While Nelson Mandela Bay is an all-year round destination boasting sunshine in every season there’s always a fragrance of new beginnings in the air when the clock ticks over to September; old trees get new life, wild flowers show their colourful faces here, there and everywhere and the weather starts to say its final goodbyes to the winter chills.

But here in the Bay spring also brings its share of festivities, events and activities to the table.

Celebrate Spring in Nelson Mandela Bay with these events and activities

Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'
-Robin Williams

Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

Nelson Mandela Bay is kicking off spring with one of the word's top sporting events, the Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, on the 1st of 2nd of September. Stay up to date with the festivities taking place like the Finisher Shirt Friday, the Cultural Village at Hobie Beach as well as the Spectator Zones throughout Nelson Mandela Bay at Walmer Township between 9th & 10th Avenue, Uitenhage – Kwanobuhle Park, Gelvandale Sports Grounds, Motherwell Peace Park and the Crafter’s Village at Hobie beach. For more information, visit www.molomandelabay.com. Also take note of road closures and plan accordingly, you can find all the information here. 

Floral Infused High Tea

Celebrate spring with a high tea in the Victorian Manor, Hacklewood Hill Country House, surrounded by beautiful gardens, on the 1st of September 2018. Delicate sweet and savoury treats will be served and you can also play a game of croquet or tennis. For more information, click here. 

Donkin Street Festival

Head to the Bay’s creative corner – Donkin Village – for the Donkin Street Festival on the 30th of September 2018, and enjoy artisanal food, art and music from 10:00 until 15:00.

Visit a nursery

Dig into your garden, get your hands dirty and celebrate spring with a plant or two. When shopping for plants, keep in mind that Nelson Mandela Bay is still in the middle of a water crisis.
Visit Bloomingdales Lifestyle Village and Nursery in Walmer, Sherwood Garden Centre in Walker Drive and Floradale Nursery in Circular Drive; don’t forget to extend your stay with tea and cake at The Rose Garden Tea House at Floradale Nursery.

5th Alliance Française Poetry Festival

Dive into poetry this spring with creative workshops, performances, discussions and open mic sessions during the 5th edition of the Alliance Française Poetry Festival. This year the focus will be on ‘diversity’, as it is taking place during Heritage Month. You can look forward to The Helenvale Poets, The Resonance Poetry Movement, Marius Crous, Mbongisi Dyantyi, Bert Olivier and the singer Mariloe. Click here for more information. 

Go on a Bee Tour

Bees and flowers go together like honey and more honey. Experience what goes on behind the scenes in a beehive on an educational bee tour where the whole family will get suited up in protective gear and taste honey straight from the source. Click here for more information. 

The Moeketsiz Spring Fiesta

The Moeketsiz Spring Fiesta is taking place in Despatch at the bowling club on 2 September 2018. It will be a fun day for everyone with good food and music to look forward to like The Mad Percussionist and there will be jumping castles, face painting and more. Click here for more information. 

Blu Tea with Radisson Blu Hotel

Raise your pinkies and head to the Radisson for a high tea on Sunday, the 9th of September 2018. Click here for more information. 

Ironbus City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

Come and explore Port Elizabeth on a FREE City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours. The 2 hour circular route runs from Cape Recife Nature Reserve along the beachfront to the city centre, around St Georges, past the Donkin Reserve and then back to Cape Recife Nature Reserve on 3 and 4 September 2018. For more information, a time table, map and the full route, click here. 

Head out for a picnic

What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons by packing a picnic basket and making a day of it? Nelson Mandela Bay has plenty of picnic spots for you to choose from! Click here for more information. 

Spring High Tea at The Beach Hotel

Celebrate the start of spring The Beach Hotel with delicious sweet and savoury treats, coffee, tea, homemade lemonade and sparkling wine on arrival on the 8th of September. Click here for more information.

Spring Spin Festival

Can you say va-va-vroom? Here’s something for the petrol heads and motor enthusiasts! For the first time Port Elizabeth is hosting 16 National Spinners at Scribante from 6 provinces including a few local spinners. Tickets can be booked in advance (R80) or at the gates (R100). Click here for more information.

Sam Jam Turns 1

Forget throwback Thursday, it’s throwback Saturday on the 8th of September at the Roof Garden Bar as Sam Jam Sessions Vol 6 will be celebrating music reminiscent of the 80s and 90s. These classics influenced Miss Jay’s passion in soulful music it will also be celebrating her love for hip-hop with a lineup of local PE hip hop artists like Vj Nakasa, Isaac-Wilson ZA and Prince Infinite. Click here for more information. 

EPCC Spring Clivia Show

Greet spring at the Clivia Show which will take place at Baywest Mall’s Food Court. Baywest Mall together with the Eastern Province Clivia Club present the EPCC Spring Clivia Show from Friday, 21 - Monday, 24 September 2018. Tickets are R10 per person and there will be both Clivia plants and seeds for sale.

RUGBY - South Africa vs Australia

Wave your flags, support the Boks and come and see South Africa play against Australia in this international rugby match taking place on the 29th of September 2018.  Click here for more information.