Easily the most popular event along the Garden Route the Knysna Oyster Festival will take place from 21 June to 30 June this year. The 36th annual Knysna Oyster Festival, the 2019 edition is a continued celebration of family, community and sport! Newly hailed as the ‘Best 10 Days of Your Winter’, the festival is spread over two weekends, and features an array of events suitable for all ages.
Visit Knysna’s General Manager, Colleen Durant, perfectly puts it:
“This year’s Knysna Oyster Festival offers something for everyone. The community have taken ownership of the event again, which means 10 full days of exploring everything that the Greater Knysna area has to offer; whether it’s an activity that is always on offer or something set up specifically for the festival days, visitors and locals will be spoilt for choice.”
Sporting Events
Falling on 23 June 2019, the Knysna Cycle Tour Road Race departs from Waterfront Drive in Knysna, winding along the stunning Knysna Lagoon towards George. There two main distances – 115km and 50km.
The Knysna Cycle Tour MTB, on the other hand, will take place on 22 June 2019. A bucket list event for cyclists from around the world, it boasts challenging terrain and gorgeous views. Snaking through the Knysna Forest and scenic farmland, there are 80km, 50km, 30km and 15km routes suitable for riders of various skills and ages. Continuing on from 2018, there is also a 30km electric bike route, and the 15km Ashes Fun Ride in memory of the devastating Knysna fires.
Other notable sporting events during the Knysna Oyster Festival are the iKASI Colour Fun Run on 22 June, the SPUR Children’s Tour through Knysna, the FNB Family Forest Hike from 24 – 26 June in the Harkerville Forest, the 3km Woodcutters Trails Forest Walk on 25 June, the River of Gold Forest Walk along Jubilee Creek River on 27 June, the Knysna Lagoon Mile on 28 June, and the Houtkapper Trail Run on 30 June.
Other Events
Not only a festival for athletes, the Knysna Oyster Festival also features an array of more leisurely events over the course of the two weekends. The Head Over Hills Wine Festival takes place from 24 – 26 June 2019, with 8 wine farms showcasing their very best vintages. In terms of live music, Rocco De Villiers will be performing at Premier Hotel Knysna on 27 June, the Turbine Hotel & Spa will be hosting Liquid Sunsets with live music on 28 June and Robin Auld will be putting on a show at the Knysna Yacht Club on 29 June. As part of their regular event line-up, the Turbine Hotel & Spa will also be offering a Sunday Lunch Buffet on 23 & 30 June for just R205 per person and Happy Hour on 21 and 28 June – where you can get buy 1 get 1 free on craft beer, house wine and pink gin on tap.
Accommodation
If you’re on the lookout for accommodation during the Knysna Oyster Festival, make sure to check out Turbine Hotel & Spa. Situated on Thesen Islands, the hotel are currently offering a number of affordable winter specials on one, two and three-night stays. Visit the Specials page for more information and book a stay at the quirkiest hotel in town!
