Your Garden Route Event Guide - 11 June

Welcome to your fortnightly guide to the Garden Route. Over the next two weeks, our coastal towns will host an exceptional mix of live music, theatre, sports, and community events. Highlights include the inaugural En Route Arts Festival in Sedgefield, the Rip Curl Surf Pro at Victoria Bay, and Freshlyground live in Knysna.

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Let’s dive in:

Mossel Bay

Richard van der Westhuizen met Andrew Roos

A premium performance by renowned South African singer-songwriter Richard van der Westhuizen accompanied by Andrew Roos, bringing deep, soulful acoustic melodies and storytelling.

• Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Time: 08:00 PM
• Venue: ReedValley, Mossel Bay

Hoort

An artistic and evocative theatrical presentation featuring deep musical resonance and thought-provoking storytelling, hosted within a unique retro railway setting.

• Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM
• Venue: The Stage Coach at Santos Express, Mossel Bay

Junie Langarm Dans saam met Rachus Muller

A lively social and traditional langarm dance celebrating local music, country rhythms, and festive group entertainment for dance enthusiasts.

• Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: The Stage Coach at Santos Express, Mossel Bay

Solstice Reflections for the Longest Night

Liesl Jobson, an award-winning poet and Bassoonist and Flautist is joined by Garden Route personalities, Elsabe Barkhuizen and Norman Carless for a unique pairing of poetry and music.

• Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: Dias Museum, Mossel Bay

Sedgefield

En Route Arts Festival

The inaugural multi-venue arts festival celebrating local and national creative talents with a spectacular curated lineup of live theatre, comedy, musical performances, workshops, and visual arts. This unified artistic program brings together stellar national productions, legendary performers, and fresh voices for an extraordinary cultural showcase. The schedule of festival presentations includes:

• Make the Question Beautiful: A compelling poetry and dramatic performance piece by legendary theatre veterans exploring deep philosophical, personal, and social inquiries (Friday, June 19 at 03:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)
• The Fool's Guide to Living and Dying: A profound solo theatre piece blending dark comedy, philosophical wisdom, and theatrical brilliance (Friday, June 19 at 03:00 PM, Simbavati Fynbos on Sea)
• Helen of Troyeville: An acclaimed South African theatrical monologue illustrating the humorous, dramatic, and political realities of a historic Johannesburger's life (Friday, June 19 at 07:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)
• Writing your own Pillow Book: An engaging and imaginative creative writing workshop guiding participants to structure and pen their own intimate reflections (Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM, In Toto Retreat)
• Sedgefield Arts Society Exhibition: A curated visual arts exhibition celebrating the talent of local artists, showcasing fine art, sculptures, and creative handicrafts (Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM, In Toto Retreat)
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged): A fast-paced, hilarious, and highly physical theatrical romp through all thirty-seven of the world's most famous classic plays (Saturday, June 20 at 03:00 PM, Simbavati Fynbos on Sea)
• The Ugly Noo Noo: Andrew Buckland's legendary South African satire piece, bringing sharp humor and captivating physical theatre at its absolute finest (Saturday, June 20 at 06:00 PM, Simbavati Fynbos on Sea)
• Solstice Reflections for the Longest Night: Music, poems and the call to community brings together a trio of talented artists to honour and mark this turning of the darkest season. (Saturday, June 20 at 06:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)
• Time to Tango: An energetic, expressive music and dance showcase capturing the passionate steps and romantic rhythms of classic tango (Sunday, June 21 at 12:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)
• The Beta Man Alphabet: A sharp, thought-provoking theatrical piece exploring modern masculinity, personal identity, and social expectations (Sunday, June 21 at 05:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)
• Netphlix: A clever, humorous theatrical performance satirizing contemporary binge-watching culture and modern digital media landscapes (Sunday, June 21 at 07:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)
• Amy Winehouse - The Diva & Her Demons: A highly acclaimed musical tribute show recounting the powerful, soulful, yet tragic life and music of the late British singer-songwriter (Monday, June 22 at 07:00 PM, Simbavati Fynbos on Sea)
• Telephone Wire Jewellery Workshop: A hands-on cultural craft class where participants learn the historic South African art of weaving colorful telephone wire into beautiful jewelry pieces (Tuesday, June 23 at 10:00 AM, Sedgefield Animal Matters Charity Shop)
• Mlungu by Sophie Joans: A clever and witty contemporary stand-up style satirical solo performance addressing personal and collective cultural identity in post-apartheid South Africa (Tuesday, June 23 at 07:00 PM, In Toto Retreat)

Anika Hari and the Holy Goosebumps

A vibrant live alternative music performance bringing fresh indie, soul, and rhythm-driven melodies to Sedgefield’s favorite local gathering spot.

• Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Time: 05:00 PM
• Venue: 50 on Main, Sedgefield

Knysna

The Karoo Food & Wine Pairing Experience

A premium culinary journey pairing exceptional Karoo-inspired dishes with handpicked regional wines, celebrating local flavours and expert craft.

• Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Venue: The Lofts Boutique Hotel @ The Boatshed, Knysna

Freshlyground and Congo Cowboys Live

Freshlyground returns to Knysna, joined by the Congo Cowboys, to deliver an unmistakable blend of Afro-fusion, soul, jazz, and pop led by vocalist Mbali Makhoba.

• Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Time: 12:30 PM
• Venue: Blend Country Restaurant & Pub, George Rex Drive, Knysna

George

Dozi @ Bush Lapa

Afrikaans rock veteran Dozi plays an early-evening set at the beachfront venue in Herolds Bay, known forsunset views over the bay.

• Date: Thursday, 19 June 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Venue: Die Bush Lapa, Herolds Bay Resort, George

Vic Bay Quad

An exciting regional surfing competition drawing top coastal wave riders to battle it out across various divisions at one of the country's most iconic point breaks.

• Date: Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Time: 08:00 AM
• Venue: Victoria Bay, George

The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro

A major double-header surf event at the right-hand point-break of Victoria Bay, one of South Africa's most iconic and picturesque waves, attracting elite local and national surfers.

• Date: Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, 2026
• Time: 07:00 AM daily
• Venue: Victoria Bay, George

The Barn Dance

A lively social and community dance offering a festive night of traditional music, country rhythms, and group entertainment for families and dance enthusiasts.

• Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Time: 07:00 PM
• Venue: George Riding Club, George

80's Neon Disco Party by The 9pm Club

A high-energy themed dance social reviving the timeless synth-pop, rock, and dance anthems of the 1980s, complete with vibrant neon decor and retro costumes.

• Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Time: 06:00 PM
• Venue: brϋ restobar, George

Thriller - The MJ Dance Tribute

A high-energy live stage production celebrating the legendary music and legacy of Michael Jackson through dramatic dance tributes, iconic moves, and dazzling style.

• Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Time: 07:00 PM
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, George

Kyk My in My Oë

A captivating live theatrical performance in Afrikaans exploring human vulnerability, deep relationships, and personal reflection on the historic stage.

• Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
• Time: 07:00 PM
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, George

Solstice Reflections for the Longest Night

Liesl Jobson, an award-winning poet and Bassoonist and Flautist is joined by Garden Route personalities, Elsabe Barkhuizen and Norman Carless for a unique pairing of poetry and music.

• Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Venue: Attic Atelier, George

Wilderness

Get Together and Dance for Animals

A wonderful fundraiser and social dance event supporting local animal welfare, featuring music, dancing, and spectacular coastal dining.

• Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
• Time: 06:30 PM
• Venue: Salinas Beach Restaurant, Wilderness

Plettenberg Bay

Open Plan Pictures presents Marty Supreme

An exclusive local cinema evening showing the highly anticipated indie film Marty Supreme, hosted in a cozy, community-oriented art space.

• Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Time: 05:30 PM
• Venue: Global Village Gift Shop, Plettenberg Bay

Open Plan Pictures presents Wuthering Heights

A dramatic indoor screening of the romantic and stormy cinematic adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic gothic masterpiece, Wuthering Heights.

• Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Time: 05:30 PM
• Venue: Global Village Gift Shop, Plettenberg Bay

That's it for this week!

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Save The Date

• Knysna Oyster Festival: A ten-day celebration of sports, food, and family fun on the lagoon. Knysna. 3 to 12 July 2026.
• Plett Ocean Festival & Marine Science Symposium: A milestone ocean-themed celebration highlighting marine conservation, community action, and academic panels led by leading scientists. Plettenberg Bay. 3 to 12 July 2026.
• Glacier Storms River Traverse: A scenic three-day mountain bike stage race. Storms River and Tsitsikamma. 31 July to 2 August 2026.
• Tsitsikamma Ultra: A breathtaking 50km mountain trail run. Storms River and Tsitsikamma. 29 August 2026.
• Plett Arts Festival: A multi-faceted celebration of local art, performance, and music. Plettenberg Bay. 25 September to 4 October 2026.
• Wilderness Arts Festival: An interactive cultural gathering showcasing regional visual art and music. Wilderness. 17 to 19 October 2026.
• Klein Karoo Dust 4 Glory Challenge: A highly anticipated adventure obstacle run. Oudtshoorn. 17 October 2026.