Celebrate summer: Your summer winelands event diary

Monday, 5 December, 2022

wine.co.za, Jeanine Malan

A list of festive celebrations, summer festivals, and family-friendly events in the Winelands in December 2022.

Summer has officially arrived in the Winelands. And with it, the festive season: the perfect time to celebrate life with friends and family. Whether you're in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Hermanus or Swartland, there's plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Here's a list of festive celebrations, summer festivals, and family-friendly events taking place in the Winelands in December 2022.

Christmas decor workshop at Babylonstoren

To get into the spirit of the festive season, join Constance Stuurman, floral artist at Babylonstoren, and make your own Christmas wreath.

Walk with her through the garden and fill your basket with seed heads, flowers, foliage, and whatever takes your fancy, before observing a demonstration of a few of her favourite Christmas decoration designs. Constance will guide you while you make your own Christmas wreath to take home.

Date: 6-8 December 2022
Time: 10h00 - 13h00
Venue: Babylonstoren, Franschhoek
Cost: R600 pp

Click HERE to find out more.

Sunset to Full Moon Hike at Muratie

At the Sunset to Full Moon Hike on Muratie Wine Estate, hike through the forest to a viewpoint with spectacular views of the Cape Winelands and Table Mountain in the distance.

A circular hiking trail has been constructed by Dirtopia and runs from the Trail Centre at Muratie to the viewpoint. The route is 3.5km in total and it will take you 30-45 minutes to reach the spot. While you wait for the sunset and moonrise, enjoy a picnic and a bottle of Muratie wine.

Snacks, wine, and coffee will be for sale at the Trail Centre.

Date: Wed 7 December 2022
Time: 17h30
Venue: Dirtopia Trail Centre, Muratie, Knorhoek Road off the R44, Stellenbosch
Cost: R100 for adults and R50 for children under 10 years

Click HERE to find out more.

Stellenbosch Street Soirée

The heart of historic Stellenbosch is the place to be on Wednesday 7 December. At Stellenbosch’s popular street party, you’ll get to toast and mingle with fellow food and wine lovers. Proudly presented by the Stellenbosch Wine Routes, Stellies will share its vibrant street culture, enviable lifestyle, and cosmopolitan charm – all blended with cool tunes, sizzling street food and superb wines.

The Stellenbosch Street Soirée features a selection of wineries and street fare caterers and entry costs R170 per person which gets you a glass and 10 wine tasting tokens.

Date: 7 December 2022
Time: 18h00
Venue: Drostdy Street, Stellenbosch
Cost: R170 pp

Click HERE to find out more.

Steenberg Christmas Carols 2022

Swing into the festive season with an evening of classic Carols at Steenberg Vineyards in the Constantia Wine Valley, Cape Town. Enjoy an evening under the stars singing along to the festive favourites of yesteryear performed by The Swing Collective, a talented quintet offering toe-tapping swing music reminiscent of the roaring 20s.

Tickets sell out fast, so don't miss the chance to bring loved ones together for a swinging good time of song and jollification!

Date: 8 & 9 December 2022
Time: 17h00
Venue: Steenberg Vineyards, Constantia
Cost: Free

Click HERE to find out more.

Jazz under the Stars with Moonshine at Vergenoegd Löw

Join Vergenoegd Löw for their end-of-year picnic under the stars on Friday 9 December. At the picnic, you'll be entertained with a live performance by 5-piece jazz sensation Moonshine on Friday 9 December. The picnic and performance will take place at the lawns of Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate in Faure, Stellenbosch.

Your ticket includes a delicious picnic basket prepared by Geuwels Restaurant. A cash bar and wine sales will be available.

Date: Fri 9 December 2022
Time: 18h00 - 22h00
Venue: Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate, Faure, Stellenbosch
Cost: R300 per adult and R150 per child u18

Click HERE to learn more.

Spier's Terrarium Workshop

Get your hands dirty this festive season by creating a thriving little ecosystem inside of a glass jar. At Spier’s Terrarium Workshop, you will be shown how to choose the right types of plants and materials for your terrarium. Led by Janel Capraro, a local plant stylist and terrarium expert, the workshop will be a morning of creative fun.

