July events in Cape Town and surrounds

Warm up the winter with great food, fashion, wine and the French

With the winter solstice (21 June 2012) behind us the nights will get shorter, but the weather will, unfortunately, still get wetter. Nonetheless, Cape Town still has a smorgasbord of hot and happening events this July to keep you entertained and cabin-fever free.  Whether you’re banking on having a stylish time at the fashion event of the year (Cape Town Fashion Week) or whether you’d rather exchange haute couture for culinary prowess (Knysna Oyster Festival, Delheim Mushroom Week and Bastille Day), there’s surely something on the cards worthy of a calendar mark.

July events in Cape Town and beyond

Gordon’s Bay Winter Wonderland Festival (22 June – 22 July)
Experience the quiet seaside town of Gordon’s Bay in a new light when its annual Winter Wonderland festival descends on  the village from Saturday, 22 June to Monday, 22 July 2013. In honour of the colder season (which is surprisingly warm in the protected oceanfront hamlet), the businesses, restaurants and pubs in the area are pulling out all the stops and presenting a month-long schedule of events (think live music, warming fare, carnival fun and more).

The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival (28 June – 7 July) 
The 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, a 10-day aphrodisiac affair, is happening from Friday, 28 June to Sunday, 7 July 2013. Located in the pretty Garden Route town of Knysna (roughly five hours from Cape Town), the food and wine fiesta is not just centered on mollusc munching and Champagne drinking; rather, the family-friendly celebration also offers competitive sporting activities and fun entertainment for all ages.

Disney on Ice South Africa (6 – 10 July)
Disney on Ice skates onto SA soil (ice) for yet another enchanting ice skating spectacular to entertain kiddies and big kids alike during school holidays from Wednesday, 3 to Sunday, 7 July 2013. Whisking audiences off on a journey, the Passport to Adventure tour transports audiences along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy to the pride lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, past the second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning with Peter Pan and Wendy, then it's off to the underwater kingdom of Ariel and friends before popping up in Hawaii to have some fun in the sun with Lilo and Stitch.

Chamber Music Festival in Stellenbosch (6 – 15 July)
The Chamber Music Festival takes over Stellenbosch with renowned international artists teaming up with young South Africans to showcase their talents at this classical music event.  Whether you’re a budding Mozart or a classical music fundi this festival is sure to quench your cultural thirst.

Franschhoek Bastille Day Festival (13 – 14 July)
The centuries-old celebration of Bastille Day, France’s Independence Day, is painting Franschhoek red, white and blue on Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 July 2012. This quaint village, aptly called the French corner, is banishing the July chill with a feast of good food, great wine and beguiling entertainment.

Spier Winelands Bridal Fair (28 – 29 July)
Spier Wine Estate is opening its doors for the Winelands Bridal Fair from Saturday, 28 July to Sunday, 29 July 2012. This expo is perfect for anyone who is organising a special event, from matric-farewells, big birthdays, office parties to weddings and engagements. If fashions shows and table settings are not your thing, then have settle down with a glass of wine at this picturesque wine estate.

PLEASE NOTE: All dates are subject to change.

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Check out our comprehensive list of winter warming specials and restaurants with fireplaces. If you really insist on hibernating, we’ve rounded up a list of things to do indoors and online shops to get all the conveniences of life delivered to your door.

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These are only a few of the happenings in Cape Town and surrounds for the month of July, so be sure to check out our Cape Town Events Calendar and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle and check out our Pinterest boards for updates on the latest and greatest events happening in the Mother City in July.