Event Dates
From: Friday, Apr 23rd, 2021
To: Tuesday, Apr 27th, 2021
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.
Pink Loerie 2020 kicks off on 12th of June with a cocktail party at Knysna Fine Art, where Petronel Baard will be performing.
This will be followed by a Bears, Beer and Drag event at Mitchells’ Breweries. The newly refurbished Vinyl on Main (the old club Zanzibar) will host 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 presented by Storm Productions.
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 always popular street parade starts at 3pm 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.
Plans are afoot for a mini gospel show on the Sunday and GaySA Radio is also planning to bring a few theatre performances to the event (more details will be released in due course).
After the devastating fires a few months ago, Baird said that the Pink Loerie will of course continue to support the #KnysnaRises campaign.
So what is the S&M theme all about? Most people immediately think whips, leather and chains, but it was revealed that the theme is actually… Sequins and Mascara!
It looks like Gay May in Knysna is going to be simply dazzling!
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action,
Knysna is an exclusive destinations
Book now and pay on arrival
The Rex Hotel is on the Waterfront
and is where our editors stay
For further information and advice on
Pink Loerie visit The Website
Including some great aerial footage!
Knysna is a resort town, with beautiful hotels, charming guest houses and world class restaurants dotted across the centre! The gay scene here comes alive once a year during this event. We have chosen hotels that are close the the main parade route.
This former power station is located in Knysna and offers sunny suites with an iPod docking station and views of the Knysna Lagoon.
Offering an outdoor pool and terrace, Madison Manor Boutique Hotel is situated in Knysna in the Western Cape Region.
This waterfront accommodation is located on Thesen Island just 2 km from the centre of Knysna with a private bathroom with a shower.
This guest house occupies a secluded location on the Garden Route with views across Knysna Bay and the beach is just a few minutes’ walk away.