Your Garden Route Event Guide - 1 October

Breaking Waves, The Heads, Knysna

October opens with a packed fortnight on the Garden Route. Plett's arts festival takes its final bow, Wilderness hands its village over to local artists for four days, Storms River throws an adventure street party, and Oudtshoorn debuts a desert disco under the Karoo stars. Here's what's on from 1 to 14 October.

Mossel Bay

Hartenbos Oktoberfest

An afternoon of oompah music, German-style food and cold beer at the Hartenbos amphitheatre, raising funds for two local care and retirement homes. Tickets R100.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 14:00 to 22:00
Venue: ATKV Hartenbos Amphitheatre, Hartenbos, Mossel Bay

Basket Case: The Ultimate Green Day Experience

A high-energy live tribute to Green Day, delivering the punk-rock anthems and attitude that defined a generation.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 20:00
Venue: ReedValley Farm, R327, Mossel Bay

Jo Black Live at ReedValley

One of Afrikaans music's best-loved voices brings his deep, heartfelt ballads and sing-along favourites to the ReedValley stage.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 20:00
Venue: ReedValley Farm, R327, Mossel Bay

The Amazing Race: Mossel Bay Edition

Grab a partner, friend or family member for a day of riddles, challenges and surprises as you race around town.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 08:00
Venue: Diaz Beach, 1 Beach Road, Mossel Bay

Garden Route Armwrestling Tournament

A double-elimination showdown open to first-timers and seasoned pullers alike. Step up to the table and test your strength. R100 per person.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 20:30
Venue: Mooiuitsig Restaurant, Klein Brak River, Mossel Bay

Masked Ball with André Schwartz

Dust off the formal wear and a mask for an elegant evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber favourites, as André Schwartz takes the stage with My Journey with Webber. R450 per person or R4,500 for a table of 10 through iTickets.

Date: Friday 2 October
Time: 19:00 to 21:00
Venue: Mossel Bay Town Hall, Mossel Bay

Classic Film Nights at the Monroe Theatre

Two vintage screenings with a light meal included: Hitchcock's Rear Window on Thursday and It Started in Naples on Friday. Dress the era and book a high tea to make an outing of it. R150 per person, booking essential.

Date: Thursday 1 and Friday 2 October
Time: 18:00 to 20:30
Venue: Monroe Theatre, Marsh Street, Mossel Bay

Koeke en Terte Game Show with Timothy Kieswetter

The comedian hosts an interactive, laugh-a-minute game show for grown-ups, with lunch available at the hotel to stretch it into a full afternoon. R250 per person, strictly 18 and over.

Date: Sunday 4 October
Time: 13:00 to 15:00
Venue: Diaz Hotel and Resort, Mossel Bay

Misty Valley Oktoberfest

The farm's second Oktoberfest brings craft beer, hearty food and live music, ending with a farm dance and live performer from 18:00. Free entry; cashless event.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 09:00 to 23:00
Venue: Misty Valley Farm, Brandwacht, Mossel Bay

George

Timothy Kieswetter: Tietelogie en Tottiekunde

The Afrikaans comedian's brand-new stand-up show plays three nights at the Arts Theatre.

Date: Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: George Arts Theatre, 125 York Street, George

Asem: 'n Viering van Lewe, Woord en Musiek

An intimate Afrikaans evening of poetry, song and new music, with Petronel Baard performing alongside poets Stef Kruger and Hannes Visser as they launch their new collections. Bring a picnic basket; bar available. R200 per person.

Date: Friday 2 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Attic Atelier, George

Toughest Firefighter Alive

Firefighters take on punishing, fire-ground-inspired obstacles in a test of strength and endurance, with a Mini Toughest Firefighter Alive for younger competitors on the Saturday.

Date: Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 October
Time: All day
Venue: Garden Route Mall, George

SWD Club Cricket Season Opener

The new South Western Districts club season bowls off with a full day of pool matches at three George grounds.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: First balls at 09:00
Venue: Rooirivierrif Sports Ground, Pacaltsdorp Sports Ground and NMU Saasveld Campus, George

Monkey Swings Hike: Special Edition

An eight-kilometre youth and family hike at the foot of the Outeniquas, taking in the monkey swings, a secret tunnel, the arch dam and a hidden waterfall. Aimed at reasonably fit walkers; wear proper hiking shoes. Entries through Entry Ninja.

Date: Monday 5 October
Time: 08:00 to 13:00 (check-in from 07:45)
Venue: Trail Kiosk at GroundZero, corner of Arbour Road and Camphersdrift Street, George

Wilderness

Wilderness Arts Festival

Four days celebrating local visual art, music, performance and literature, with food and entertainment for the whole family. It spreads from Fairy Knowe Hotel to the backpackers, Milkwood Village, The Square and the old train station, and is open to the public.

