival will feature live entertainment and music hosted by Sam Roy from Smile FM. Now you can enjoy craft beer and gin together with other people while listening to amazing music.

So tick the 16th and 17th of September off on your calendar and come and enjoy the CG Gin and Beer Festival.

To note: No persons under the age of 18 are allowed to attend.

• Cape Town
• 16 & 17 September
• Visit the CG website here.

Durban Street Food Festival

Do you want to experience Durban? Yes, you do!

The Durban Street Food Festival will overwhelm you with delicious authentic Durban smells and tastes. With the slogan of “Legends of street food”, this will be an experience that you and your stomach should not miss.

Experience the stirring pot of cultures, sounds, food and sights that makes Durban the bustling city it is with this festival.

While you fill your stomach with delicious African, Indian, Asian and more mouthwatering meals, you can enjoy the sounds of live local musicians and DJs to keep your ears entertained.

This is not your generic food and music festival. No! There will also be designers to style up your fit with classic Durban looks.

This is a family-friendly event with crafters’ markets, kid’s zones and gin bars where the whole family have something to enjoy and fill their stomach.

• Durban
• 23rd September.
• More information here.

Studio 25 Beerfest 2022

Not all spring events and festivals in South Africa are in bustling cities. The Studio 25 Beerfest is held in the beautiful highveld of Bronkhorstpruit.

With beautiful views over the vast grasslands of the highveld, surrounded by farms this is an outdoor experience you outdoor lovers should not miss.

After enjoying the peaceful view, you can take a stroll through hundreds of arts and crafts stalls that will satisfy your browsing and shopping needs.

Shopping makes one tired, hungry and thirsty. This is why Studio 25 Beerfest has a fully licensed bar and restaurant with local craft beer to quench your thirst.

Local musicians will entertain you while you enjoy your beer mug, key ring, lanyard with I.D card and a bavarian style hat that comes free with your ticket.

Instead of spending the 1st of October at home, spend it at Studio 25 Beerfest 2022.

• Bronkhorstpruit, Gauteng
• 1 October
• Book tickets via Webtickets.

Joburg Spring Day

Are you looking for a more straightforward spring event? This one is for you!

The Joburg Spring Day event has a live concert featuring South African artists of Soul, R&B and House. They include DJ Zinhle and Zahara. This event will be held at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens on 24 September 2022.

• Joburg
• 24 September
• Book via Webtickets.

Pecanwood Octoberfest

Have a festival while camping? Who would have thought?

The Pecanwood Octoberfest gives you a refreshing camping experience in the beautiful KZN midlands and offers a vast range of entertainment for everyone.

This includes beer, spirits and wine tastings, gaming activities, delicious food and great music featuring The Kickstands, Tanner Wareham and Freddy L.

This festival is for persons over 18 only and no outside alcohol is allowed.

Instead of staying indoors on the 1st of October, embrace the finer weather and go camping at the Pecanwood Octoberfest.

• KZN Midlands
• 1 October
• Book via Webtickets.

All White Spring Fest 2022

Where better to hold a spring festival than at the ocean? With quad biking, water paddling, horse riding and much more, the All White Spring Fest will definitely be a fun way to celebrate the spring season.

What makes this festival even more worthwhile is that it will be held at the luxurious Wild Coast Sun Casino in Port Edward.

Ready for the exciting festival on the 8th of October? Bring your swimwear, beach towels, camping chairs and excitement and enjoy this spring with a fun and luxurious festival. To note: Alcohol, glass bottles, weapons and fireworks are all prohibited at the festival. Outside food is also prohibited.

• Port Edward
• 8 October
• Book via Ticketpro.

Authentic All Black Festival

“It’s where the vibes at” is the slogan for the Authentic All Black Festival at Laputa Village.

Enjoying community spring events and festivals in South Africa means good food, cocktails, and local musicians and you guessed it: good vibes! With the following artists, this is an event you shouldn’t miss: ReaDaSoul, Khanya Greens, Shejay Glam, Tyler ICU and Mdu TRP.

Book the weekend of the 24th of September now to experience this community event.

• Benoni
• 24 & 25 September
• Book your tickets via Computicket.

Rocking the Daisies

Rocking at home alone ain’t fun. So go rock with Johnny Walker at Rocking the Daisies.

With multiple stages, dance floors, music that anyone can vibe with, lots of food stalls, and easy bar access, this event will definitely rock your daisies.

The artists that will rock your world include X Ambassadors, Clean Bandit, Jared Jackson, Matthew Mole, Sio, Zulumecca and Khelani.

Rocking the Daisies sees your safety as one of their top priorities. Thus, there are a few rules: No under-18s, no alcohol, no animals, no illegal substances and no drones.

Come rock with Rocking the Daisies at the Cloof Wine Estate on the weekend of the 7-9 October!

• Darling, Western Cape
• 7-9 October
• Visit the Rocking the Daisies website here

Which of These Spring Events and Festivals in South Africa Will You Visit?

Music? Tick. Spring flowers? Yes. Great food? Absolutely. With so much on offer, it’s only too tempting to make the best of the optimistic atmosphere of spring.

Whichever of these spring events and festivals in South Africa you decide to attend, you’re sure to have a fantastic time celebrating the new season!