What's on in Hermanus, South Africa through the year

Peak crowds — South African summer holidays, Term 4–1 (summer, year-end) break in South Africa

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: South African summer holidays (15 Dec – 15 Jan (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Season

  Hemel-en-Aarde grape harvest

  15 Feb – 15 Apr · usually

  The cool Hemel-en-Aarde valley just behind town picks later than most Cape wine areas, usually from late February into April, so cellar doors are busy with fresh crush and the pinot noir and chardonnay estates are at their liveliest. Source ↗

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Easter Passion Play

  3 AprEaster & Holy WeekCrowded

  On Good Friday evening a cast of local volunteers stages the life of Christ against the cliffs of the Old Harbour, with lights and music. It has run since 1995 and draws thousands over the Easter school holiday weekend. Source ↗

Still on: Hemel-en-Aarde grape harvest (15 Feb – 15 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Easter Passion Play, Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Hemel-en-Aarde grape harvest (15 Feb – 15 Apr (usually)), Easter Passion Play (3 Apr)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Southern right whales

  1 Jun – 30 Nov · usuallyWhale season

  Southern rights come into Walker Bay to calve and stay close enough to the cliff path to watch without a boat. The town keeps a whale crier who blows a kelp horn when they are in; September and October are the thick of it.

• Festival

  Hermanus FynArts

  6–14 JunArts festivalBook early

  Nine days of art, sculpture walks, tastings and talks in the middle of winter, deliberately placed to give the town a reason to fill when the beaches cannot. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Kalfiefees, Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Kalfiefees

  30 Jul – 12 Aug · usuallyArts festivalCrowded

  The Overstrand's arts festival — theatre, music and art — takes over Hermanus in the first days of August, timed with the Women's Day weekend and the first calves in the bay. Source ↗

Still on: Southern right whales (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Busy — Kalfiefees, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Southern right whales (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually)), Kalfiefees (30 Jul – 12 Aug (usually))

Busy — Term 3–4 (spring) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Fernkloof flower show

  24–27 SepWildflowers & blooms

  The botanical society's fynbos show at Fernkloof over the last weekend of September, running for more than sixty years. The reserve on the slope above the town is in flower at the same time. Source ↗

• Festival

  Hermanus Whale Festival

  2–4 OctWhale seasonCrowdedBook early

  Three days on Walker Bay built around whales close enough to watch from the cliff path. The town is full, parking is a lost cause, and the road in from Cape Town on the Friday crawls. Source ↗

Still on: Southern right whales (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — Hermanus Whale Festival, Term 3–4 (spring) break in South Africa

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Southern right whales (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually)), Hermanus Whale Festival (2–4 Oct)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Southern right whales (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — South African summer holidays, Term 4–1 (summer, year-end) break in South Africa

• Holiday

  South African summer holidays

  15 Dec – 15 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  The Overberg's beach fortnight: the town roughly doubles in size, the whales have mostly gone, and the restaurants along the cliff need booking. Rates sit at their yearly high. Source ↗