Your Garden Route Event Guide - 4 June

Hey everyone,

The next two weeks are packed with exciting events across the Garden Route. From celebrated musical acts like Freshlyground and Vusi Mahlasela to food festivals, classic car shows, coastal cleanups, and much more, there's no shortage of reasons to get out and explore what's happening in our backyard.

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Let’s dive in:

Knysna

Freshlyground and Congo Cowboys Live

The iconic South African outfit Freshlyground returns to the stage alongside the Congo Cowboys, generating an unforgettable blend of Afro-fusion, soul, jazz, and traditional string sounds.

• Date: 14 June 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Venue: Blend Country Restaurant and Pub, Knysna

Bonsai Kitten Live

A high-energy rock performance set to stir up the local live entertainment scene with heavy rhythms, powerful vocals, and an enthusiastic crowd dynamic.

• Date: 4 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: Knysna Gin Bar, Knysna

Vusi Mahlasela Live In Knysna

A rare and intimate opportunity to witness the globally celebrated artist known simply as 'The Voice' perform live, delivering moving songs of hope, poetic optimism, and unity.

• Date: 6 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: Knysna Gin Bar, Knysna

Songs of U2 Live in Knysna

An atmospheric musical presentation bringing U2's legendary catalogue to life, providing an intimate evening of shared rock anthems and classic lyricism.

• Date: 6 June 2026
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Venue: Knysna Gin Bar, Knysna

The Karoo Food and Wine Pairing Experience

A premium culinary and vinicultural gathering where fine regional wines are thoughtfully matched with expertly prepared dishes inspired by traditional Karoo flavors.

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

Mossel Bay

Songs of U2 Live

The music of U2 takes center stage in this immersive live performance celebrating four decades of legendary rock anthems. Audiences can look forward to an evocative journey through classic melodies and lyrics that defined a generation.

• Date: 4 June 2026
• Time: 10:30 AM
• Venue: Mossel Bay Town Hall, Mossel Bay

Wine Whatever Experience

A delightful multi-day culinary and vinicultural project taking place across a dozen partner eateries. Local food lovers and wine enthusiasts are invited to explore diverse pairings and unique menu additions along the scenic coastal route.

• Date: 4 to 6 June 2026
• Time: Restaurant opening hours
• Venue: Participating Eateries on Route 12, Glentana, Mossel Bay

Seun Live Production

A popular live theatrical and musical production arrives on the coastal rails, offering an engaging evening of local storytelling and performance art right by the sea.

• Date: 5 & 6 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: The Stage Coach at Santos Express, Mossel Bay

Tino Live at Reedvalley

Local artist Tino delivers an energetic live acoustic performance, promising a relaxed yet captivating musical showcase set against a scenic vineyard backdrop.

• Date: 6 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: Reedvalley, Mossel Bay

Hoort Live on Stage

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

• Date: 13 June 2026
• Time: 9:30 AM
• Venue: The Stage Coach at Santos Express, Mossel Bay

A Magical Life by Jovann Rocher

Multi-instrumentalist Jovann Rocher presents a unique live performance demonstrating mastery over a diverse array of musical instruments inside a historic local venue.

• Date: 16 June 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Venue: Dutch Reformed Church Mossel Bay, Mossel Bay

Great Brak Food & Wine Pairing Evening

A premium collaborative culinary gathering matching hand-selected coastal boutique estate wines with a multi-course seasonal menu reflecting regional flavours.

• Date: 17 June 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM
• Venue: The Transkaroo Restaurant, Great Brak River near Mossel Bay

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: 12 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 AM
• Venue: Victoria Bay, George

Fashion Theatre by Family Circle

An innovative live stage production blending contemporary fashion design with expressive performing arts, showcasing artistic local apparel collections through dramatic performance.

• Date: 12 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, 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: 13 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: George Riding Club, George

Plettenberg Bay

Engel and Völkers Chilli Festival Final Celebration

The grand finale of the month-long regional food festival, featuring a lively community gathering, prize-giving hosted by a celebrity chef, and the popular chilli-eating competition.

• Date: 6 June 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Venue: Barrington's, Plettenberg Bay

Vusi Mahlasela Acoustic Live

An intimate, soulful acoustic evening highlighting the classic melodies, powerful storytelling, and historical musical legacy of one of South Africa's true icons.

• Date: 7 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: The White House Theater, Plettenberg Bay

Wilderness

Songs Of U2 Live In Wilderness

A powerful live homage honoring the expansive rock anthems and emotional soundscapes of U2, providing coastal audiences with a deeply nostalgic musical journey.

• Date: 5 June 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: The Fairy Knowe Hotel, Wilderness

Sedgefield

Anika Hari and the Holy Goosebumps

A vibrant alternative live music performance bringing fresh indie, soul, and rhythm-driven melodies to a popular community gathering spot on the main road.

• Date: 14 June 2026
• Time: 8:00 PM
• Venue: 50 on Main, Sedgefield

Nature's Valley

Nature's Valley Trust Estuary Monitoring and Clean-up

A collaborative volunteer-driven community action event focusing on conservation monitoring, trash collection, and preserving the delicate estuary system of the valley.

• Date: 6 June 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Venue: Nature's Valley Lagoon Estuary, Nature's Valley

That's it for this week!

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Save The Date

• En Route Arts Festival: An inaugural multi-venue arts celebration showcasing live theatre, comedy, musical performances, and heritage mosaic tours. Sedgefield. 19 to 24 June 2026.
• The Gwen Event: A curated professional networking lunch and product showcase supporting regional female entrepreneurs and business founders. Plettenberg Bay. 20 June 2026.
• Thriller - The MJ Dance Tribute: A high-energy live stage production celebrating the legendary choreography and musical catalog of Michael Jackson. George. 20 June 2026.
• Knysna Oyster Festival: A legendary ten-day family and sporting festival featuring premium food markets, live music, the famous forest marathon, and cycle tours. Knysna. 3 to 12 July 2026.
• Plett Ocean Festival: A dedicated celebration of marine conservation, coastal culture, and maritime art exhibitions. Plettenberg Bay. 3 to 12 July 2026.
• Glacier Storms River Traverse: A scenic three-stage mountain biking adventure tracing pristine forestry paths and coastal fynbos trails. Storms River. 31 July to 2 August 2026.
• Tsitsikamma Ultra Trail Run: A grueling yet breathtaking 50km point-to-point mountain footrace cutting through deep indigenous river gorges. Storms River. 29 August 2026.
• Lions Karoo to Coast: A massive 100km off-road mountain bike challenge crossing from the desert plains of the Karoo down to the coastline. Knysna. 27 September 2026.