Philippolis Witblits Festival
Where: Philippolis
When: April
Website: www.philippolis.org.za
The Philippolis Witblits Festival, held in early April, will give you a taste of a proud local tradition - witblits (Afrikaans for "white lightning") is South African moonshine. Held in the oldest town in the Free State, the festival has boeresports for the kids, food, drink and more witblits. Phillipolis also offers an artist's retreat, the Laurens van der Post Memorial Garden, the Transgariep Museum, safari packages, birdwatching and fishing.
Aardklop Arts Festival
Where: Potchefstroom
When: September
Website: www.aardklop.co.za
Aardklop Arts Festival offers a feast of arts and an all-round good jol for five days in late September and early October. First held in 1998, Aardklop - Afrikaans roughly translated as "earth beat" - has over 90 productions, with classical music, jazz, hard rock, cabaret, visual arts, theatre, circus performances, opera, African and World music, poetry and more, ending with the OppiAarde rock festival on the final day.
Macufe
Where: Bloemfontein
When: September
Website: www.macufe.co.za
Macufe, the 10-day Mangaung African Cultural Festival, showcases the cream of African and international talent. It features jazz, gospel, kwaito, hip-hop, R&B, rock and classical music, as well as dance, drama, cabaret, musical theatre, poetry, fine art and traditional arts and crafts. First held in 1997 before an audience of 30 000, Macufe now attracts over 140 000 people from South Africa, Africa and the world. The festival is presented in late September and early October by the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State.
Vrede Paddadors
Where: Vrede
When: September
Website: www.vredefees.co.za
The full name of Paddadors, the Free State town of
Vrede's annual festival, is the Vrede Paddadors Rooivleis en Kultuurfees - which translates literally as the Peace Frog-Thirst Red-Meat and Culture Festival. The story goes that the dry land on which the town was established was originally called Paddadors ("frog thirst" in Afrikaans), until peace came and place was named Vrede. The festival offers live music, traditional food, a beer garden, children's activities and more.
Ficksburg Cherry Festival
Where: Ficksburg
When: November
Website: www.cherryfestival.co.za
One of the oldest festivals in South Africa - first held in 1969 - the Ficksburg Cherry Festival now attracts around 20 000 visitors to this small eastern Free State town every
November. The scenery is magnificent, and the festival offers cherry and asparagus tastings, tours, picnics, music, and the Miss Cherry Blossom and Miss Cherry Pip competitions.
Rustler's Valley New Year's Gathering
Where: Fouriesburg
When: December
Website: www.rustlers.co.za
Rustler's Valley in the eastern Free State was the first to host music festivals in South Africa, although it now does so on a much smaller scale. Rustlers hosts some of its best trance, dance and drumming festivals in late November and December, including a New Year celebration. Rustlers also offers the African Sweat Hut, permaculture design courses, a backpacker's lodge, cottages, a game reserve, the Saucery Restaurant and
Marimba House. The majestic scenery on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains alone is worth the trip.
- Do you have a festival we've neglected to mention? E-mail mary@bigmedia.co.za.
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