Events
JANUARY
Wellington’s Coon Carnival
Wellington’s “Coon Carnival” takes place on New Year’s Day in colourful, exuberant style and remains the only organised, large-scale event of its kind beyond Cape Town. Every year, after a street parade through Wellington, rival troupes gather at Boland Stadium to challenge each other with displays of virtuosity, in a well-attended contest which ensures the survival of this unique, flamboyant Wellington tradition.
FEBRUARY
Wilde Cycle Day
Come join us for the annual Wilde Cycle Day in Wellington! Now bigger and better than ever before including: • Two exhilarating and fast road routes! • Two awesome mountain bike routes • A fun ride for the kids • Kids entertainment! • Great Food! • Great Wine!
Venue: Boland Rugby Stadium, Wellington.
Details: Road: 94km / 54km; Mountain bike: 50km / 20km.
Entries: online
MARCH
Wine Harvest Festival
At the end of the harvest, farmers and workers celebrate the success of their labours, and all the wine farms welcome the public to share in the festivities. Visitors can hop from farm to farm and take part in grape-stomping and hasty harvests, as well as blending and bottling their own wine at a three-day bash with wine, food, music and good times.
Date: March
Venue: Wellington
MAY
Safari Half Marathon
This is a permanent event on the athlete’s calendar. Taking place on Worker’s Day, this event has become synonymous with Wellington for a fun-filled day enjoyed by the whole family.
Date: Around 1 May
Venue: Wellington and surrounds
Chrysanthemum Society
The oldest Chrysanthemum-growers association in the country was founded in 1918. Every year on the 1st Saturday in May, members proudly exhibit between 1500 and 2000 varieties of these gloriously colourful, locally-cultivated blooms in the Dutch Reformed Church Hall, or Wellington Town Hall. Herman Bailey, former Mayor of Wellington, is a prominent member and PRO for the association. The Society is affiliated with the National Chrysanthemum Society of London.
AUGUST
Gravel Travel
When it’s August and it’s wet and muddy, mountain bikers arrive in droves to tackle the exciting 65km single track event along and through all Wellington wine farms. In its 2nd year, this outdoor event is bound to grow in leaps and bounds. Come and flirt with dirt.
Date: August
Venue: Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate.
SEPTEMBER
Bosman Release Weekend
The Bosman family, owners of the successful Lelienfontein Vine Nursery and highly acclaimed Bosman Family Vineyard wines, will host their maiden annual Release Weekend on their farm Lelienfontein in Wellington. A cozy lounge area will be available to enjoy delectable gourmet treats with wine by the glass or bottle from the private tasting room will be on offer if the wine and canapé tasting has your tastebuds yearning for more. The Bosman Release Weekend promises to be a celebration in the 8th generation Bosman family story from vine to wine.
Date: 24 September
Time: 11h00 – 16h00
Venue: Bosman Family Vineyards, Lelienfontein, Wellington
Bookings: Computicket
Bainskloof Ultra Marathon
Another September event where the beauty of the 155 year old Bain’s Kloof Pass will astound the participants of this popular marathon. Come and celebrate Heritage day on one of the most beautiful national historic sites in South Africa by running the Bainskloof Ultra Marathon.
Date: 24 September
Venue: Wellington
OCTOBER
Bordienghuis Live theatre
Die Bôrdienghuis is ‘n intieme venue by die Breytenbach Sentrum in die hartjie van Wellington. Daar word gereeld vertonings aangebied wat wissel van musiek tot kabaret en drama. Die venue is ook geskik vir troues, verjaardagvieringe, klein konferensies en produkbekendstellings. Verskeie boeke is al hier bekendgestel.
Website: www.breytenbachsentrum.co.za
Breytenbach centre for the arts
The Breytenbach Sentrum is a multi-disciplinary cultural centre that educates, create experiences and train people in visual arts, music, drama and writing. It is an inspiring place to experience art, music and drama. There is always a new show, exhibition, idea, educational or conversation taking place.
Tel: +27 (0)21 873 2786
Address: 14 Burger Street, Wellington
Email: info@breytenbachsentrum.co.za
Web: www.breytenbachsentrum.co.za
Availability: Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00 / Sat: 09:00-13:00
Classical Cellar Concert
Mont du Toit Kelder hosts an annual classical concert in their cellar which provides the ideal setting for an evening of placid relaxation amongst the sounds of some of South Africa’s foremost classical artists. The coming concert is titled “Monteverdi at Mont du Toit” and will be performed by the Seven talented Cape Consort Group.
Venue: Cellar of Mont du Toit Wine Estate
Time: 19:00 for 19:30 pp – includes concert, refreshments and wine.
Bookings: Computicket
Pinotage on Tap
The last Saturday in October thousands come and celebrate the new vintage launched at a fun-filled party. Bottled in July or August after an oaky immersion for just five months, it is ready soon thereafter with the promise to be at its best in a year or two. But the fans can’t wait that long.
Venue: Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate.
Wellington Open Gardens
During October the Wellington Garden Club hosts their bi-anual open gardens. Five beautiful farm gardens are open to the public for visiting and sight seeing. There is a tea garden at one of the open gardens, where you can enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or juice and snacks while you relax in lovely country surroundings. Lost of plants, jams, dried fruit, vegetables and many more interesting things for sale.