The festive season is officially here which means it’s time to turn on your ‘out-of-office’, gather your family and friends and enjoy some time relaxing, and reconnecting under the South African sun.
From food and gift markets, to instrumental concerts on river banks, summer festivals, sunrise dance sessions, concerts, and even a rubber ducky race, Knynsa has it all happening this December.
The Farm Pre-Christmas Market
If you haven’t done all your Christmas shopping yet you can join The Farm on Old Cape Road for their pre-Christmas market on 4 December. The market runs between 9am and 2pm and promises a wealth of beautiful locally made gifts and homemade treats from the farm. It’s a day of leisurely gift shopping, good coffee, and delicious meals where the whole family is welcome, including your furry friends (on a leash).
Sunday Moods on the River Banks
Blackwaters River Lodge invites all to Sunday Moods on the River Banks on the 4th and 18th of December as well as the 8th of January. Bring your family & friends for a day on the Goukamma River banks enjoying instrumental performances by local musicians. The beautiful rustic outdoor amphitheater provides the ideal setup for magical melodies as the sun goes down. Picnic snack platters, kids’ picnic boxes, and full harvest picnic baskets will all be available from the on-site Earth & Fire Restaurant. Tickets are R150 per adult and R80 for kids under 12 and can be pre-booked on Quicket here.
Hornlee Summer Festival
Join the Hornlee community at the Hornlee Sportsground from 16-18 December for their annual summer festival. Kick off the holiday season with some wonderfil offerings including craft stalls, kiddies games, jumping castles, face painting, a potjiekos competition, live music and entertainment, a Show & Shine motor show, car sound competition, and plenty of great food and drink.
Deep Intentions 3 Music Event
Join Oaks on Main in Knysna on 17 December for a musical journey in the heart of Knysna. Leave your baggage behind and join locals and tourists alike on the dance floor for an epic boogie under the magical Milkwood trees. The event runs from 4pm to 9:30pm with a varied line up including Rozy, Nazz, The Duud, Smoothe, and Esmeralda. The Mexican Bite will be serving the most delicious food, Snobs Coffee will be open for hot drinks including those with a bit of a kick, Cloud 9 will have a Sisha experience on offer, and the bar at The Node will be fully stocked and ready for you. Tickets start from R100 and can be purchased on Quicket here.
Santa Baby Secret Sunrise
Head to the Simola helipad at 7am on 24 December for Santa Baby themed Secret Sunrise. Using headphone technology, you will be guided through a series of music of all genres. Meditation, breath work, movement and dance all combine for a memorable hour of fun where dressing up is encouraged. Buy your tickets on Quicket here.
Corona Chasing Sunsets Tour
The Corona Chasing Sunsets Tour will be heading to Thesen Island on the 28th of December. Experience the best of summer and unwind and relax with an exclusive line-up of artists including Tom Frew, Roz, Abby Nurock, Andy Baxter, The Disco Pirates, Floyd Lavine, Ryan Murgatroyd and Zakes Bantwini. The concert kicks off at 12pm and tickets start from R300.
Knysna Splash Festival
The Knysna Splash Festival is an annual festival that takes place on 30 December in aid of the Knysna Rotary Safe Swimming project. The event includes the Knysna Splash Lagoon Swim consisting of a 450m fun swim, 1650m swim, and even a 3000m swim for the more energetic. There is also the quack attack duck race which hilariously pits hundreds of rubber ducks against each other in two heats.
Aside from the above you can also look forward to the following events in Knysna this silly season:
- Montessori Friday Market: Every Friday from 16:00 to 20:00 at Montessori School Welbedacht Road
- Tottie’s Market: Every Sunday in Rheenendal on the Rhenendal Road
- Harkerville Market: Every Saturday morning from 8am
- Revive Knysna Charity Golf Day: On the 4th of December at the Knysna Golf Club
- Oakhill Christmas Market: On the 11th of December at The Lofts, Thesen Island
- Knysna Seeff Night Race: The Knysna Maraton Club will host their night race on 16th of December
- Live Music: From 17:30 to 20:30 at the Knysna Golf Club on 21 and 30 December
- KnysnaX Trail Run: On the 2nd of January from town to Blackwaters River Lodge