Knysna Oyster Festival

Knysna is a South African town located in the Western Cape Province. It is a popular tourist destination due to its year-round warm climate, beautiful scenery, world class golf courses, and a variety of annual events, which draw local and international visitors alike. The town’s biggest event is the annual Knysna Oyster Festival.

Oysters are widely regarded as a delicacy so it is not surprising that oyster festivals attract foodies from around the world who want to indulge themselves with delicious seafood of the finest quality. The Knysna Oyster Festival is not an exception. Held annually in late June and early July, it draws approximately 70,000 visitors over a ten-day period.

The Knysna Oyster Festival was founded in 1983 and has since become the most popular and anticipated event in the town. The festival offers an exiting program of unique events for oyster enthusiasts, sports lovers, fitness fanatics, families and adventurers, with more than 100 activities spread over 10 days.

The festival’s culinary program features wine tastings, gourmet treats, decadent desserts, and of course delicious oysters and oyster dishes offered by about 20 local restaurants. During the Knysna Oyster Festival, visitors consume approximately 200,000 oysters – that’s about 20,000 oysters a day!

Despite its name, the event isn’t all about oysters. It also offers many sporting activities, such as golf, rugby, squash, bowls, basketball, motosport, marathons and cycling. Hundreds of sporting enthusiasts come to town in order to participate in the BIG 5 Challenge, the Knysna Cycle Tour, the Featherbad Trail Run, the Knysna Forest Marathon, and other challenges, competitions and tournaments.

The program also includes plenty of events and activities for kids and families, including arts and crafts, inflatable fun and games, parties, fun runs, forest hikes, pavement art, hands-on workshops, and more. Other entertainment at the Knysna Oyster Festival includes live concerts, comedy performances, fashion shows, talent shows, theatrical performances, etc.

At the Knysna Oyster Festival, there’s something for everyone. It offers a plethora of events and activities ranging from indulging in food and drink to family fun, from music to pushing physical limits.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was held online in 2020 and in a hybrid format in 2021.