2023 Knysna Oyster Festival celebrates 40 years of family fun

Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the popular Knysna Oyster Festival kicks off on the 30th of June with an action-packed programme! One of the longest-running festivals in South Africa, this family festival appeals to all ages.

40 years later the event still attracts thousands of visitors to Knysna. It also shows off Knysna’s best assets as the events take visitors to the forests, the Knysna lagoon and the surrounding countryside. The two anchor events on the weekends, the Knysna Cycle Tour (30 June to 2 July) and the SPAR Knysna Forest Marathon (8 July) are firm favourites on the South African cycling and running calendars.

This year’s Cycle Tour is a mountain biker’s dream. Both events on Saturday and Sunday will be off-road, with the added Knysna Toyota Fun Enduro race in 3 and five stages taking place on Saturday. Organisers are planning to bring the popular road race back in 2024. Registration, start and finish will be at the High School sports grounds in Waterfront Drive, central Knysna.

The Spar Knysna Forest Half and Full Marathon are usually oversubscribed, and entries are hard to come by. What makes this event spectacular is the early morning start in the Knysna Forest and runners are transported to the start by the local taxi association from 4am onwards. Registration and finish will also be at the High School Sports fields in Waterfront Drive. One for the bucket list!

The festival grounds will also be the venue for various other events during the 10 days and these will be announced over the next few weeks.

Trail running has become a firm feature on the Festival programme and this year there are no less than 4 trail runs scheduled, including a twilight run! The Sea2Tower Trail Run takes place on the 2nd of July, the KnysnaX Trail Run and Simola Twilight Forest Trail Run on the 6th of July and the Houtkapper Trail Run on the 9th of July.

Other sport events to look forward to are the Knysna Yacht Club Canoe Race, the Oyster Betterball Golf championship, Padel Tournaments and the Pezula Sunset Wine Run.

Foodies are spoilt for choice with delectable oysters and other seafood dishes on the menu, tea & spice tastings and of course, the Knysna Wine Festival is a great opportunity to taste some of South Africa’s best wines.

Other events include the Miss Pearl 2023 competition, the popular Open rapid Chess tournament, the Fun Pumptrack eliminator, markets, kids craft workshops, book readings, guided tours, cross-country races and relays and of course, the Official Festival After Party on the 8th of July.

For more information and the full programme please visit www.oysterfestival.co.za Find out more on our website, www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za

“We are looking forward to a whale of a time in Knysna this July! Knysna has been the place to be in June/July for the last 40 years, come celebrate our 40th birthday in true Knysna Oyster Festival style – some action, oysters, fun and fresh air – all in the beautiful surroundings in the heart of the Cape Garden Route.”

For further information visit www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za, email info@knysnaoysterfestival.co.za or call Visit Knysna on 044 382 5510.

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