Sip on delicious Spier Cap Classique Brut as Janel guides you through everything you need to know about making, caring for and maintaining your terrarium. Keep your creation for yourself or give it to a loved one, but make this festive season an ode to nature.

Date: Sat 10 December
Time: 10h00
Venue: The Riverhouse, Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch
Cost: R1 200 pp

Click HERE for more details.

Org de Rac Somer Fees

Head to Org de Rac in Swartland for the ultimate countryside summer festival. Activities include a fun run, MTB challenge, live entertainment, market shopping, and much more. There will even be a play area for the kids! Sip on Org de Rac wine and feast on delicious local fare from the food court.

What’s more, all proceeds from the Somer Fees will go to local nonprofit organisations who are committed to the development, wellbeing, and growth of the community.

Date: Sat 10 December 2022
Time: 06h00 - 18h00
Venue: Org de Rac, Piketberg
Cost: Free

Click HERE to find out more.

Robertson Winery's Summer Festival Family Day

Come and enjoy a family-friendly day with Arno Jordaan and Karlien Husselman at Robertson Winery's new tasting facility. Expect wine tasting, an exciting variety of food stalls serving everything from hotdogs to pannekoek, a create-your-own-picnic-basket offering, and more. There will even be Natural Sweet Wine Slush Puppies and a brandy & Coke bar.

To keep the children entertained all day, there will be a play area, face painting, and lots of different kids activities.

Date: Sat 10 December 2022
Time: 09h00
Venue: Robertson Winery, Robertson
Cost: R250 for adults, R100 for children, and free for children u6

Click HERE to find out more.

The Succulent Fair at Spice Route

Calling all succulent enthusiasts to join the Succulent Fair at Spice Route in Paarl. Boasting some of the Cape’s best succulent growers, this annual event offers rare and unusual cacti and succulents for sale. You can look forward to exceptional vendors, including Capetowncacti, Water Wise Plants, Groei Cape Town, Rays Retail Nursery, ANEA, Hammond Botanicals, The Old Jail Vanrhynsdorp, Rooiklip, Haworthia Boys, and Cape Succulent Seeds that will be showcasing rare and beautiful succulents.

Spice Route caters for a wide range of people, so bring the family, your significant other, or a group of friends along to experience it firsthand.

Date: Sat 10 December 2022
Time: 09h00
Venue: Spice Route, Paarl
Cost: Free

Click HERE to find out more.

Carols by Candlelight at Laborie Estate

This year Laborie Estate is bringing back their annual Carols by Candlelight with full force!

Working in collaboration with the Frank Pietersen Music Centre, La Rochelle Primary, Paarl Boy’s Primary, and Lynden Jafta from Paarl FM, Laborie Estate will be hosting an event to remember. Bring the whole family to enjoy an evening of classic Christmas carols on the Werf lawn in front of the Manor House.

A Christmas event with a cause, Laborie will donate all funds raised at this to the Hero Legacy Project and Frank Pietersen Music Centre.

Date: Sat 10 December 2022
Time: 17h00
Venue: Laborie Estate, Paarl
Cost: R120 for adults, R60 for children u18, and R20 for children u12

Click HERE to find out more.

Fizz Thursday at Simonsig

Summer sundowners at Simonsig Wine Estate in Stellenbosch have become an annual tradition with many who’ve come to enjoy unwinding with a glass of Kaapse Vonkel, tasty snacks, and live music on the lawn. The good news is that Fizz Thursdays are back - and even better than before! So grab your besties, pack in the picnic blankets, and get ready for good vibes and gorgeous vineyard views.

R50 gets you a wine glass (refundable deposit). Wines are sold by the bottle with easy food truck fare and cheese and charcuterie platters also available for purchase on the day. Unfortunately no BYO food or wine allowed.

Date: Thu 15 December 2022
Time: 16h00 - 19h30
Venue: Simonsig Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Cost: R50 pp

To see all the deets, click HERE.

