CapeTownMagazine.com

How to Celebrate Good Friday like a Capetonian

For Moments of Joy. Follow our social channels
for useful news, daily local champions
 
072 350 2062
Ideas Cartel, The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point
www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe
now@capetownmagazine.com
CapeTownMag
CapeTownMagazine.com
capetownmag

How to Celebrate Good Friday like a Capetonian

Observe this Christian holy day in real Capetonian style

ALSO READ: Things to do at the V&A Waterfront on Easter Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

-----

Good Friday (30 March 2018) is one of the most important days in the Christian almanack and is a national South African public holiday. The holy day falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Cape Town has its own Easter-related customs – many of which are about food. Aside from the global Easter favourite of hot cross buns, the traditional fare for Good Friday in Cape Town is pickled fish (usually made with snoek or flaky fish). Popularised at a time when it was deemed no one should work over the Easter weekend, the seafood dish became a firm favourite because it could feed an entire family and it could last from Friday to Monday.

A BRIEF RESPITE

While some families in Cape Town spend the long weekend (the Monday after Easter is also a public holiday – check out family day) together following their Easter routine, others hit the road for a mini break (schools are usually closed during this period for a short holiday).

If you are spending the four-day period of respite in the Mother City, why not check out our overview of things to Cape Town this Easter! You can also have a little squizz at our overview of wonderfully creative places to host your own Easter egg hunt!

---
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA
---

JANUARY    
1 Jan New Year's Day Check out more events happening in January
MARCH    
21 Mar Human Rights Day  
30 Mar Good Friday  Check out more events happening in March
APRIL    
2 Apr Family Day  
27 Apr Freedom Day Check out more events happening in April
MAY    
1 May Workers' Day Check out more events happening in May
JUNE    
16 Jun Youth Day Check out more events happening in June
AUGUST    
9 Aug National Women's Day Check out more events happening in August
SEPTEMBER    
24 Sept Heritage Day Check out more events happening in September
DECEMBER    
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation  
25 Dec Christmas Day  
26 Dec Day of Goodwill Check out more events happening in December

---

How to celebrate the Easter weekend in Cape Town

Also, during the Easter holidays, you might want to take note of these fun things to do with the kids.

---

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!

For more hot and happening things to do, check out the annual events in Cape Town or our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!

Cape Town Events Calendar
December 2025
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

Harringtons Cocktail Lounge District SixFridays at East City's Harrington Street

Bar hop in one building, from happy hour to live music

Spier 21 reasons 1Things to do at Spier Wine Farm in ...

Everything you never knew about Spier unpacked by us

DJazz nights at Dutchies by Grotto Beach

6pm to 8pm every last Friday of the month

Char'd tasting 2025Rum, brandy & gin tastings with your ...

Unusual cuts prepped in-house and a curious gin atomiser

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Symmetry Fest Thailand's full moon party comes to ...

3 days with top DJs, laser shows, and poolside fun

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Two Oceans Aquarium's free beach ...

Every 3rd Sat of the month in Milnerton, Muizenberg, or Blouberg

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

shimansky rockwell 6Shimansky Diamond Experience at The ...

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

cherry festival 1Everything you need to know about Ceres ...

Cherry products and picking, foam party & live music as the sun sets

fable Cocktail Bar 4Amazing cocktail & food specials at ...

Daily happy hour, free starters & welcome drinks, and more

Ficks dinners 2025 sunset Ficks, Hermanus’s tidal pool ...

Just as wonderful at night & during the cooler months

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

GiveawaysTravel Tips