Ficksburg Cherry Festival Cherries

Ficksburg South Africa, location of the Cherry Festival, which takes place in November.

From the quirky to the all-out strange; South Africa is home to the some of the world’s most unique festivals, giving travellers an opportunity to explore something a little different.

Here’s a list of some festivals coming up:

Garlic Festival, Stellenbosch
1 September 2012 - Believed to ward off cancer, colds and vampires, this potent little vegetable has been used medicinally for thousands of years since Greek and Roman times. Join fellow garlic lovers for the inaugural Garlic Festival at the Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market. Indulge in all things garlic, from oils and sausages to breads and even ice cream. At the same time, take the time to test out some garden vegetables, nuts, spices, coffee beans and locally made goods. And don’t worry there will be plenty of fresh parsley on hand.

Gold-Panning Championships, Pilgrim’s Rest
1-7 October 2012 - Go back in time with gold-panning courses, try traditional foods such as tripe and pap and potjiekos, or participate in the wheelbarrow race. The popular pub crawl includes historical pubs and shebeens, and on the Sunday teams can try their luck at gold-panning to win prizes.

Cherry Festival, Ficksburg
15-17 November 2012 - First held in 1967, this is one of the longest-running crop festivals in South Africa and every year 25,000 visitors descend on this Free State town to take part. The Festival boasts a jam-packed weekend of cherry picking and tasting, farm tours, mountain biking, and not to mention a pip-spitting competition. An entrance fee is payable.

Frog Festival, Chrissiesmeer
17 November 2012 - These wetlands are home to 13 species of frogs and once a year amphibian lovers hop to this town for a night of frog catching for scientific research. This year you can attend a talk, followed by a walk to record frog sounds on your mobile phone, which a herpetologist will identify.

Chilli Festival, Port Elizabeth
2-3 March 2013 - If you like it hot, this festival will have your mouth watering. Expect to find chutneys, jams and atchars, as well as plants and seedlings. You can even enter a chilli-eating competition (as long as you sign an indemnity form). Although the festival is mostly about chillies, there are a food stalls and entertainment for all tastes, including a potjie contest.