Summer Fest at Daisy Jones

December holidays loading! No better way to kick start your holidays than with an epic line-up of bands at one of the premiere venues in the Winelands. Join in at the Daisy Jones Bar on Summerhill Wine Estate on Thursday 15 December and let Nomadic Orchestra, West Coast Wolves, and We Kill Cowboys help you forget about the work year that was and focus on the absolute jol you have lined up for the next few weeks!

The doors open at 18h00, and the bands start from 20h00.

Date: Thu 15 December 2022
Time: 18h00
Venue: The Daisy Jones Bar, Summerhill Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Cost: R130 pp

Click HERE to get your tickets.

A Summer Night's Dream at Spier

Visit Spier for an enchanting outdoor performance of 'A Summer Night's Dream'. It’s an eclectic mix of music, dance, and theatre that will ignite the landscape with colour and sound. Marvel as 30 local musicians, singers, dancers, acrobats and actors tell the story of a mythical musician with the power to heal. Event creator Brett Bailey says: “A Summer Night’s Dream celebrates a deeper value system where the greatest gifts are often those that money cannot buy.”

Enjoy a meal on Spier Werf from 18h00. The show starts at 19h30.

Date: 16 & 17 December 2022
Time: 19h30
Venue: Spier Werf, Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Cost: R200 per adult and R50 per child u12

Click HERE to get your tickets.

StellenSunsets at Stellenrust

Introducing StellenSunsets, an outdoor music event hosted at the beautiful Stellenrust Wine Farm. It's the best of Stellenbosch wine, pizza, and local DJs! Enjoy a curated experience with friends and boogie to the sunset. Bring your picnic blanket, your dancing shoes, and your best vibes!

Lectric Licks, electronic music group from Cape Town, is the main act. There will also be an opening act and foot-stomping tunes being played before Lectric Licks takes the stage.

Your ticket includes an artisanal-paired pizza curated to perfection with your choice of Stellenrust wine (white/red). There will be a fully stocked bar and wine sales available throughout the event to make additional beverage purchases.

Date: Sat 17 December 2022
Time: 17h00 - 22h00
Venue: Stellenrust Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Cost: R380 pp

Click HERE to find out more.

Music at Zevenwacht featuring Jeremy Loops

The chart-topping South African singer/songwriter Jeremy Loops will be performing live at Zevenwacht Wine Estate on Sunday 18 December 2022. Get your family or friends together, grab a picnic blanket, and head to Zevenwacht for a fun day out for everyone! There will be fully stocked bars with all your favourite Zevenwacht wine and drinks as well as tantalising artisanal food. You can also pre-order a picnic hamper with chicken strips, quiche, ciabattas, chocolate brownies, and more.

The day promises to cater for the whole family with renowned musicians, great food, and breathtaking views of the picturesque wine estate!

Date: Sun 18 December 2022
Time: 12h00 - 18h00
Venue: Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Kuilsrivier
Cost: R250 pp

To get more information, click HERE.

Die Plaas Musiekfees at Perdeberg

Drosberg presents Die Plaas Musiekfees at Perdeberg Cellar in Paarl. Come and enjoy a fun, music-filled day at Perdeberg with a stellar lineup of artists, including Francois van Coke, Biggy, Radio Kalahari Orkes, and Giselle. There will be a bar and food stalls with delicious festival food at the event.

Date: Wed 21 December 2022
Venue: Perdeberg Cellar, Paarl
Cost: From R200 pp

Click HERE for more details.

Hazendal’s Christmas Jazz Picnic on the Lawn

Have yourself a merry little Christmas with Moonshine swing band at Hazendal, where they perform some of the most classic Christmas swing repertoire to get you into the Christmas spirit!

While Moonshine Band entertain on stage against the gorgeous backdrop of the Bottelary Hills, guests can enjoy a glass of wine or two and a picnic. Feast on a gourmet picnic basket from the Babushka Deli, filled with summery festive delights. On arrival, you’ll get a complimentary glass of Christoffel wine.

