 Capetonians are generally keen outdoors and sports enthusiasts and there are a number of annual sports, music and food & wine events that have become extremely popular and an important part of the Cape Town calendar.
SPORT OF ALL SORTS
The climate, the mountain and its coastal location mean that sport of all sorts - land and water-based - abounds in Cape Town. Take your pick... Choose from: golf, running, cycling, riding, cricket, football, rugby, tennis plus the more extreme abseiling (off Table Mountain, if you wish, 5 mins drive from Ansela´s Place), bungee-jumping, canoeing, diving, water-skiing, kite-boarding, kloofing (in Suicide Gorge: enough said...), paragliding and, of course, surfing. Just keep an eye out for Charlize the Great White... The main Western Cape events include the Cape to Rio Yacht Race (Jan), the J&B Met Horse Race (Feb), the 109km Argus Cycle Tour (Mar), the Downhill Extreme Street Luge Event (Mar), The 56km 2 Oceans Ultra-Marathon (Apr), the Berg River Canoe Marathon (July), the 80km Big Walk (Nov) and the International Dragon Boat Festival (Nov) - there´s always Cricket, Rugby and Football to watch too... Choices, choices...
  
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS
North Sea Jazz Festival - held in the city centre, this event offers a full weekend of Jazz showcasing artists from South Africa, Africa and abroad. Takes place in March. Klein Karoo National Arts Festival - held in the ostrich farming town of Oudtshoorn in the Karoo this festival offers music, dance, poetry, theatre and cabaret and is aimed at the whole family. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance. Takes place March/April. Cape Town International Comedy Festival - an international comedy festival showcasing both local talent as well as well-known American and British comedians. Takes place early September.
  
FOOD & WINE FESTIVALS
Cape Times V&A Waterfront Wine Affair - showcases over 75 Western Cape wine estates all under one roof. Includes food and wine pairings and many special dinner offers at Waterfront restaurants. Takes place 6-9 May. Cape Gourmet Festival - two weeks of food and wine and more food and wine. The festival encompasses a host of events from the Good Food and Wine show to cookery demonstrations with top international and local chefs, restaurant promotions and the Table of Unity luncheon at the foot of Table Mountain. Takes place in May.
  
FASHION, DECOR & LIFESTYLE
Design Indaba Expo - a variety of exclusive architects, decorators and designers showcase their cutting edge creations. Also on offer are fashion shows, films and other performances. Takes place 27 Feb - 1 March. Cape Town Book Fair - a massive show encompassing many aspects of literature including discussions and readings by renowned authors. Special childrens programme. Takes place 13-16 June. Cape Town Fashion Week - a proudly South African show sporting the latest designs from talented local designers. Takes place in early August.
  
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