Located about 30 miles outside of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is rapidly rising in popularity due to its hip atmosphere and gorgeous vineyards with mountains in the backdrop. We highly recommend people to put Stellenbosch on their bucket list but why not kill two birds with one stone and plan around one of its fantastic festivals? Take out your calendar and get ready to jot, here are three festivals you’ll want to attend in Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch Wine Festival
From February 23-25 (2018), visitors worldwide flock to Stellenbosch for the annual wine festival where top wineries showcase their latest flavors. For three days, wine lovers can sample hundreds of different wines for tasting at the Coetzenburg Sports Ground. Stellenbosch Wine Festival lets visitors browse through tented vendors selling delicious gourmet goods like wood-fired pizzas, tacos, gelato, soup, oysters and much more while enjoying Jonkershoek Mountains in the distance.
Wine lovers will have a choice between two packages; the General Wine Experience and the Premium Wine Experience. Both deals include a branded wine glass for tasting, gourmet food lane, tasting from 60-plus wine farms, live entertainment and more. Guests with the premium deal will get the added complimentary charcuterie platter, fast track entrance lane, private seating, and seven cultivar-themed stands offering tastings. Bring the kids along with you, there will be a designated Momentum Health Kiddies area where your little ones will be looked after and entertained while you sip on vino with the adults.
Littlegig Festival
Party it up — Stellenbosch-style during Littlegig Festival held at the picturesque Wiesenhof Farm. The 24-hour music festival takes place outside a historic farm along a river, giving music-lovers a stunning view as they jam to some tunes. Up to 35 Musicians hailing from across the globe as well as local talent will grace the stage and play their best tunes. Approximately 18 DJs will perform for concert-goers to dance to the intoxicating beats. Keep your eyes open for talented designers and artists selling their best goods throughout the event.
Forget packing lunches, you’ll want to feast on the wide range of available gourmet food at Littlegig prepared by top chefs (think smoked venison loin, creamy yellowtail tartare, butter chicken samosa and many more). Up to three winemakers will also showcase their best drinks and concert-goers can help themselves to the various bars scattered throughout the premises like the craft beer bar, rum bar, and gin bar.
Partying for 24-hours is a difficult task (no matter how much fun you’re having), and that’s why festival-goers are recommended to rent a tent and camp overnight. For attendees looking to impress, glamping is also available where they can rent a much more luxurious tent outfitted with a cozy mattress and furniture. The next scheduled event is February 17-18 2018.
South African Cheese Festival
Coming in April 27-28 of 2018, Stellenbosch comes alive with hundreds of our favorite dairy snacks. The South African Cheese Festival invites foodies to sample various of local cheese like gouda, cheddar, brie and many more. Live music will be played throughout the event and attendees can take breaks from cheese sampling and attend several workshops where they can learn the art of cheesemaking.
Visitors will enjoy the livestock, and the designated kids zone for children to stay entertained while their parents snack on tasty treats. Cheese isn’t the only star of the event, wine tasting, olive oil, sweets, tea, fresh fruit and various of other food are available as well.
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