TGIF

Tailor-make your long weekend in Cape Town...

At last, a long weekend! In the countdown to the kickoff, the Cape Peninsula is full of fun things to do. With outdoor festivals, a carnival as well as live music, wining, dining and reclining, Cape Town has something for everyone.  We’ve selected a few events and activities that go well with fabulous Fridays, sunny Saturdays, sleepy Sundays and marvellous Mondays.  Tailor-make your extended weekend with us...

The word of the week is CELEBRATE.

In true Irish style, Quay Four is stretching St. Patrick’s Day across the weekend and into April with live Irish bands daily and a ‘Roll The Dice Friday’s’.  

The rhythm is rowing right through the weekend, so when you want to cool off, paddle on down to the V& A for the  Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival.

On Saturday, outdoor extravaganzas explode all over the streets with the very first Cape Town Carnival.  The pre-carnival concert in Greenmarket Square (18:00) includes artists Loyiso, Emo Adams and Locnville.  Join revellers to celebrate the carnival on Long Street, from 20:00-22:00.

Read our insider tips to enjoying Cape Town Carnival comfortably here.

From floats to festivals – the city is in full swing all weekend in Company Gardens with popular African artists like R&B singer Ansellmo Ralph (Angola) and Two Face Idibia (Nigeria) as well as diverse local acts like Southpaw, Country Conquerors and Gugulethu Collective. It’s free because it’s Cape Town Festival 2010.

Those into live and recorded dance, pop and rock who want a good time after dark would do well to swing round to the party sounds of The Assembly.

If you’re further out, fun is not out of reach. Saturday is K-day. Hosts 94.5FM and Santam offer a radio-friendly live music line-up including Goldfish, Flat Stanley, Freshly Ground, Lira, Jesse Clegg and Jamali. Enjoy a splendid sonorous Saturday picnic at K-day at Lourensford Wine Estate .

Sunday is Human Rights day. It’s a poignant reminder of how far we’ve come as a country, and a chance to celebrate the future.  Take a closer look at South Africa through its art. The largest biennale art exhibition in South Africa is SPIER contemporary 2010.

Monday is a public holiday and it’s the perfect time of year for a scenic drive to view Johann Moolman’s art at Grande Provence in Franschhoek.

By the time you’ve finished the festivities, you’ll be celebrating returning to work! On TUESday, mind you!