So love the sound of this festival… and Spier at this time of year is superb in the evenings.

I can easily picture myself booking a picnic and chilling out on the lawns in the hours before the event even begins… ah, bring on summer!

On the 4th of December, Spier wine estate will celebrate the festive season with a dazzling display of light and a diverse collection of artistic performances. A procession across the estate will lead the audience through an impressive line-up, including a dance piece by Jay Pather’s Siwela Sonke Dance Company, soothing sounds from the Abaqondisi Brothers, a dramatic fire-dance by Fire Tribe, and bluesy tunes by “Lonesome Dave” Ferguson.

Spier’s Festival of White Lights will be presented on one night only, so book early as last year’s tickets were sold out. It starts at 20h00 at the Spier Deli, with picnics available on the lawns from 18h00 (if booked in advance). A penny-whistler and an ‘Angel of Light’ on stilts will lead the procession.

One of the highlights will be Jay Pather’s piece: Step into the Light. Guests will walk into a treasure trove of performances representing different cultures and traditions and working with the theme of light.

They include: Shembe dancers carrying flame torches; light installations amongst the trees; light-footed pantsula and hip hop performed with electric torches; and a classical Indian dancer with 100 bells around her ankles. They will finally come together in a display of interlocking rhythms, sound and dance—an intercultural feast for the senses.

Tickets for the festival are R100 for adults and R60 for children under 12 and bookings can be made through Computicket (083 915 8000). This includes a glass of Spier Signature wine at the hotel, and excludes picnics and other beverages. Book at Spier for picnics. www.spier.co.za.

DISCLAIMER: Please use any event information as a guide only. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy thereof, things do change – and the best way to make sure something is definitely on is to contact the event organisers themselves. Full bells’n'whistles disclaimer here.