Plan your stay at La Residence to coincide with exceptional annual events that showcase the very best experiences that the Winelands have to offer. Franschhoek is more than South Africa’s most loved destination in the Cape Winelands and our home between the vineyards here at La Residence. It is a cultural and historical hub of the country, it is the nucleus of Michelin star food, local music, artisanal chocolate, art galleries, astonishing mountain scenery, and of course, South Africa’s finest wines. In every season, every year, there is a reason to enjoy Franschhoek’s beautiful surroundings and its preserved French character at quaint coffee shops, bakeries, book launches, and festivals.

We mark our annual calendars with the highly anticipated events that take place in and around the village every month. Franschhoek’s social calendar is decorated with indoor and outdoor events to keep visitors busy every month of the year – some require booking long in advance, so knowing what’s on and when is helpful to make sure you plan ahead.

Here’s our guide to what’s on in Franschhoek, highlighting what we most love about our spot in the Winelands each month for the year ahead.

July in Franschhoek means the arrival of the highly anticipated Bastille Festival, commemorating France’s Fête Nationale in South Africa’s much-loved “French Corner”. Every year, the little town is cloaked in blue, white, and red, and bursts at the seams with good food, wine, music, and markets selling their best Parisian pastries and French French fair. In the middle of Cape Town’s winter, the Bastille Festival is a fun-filled weekend event that draws locals and visitors alike to the Franschhoek Huguenot Monument where winemakers and merchants, chocolatiers and bakers pedal their wares in the energetic environment generated by live music in the winter sunshine. This is certainly July’s merriest event, and a weekend not to be missed in the winelands.

Uncorked is not “just another wine festival” in Franschhoek – it is the wine festival of the season, used to showcase the new release wines from participating wineries in Franschhoek’s most magnificent vineyards. The Uncorked Wine Festival will invite you to look forward to MCCs with their vibrant spritz, crisp white varieties leading with pale-skinned fruits and mineral content, and blushing rosés flushed with berries. Along with excellent wine tastings comes live music that’ll get your foot tapping and food that generates joy. Activities like tractor rides through the vineyards make this the perfect family event and bring people together over a shared love for food, wine, and spectacular views.

The end of the year brings bright lights and baubles to shop windows and market stalls, and the winelands are no exception. In fact, Franschhoek puts on a special 3-day Christmas Market just for the occasion. Ordinarily, the village market is impressive enough, but everything is bigger and better at Christmas time, so expect the Franschhoek Christmas Market to bring even more delicious, delectable offerings than usual.

Spend the day under the ancient oak trees where you can meander between over 100 stalls, taking your pick of artisanal dishes, handmade arts and crafts, and glasses of Franschhoek’s best wine! Roasters, brewers, and bakers fill the air with scents that will leave you smacking your lips, while artists and craftsmen will help you pick out special gifts for loved ones as Christmas Day approaches.