What to do in Cape Town in julio

On 2 January the Kaapse Klopse minstrel carnival floods the streets — some 13,000 performers parade with parasols and ghoema drums

February is the hottest, driest month — some days touch 35 °C, making it Cape Town's peak beach season

On the second Sunday of March the Cape Town Cycle Tour — the world's largest timed cycle race — loops the whole Peninsula

Mid-April hosts the Two Oceans Marathon, the 56 km ultra billed as the world's most beautiful, running between two oceans

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon runs in late May — the first Abbott World Marathon Major held on African soil

Whale season opens — southern right whales arrive in False Bay and along the Whale Coast to calve

On 1 August the Postberg section of West Coast National Park opens and the wildflower carpets begin

West Coast wildflower fields hit their peak (mid-August to mid-September) — orange and white daisy carpets

Peak whale watching — September and October give the best sightings, celebrated at the Hermanus Whale Festival

The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts return — Sunday picnic concerts in the botanical garden from November to April

Peak festive season — New Year's Eve is rung in with fireworks at the V&A Waterfront