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The long Easter weekend might be the most anticipated weekend on the South African holidays calendar. It's a weekend of travel in SA - in every sense of the word.
People stack up their cars, and taxis and head to their places of ultimate desire, whether that be at their family homes, a favourite camping spot or their vacation homes.
Most of the South African travelling masses will opt to go to one of the iconic long-weekend festivals that have become synonymous with Easter over this weekend.
Also see: Easter treats and surprises for the whole family
If you're one of these spirited travellers, here are the three SA Easter festivals explained in their full!
Take your pick...
FESTIVAL NUMBER ONE - SPLASHY FEN
What: From its early beginnings back in 1990, Splashy Fen has evolved into one of South Africa’s premier music festivals which nowadays sees thousands of people making the annual pilgrimage to Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal for what is regarded by many as the ‘ultimate outdoor experience’.
If you have to pick one festival to go to this year, you might as well pick the one with the longest running record.
Through the years, this festival has gained iconic status, and regardless of it's size, the festival still remains something special. The festival is known for its familial vibe, which has allowed it to endure for two decades to become the longest-running music festival in the country.
When: 13 to 26 April
Where: Just outside Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal (GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 29°47’58.61”S Longitude: 29°21’13.65”E)
The Line-up: This festival holds one of the more extensive local music line-ups of all. Expect expert local talent like Shortstraw, The Plastics, Majozi, Taxi Violence to name just a few. Check out the full line-up here.
Tickets costs: R625 on Computicket beforehand, or R750 per person arriving on Thursday 2 April or Friday 3 April, R550 per person arriving on Saturday 4 April, R200 per person arriving on Sunday 5 April.
Children aged 4 – 11 cost R175 at Computicket outlets, and will also be available at the festival gate for the same price.
Children under four get in free.
At the festival: Camping is the way to go at this festival, as this will ensure you don't miss out on any of the tunes played at the festival. There are various campsites available on the premises: general camping quarters, family quarters as well as a Motel, if you're really not into camping.
Apart from the festival grounds, there are also other accommodation options available in the Underberg area.
What to take along: As per the extensive list on the Splashy Fen site, bring: your AA card, Bags for dirty clothing and footwear, Beanie / hat / gloves / socks, Cameras (for personal use), Camperhome / caravan
Camping equipment, Contraceptives, Cooking utensils, Ear plugs / cotton wool, Emergency numbers, your Festival ticket, a Flag (to mark your campsite), Gas cookers, Hot water bottle, ID / driver’s licence, Lanyard for keys, Lip-Ice, Medications (prescribed and sundry / inhalers), Medical info (allergies etc), Mobile phone (no power, so conserve battery life), Money / bank cards (ATM facilities available on-site), Musical instruments, Phonecards, Refuse bags, a Sense of humour, Sleeping bag / warm bedding / mattress / pillow, Spectacles / contact lenses and solution, Sunblock, Sunglasses, Swimming gear, tubes and inflatables for river and dams
Tent (lines / poles / groundsheet / pegs), Toiletries, Torch and spare batteries / bulbs, Towels, Warm Clothing, Water containers – all tap water is drinkable but for logistical reasons and your own convenience, please bring as much water with you as possible, Waterproof clothing and umbrella, Wellington boots / sturdy shoes.
FESTIVAL NUMBER TWO – KLEIN KAROO NATIONALE KUNSTEFEES (KKNK)
What: This is THE South African arts festival if there even was one. It is here where mostly Afrikaans, but all local artists of all mediums come together every year in celebration of everything expressive in the country.
Original South African plays take to the stage and good food, good music and good people enjoy the SA arts in the interesting Klein Karoo surroundings of Oudtshoorn. This year marks the 19th KKNK, and it promises to deliver even more pleasure to the magnitudes of festival goers that come to camp out in the Klein Karoo every year, religiously.
A festival MUST is to catch a ride on the national bird of the area – the ostrich!
When: 3 – 11 April
Where: Oudtshoorn, Western Cape (GPS coordinates: Latitude: -33.634006, Longitude: 22.120526)
The Line-up: The extensive program, which offers everything from stage productions, music shows and interactive discussions, can be viewed here.
Ticket costs: Attending the festival is free. Shows and performances will be charged individually. See the line-up here.
At the festival: The whole town of Oudthoorn opens its door to happy campers and festival goers of all sorts.
Activities at the festival will play off mainly in the so called Rivierbuurt, which is accessible for the nine days of the festival at R200 per person.
This access includes rides and access to a massive fair, complete with a giant merry-go-round. There are also amazing food and drink stalls available, as well as a dedicated grown-ups’ beer-tent with live entertainment from SA acts such as Die Heuwels Fantasties.
For sleeping arrangements, you can either choose to camp in the ATKV camping site, or book a chalet on the festival premises, sleep in the school’s hostel in town, or book one of the alternative guest house accommodations in Oudtshoorn.
What to take along: This depends on what your accommodation choices are. If you’re camping, you should take along pretty much everything! Alternatively, remember sunblock and a hat, and plenty of patience as the relatively small town of Oudtshoorn can get pretty crowded and slow due to the masses of people.
It is advised to book shows you want to attend well in advance. You can view ticket prices and shows here.
FESTIVAL NUMBER THREE – RAND EASTER SHOW
What: Re-launched in 2010, the Rand Show is one of the oldest Easter tradition festivals in SA. This year, it will focus on its heritage and proud tradition to offer both exhibitors and visitors refreshed contemporary entertainment and interactive events.
The Rand Show is a wholesome day out for the whole family, so pack the kids!
Also see: Easter treats and surprises for the whole family
When: 3 -12 April
Where: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Gauteng (GPS coordinates: Latitude: 26º 14810, Longitude: 27º 58695)
The Line-up: Some of the main attractions to the festival will be the Italian imported kids playpark, the Pirates Paradise, as well as grown up entertainment like the Rand Show’s Strongest Man - better known as the Battle of the Behemoths competition, as well as an exhibition from the South African Defence Force and an educational experience from the Animal Kingdom show.
Ticket costs: Adults – Peak* R120 at Turnstiles, R100 at Computicket. Adults – Midweek* R60 at Turnstiles, R50 at Computicket.
R50 for pensioners over 65
R50 for teens aged 13-16
R20 for kids aged 6 to 12
FREE for children under six.
*Peak - Monday, Saturday, Sunday, Friday (3 April 2015)
*Midweek - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (10 April 2015)
At the festival: You can view an extensive program of the Rand Show here.
What to take along: As this is not a sleep-over on the premises type of festival, and there’ll be plenty of walking around to get to see everything, take along a pair of super comfortable shoes. Wear sunblock and a hat.
Rand Show goers should definitely make a long weekend of the show and book accommodation close to the venue for the ultimate Rand Show experience.
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