Date: Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 October
Time: 09:00 to 17:00
Venue: Fairy Knowe Hotel, 1 Dumbleton Road, and venues across the village, Wilderness

Twilight at Timberlake

Vinyl DJs spin retro, folk and reggae while you browse thrift stalls and African baskets, with a craft beer and cocktail garden and an acoustic cocoa chai bar. Free entry.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 16:00 to 20:00
Venue: Timberlake Village, Wilderness

Sunday Sessions

Live music, pizza and cold beer by the beach to round off the weekend. Free entry.

Date: Sundays 4 and 11 October
Time: 15:00
Venue: Wilderness Beach House, Wilderness

Sedgefield

Moonshine Distill Oktoberfest

Beer specials, live music, dancing and German-inspired food from mid-afternoon until late. Free entry.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 15:00 until late
Venue: Moonshine Diner, Sedgefield

Magnificent Movie Music

The Carpe Musicam! Concert Orchestra and Choir bring favourite film scores to life in an afternoon concert. R180 per person.

Date: Sunday 4 October
Time: 15:30
Venue: NG Kerk, Sedgefield

Country Sokkie Evening at La Bosca

A country sokkie night on the farm, with tickets through Quicket.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: La Bosca, Luna Verde Farm, Barrington Road, Sedgefield

Knysna

Psyshores Festival

Four days of techno, progressive and psychedelic music, art, workshops and camping right on the shores of Buffalo Bay. R900 per person.

Date: Thursday 1 to Monday 5 October
Time: Gates open 12:00 on Thursday
Venue: Buffelskop Caravan Park, Buffalo Bay, Knysna

Roan Ash Live

Home from Nashville, South African singer-songwriter Roan Ash plays an intimate solo acoustic set of lyric-driven country rock.

Date: Friday 2 October
Time: 20:00
Venue: Simola Hotel, Country Club and Spa, Knysna

Plettenberg Bay

Plett Arts Festival: Final Weekend

The ten-day festival wraps up with live music and jazz, poetry, film, comedy, workshops and exhibitions across town, including the Community Canvas show at Piesang Valley Civic Hall. Free entry.

Date: Until Sunday 4 October
Time: From 08:00 daily
Venue: Various venues, Plettenberg Bay

Garden Route Kids Expo

The first edition of this family expo, with entertainment, interactive stands and hands-on activities all day. Adults free, children R60.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 10:00 to 16:00
Venue: Asado Fire Grill, Keurboomstrand, Plettenberg Bay

Blithe Spirit

The Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society stages Noël Coward's witty ghost comedy, with a gala opening night that includes wine and cheese before curtain up. Gala tickets R350 from Barney's Kiosk at Market Square or Quicket.

Date: Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October
Time: 19:30 (gates 18:30 on gala night)
Venue: St Peter's Church, Church Street, Plettenberg Bay

Fynbos Land Art Tour

A guided Plett Arts Festival walk through the land art installations set into the fynbos landscape. R150 per person.

Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 10:00 to 12:30
Venue: Fynbos Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay

The White House Collection

The Plettenberg Bay Arts Association's flagship exhibition, a curated gallery show of established artists and collectable work selected by a panel including curator Barbara Lenhard and fine artist Elize Bezuidenhout. Free entry.

Date: Until Sunday 4 October
Time: 09:00 to 18:00 daily
Venue: The White House Theatre, Plettenberg Bay

Community Canvas

The open, inclusive counterpart to the White House Collection, with exhibitions, live demonstrations and a market-style atmosphere for artists at every stage. Free entry.

Date: Until Sunday 4 October
Time: 09:00 to 18:00 daily
Venue: Piesang Valley Community Hall, Plettenberg Bay

Storms River and Tsitsikamma

Tsitsikamma Adventure Fest

Storms River village hosts three days of trail running, mountain biking and e-bike rides, a Draadkar Grand Prix, padel at Misty Mountain Reserve, a street market, a fashion show, live music and dancing. Free entry.

Date: Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October
Time: Opens 15:00 Friday; closing ceremony 12:00 Sunday
Venue: Darnell Street, Storms River

Oudtshoorn

Hemelruim

A brand-new open-air concert billed as a desert disco under the Klein Karoo stars, with Spoegwolf, Tasché and Oudtshoorn's own Noemwoord. Tickets R295 at Computicket, Checkers, Shoprite and Usave, and cheaper in advance than at the gate.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: Gates 17:00, music from 18:00
Venue: Oudtshoorn Sports Grounds (REC), Oudtshoorn

Optimum Meiringspoort Half Marathon

The 32nd edition of this much-loved road race runs a new circular route through the Middelplaas area after flood damage in the Poort. Choose the 21.1km or 12.5km; walkers welcome, and spectators can catch the finish in De Rust.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 12.5km starts 07:00, 21.1km starts 07:15
Venue: Finish at the NG Church grounds, De Rust, near Oudtshoorn

