Ficksburg Cherry Festival

Name: Ficksburg Cherry Festival
Start: 2025-11-19
End: 2025-11-21
Location: Ficksburg

A Taste of Early Summer in South Africa’s “Cherry Capital”

2026/11/18 - 2026/11/20

Every November, the small town of Ficksburg in the Free State bursts into color, music, and flavor with the Ficksburg Cherry Festival—South Africa’s oldest and most beloved cherry celebration. For three days, locals and visitors gather at the foot of the Maluti Mountains to pick, savor, and celebrate the region’s famous cherries. If you love fresh fruit, warm rural hospitality, and vibrant local culture, this is an unmissable event.

Picture orchards heavy with ripe cherries, laughter and live music in the air, the scent of freshly baked pies and cut grass, and the sweet-tart burst of cherries warmed by the sun. The Ficksburg Cherry Festival is pure rural South African joy for all the senses.

Main Attractions

Cherry Picking & Orchard Tours

The most popular activity is wandering through vast orchards to pick cherries by hand. Guided tours let you learn about the region’s farming history and techniques, and nothing beats the taste of cherries eaten fresh in the shade of the trees.

Cherry Gourmet & Food Stalls

Jams, liqueurs, pies, and even cherry sausages—food stalls overflow with cherry treats. The aromas of baking, grilling, and simmering fill the air, and local chefs compete in cooking contests for the best cherry dish.

Parades, Live Music, & Family Events

Lively street parades, performances by local bands and dancers, craft markets, and fresh produce sales fill the festival. There are cherry pip spitting contests, fun runs, children’s games, and the crowning of the Cherry Queen—ensuring fun for the whole family.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Ficksburg Cherry Festival began in 1968 to celebrate the harvest and pride of South Africa’s “Cherry Capital.” What started as a small local event has grown into a major festival attracting thousands from across the country and abroad. It is cherished as a time to thank local farmers, preserve rural culture, and share the bounty of the land.

For the people of Ficksburg, the festival is a source of pride and the highlight of the year—a time to reconnect with neighbors, celebrate hard work, and pass traditions to the next generation.

Participant Voices

Cherry picking, eating pie under the trees, and dancing to music… it was the perfect memory. A farmer let us taste cherries straight from the tree and told us about the festival’s history. It truly felt like being part of a big family.

Fun Facts

Ficksburg is South Africa’s “Cherry Capital,” producing most of the country’s cherries.
The cherry pip spitting contest is a festival favorite, with records over 15 meters!
The town is also famous for asparagus and sandstone architecture, not just cherries.

Festival Dates

The Ficksburg Cherry Festival is held every November in Ficksburg, Free State. Enjoy the fruits of early summer, warm community spirit, and the juiciest cherries to your heart’s content!