Things to do in Cape Town this Easter & Autumn

I walked into a shop this morning and saw boxes of marshmallow Easter eggs for sale. My heart skipped a beat, a beat of joy, as I excitedly loaded a box into my basket. I love any and all traditional holidays; whether it’s Christmas, Easter or merely Valentine’s Day, I am in. These holidays remind us to focus on our families, to invest in quality time, and arguably most importantly, it reminds us that we should and will be eating copious amounts of delicious chocolates!

If you are wondering how and where you should be investing your quality family time, we have found an amazing list of events which will happily carry your family through until winter.

( See what's on in Johannesburg, Durban and on the Garden Route this Easter Holidays)

Read our Things to do With Kids holiday and entertainment guide for some more holiday fun inspiration!

Kid-friendly Events this Easter and Autumn 2019

February – June 2019

Arts & Culture

Harvest at Dusk Festival

Experience a real farm harvest at Nederburg’s annual Harvest at Dusk Festival. Expect tonnes of fun picking and stomping grapes and simply relax while feasting on delicious food and award-winning wine. This festival is a must-visit if you are a Mathew Gold fan.

Where: Nederburg Wine Estate, Paarl

When: 16 February 2019

Ages: All

More information: Harvest at Dusk Event

Piekniek & Musiek

The ever-popular ‘Piekniek en Musiek’ concert is returning to the fair Cape this summer! There will be a variety of food trucks, bars and picnic baskets available. Although you are encouraged to pack in your own umbrellas and backrest, note that bringing in chairs and your own food is not allowed.

Where: Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Cape Town

When: 03 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: webtickets .co.za

Cape Town International Animation Festival

This is the only dedicated African Animation Festival on the continent and promises something for both young and old. Expect workshops (stop motion, traditional and digital drawing and Zoetrope), films, the artist alley and more. Kids will love bringing their pictures, clay or puppets to life with an iPad or smartphone!

Where: The Riverclub, Observatory, Cape Town

When: 08 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: Cape Town Animation Festival

Cape Town Carnival

If you have seen the movie Rio, you probably have an urge to see a real-life carnival with all the exciting colours, floats, performers and musicians. It’s bound to have a magical atmosphere! Join South Africa’s own glamourous celebration of creativity at this year’s Cape Town Carnival.

Where: Green Point, Fan Walk, Cape Town

When: 16 March 2019

Ages: All

More information:  Cape Town Carnival

Make It Magical Workshop

Stir your child’s creative juices with a fairy-house-building workshop! The workshop ticket includes entrance to the interesting Chavonnes Battery Museum.

Where:  Chavonnes Battery Museum, V&A Waterfront

When: 21 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: Make it Magical

ComicEx Cape Town

Attention all comic fans! ComicEx 2019 is set to be bigger and better with Gaming, Cosplay, Tech, Music, Comic Books and Figurines, Artist Alley, Dance, Magicians, Hypnotists, Photo Booths, Comedians, Snow Dome, Pop Up Movies, Nerf Gun Battle Zone, Merch Stalls, VR, Live Entertainment, Pin Ball Machines, Climbing Walls, Surf Simulator, Gladiator Jousting Podiums, Bumper Rides, Competitions and Give-Aways and so much more.

Where: Grand West, Cape Town

When: 24 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: computicket.com

The Greatest Little Circus Show

Zip Zap’s brand new 2019 production is bound to excite both young and old, featuring thrilling aerials and acrobatics, African dancing and more.

Where: Cape Town Zip Zap, Circus School

When: 13 April 2019

Ages: All

More information: https://www.zip-zap.co.za/

Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival

Get ready to enter a winter wonderland featuring the most magical moments as Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival, an all-new live production coming to South Africa, including Pretoria for the first time!  Families of all ages will be delighted by adventurous moments from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen, in a brand-new ice spectacular. Book at Computicket.

Where: GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World

When: 10 – 14 July 2019

Ages: All

More Information: Disney on Ice Computicket

Lifestyle (Indoor & Outdoor Activities)

Sunday Family Spitbraai @ The Barn

Join ‘The Barn’, situated in the magical Elgin Valley, for a delicious buffet served every Sunday. Expect drinks specials, music, and entertainment, fun activities at the dam and kids’ entertainment.

Where: Old Mac Daddy 112 Valley Road, 7160 Grabouw

When: Every Sunday

Ages: All

More information: https://oldmacdaddy.co.za/

Cape Town Pizza and Pasta Festival

Raise your hand if you are a pizza and pasta fan as this festival has a pizza and pasta eating competition! And if that is not enough to lure you and your family to this fun event, we are sure you will love the gourmet pizza and pasta dishes, dessert pairings, wine pairings, craft beer pairings, kids’ entertainment, live music and remarkable views of Cape Town.

Where: Fort Wynyard, Green Point

When: 23 February 2019

Ages: All

More information: webtickets.co.za

Cape Town Motor Show

This is a must-visit event for all car and bike enthusiasts (even if the car enthusiast is your 3-year-old). The annual Motor Show features car manufacturers, dealer networks, bikes, trucks, a drifting show, music, family entertainment, three 4x4 tracks, live music and more.

Where: GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World

When: 2 – 3 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: http://capetownmotorshow.co.za

Airshow Stellenbosch

If you have kids who love anything transport themed, especially planes, then this is the perfect outing for your family. This is bound to be an amazing airshow featuring aerobatics, helicopters, formation flying and much more. Market-style food stalls will keep rumbling tummies at bay. Kids under 4 enter free.

