Cape Town: Events

More than 10 years after the downfall of apartheid, the age of spontaneous politically inspired jubilation is over, but locals still know how to party in liberating ways. Political optimism still buoys up the calendar with humanist celebrations, including national holidays for workers, women, families and youths, as well as for abstract ideals such as freedom and reconciliation.

Other South African public holidays also changed after the 1994 elections. For example, the Day of the Vow, which marked the massacre of Zulus, has become the Day of Reconciliation. The officially ignored but widely observed Soweto Day, marking the student uprisings which eventually led to liberation, is now celebrated as Youth Day.

The Cape Festival used to be held annually in early March, with music from classical to jazz. Whether or not it starts up again has yet to be decided. Perhaps the biggest party in town is put on by the Cape Town Queer Project in mid-December, usually at the River Club. It has a different theme every year, outrageous fancy dress is compulsory and straights are welcome. In nearby Stellenbosch, a Food and Wine Festival is held in October; Calvina has a Meat Festival in August, and Hermanus holds a Whale Festival in late September or early October. Cape Town's university suburb of Observatory has a weekend festival/street party sometime in spring.