January Festivals
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival: at the New Year, the city comes alive with thousands of minstrels taking to the streets, parading in colourful satin costumes, carrying equally-colourful parasols, sporting painted faces and performing foot-tapping songs that originated with the early inhabitants of Cape Malay. Known locally as the Coon Carnival ('coon' meaning minstrel) by the performers themselves, the event’s origins date to the 19th century, when minstrels who entertained on American cruise ships came ashore in Cape Town. J&B Met: is a day dedicated to thoroughbreds and glamour, and features as one of the most prestigious of the Cape’s annual social events. Sponsored by the whiskey distiller, J&B, the day features racing, entertainment and fashion – and of course, J&B Scotch whiskey. As is fitting for an event of this stature, the prize money is substantial: R1.5 million is at stake in the premier horseracing event held in South Africa. The official After Party is highly-rated, with the festivities carrying on into the early morning hours. July/September Festivals
Hermanus Whale Festival: this annual festival is held in Hermanus in celebration of the migration of the Southern Right Whale. Arts and crafts exhibits, music and theatre events, a half-marathon and surfing festival are all part of the action. The featured attraction, however, is some of the best shore-based whale watching that you’ll find anywhere on the planet. From July to September the Southern Right Whales travel for thousands of miles to reach their breeding grounds along the southern coast here, and to eventually give birth in the bays. December Festivals
Mother City Queer Project: a massive costume party is hosted in December, constituting the city’s largest gay event of the year. Gay or straight, the event is lots of fun for all, and is considered by many to be South Africa’s greatest party of the year. Obz Festival: this is a gigantic one-day street party, reputed to be one of the best local festivals on the annual calendar, and is held every December in the rather bohemian Observatory neighbourhood. There’s non-stop live music featured, as well as food and dozens of crafts stalls. | 
