Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival 2022

Africa’s most colourful gay event – in the heart of the Garden Route!

Update – 2021 Event – The event will take place but scaled back in line with current guidelines.

AD’s Steam Room; Pub & Dancefloor is hosting most of the events. AD’s is a steampunk themed local pub, with a dancefloor that provides entertainment for all ages. From clubbing, live shows, karaoke, quiz nights, pool competitions and various themed evenings.

• Friday
  Party with DJ Nukes from 17.00
• Saturday
  Courtyard Flamarket – 12.00 – 18.00, Cocktails from 12.00 – 16.00, Cabaret with Betty Bangles 19.00 – 20.00, Party with DJ Nukes from 20.00
• Sunday
  On Sunday, Villa Castollini host a special Sunday Soiree from 11.30pm
  Ads Steam Room will host, Courtyard Flamarket – 12.00 – 18.00, Crazy Drin Specials – 12.00 – 16.00, Cabaret with Betty Bangles 19.00 – 20.00, Party with DJ Nukes from 20.00
• Monday
  Party With DJ LEW from 19.00

Set in “South Africa’s Favourite Town of the Year”, the spectacularly colourful affair basically shuts down the tranquil Garden Route hub with five raucous days of shows, entertainment, a mini-market and heaps of over-the-top, flamboyant fun.

Unquestionably a global highlight for the LGBTQ community, the festive carnival also appeals to anyone else who wants to celebrate diversity and acceptance.

This was the full program for the previous year. 

Pink Loerie typically kicks off on Thursday with a cocktail party at Knysna Fine Art. Other events include a Bears, Beer and Drag event at Mitchells’ Breweries. Vinyl on Main hosts the Meet and Greet Party to make sure everybody gets to know each other.

The programme continues on the Friday with an outreach event at the Loeriehof Old Age Home, Vermont Retirement Village, Paula Whitney Crèche and KAWS (Knysna Animal Welfare), followed by a lunchtime show.

The VIP Dinner and Fundraising Auction will be hosted at Villa Castollini, while the very popular Mr & Miss Gay Mardi Gras will take place at Vinyl on Main. This will be followed by the official S&M Party at the same venue.

The Saturday kicks off with two events: PinkFootFWD for Brenton, a fun morning filled with sport activities and music, and the Pink Loerie #KnysnaRises Fundraising Concert at the Loerie Park Sport Stadium, which will feature a number of drag acts and musicians, including rock outfit Rebel Remedy and artist Gaston.

This event is presented in association with Knysna Tourism, GaySA Radio, Storm Productions, CB Entertainment and Mix Academy Entertainment.

The Pink Loerie Parade

The always popular street parade starts at 3pm on Sunday and will proceed from Queen Street to Pledge Square and back, hopefully followed by a street party (if the Municipality agrees to it.) Drydock Food Co. will host an After Parade Sunset Ibiza Party for the more mature in the crowd, while the official after party is at Vinyl on Main.

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action,

Turbine Hotel,   Madison Manor,   38 Crab Claw,   Augusta Bay.