Date: Fri 23 December 2022
Time: 18h00
Venue: Hazendal Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Cost: R595 pp

Click HERE for full details.

Bartho Eksteen's La Fiesta de Argentina

Bartho Eksteen Winery is hosting an authentic Argentinian party on Thursday 29 December. Join them for an evening of festivities in the picturesque gardens of Bartho Eksteen Winery in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Empanadas, choripan, asado-style grilled meat, tres leches cake, and lots of Nosotros Malbec! And, of course, live Latin American music!

There is also a playground for the little ones.

Date: Thu 29 December 2022
Time: 18h00 - 22h00
Venue: Bartho Eksteen Winery, Hemel-en-Aarde, Hermanus
Cost: R150 pp

Click HERE for more information.

La Paris New Year's Eve Fiesta

La Paris Bistro is hosting a Mexican-inspired Fiesta to welcome 2023. You can expect an evening of amazing food, cold drinks, vibey music, and a complimentary glass of MCC at midnight to toast to the New Year! They have an exciting Mexican street food-style menu for the evening with dishes such as pulled BBQ pork shoulder nachos, griddle corn bread, and cumin & lime lamb quesadilla accompanied by Mexican-inspired bar specials: Think Tequila, Corona, and cocktails.

A deposit of R150 per person is required to secure your booking. The deposit will be deducted from your bill in the evening. Deposits are non-refundable. Gratuity not included.

Date: Sat 31 December 2022
Time: 18h00
Venue: La Paris Bistro, La Paris, Franschhoek
Cost: R150 pp

Click HERE to get more info on festive events at La Paris.

New Year's Eve Dinner at Faber

Wave 2022 goodbye and step into the new year at Faber Restaurant at Avondale with a farm-to-fork meal, organic and biodynamic Avondale wine and views of gardens, vineyards, and mountains. Choose between the 6-course tasting menu at R 1100 pp and the 6-course tasting menu with Avondale wine pairing at R 1470 pp,

Date: Sat 31 December 2022
Time: 18h30 - 23h30
Venue: Faber Restaurant, Avondale Wines, Paarl
Cost: From R1 100 pp

Click HERE to book.

New Year's Eve Dinner at Cavalli

Countdown the New Year in true Cavalli style with dinner at Cavalli Estate's contemporary winelands restaurant. The talented Chef Lucas Carstens will be preparing a festive 8-course set menu, perfectly paired with Cavalli's wine. There will be lovely live music and you'll get a complimentary drink on arrival.

Dinner service from 18h00 with last seating reservation at 20h30.

Date: Sat 31 December 2022
Time: 18h00
Venue: Cavalli Estate, R44, Somerset West
Cost: R1 750 pp

Click HERE to book your table.

Nederburg's Sunset Stoep Sessions

Make your way to The Manor at Nederburg in Paarl for some rest and relaxation this festive season. Nederburg’s laid-back Sunset Stoep Sessions, presented until April, featuring local musicians and local flavour, provide an ideal late afternoon experience for the whole family!

Mark Haze will be performing on Saturday 10 December, and Dan Apollis on Saturday 17 December.

Bring the kids along for them to enjoy the play area in the garden with games, jungle gyms and zip-lines, a tree house, swings and more. Lawn games for adults are also available.

Date: Sat 10 & 17 December 2022
Time: 15h00 - 18h00
Venue: The Manor restaurant, Nederburg, Paarl
Cost: Free

Click HERE to find out more.

Glow in the Dark Putt-Putt at Benguela Adventure

Ahoy, me hearties! Join Benguela Cove's Adventure Park on Friday and Saturday evenings for a round of pirate-themed glow in the dark mini golf:

“Buccaneers, lads and lasses show us yer best night golf skills. Send your worries to Davy Jones's locker, knock back a Clap of Thunder, and heave ho to Blackbeard's Diner for bubbly, boeries, burgers, and more. If you’re Three Sheets to the Wind, we have transport and shuttle services available ter get yer home safely. Yo Ho Ho! Weigh anchor and bring your Mateys for a thrilling night putting experience.”