Issue 26
Good morning, Winelands Insiders! 😊
We’ve filtered the noise and brought the good stuff - big plans, easy wins and zero fluff.
This issue is stacked with reasons to get out and enjoy summer at full volume.
Whether you’re dancing at an Afrikaans jol, sipping wine to music in Franschhoek, stomping grapes on Valentine’s Day, enjoying starlit picnics or sharing sushi after a helicopter flight, there’s something here for everyone.
Feeling active? We have 4 runs/ walks that are not to be missed - Landskroon, Morgenhof, Casa Cerveza and the Helderberg Nature Reserve night walk (scroll to our Health & Wellbeing Events section).
Here’s this week’s full lineup👇
Things To Do & Events
Local Business & Town News
Little Insiders: Curious Kids Adventure Fest
This Week’s Top Deal: Couples Spa Deal
Weather: Best Days - Fri-Sun!
Mind, Health & Fitness: Weekend Habits To Restore Your Energy
A Little Extra Inspo
👉 If you have any local friends who you know will love this, send them to our free signup page to join.
Also - If you want to know why we exist, scroll to the bottom to find out.
Let’s get to it!
Things To Do & Events
🎭 Arts & Culture Events
Afrikaans Oppi Platteland
📅 Sat. 7th Feb. 9am 📍 Môreson Plaas, Malmesbury
Expect a full festival day packed with Afrikaans hits, surprises, merch drops & serious jol - whether you’re dancing at the stage or soaking up the vibe with friends.
🎟 Tickets HERE
Afrikaans Oppi Platteland 2026
The Dance Of The Footnote
📅 Sat. 7th Feb. 6pm 📍 The Kraal Restaurant, Joostenberg Wine Estate
Enjoy a soulful summer evening of original live music, Joostenberg Estate wines, and a generous seasonal farm supper in the rustic setting of The Kraal. Live performance by Jenny & James.
🎟 R475 - book HERE
Karen Zoid: Unplugged. Unfiltered. Unmissable.
📅 Fri. 20th Feb. from 5:30pm, show 8pm 📍 Festa Restaurant, Wellington
An honest, intimate Karen Zoid performance - no big band, no filters, just powerful music & storytelling in a beautifully close setting.
🎟 R380 pp - tickets HERE
Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival 2026
📅 12-15th Feb. 8pm 📍 Franschhoek
A refined programme of world-class performances presented by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. From timeless classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, this four-day festival promises musical brilliance in one of the Winelands’ most beautiful settings.
🎟 More info & programme HERE
Francois van Coke Live
📅 Thur. 26th Feb. 8pm 📍 Kapstadt Brauhaus
Join one of South Africa’s most iconic rock voices for a limited run of intimate live shows across the Winelands and beyond. Expect raw energy, big sing-alongs & a proper midweek jol.
🎟 From R265 - tickets HERE
🏟 Family & Community Events
Dorp Street Sunday Market
📅 Sun. 25th Jan. 9-3pm 📍 50-116 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch
A vibrant mix of local creativity, food & style. 50+ Pop-Up stalls.
Summer Festival | Klein Liebe Family Market
📅 Sat. 7th Feb. 9-2pm 📍 Corner R44 & Muldersvlei Rd, S’bosch
A relaxed morning of family fun in the Winelands - dogs welcome.
Stargazing Picnic At The Afrikaanse Taalmonument
📅 Fri. 13th Feb. 5-10pm 📍 Afrikaanse Taalmonument, Paarl
Join the Taalmonument for a magical evening under the stars as they host a Stargazing Picnic exploring Jupiter and its Galilean moons.
🎟 From R15 - tickets HERE
Winelands Horse Festival 2026
📅 Sat. 28th Feb. 9-5pm 📍 Mistico Equestrian Centre, Paarl Farms
Expect breathtaking equestrian performances, boutique stalls, wine & food tastings, live music & plenty of activities for kids & families.
🎟 From R50 - tickets HERE
🌱 Health & Wellbeing Events
Run The Vines
📅 Sat. 24th Jan. from 7:15am📍 Landskroon Wine Estate, Paarl
A relaxed trail running & walking experience through one of Paarl’s most scenic wine farms. Open to all fitness levels.
🎟 Enter HERE
Sunday Run Day
📅 Sun. 25th Jan. from 7am 📍 Morgenhof Estate, Stellenbosch
Swap queues for views & tar for trails at this scenic Sunday trail run. Choose between 3km/ 5km/ 10km routes through unbelievably beautiful Stellenbosch vineyards. Food & drinks avail on the day.
🎟 From R180 - enter HERE
Casa Family Run & Sunday Market
📅 Sun. 25th Jan. 10:30am 📍 Casa Cerveza, Stellenbosch
A fun, family-friendly 4km run perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Afterwards, stroll straight into the Dorp Street Sunday Market & settle in at Casa for good food & Sunday vibes.
🎟 Free - no booking required
Moon Night Walk
📅 Sat. 7th Feb. 8pm 📍 Helderberg Nature Reserve
Enjoy views of the Milky Way, listen for nocturnal animals, and explore the reserve after dark in a safe, guided group.
