March is by far one of the most beautiful months in Cape Town. Known as the last REAL month of summer, before things cool down a little for fall, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of Cape Town’s long warm sunny days, late sunsets, and magnificent mild Mediterranean climate. And that means taking full advantage of some amazing events coming up this March in Cape Town. And just to make sure you get to revel in every last second of that magical March summer bliss, we’ve lined up 15 amazing March events in Cape Town for you to enjoy:
1. Rondebosch Craft & Food Market: Saturday, 9 March
Image source: evensi.com
Cape Town is no stranger to incredible markets, and the Rondebosch Craft and Food Market is another one of the Mother City’s market gems that you absolutely should check out this March. The Rondebosch Park Market is a long-standing market that takes place under the shade of the trees in Rondebosch Park. Easily known as one of the most chilled outdoor markets in Cape Town, it encourages the whole family to come along for a fun day out under the sunny Cape Town sky. With the ethos focussing on hand-crafted items, it has everything from clothing to woodwork, sweet treats and skin products. In addition to exploring all the amazing craft and food stalls it has to offer, you are also invited to wander around the park and explore the beautiful surroundings to your heart’s content. Even your pets are invited, so you don’t have to leave anyone behind!
2. Durbanville Plaasfees: Saturday, 9 March
Image source: durbanvilleplaasfees.co.za
Local is lekker at Diemersdal Wine Estate, and they’re celebrating it in true local style this March! The Durbanville Plaasfees invites the whole family for an incredible day of fun in the Cape Town sun. Boasting a variety of amazing stalls, farm animals, flavourful food, tons of entertainment, tractors, a builder’s trade fair and so much more, there really is something incredible for every member of the family to enjoy! Indulge in local South African delicacies like Potjiekos, pancakes and home-made jam as you enjoy a Saturday well spent in a traditional farm-style atmosphere!
3. Cape Town Cycle Tour: Sunday, 10 March
Image source: capetowncycletour.com
Ready, set, CYCLE! The Cape Town cycle tour is back and ready to take to the Cape Town streets once again! The Cape Town Cycle Tour is the largest individually timed cycle race in the world (with approximately 35 000 entrants), that combined with the fact that it takes place along one of the most picturesque routes ever to exist, makes it one incredible March event that’s not to be missed! So, put on your lycra, don cleats and helmet, grab your 2 wheels and adventurous spirit and embark on one sensational Cape Town cycle tour you won’t soon forget. And even if you’re not much of a cyclist, some side-line support is always appreciated! Plus, it really is tons of fun for the whole family!
4. Matthew Mole Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert: Sunday, 10 March
Image source: sanbi.org
If cycling is not quite your scene, Matthew Mole most DEFINITELY will be! Yes, the magnificent Matthew Mole is taking over Kirstenbosch Gardens on the 10th of March for one unbelievable Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert that’s sure to get you on your feet. This South African powerhouse and local fan-favourite musician promises to give you an afternoon filled with sweet sounds, soothing melodies and striking cords, all enjoyed in the beautiful shadow of Table Mountain and lush Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens surroundings. This event is tons of fun for the whole family and promises to put a big ol’ smile on your face whether you’re a musical mastermind or not. And don’t forget to take a blanket and picnic basket along!
5. Cape Town Carnival: Saturday 16 March
Image source: capetown.travel
It’s Cape Town Carnival time and what an INCREDIBLE time it is indeed! The Cape Town Carnival is taking over Greenpoint on the 16th of March for one sensational celebration you’re bound to never forget! Easily known as one of the Mother City’s March event highlights, the annual Cape Town Carnival is jam-packed with entertainment, local talent, an explosion of colour, and tons of fun for every member of the family. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this Cape Town event is sure to get you on your feet and celebrating like you never have before, CARNIVAL style of course! Known as a glamorous celebration of the transformative power of creativity and our African identity with its diverse array of communities and cultures, it really is something truly special! This year’s them is Vuka Ukhanye – Arise ‘n Shine, so we can only guess that it’s going to be one unforgettable experience!
6. St. Patrick’s Day at Beerhouse on Long Street: Saturday, 16 March
Image source: beerhouse.co.za
It’s time to paint the streets of Cape Town GREEN! St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and Beerhouse invites you for an incredible celebration you won’t soon forget! GREEN is the theme and having a good time is not a suggestion, it’s mandatory! Beerhouse on Long is without a doubt a local Long Street favourite, but they’re taking it to the next level this St. Patrick’s Day. Live music, some incredible Beerhouse resident DJ tunes and unbeatable all-day specials on dark beers are just some of the cool things they’ve got in store for you! So, pick out a rocking green outfit, put your game face on and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day exactly the way the Irish intend you to, with an extensive selection of beer at the one and only Beerhouse on Long of course!
7. Bazique Festival 2019: 15 -17 March
Image source: bazique.co.za
The Elgin Grabouw Country Club invites you to join in on a 3-day reverie of art, music and absurdism as they celebrate the annual Bazique festival in style! This unique festival is taking Cape Town by storm and promises one truly unforgettable experience in every way! Conceptualized as an epic celebration of music, absurdism and art, Bazique Festival boasts a variety of epic music stages and a smattering of weird and wonderful sculptures, live street art and dance-offs, art cars and interactive performance art and that’s merely scratching the surface of what you’ll get to experience on this truly spectacular Cape Town weekend! Are you ready for a Mother City festival with a difference? Because the Bazique Festival 2019 promises to be ALL that and so much more!