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Save The Date

Fancourt Marathon – Full and half marathons on a scenic route through the George hills – Fancourt, George – 17 October
Plett Games – A high-energy team challenge festival for families, friends and businesses – Greenwood Bay College, Plettenberg Bay – 17 October
Klein Karoo Dust 4 Glory Challenge – The region's premier obstacle course race – Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, Oudtshoorn – 17 October
Sedgefield Pink Walk – A 4.5km community walk for breast cancer awareness in aid of Hospice Sedgefield – Sedgefield – 17 October
RE/MAX Garden Route Kite Festival – The 10th edition, with kite flyers from nine countries – Scarab Village, Sedgefield – 18 October
Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey Hey Divorcé – Raw, personal stand-up from his new hour – Simola Hotel, Knysna and George Arts Theatre, George – 20 October (Knysna), 21 to 23 October (George)
Bitou Birding Festival – A week-long celebration of the region's birdlife, themed Slow Down, Look Up, Reconnect – Plettenberg Bay – 23 to 30 October
Eden Meander Fun Run and Walk – Ten and five kilometre routes in support of Carpe Diem School – Eden Meander Shopping Centre, George – 24 October
Night of 1000 Owls – Raptor Rescue's owl-inspired art exhibition and fundraiser, part of the birding festival – The Heath, Harkerville, Plettenberg Bay – 27 to 30 October
Chicago: The Musical – The Kander and Ebb classic, with evening shows and matinees – George Arts Theatre, George – 28 October to 7 November
Rhodes Dryland Traverse – A multi-day race from the Cango Caves into the Swartberg mountains – Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn – 29 October to 1 November
Henry Ate Live – The band's 30-year anniversary tour for Slap in the Face – Blend Country Restaurant, Knysna – 4 November
Louvain Burn Music and Arts Festival – Four days of music, art and camping in a hidden forest valley – Louvain Guest Farm, near Oudtshoorn – 6 to 9 November
Knysna Extreme Triathlon – Billed as Africa's toughest triathlon: a 5km estuary swim, 174km cycle and 50km run – Knysna – 7 November
Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash – The Johnny Cash story told through his songs – Knysna Gin, Knysna – 7 November
Forest Jazz – A boutique jazz festival with the Ramon Alexander Trio and local acts – 34 Waenhout, Knysna – 7 November
Leisure Isle Festival – The 21st charity festival with stalls, food and family fun – Leisure Isle, Knysna – 7 to 8 November
Holistic Expo – Wellness practitioners, healers and makers under one roof – Plettenberg Bay – 7 to 8 November
Spoilt Knysna Gift Fair – Summer gift fair with new brands and foodie stalls – Villa Castollini, Knysna – 20 to 21 November
Rest and Restore – A three-day women's retreat on a sustainability farm – Good Earth Farm, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay – 20 to 22 November
Woodstock and Beyond: 1965–1975 – A nostalgic tour through folk, psychedelia and protest song – Simola Hotel, Knysna – 21 November
Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay – The half-distance Ironman returns to the bay – Mossel Bay – 22 November
MosJazz – Four days of jazz, Afrobeat, soul and R&B on the beachfront – Santos Beach, Mossel Bay – 26 to 29 November
Plett Rage – The school-leavers' festival returns with live music, beach days and celebrations – Plettenberg Bay – 27 November to 3 December
Matriekbaai – A week of beach parties and live entertainment for school-leavers – Mossel Bay – 27 November to 5 December
Spoegwolf – The band brings its live show to the amphitheatre – ATKV Hartenbos Amphitheatre, Mossel Bay – 4 December
Kevin Fraser: Decadance – Ten years of characters and accents on stage – 34 Waenhout, Knysna – 12 December
Garden Route Rare Plant Festival – The third annual gathering for collectors of rare and unusual plants – Garden Route Botanical Garden, George – 12 to 13 December
Float Fest SA – A full day of river floating, live music and DJs – Suiderkruis Beach, Great Brak River – 18 December
Hartenbos GrootFees – Summer concerts including AiG Buitelug, Alternatief is Groot and the GrootJol New Year's Eve party – ATKV Hartenbos Amphitheatre, Mossel Bay – 19, 29 and 31 December
TOWER2SEA Trail Run – A sunrise trail run from the Buffelsnek Fire Tower down to the sea – Knysna – 20 December
Paradisco: On The Island – A summer island party – Stanley Island, Plettenberg Bay – 27 December
Wild Spirit Festival – A five-day New Year camping festival of music, art and workshops – Wild Spirit Lodge, The Crags, Nature's Valley – 28 December to 2 January
Attakwas Extreme MTB Challenge – A brutal one-day mountain bike race from the Klein Karoo to the coast – Starts near Oudtshoorn – 16 January
KKNK – The Klein Karoo's flagship arts festival marks its 31st year – Oudtshoorn – 23 to 27 March