Heineken Cape to Bahia: Cape Town's Royal Cape Yacht Club hosts the Cape to Bahia regatta every year. Around 40 yachts take part in the event, which is followed by prize-giving and a party.

J&B Met Horse Race: This takes place at Kenilworth Race Course and as one of the top events on the racing calendar. It's also a great excuse to get dressed up and have a party.

Cape Town Pride: The city's large gay community hosts this event, which includes a launch cocktail party, fashion shows, sports events, films and some great parties. The focal point is the main Pride Parade, which is great fun.

Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour: The Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour is the biggest timed cycle tour in the world, attracting 35,000 international entrants. The 109km challenge around the beautiful Cape Peninsula provides great entertainment for spectators too.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival: Top African and international artists perform during the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the International Convention Centre. Workshops, photographic exhibitions and a free community concert in Green Market Square complement the main event.

Two Oceans Marathon: Known as "the world's most beautiful marathon", the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town features the Ultra Marathon (56km/35 miles), a standard half marathon of 21.1km (13.1 miles) and various fun runs. The route of the run heads first to look out over the Indian Ocean, before turning west to view the mighty Atlantic.

Good Food and Wine Show: The Good Food and Wine Show brings the best in South African cuisine to Cape Town International Convention Centre. The event pinpoints global culinary trends, attracting international chefs, professional cocktail makers and up to 50,000 food and wine enthusiasts.

Cape Town Book Fair: Literature from each corner of Africa is the 2009 focus of the Cape Town Book Fair, drawing thousands of publishers, authors and readers to the city's International Convention Centre. Visit to get books signed, attend launches or find rare editions.

Vodacom Funny Festival: The award-winning Vodacom Funny Festival returns to the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town to present stand-up comedy from some of the best local and international performers. The five-week event is once again hosted by Cape Town's favourite son Marc Lottering.

Chamber Music Breakfast Concerts: Held only on Sundays, live chamber music accompanies a lavish buffet breakfast at Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Impressive flora, fine music and tasty food make the Chamber Music Breakfast Concerts a real feast for the senses.

Baxter Dance Festival: The Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town is home to the annual Baxter Dance Festival, which provides an opportunity for emerging and established dance companies and choreographers to present their work. A fringe events programme runs on the final day.

Cape Town Fashion Week: Cape Town Fashion Week sees haute couture creations floating past a large audience at the city's International Convention Centre. This is Africa's largest gathering of fashion talent, showcasing what is set to turn heads in spring. Since its launch in 2003, the event has grown into one of the premier "new world" fashion weeks.

Table Mountain Challenge: The Crazy Store Table Mountain Challenge is a 35km run around Cape Town's flat-roof mountain. The fynbos-adorned route can be tackled solo or split between friends into shorter and more manageable stretches.

Cape Town International Kite Festival: Making the most of the mighty south-easter, Cape Town's annual International Kite Festival presents spectacular shows by local and international teams, including Japan, the USA, India, Malaysia and China. Live entertainment and kite-making workshops complement the programme, as well as kite surfing, sand-skiing and three-wheeled buggy races.

Cape Town Flower & Garden Show: The Cape Town Flower & Garden Show is held in the spectacular outdoor setting of Lourensford Wine Estate. With six hectares of land covered in beautiful specimens, the event brings together horticulture, nature and art, lectures and demonstrations.

Whisky Live Festival: Held at Cape Town International Convention Centre, the Whisky Live Festival presents examples from around the world, attracting 15,000 devotees. Workshops led by international experts offer a variety of whiskies to sample.

Toy Run: This is the largest charity motorcycling event in South Africa. Cape Town's rally starts at Ratanga Junction and ends in Maynardville. Thousands of riders carry toys to be distributed by charity agencies among underprivileged children.

Mother City Queer Costume Party: Billed as the event that has put Cape Town on the international map of queer culture, the annual Mother City Queer Costume Party at Cape Town High School brings together all the "queer tribes" for a grand summer bash. It has a strict "no costume, no entry" policy.

South African Open Championships: The South African Open Championship is the second-oldest golf tournament in the world (after the British Open), having first been held in 1893. It is usually held at the Pearl Valley course in Cape Town. The PGA European Tour and its American counterpart, the PGA Tour, are the richest and most celebrated golfing competitions in the world.

Old Year’s Eve Party: The city comes alive as residents and tourists celebrate the dawning of the New Year. The V&A Waterfront hosts a huge party, as do most of the beach resorts. It is a great time to be in Cape Town.