8. Ambeloui Harvest Festival: Saturday, 16 March
Image source: ambeloui.co.za
The annual Ambeloui Harvest Festival is taking over Hout Bay on the 16th of March and you’re invited to join in on ALL the fun! Ambeloui is a small boutique wine cellar and farm in Hout Bay producing high quality Methode Cap Classique, Sparkling Wine, in the traditional French method. This is a truly special event as the Ambeloui Wine Cellar opens on just 2 days a year when most of its production sells out, and one such day is the Annual Harvest Festival held in March. So, you can imagine the excitement! This means it’s incredibly important to get there nice and early to avoid missing out! You can expect sensational Greek food, superb MCCs and a spectacular day out for everyone!
9. Francois van Coke Live at Tiger’s Milk Stellenbosch: 20 March
Image source: whatsonincapetown.com
If you’re a die-hard Francois van Coke fan or just a lover of local talent, Francois van Coke Live at Tiger’s Milk is just the event you’ve been waiting for! On the 20th of March Tiger’s Milk Stellenbosch is stepping up their cool game with this unforgettable performance by chart-topping punk-rock musician Francois van Coke. So, grab a group of friends, buy yourselves some tickets and enjoy a night of delicious food, incredible drinks and local South African talent at it’s very best!
10. Let’s get Quizzical at Alexander Bar: 6 – 27 March
Image source: alexanderbar.co.za
This is by no means your ordinary pub quiz night, so prepare yourself for something a little different! It’s time to stock up on strange facts, prepare for quiz masters with sexy voices, and brace yourself for quirky formats and categories, because Let’s get Quizzical hosted at Alexander Bar is about to give you one Cape Town quiz night you won’t soon forget! And with prizes in the form of drinks, you’re definitely in store for a fun and eventful night spent in the viby and exciting inner city of Cape Town.
11. Cape Town Plastic Free Oceans Beach Run Series: Sunday, 24 March
Image source: cleanc.co.za
Run for a purpose at this year’s Plastic Free Oceans Milnerton Beach Run taking place on the 24th of March. Embark on a choice of a 3km, 7km or daring 15km beach run from the Milnerton Lighthouse and enjoy a beautiful Cape Town run with an even better cause! Cape Town is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, but it’s nothing if we don’t do all we can to keep them clean and protect and preserve our magnificent marine life! Not only does this incredible beach clean-up event allow you to enjoy spectacular Mother City views in one of the most unique ways, it invites you to enjoy a fun day out with the whole family. That means pups, prams & kiddies are ALL welcome to join in! And the best thing is, you’re doing something truly valuable while having tons of fun in the process! And just to encourage you to pick up as much plastic in the process, if you finish with 3 pieces of litter (any size, big or small) you will be rewarded with a unique wooden finishers medal to commemorate the event.
12. Klein Karoo National Arts Festival: 21 – 27 March
Image source: kknk.co.za
Also known by its Afrikaans abbreviation, KKNK (Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees), the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival is widely known as one of the largest arts festivals in the country. A true celebration of local South African talent at it’s very best, this is one beloved festival that will never loose it charm. Every year thousands of people descend upon the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn for a week-long festival of over 150 shows. The KKNK always offers a first-class program to classical music enthusiasts and this year quite a few choirs will perform too, including the University choirs of Stellenbosch and Pretoria, the Tygerberg’s Children’s Choir and Coristi Allegri (winners of the Slurpie prize in 2003). So, you truly are in for quite a special musical treat!
13. Inside Out Expo: 29 – 31 March
Image source: thewc.co.za
Home and garden enthusiasts, this one is for you! The Inside Out Expo is one local home, garden and lifestyle expo you won’t want to miss this March! As the name suggests, it’s a complete local trade show exhibiting everything and anything inside and outside your home. From design and décor to home, garden and lifestyle, as well as exceptional food and culinary excellence, this jam-packed March event has something for everyone! Boasting over 50 categories, 300 exhibitors, and ample food trucks, there is nothing that the Inside Out Expo doesn’t have!
14. Cape Town International Jazz Festival: 29 – 30 March
Image source: capetownjazzfest.com
If you consider yourself a lover of Jazz, this event is not-to-be-missed! The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a 2-day celebration of world-class music from international jazz greats and emerging stars (over 40 in total) on five stages, with over 37 000 music lovers in attendance. Pretty incredible don’t you think? Celebrating 20 years of Africa’s grandest gatherings, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is certainly taking it to the next level in 2019 with an incredible jam-packed line-up on both days.
15. Earth Hour Adventure Dash: 30 March
Image source: wildrunner.co.za
It’s time for an unforgettable family affair at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens! This awesome Adventure Dash involves participants navigating their way by headlamps to hidden check points dotted across a 5km course in the gardens. So, prepare yourself for tons of fun and laughter as you navigate your lush surroundings in the dark. Once the fun and games are over everyone is encouraged to lay down their picnic blankets on the beautiful lawns of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and enjoy a delicious picnic under the Cape Town stars to celebrate Earth Hour. You’ll also be able to enjoy some incredible local entertainment all while doing your part for the environment.
With so many exciting, fun and truly thrilling events taking place this March in Cape Town, you’re bound to have a jam-packed month you won’t soon forget! So, grab your friends, family members or significant other and enjoy every last second of that March summer time magic!
Doesn’t that sound like a good month to visit Cape Town? We certainly think so! If you’re looking for a place to stay during your holiday, browse our range of accommodation options in Cape Town or contact us for assistance in finding the ideal place to stay. For an authentic experience in Cape Town, we offer a wide range of tours and activities for individuals and groups, and we can customize your itinerary based on your interest, ideas and time frame.
What March events in Cape Town are you looking forward to the most in 2019? Share your thoughts below and let us know!
