September events in Cape Town and the surrounds

On the way to summer, September has exciting events to please the eyes and lift the soul

September is 'the flower-month' and Cape Town and the Western Cape is the perfect place to view nature in all its splendour. Spring is also a good time for game viewing and the Southern Right Whales hang around the Cape coasts. Enough events are happening during September to keep you on the go and in between the last of winter’s cold fronts, beautiful summer days start to appear too.

Our selection of September events you don’t want to miss

During spring the West Coast nature reserves are carpeted with flowers. The Darling Wild Flower Show showcases yearly the magnificent varieties of these beautiful wild flowers. Happening at the same time in the West Coast town is the two week Hello Darling Arts Festival in the Evita se Perron theatre.The event features some of the country's top performers including Pieter Dirk Uys and his alter ego Evita Bezuidenhout.

Darling is 'eventful' in September. The Darling Voorkamerfest is widely regarded as one of the most unique arts festivals in the world. Different performances take place in township abodes or some of Darling’s grand Cape Dutch homes, and the owners play host to the guests. A truly South African cultural experience that offers an exciting mix of theatre genres to suit all tastes and ages.

Creative Week Cape Town showcases creativity in design, music, film, theatre, business, innovation, digital media, fine arts and crafts in Cape Town. The ten day programme provides a platform on which local creative and innovative industries can showcase their work.

Another hot spot for a show bursting with the vibrancy of spring in September is the biannual Kirstenbosch Botanical Art Biennale. The relatively new event has become a popular show drawing enthusiastic crowds to the gardens to see indigenous species of Southern Africa. 

The Hermanus Whale Festival is a 10-day festival in the small east coast town of Hermanus (about an hour's drive from Cape Town). It celebrates the annual return of Southern Right Whales to South African waters. The festival features a large craft market, theatre, live music and, of course, spectacular whale watching opportunities.

Yummy! Being so close to the sea, we lurve seafood! Is your mouth watering already? Then put the Calamari Festival, Port St Francis, in your diary. The event is centered around the cuttle fish, which some refer to as, 'white gold'.

Carefully chosen wine lovers and wine buyers are formally invited to the Nederberg Auction to bid
for some of the most sought after and unique South African wines ever made. While a major event on the Cape Town calendar this event is not open to the public.
 
Easier to get into is Franschhoek Uncorked, another yearly event and wine festival in September. This multi-faceted celebration takes place on satellite farms throughout the Franschhoek Valley, and offers unique events at the best award-winning wineries - as well as the smaller hidden vinicultural gems of South Africa.

The annual  K2 (doubles) Breede  River Canoe Marathon will be held on 75 km of the Breede River between the towns of Robertson and Swellendam. The yearly extreme outdoor event is in its 43rd year and is the biggest river marathon in the Western Cape, drawing hundreds of competitors. The marathon never fails to impress with all the top paddler combinations from around the country vying for the prestigious title.

And let’s not forget, on the 24th of September South Africa celebrates Heritage Day (also known as National Braai Day), a public holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. Also read our overview of all other South African Public Holidays.

*PLEASE NOTE* All dates are subject to change

Obviously September in Cape Town offers many more smaller events, charity evenings, live music concerts and other great things to do that take place every year in Cape Town, its surrounding cities and villages in the Western Cape. For the latest update check our Cape Town Events Calendar closer to the time and follow us on our Facebook Page. Connect with us on Twitter for the latest of the latest.

Also, read the calendar of events and festivals taking place every year in October in Cape Town and surrounds that we prepared for you, or discover the overview of the most important and well known annual events in Cape Town.

Enjoy it!