🎟 Members R50 / Non-members R80
🍽 Foodie Events
San Marzano Tomato Picking & Italian Lunch
📅 Sun. 25th Jan. picking 8:30-11:30 📍 Ayama Wine Farm, Paarl
Spend your Sunday harvesting Italian San Marzano tomatoes straight from the fields, followed by a relaxed Italian-style farm lunch.
🎟 R395 pp - menu HERE / WhatsApp: 066 419 1714 to book
Helicopter Flight & Sushi Pairing Experience
📅 Sat. 31st Jan.📍 Kanu Wines, Stellenbosch
This exclusive Fly. Sip. Sushi. experience combines a scenic helicopter flight with a curated sushi & wine pairing at Kanu. Perfect for a special occasion or an unforgettable day out.
🎟 From R990 pp ☎️ 072 2193 264
Fly. Sip. Sushi. | Kanu
Harvest Stomp At Ken Forrester Vineyards
📅 Sat. 14th Feb. 10:30-4pm 📍 Ken Forrester Vineyards
This much-loved Harvest Stomp brings together great wine, live music & long harvest tables for an unforgettable experience. Includes cocktail on arrival, grape harvest stomp, live music, harvest style shared table, wine to share.
🎟 Adults R695 | Kids R200 - book HERE
Local Business & Town News
📚 Stellenbosch Is Buzzing - the countdown is on to welcoming our students!
Welcoming Season (26 Jan - 8 Feb) turns the town into a playground for new Maties - from campus vibes to hidden coffee gems, it’s all waiting to be explored.
130 Years of Heritage. A New Era of Play.
A big moment for the valley. The historic Groot Drakenstein Games Club officially opens its gates to the public on Saturday, 31st Jan, celebrating 130 years of heritage alongside the launch of an exciting new chapter for sport, family fun & community connection.
What’s happening on the day:
🎾 Padel Launch - Explore three brand-new international-standard padel courts
🏏 Pickstone Oval - See the historic cricket grounds in action
☕ Food & Drinks - Coffee and cold refreshments available at the clubhouse
🎭 Social Societies - Meet the teams behind new Acting, Ballroom and Kids Jam groups
Little Insiders (For The Kids)
📅 Sat. 28th Feb - Sun. 1st Mar. 9-5pm 📍 Zewenwacht Wine Estate
A vibrant, interactive outdoor festival where kids can explore, create, move & imagine. Packed with hands-on activities & playful experiences for curious minds of all ages - while parents sit back & enjoy the vibe.
🎟 Tickets HERE
💥 This Week’s Top Deals
💞 The Couples Melt Away Ritual | Erinvale Spa
Reconnect and unwind this February with a shared wellness journey for two.
Shared sound bowl therapy
30-minute Bella Baci back massage
Side-by-side Dr Babor glow facials
Finished with a complimentary glass of sparkling rosé
R1,999 p couple (avail throughout Feb 2026) 👉🏼 Book HERE
🌤 Weather This Week in the Winelands
Week at a Glance: It’s shaping up to be a gold-standard summer week 🍷✨
Think wall-to-wall sunshine, warm days that flirt with the high-20s, and evenings that stay pleasantly mild - no weather drama, just good vibes.
Thu 22 Jan | 25 °C / 17 °C | ☀️ Sunny / mostly clear skies |
Fri 23 Jan | 24 °C / 16 °C | ☀️ Sunshine with clear skies |
Sat 24 Jan | 27 °C / 18 °C | ☀️ Bright & sunny |
Sun 25 Jan | 28 °C / 18 °C | ☀️ Sunny & warm (perfect for wine farms) |
Mon 26 Jan | 29 °C / 18 °C | ☀️ Warm sun with light clouds |
Tue 27 Jan | 27 °C / 18 °C | ☀️ Sunny & clear |
Wed 28 Jan | 28 °C / 18 °C | ☀️ Mostly sunny & warm |
Mind, Health & Fitness
6 Weekend Habits That Actually Restore Your Energy 💫
If you’ve ever ended a weekend more tired than you started… You’re not alone.
You cleaned. Caught up on emails. Meal prepped. “Got ahead.”
But somehow? You still woke up Monday running on fumes.
Here’s the truth: Most of us were taught to use the weekend to recover. But no one taught us how to restore.
Slow, unstructured mornings (your cortisol levels are highest in the a.m)
Getting outside for natural light + movement (just 20mins outside increases serotonin & balances dopamine)
Do one thing just for YOU (reading, hiking, cooking) with no outcome attached
No “catching-up” on work - Your brain needs context switches to fully recover
Intentional connection (not just social plans) - Oxytocin is the antidote to burnout. That heart-to-heart convo or tech free quality time? That’s the real recharge.
A clear Sunday wind-down ritual - Whether it’s a walk, a book or a bath, create a soft boundary between a weekend & weekday to calm anticipatory anxiety
Credit @peakperformancewithjulia
A Little Extra Inspo
A big vibe for such a simple side…
Halloumi Stuffed Dates 🤎
That’s it, you’re now up to date. No more FOMO.
Thanks for reading Issue 26 ✅
Why do we exist?
We skim, sift and shortlist everything worth knowing into a no-fluff, 5-minute weekly read: events, news, weather and a little inspo, delivered straight to your inbox.
Minimal effort. Maximum plans.
We hope it becomes your favourite Thursday read :)
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