Omoda Jaecoo Knysna Oyster Festival serves up a packed programme of sport and action

Running from 3–12 July 2026, the festival is South Africa’s premier winter sporting event, drawing participants and spectators from across the country. The 2026 programme features a mix of elite competition, social sport and family-friendly participation opportunities, ensuring there is something for every fitness level. Many of the sporting and outdoor events also offer shorter routes or distances, making it easy for families to participate together and enjoy the festival experience.

Major sporting highlights
Knysna Forest Marathon
The iconic Knysna Forest Marathon remains one of the festival’s headline events. The weekend includes race registration and expo activities, a marathon market, and race-day events through the Knysna forest, attracting runners, supporters and visitors from around South Africa.

Knysna Cycle Tour
Cyclists can look forward to another busy Cycle Tour weekend, with mountain bike events, road races and family-friendly riding opportunities forming a major part of the festival’s closing weekend. Registration activities begin at the Festival Hub ahead of the racing programme.

Southern 10s Rugby Tournament
Loerie Park will host the Southern 10s Rugby Tournament, adding fast-paced rugby action to the festival line-up and creating a lively spectator atmosphere throughout the day.

Running, walking and fitness events
Beyond the marathon, the programme includes the Crazy Store 4.8 km Fun Run, the Houtkapper Trail Run with multiple forest routes, the CANSA Walk, Cross Country Development Series races, and the ASWD Street Mile, which caters for athletes from junior age groups through to senior competitors.

Fitness enthusiasts can also join Secret Sunrise movement sessions, Stretch Pilates classes, Pilates and Stretch warm-ups, Barre & Pilates Fusion workouts and the Simola Sunset 5 km Wine Walk.

Padel takes centre stage
Padel continues to feature prominently in the festival programme with events including Oyster Court Kids, Oyster Friday Social, Oyster Mixed Americano, Oyster 101 for first-timers, Knysna Padel Bash, Oyster Kings and Oyster Queens Americano competitions. The events range from beginner-friendly sessions to more competitive social tournaments.

Water sports and outdoor adventure
Water-based action includes the REMAX Canoe Polo Tournament at the Knysna Waterfront, the Harbour 2 Heads Canoe Race, and the ever-popular Tug O War competition, where teams battle it out in a test of strength, teamwork and determination. The Knysna Estuary Underwater Trash Bash also offers a unique combination of adventure and environmental action through snorkel and scuba clean-up activities, inviting participants to help protect one of the town’s most treasured natural assets.

Golf, netball and community sport
The sporting programme also includes golf days at Knysna Golf Club and Simola Golf & Country Estate, as well as a Knysna Oyster Festival Netball Tournament, a community soccer tournament culminating in finals at Loerie Park on the last Sunday of the festival, and community-focused sporting activities throughout the festival period.

A festival built around participation
“The Knysna Oyster Festival has always been about participation as much as competition. Whether you’re tackling a marathon, trying padel for the first time, joining a fun run, paddling on the lagoon or simply cheering from the sidelines, there are countless ways to be part of the action,” says Lungiswa Goya, Manager: Economic Development at Knysna Municipality and spokesperson for the festival.

The full programme and updates are available at www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za. Visitors are encouraged to check back regularly as additional event details are confirmed.