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

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

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Garden Route 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

Nothing new starts in February.

Busy — Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Busy — Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

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

• Hazard

  Berg wind fire risk

  1 May – 30 Nov · usuallySmoke seasonClosures

  Hot, dry berg winds off the interior are what turn a plantation fire into the kind that burned through the town in June 2017. The danger travels with the wind rather than the season, and the worst days come in winter and spring. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Knysna Oyster Festival, Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa

• Nature

  Southern right whales

  15 Jun – 15 Nov · usuallyWhale season

  Southern rights work the coast between the Heads and Buffalo Bay through winter and spring. The viewpoints on the eastern Head are the free way to watch them, and no boat gets closer.

• Festival

  Knysna Oyster Festival

  26 Jun – 12 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Ten days at the start of July built on the lagoon's oysters and a full calendar of road and trail races. It is the Garden Route's biggest week outside the December rush, and it happens in mid-winter. Source ↗

Still on: Berg wind fire risk (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — Knysna Oyster Festival, Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Berg wind fire risk (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Southern right whales (15 Jun – 15 Nov (usually)), Knysna Oyster Festival (26 Jun – 12 Jul (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Berg wind fire risk (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Southern right whales (15 Jun – 15 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — Pink Loerie Mardi Gras, Term 3–4 (spring) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Pink Loerie Mardi Gras

  24–27 SepPrideCrowded

  Knysna's pride and arts festival, moved off its old Easter slot to the Heritage Day weekend. The main street closes for the parade and the town's beds go early. Source ↗

Still on: Berg wind fire risk (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Southern right whales (15 Jun – 15 Nov (usually))

Busy — Term 3–4 (spring) break in South Africa, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Berg wind fire risk (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Southern right whales (15 Jun – 15 Nov (usually))

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

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Berg wind fire risk (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Southern right whales (15 Jun – 15 Nov (usually))

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

• Holiday

  Garden Route summer holidays

  15 Dec – 15 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  The N2 through town becomes a queue and the lagoon fills with boats. Knysna's population multiplies for the festive weeks and self-catering is booked close to a year out. Source ↗