Springtime Events and Activities to Look Forward to in Cape Town

Somehow—seriously, somehow—Cape Town and its myriad industries have managed to make it through the toughest year we’ve seen in recent decades. But with the daily COVID-19 caseload steadily (and hopefully permanently) decreasing, life has begun to poke its head out of the ground in many more ways than one. Events and activities in the Mother City are slowly resuming and, with the month of September upon us, spring has officially sprung. And if there’s one decent metaphor for rejuvenation, it’s spring!

Here are some exciting events and activities to look forward to this coming season!

Ziplining with Acrobranch

Image source: www.acrobranch.co.za

Acrobranch combines the thrill of ziplining with the fun of negotiating an obstacle course littered with all manner of challenging structures. There’s the Acro-twigs course for kids aged 3 to 6; the easy Monkey Moves course for beginners; the moderately difficult Swinging Tarzan course for the fitter amongst us; and the High Flying course for those looking for a real physical challenge. A day at Acrobranch is the perfect escape for a group of friends or for team building.

Website: www.acrobranch.co.za
Address: 1 Hout Bay Main Road, Constantia Nek

Spend a day in the Cape winelands

Image source: www.pixabay.com

South Africa’s wine industry was one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent bans on alcohol. It is therefore your patriotic duty to pack the bubble* in the car and spend a day drinking wine, browsing through picnics, sitting down to fine (socially distanced) dining and returning home at the end of a lengthy day with the trunk filled to the brim with cases of wine. Seriously though: buy wine. You never know when the next ban will hit, and our beloved wineries need our support now more than ever!

P.S. Just pop online to make sure the winery of your choice is open for tastings and meals.

*Family or small group of friends with whom you have been quarantining.

The Constantia Gift Fair

Image source: www.thegiftfair.co.za

With the festive season a short hop and a skip (read: stumble) away, it’s time to save those pennies for the annual Constantia Gift Fair, which is set to take place from the 4th to 8th November 2020. Whatever your friends and family have written down on their Christmas list, you are—I mean, Santa is sure to find here, from exotic food-gifts and fashion apparel to home and garden accessories and more.

If you’re not comfortable attending the festivities in person, you can peruse the Constantia Gift Fair’s full catalogue, which has moved online to www.theburbsonline.co.za.

Web: www.thegiftfair.co.za
When: 4 - 8 November 2020
Address: SARDA Centre, Brommersvlei Road, Constantia

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Image source: www.pixabay.com

Say “Hallelujah!” the Cape’s very own Garden of Eden is open to the public! The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is one of our city’s biggest attractions and treasures, for both tourists and locals alike. Now, after a wet winter (and with spring having just opened her eyes), the gardens are bursting into colourful life and you simply can’t miss it. Criss-crossed with walkways embraced by verdant, exuberant gardens and flush with spectacular mountain views, there is so much beauty to be found at Kirstenbosch, and so much to do during a day, from walking, birdwatching, and hiking to picnicking, dining, and getting in your daily exercise (it sure beats going for jogs around your neighbourhood).

Web: www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/
Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands

The Clay Café in Hout Bay

Image source: www.claycafe.co.za

A day at the Clay Café in Hout Bay is all about spending quality time with friends and family, and flexing your creative muscles with the art of pottery and ceramics. Here, you’re given unfired bisque and colourful paints to create your own masterpieces, which is just so much fun on its own. Then, once you’re done with the painting, you can explore the garden and let the little ones enjoy the playground, while you relax with some refreshments and food from the café. Each final product takes approximately three and a half weeks to be fired and glazed and then you can pick it up and take it home with you to be used or put on display for all to admire!

Web: www.claycafe.co.za
Where: 4080 Main Road. Opposite Bokkemanskloof Estate, Hout Bay

KAMERS/Makers Space

Image source: www.kamersvol.com

Speaking about creativity, one of the Cape’s (and South Africa’s) favourite annual artisan expos is right around the corner, too! It’s KAMERS/Maker! In response to the pandemic, this once small Stellenbosch-based enterprise and now huge national event has opened two pop-up spaces in Cape Town, where people can peruse the handcrafted goods made by over 200 local artisans and artists. The one is located at the V&A Waterfront, next to Exclusive Books and the other on Plein Street in Stellenbosch, although this one is set to close on 29 August 2020.

If you’d prefer to do your shopping virtually, head on over to KAMERS/Makers Online—www.shop.kamersvol.com—where over 9,000 proudly South African products await!

Web: www.kamersvol.com

The Galileo Open Air Cinema Drive-In

Image source: www.thegalileo.co.za/drive-in/

Yeah, you heard me…the drive-in is back, baby! And making it cooler than it ever was (even in the 1980’s) is the Galileo Open Air Cinema who, for many years now, has been screening the world’s greatest classics and blockbuster movies in stunning locations around the Cape, under nothing but a blanket of stars! The only difference is, now moviegoers will watch the movie from their car (nine months from now there will probably be a surge of new babies). Of course, the Galileo will be offering the same delicious food, sweet treats, hot beverages, wine, beer, candy, and popcorn but rather than buying at the venue, you’ll simply order online when you purchase your ticket and pick-up upon arrival.

Web: www.thegalileo.co.za/drive-in
Entry: R75 to R125 per person, depending on the number of people per car.