Cape Town in Autumn: here are some reasons to travel – sport, culture and fun are covered in the big events in autumn 2015.
Locals know that Autumn is perhaps the most spectacular season in Cape Town with perfect temperatures (average maximum temperature is 23 °C) and an endless array of things to do by day and night.
It is also a key time for events – both cultural and sporting – making it an ideal time to plan a trip to Cape Town, whether as a participant or as a spectator.
“Cape Town’s line-up of events has increasingly become a major draw-card for international visitors,” says Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy, “Cycling events like the Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously known as the Cape Argus) and the ABSA Cape Epic are on the hot-list for serious and adventure riders, runners flock to the breathtakingly beautiful Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon – and the city is on show with jazz, carnivals and parades in full swing.”
Cape Town’s Autumn Weather (March –April)
During autumn the climate is mild and sunny with little wind.
• Average minimum temperature: 13 °C
• Average maximum temperature: 23 °C
• Average sea temperature: 20 °C
• Average rainfall: 40mm
• Sunshine hours: 7 hours
Top Events to Get To
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Date: 8 March 2015
Venue: From Cape Town CBD to Green Point
The Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously known as the Cape Argus) is one of the largest sporting events in the world and offers a 109km route that takes you along a spectacular scenic circle around Cape Town, sporting significant mountain and ocean views. Local entries are full, but international participants are able to enter up until a week before race day.
Cape Town Jazz Festival
Date: 27 & 28 March 2015
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Affectionately referred to as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering” the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the largest music event in sub-Saharan Africa. The vibrant two-day event usually delivers a star-studded line up of well-known jazz musicians from around the world with different stages and entertainment areas.
Cape Town Carnival
Date: 14 March 2015
Venue: Fanwalk in Greenpoint , Cape Town
The Cape Town Carnival is a glamorous celebration presenting a colourful parade of large scale floats accompanied by over 2000 costumed dancers, musicians and performers. There’s a variety of food vendors, stalls and festive hospitality areas with well-known DJ’s to entertain.
Cape Town Gay Pride
Date: 27 February – 8 March 2015
Venue: Cape Town CBD
Celebrate LGBTQI rights with a round of rainbow-coloured parades, parties and pageants over 10 days of festivities. The highlight of Pride is the big march in Cape Town’s CBD and the De Waterkant festival that follows, with many other events taking place throughout.
Infecting the City
Date: 9-14 March 2015
Venue: Cape Town CBD
The 8th annual Infecting the City public arts festival brings new artworks out of theatres and galleries and into public spaces. Presented by the Africa Centre, a leading international cultural innovator; visitors can expect a blend of local, national and international artists popping up all over the streets of Cape Town. The 2015 programme promises to offer wonder, beauty, provocation and, as always, the unexpected. All events are free and accessible to all.
Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon
Date: Date: 3- 4 April
Venue: Cape Town
Known as the world’s most beautiful marathon, this 21km and 56km road race follows a scenic route all along the ocean and mountains for which Cape Town is so famous. Many other smaller fun runs are also available. Entries open from 15 October onwards.
Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town
Date: 25 – 26 April
Venue: V&A Waterfront
The ITU World Triathlon Series is the pinnacle of the sport and takes place in the best locations in the most iconic cities in the world – including the Mother City.It also has the largest and world’s best age-group events – for sprint and standard distance.
Absa Cape Epic
Date: 15- 22 March 2015
Venue: From Durbanville to Stellenbosch
An annual mountain bike stage race for elite professional mountain bikers covering more than 700 km and lasting eight days – a prologue and seven stages.
The entries are closed for 2015, but spectators can enjoy spectacular views along the route.
Enough reasons to plan a trip to Cape Town soon?
For more on how to plan your Cape Town event holiday, visit #lovecapetown
