The sought after holiday town of Knysna will be spilling with people from every restaurant, establishment, and attraction as everyone gathers for the much-anticipated Knysna Oyster Festival, taking place from 28 June – 7 July 2013. Event goers can look forward to “the best 10 days of winter” with thrilling entertainment for the young and old!

The Knysna Oyster Festival began back in 1983 as the Knysna Winter Festival, which was run in a ploy to attract visitors to the town during the quiet winter season. Offering over 100 exciting lifestyle and sporting events, this festival has plenty excitement in store for everyone. Today, this ever-popular event sees over 65,000 sporting enthusiasts, families, food and wine lovers, and adrenaline junkies from all over the country coming to indulge in some winter holiday fun.

The festival features 2 prime events, specifically: the Pick n Pay Cape Times Forest Marathon and the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Cycle Tour. Should you not be into sports, there will still be plenty of activities for you, such wine and whiskey tastings, cooking competitions, food and wine pairings, live music events, kid’s programmes, and last but certainly not least – oysters! You can look forward to a lip-smacking affair of oysters, served in a variety of delicious styles at over 30 local Tabasco Hotspots throughout the festival.

Although previous years’ events have never failed to excite, the 2013 event promises a range of new attractions to the programme. You can look forward to activities such as The Geo Oyster Geocaching Competition, the Pick n Pay Fun Event for the disabled, the Navigation Drift Dive Challenge, and the Night of 1000 Pictures (a two-night exhibition to raise funds for the Knysna Hospice). Other mid-week events will include the Wade Bales Wine Festival, the Pick n Pay Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras, the Knysna Lyster Company Shucking Competition, the Scottish Leader Whisky Bowls Tournament, and the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays Waitron Race.

Those with little ones can rest assured the kids programme is just as exciting. Your children can enjoy activities like lively puppet shows, youth theatre, creative art workshops, and cooking courses. For further information about the festival, visit the Knysna Oyster Festival website or call Knysna Tourism on +27 (0)44 382 5510.

To avoid disappointment, book your accommodation well in advance.  We recommend:

Overmeer Guest House is a charming accommodation overlooking the Knysna estuary. With family rooms, classic rooms, and luxury rooms, every guest is sure to be catered for in comfort. Delicious English, continental, and buffet breakfasts can be enjoyed each morning in the African breakfast room. Other facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant shuttle service, and an honesty bar. Find out more.

Guadeloupe is a spectacular self-catering accommodation perched on a hill overlooking the Knysna lagoon. Choose between a variety of beautifully furnished cottages, each with a kitchen, lounge area, and en-suite bathroom. Other facilities include a swimming pool and a restaurant on the premises. Find out more.

Should you have something else in mind, visit the Knysna accommodation page to find your ideal establishment.