Where: Stellenbosch Airfield, R44

When: 23 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: Stellenbosch Flying Club Airshow

Nuy Valley Festival

Enjoy a day out in the fresh country air as the Nuy Valley celebrates the end of harvest. The festival hosts include Nuy Winery at Nuy on the Hill, Willow Creek Olive Estate, Conradie Penhill Artisanal Wines, and Leipzig Country House and Winery and they are set to delight your senses with country food and wine tastings, as well as live music, kids’ entertainment, and a trail run and mountain bike race. The kids will delight in taking the Nuy Valley Express from venue to venue.

Where: Nuy Valley - R60 towards Robertson

When: 05 April 2019

Ages: All

More information: Facebook @NuyValleyFestival

Durbanville Plaasfees

Experience real South African farm life at this year’s installation of the popular Plaasfees. Sit on hay bales, eat traditional Afrikaans food, listen to and see the farm animals and shop up a storm.

Where: Diemersdal, Durbanville, Cape Town

When: 09 April 2019

Ages: All

More information: Durbanville Plaasfees

Monster Jam in SA for the first time!

There is no other action-packed live event or motorsports experience that compares to the thrill and excitement of Monster Jam. Unscripted and unexpected, Monster Jam delivers edge-of-your-seat, adrenaline-charged excitement for the entire family. Monster Jam is the larger-than-life sport that provides spontaneous entertainment for fans of all ages!  Bigger, faster, louder, Monster Jam is as BIG as it gets! Book at Computicket.

Where: Cape Town Stadium

When: 27 April 2019

Ages: All

More information: Monster Jam Computicket

SA Cheese Festival

Don’t miss the 18-year celebration of this award-winning festival for your annual cheese fix (we all love cheese, right?!?). It’s bound to be amazing!

Where: Sandringham Estate. Stellenbosch

When: 26 – 28 April 2019

Ages: All

More information: http://www.cheesefestival.co.za

Sporting Events

Cape Town Sixes

This annual amateur cricket festival features several cricket leagues for all levels of competitiveness, music, comedy, a gourmet food village, wine on the wicket, beach bar, a family area, and much more.

Where: Greenpoint Cricket Club

When: 23 – 24 February 2019

Ages: All

More information: www.capetownsixesfestival.com

Trail Fun: Groot Constantia 2019

Experience beautiful scenery, fresh air and warm sun this Human Rights Day while out on a trail run at the oldest wine farm in South Africa. There will be a 5km and a 10km route.

Where: Groot Constantia road, 7945 Constantia, Western Cape

When: 21 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: https://entries.trailfun.co.za/

Fed Health Impi Challenge

The Impi Challenge is for adventure lovers who enjoy the outdoors. Put yourself to the test on one of the fun obstacle trails (5km, 10km or 18km). For the faint of heart, there is also a mini 1km challenge.

Where: Coetzenburg Sports Complex, Coetzenburg Road, Stellenbosch

When: 6 April 2019

Age: from 6

More information: www.impichallenge.co.za

Holiday Programmes

Holiday Programme at the Cape Town Science Centre

The Cape Town Science Centre will be celebrating the International Year of the Periodic Table with loads of chemistry-related activities, hands-on workshops, shows and more guaranteed to keep your kids entertained and happy (while learning something).

Where: Cape Town Science Centre

When: From 16 March 2019

Ages: All

More information: https://ctsc.org.za

Fun Food Lab for Kids at Willowbridge

Willowbridge Shopping Centre, together with Yuppiechef and Split Second Science have created a super-fun food lab to keep the kids entertained during the school holiday. Your budding scientists will be enthralled as they learn about the chemistry of food while they create their own edible experiments.

Where: Willowbridge Shopping Centre

When: 21 – 30 March 2019

Ages: 3 – 12

More information: http://www.willowbridge.co.za

Cricket School of Excellence Holiday Clinic

For loads of cricketing fun for you and your friends, visit the Cricket School of Excellence for their March school holiday cricket clinic, where they cover all aspects of the game and include net sessions, matches and a prize giving. Students are split into age categories, where their drills will differ (Ie. More technical for the older boys).

Where: UCT Cricket Oval

When: 18-20 March 2019

Ages: 4 - 13

Contact: 0861 123 273 / [email protected] / www.cricketschoool.co.za

More information: Cricket School of Excellence 

Markets

Cape Kids Collab Market

This unique market showcasing a range of curated local and South African products for babies, kids and parents, is bound to tickle your fancy. Expect niche, one-of-a-kind products which will delight any mommy and mommy-to-be, as well as live entertainment, wine, beer, delicious food and a kids’ entertainment area which will round off this amazing shopping experience! Kids under 16 enter free.

Where: Stone Shed, Adderley Rd, Durbanville

When: 25 – 26 May 2019

Ages: All

More information: Facebook @capekidscollab

Accommodation

ATKV Eiland Spa & ATKV Klein Kariba

If you want to travel a bit further away, be sure to have a look at the special discount currently on offer at these ATKV resorts.

Book any accommodation or camping till end February and receive 30% Discount!

Where: ATKV Eiland Spa & ATKV Klein Kariba, Limpopo

When: February 2019

Ages: All

More information: ATKV Resorts

 

Find Picnic Spots near you

Do you want to enjoy this Easter outside and in the sunshine, why not visit one of the many child-friendly picnic spots in Cape Town!

Visit a Child-Friendly Restaurant, Cape Town + Cape Winelands

Having fun and enjoying all the holiday events, why not pop into one of these restaurant or coffee shops. Sit down relax and let the kids play, because these restaurants are all child-friendly.

• Cape Town Child Child-friendly restaurants
• Garden Route Family Restaurants
• Somerset-West Child-friendly Restaurants
• Stellenbosch Restaurants
• Paarl Restaurants