Grab life by the moments 

Published: December 21st, 2017

Families, foodies, art-lovers and sports enthusiasts can all enjoy Plett thanks to a lively yearly event calendar. Plan your visit around a festival or race, or pop in for a spur-of-the-moment getaway.

Our four festival times of year include Plett Summer, Plett Adventure & Nature, Plett Culture & Heritage and Plett Food & Wine. Either way, there’s an event for everyone. Sign up for our newsletter for regular event updates.

SA SENIOR GOLF TOUR

(April)

Chipping and putting their way around the fairy tale greens of Plett’s Country Club, the senior golfing gurus from all across sunny SA converge annually with great expectations. And where better to test their mettle? Rob O’Friell, Golf Course Architect “extraordinaire”, fresh from his successes at River Club and Royal Johannesburg was given carte blanche to upgrade the design of greens and surrounds at the Plettenberg Bay Country Club. The results are breath taking and makes for a challenging day out. The golf seniors had nothing but praise for this illustrious event and Plett is certainly very proud to be host to the sport of champions. The 2018 event is scheduled for 3 – 8 April. www.seniortour.co.za

BUCO ADVENTURE WEEKEND

(Easter Weekend)

A weekend of sea, land and forest adventure is what the Buco Plett Easter Games is all about. Paddling, swimming, cycling, running…offset with a few frosties and excellent food, laughter and awesome scenery, the visitors come in their droves to be a part of this iconic Plett institution. Cairnbrogie MTB night race, paddling alongside the who’s who of the paddling fraternity and swimming with Olympic medallists is just a few things to look forward to. Better start training!

www.muddyfootadventures.co.za

Moments1PLETT ARTS FESTIVAL

(July)

The Plett Arts Festival brings a host of interesting and talented artists, entertainers and chefs together under one roof for a bash not to be forgotten. Incorporating the very popular Plett Food Film Festival, this week of celebration is fast becoming part of Plett tradition. Pairing movies and cuisine, humour and life, fantasy and reality, the festival celebrates art and all its quirks.

KURLAND EVENTING

(September)

Kurland puts on an amazing three days of extreme horsemanship, as well as markets, good food, good wine and a trail run. The Kurland Eventing Trail Run is a big drawcard and enjoys a healthy number of local runners each year. Experience the hospitality of the Kurland Hotel and Spa and view all the fixtures from the pavilion viewing deck. Enjoy the spoils of VIP lounges and delicious catering. Kurland boasts the first Eric Winter signature eventing venue in Africa. Eric Winter is an acclaimed FEI, UKbased course designer, who recently designed Badminton. Enjoy a day of equine bliss and all things spectacular. www.pletttourism.com

DR EVIL CLASSIC

(September)

Our very own Dr Evil, aka Leon Evans – father of ex-SA MTB Marathon Champion Kevin Evans and owner of The Bike Shop, has been designing MTB courses for a few decades now. The title of evil genius is one that is well earned. The original course designer for the Cape Epic, Leon knows a thing or two about berms and switchbacks. The Dr Evil Classic stage race is the highlight of many riders and absolutely everyone who rides it gets hooked and vow to return long before the Cairnbrogie cow dung, caked on their spokes, has had a chance to dry. www.drevilclassic.com

EDEN TO ADDO GREAT CORRIDOR HIKE

(September)

The hike is a 20 day, 350 kilometer plus expedition for and about conservation. All money raised contributes to building essential conservation corridors stretching from Knysna to Addo, linking the three mega reserves of the area: The Garden Route National Park, the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site and Addo Elephant National Park. On the hike you walk through the corridors and parts of the reserves, experiencing five of South Africa’s biomes and some of the wildest areas in South Africa. So, grab your boots and make plans for an exceptional nature experience!

www.edentoaddo.co.za

Moments2PLETT WINE & BUBBLY

(October)

A celebration of bubbles! What could possibly be better than popping open a few bottles of award winning Methodé Cap Classique on the iconic beachfront of Plett? The Plett Wine and Bubbly Festival is an annual event that showcases the absolute best that local vineyards have to offer lovers of wine and bubbly. Sharing their passion for wine making with visitors, the sommeliers and winemakers hold court for a whole weekend of superb food and drink. The Plett region is fast becoming recognised as an emerging hotspot for outstanding wine production and as such, the competition for awards is hotting up. Don’t miss it! www.pletttourism.com

TOUR DE PLETT

(October)

In the words of the chairman of the organising committee, Colin Shave, “The Tour De Plett is not a race for sissies!” And that’s the truth. The MTB race is Colin’s passion, as he felt that there weren’t that many races in the Plett area that offered capable MTB riders a challenging ride. The annual event has gone from strength to strength, attracting big names in the cycling world. Scores of local MTB fans strut their stuff, compare bling, all the while keeping a beady eye on the competition and at the end of the race a frosty or two are enjoyed while the ‘war stories’ are shared with great enthusiasm. www.tourdeplett.co.za

OTTER AFRICAN TRAIL RUN

(October)

The Otter Trail is the oldest official hiking trail in South Africa and is named after the elusive otter, which is found in fresh water and at sea. Probably one of the most popular hiking trails in the country, it attracts not only local visitors but scores of international tourists too. An excellent argument for ‘pain is addictive’, the Otter sees visitors coming back for more year after year. Become part of the ‘Otter family’ and start greasing those toes today. www.otter.run

PLETT RAGE

(December)

A rite of passage to adulthood, the Plett Rage has seen thousands of young hopefuls celebrate the end of a long school career. Pouring into town full of excitement, boundless energy, skimpy outfits and flip flops, the noisy ones take town by the scruff of the neck, while the older folk remember their youth fondly. www.plettrage.co.za

SABRINA LOVE OCEAN CHALLENGE

(December)

The Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge has become synonymous with active family fun and a celebration of all that is summer and sport in Plettenberg Bay. It takes place over two days the third week of December and hosts a total of eight different events; including trail runs, Surf Ski challenge, a Beach Walk and a one Mile Ocean Swim and Kids of Steel. There is a long list of present and past Sabrina Love Ocean celebrity stars which have included the likes of Gary Player, Natalie de Toit, the Mokke brothers and Bruce Fordyce. The foundation aims to support children with special needs in the Bitou community. www.sabrinalove.co.za

Moments3PLETT 24 HOUR REUNION

(winter and summer)

Plett 24Hour Reunion showcases the growing clothing and textile businesses in the area to potential clients and investors. The main focus is to find, nurture and garner exposure for talented fashion industry leaders– from models, textile designers to seamstresses. Past celebrity guest designers include David Tlale and Nolyiso Nada J. Kwanokuthula Stadium is the hub, generally twice a year. The day starts with a picnic-style social gathering, followed by a red-carpet ‘High Fashion’ show. Party goers are in for a treat with live music and dancing ‘til late.

www.pletttourism.com

#VINEFEST

(quarterly)

With Plett emerging as the new wine and bubbly hub of the region, wine festivals seems a natural progression. #Vinefest, a project of Mediaboxx Events, showcases the ever growing wine farm industry by celebrating all that is grape and fun. Having had much success with the ‘Truck and Vine Festival’ at Redford Lane Wines and the ‘Vintage and Vine Festival’ at Luka Wines, respectively, these events are gaining momentum and Plett looks forward to seeing many more to come. So do keep an eye out for the #Vinefest announcements and enjoy a day of wine, fun and good times. FB: @vinefest