Durban Events, Things to Do and Festivals

(Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Durban is a city that certainly enjoys its arts, culture and sport. As you'd expect then, Durban plays host to a busy calendar of film festivals, lively fairs, sporting events, large exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances.

A free monthly publication detailing 'what's on' in Durban is available from the city's tourist office and offers the very latest in the way of things to do during your holiday, detailing the main South Africa festivals to watch, and any fun local events that you might wish to become a part of.

Durban Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Dusi Canoe Marathon - Durban is the finishing point for one of the world's toughest canoe races, held at the end of January. The racing canoeists set off from Camps Drift

February

• Prickly Pear Festival - held in Nelson Mandela Bay each February, this exciting event is a celebration of traditional South African food and drink

March

• Sasol Scifest - mid-March, held in Grahamstown, this National Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology features dozens of workshops, science shows, competitions and exhibitions

April

• Baba Indaba - South Africa's top baby show, with plenty to entertain the whole family
• Wild Talk Africa - a film festival and conference held in April at the ICC Durban (International Convention Centre)

May

• The Sardine Run - a chance to witness the spectacular annual migration of vast shoals of sardines, as well as their 'followers', including dolphins, sharks and whales. The phenomenon can happen anytime from the end of May to the beginning of July

June

• Comrades Marathon - this famous ultra-marathon race alternates starting in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. From the city, the race is uphill, while from Pietermaritzburg, it's downhill all the way!
• Durban Fashion Show - held at the end of June. This is an international showcase for South African fashion designers where established couturiers feature alongside leading new talent

July

• Uprising Festival - held end July at The Wavehouse, this festival features a diverse mix of Durban bands
• Women's Art Festival - held at The Playhouse theatre, this is an important date on the city's cultural calendar
• Vodacom Durban July - over 50,000 people gather at Greyville in the city, to see and be seen at this prestigious day in the South African horse racing calendar
• Durban International Film Festival - held from the end of July to beginning of August. The popular event features international and South African films, documentaries and short films
• Wavescapes - a surf film festival that sits alongside the city's International Film Festival. Wavescapes opens with a special outdoor screening

August

• Good Food and Wine Show - the popular Good Food and Wine Show format every August showcases chefs at work, culinary delights and plenty to keep wine connoisseurs entertained

September

• Witness Hilton Arts Festival - held in mid-September in the Hilton College Theatre. Visitors can enjoy a plethora of music, dance, theatre performance and art events during this two-day spectacle
• Glenwood Festival - held in mid-September. A host of events are staged as part of the Celebrate Durban Campaign
• Mont-aux-Sources Challenge - runners take on the challenge of this long distance cross-country race, starting and finishing in the Royal Natal National Park and taking in the heady heights of the Sentinel

October

• Poetry Africa Festival - held at the beginning of October, around 30 poets come to Durban to celebrate their art in this annual poetry festival. Readings, performance poetry and book launches abound
• Homemakers Expo - held in the Durban Exhibition Centre, the expo is perfect for anyone interested in home improvements and the latest interior design trends
• Pick 'n Pay Asishove Race - two cycling events which are held at Giba Gorge, just outside the Hillcrest area of the city

November

• Nottingham Road Pink Festival - two days of music, dance, theatre, food and drink, taking place annually in November

December

• Carols by Candlelight - various concerts are staged in the Durban Botanic Gardens as part of the city's festive December celebrations