The best wellness festival for both first-timers & fundis

2 days, in Cape Town, under R1 000 & kids love it too

Last updated: Tuesday, 22 July 2025

Whether you’re a first-time festival goer or wellness fest fundi, there’s something for you at Shanti. It’s in Cape Town, with tickets starting from just R120, and has an extensive programme with everything from sound journeys and yoga to swing dancing, conscious dance, and hula hooping. Here are 21 things you have to know about Shanti Wellness Festival, which is happening 25 to 26 October 2025. 

Shanti Wellness Festival is a great “starter festival” for anyone new to festivals or the wellness space.  Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

1. FANTASTIC FOR FIRST-TIME FESTIVAL GOERS  

If you’re new to the wellness festival space, or festivals in general, this is a great one to test the waters. It’s cheaper than most wellness festivals (which can cost thousands of rands) and the classes accommodate all levels of fitness and experience.

2. DON’T HAVE TO ROAD-TRIP TO GET THERE 

While you would usually have to drive for hours out of Cape Town to get to a festival, Shanti Festival is in Hout Bay. You can organise accommodation to stay over in the area, or you can go home to your own bed and return the next day.

Beginners are welcome at Shanti Fest. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

3. HUGE VARIETY OF THINGS TO DO 

Swing dancing, Qi Gong (Chinese movement meditation), partner yoga and acro yoga (a partner-based practice that incorporates elements of acrobatics), crystal sound bowl journeys, pilates, secret sunrise dance, art classes, comedy, mantra singing, star gazing… It's hard to imagine anyone not finding their fit.

4. GREAT FOR WELLNESS DEVOTEES  

If you are a yogi or someone entrenched in the wellness world, you’ll be happy to see that the diverse classes are led by some of the best facilitators in the country. Like Antoinette Schmikl Bishop, renowned for her crystal sound bowl journeys, and Dr Thomas Jahn, who began his Qì Gōng studies over 30 years ago in Japan.

Shanti Fest is an intimate community-focused festival. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

5. FIND YOUR NEW FAVOURITE WELLNESS PRACTICE 

You can test out wellness practices you may not have discovered before. From conscious breathwork (it enables you to access your subconscious mind and address energetic blockages) to animal movement (​​a workout that mimics the movements of animals) and elemental flow (using sound frequencies to move one’s body from resistance into flow).

6. POOL, LIFEGUARD, & MINDERS FOR KIDS 

The swimming pool is a favourite among the kids. There are also plenty of activities just for them, such as yoga classes, crafts, “unicorn” rides, and other events, and the festival is free for children under 12.

Kids get involved in the family-friendly festival activities.  Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

7. THERE’S AN ADULTS-ONLY AREA 

If you want a break from the bustling atmosphere of the family-friendly spaces, you can escape to the adults-only area. This is a quiet, fenced-off zone with its own pool that makes for a tranquil place to relax, catch up with a friend, or just rest between sessions.

8. MORE AFFORDABLE 

While many other festivals have ticket prices that begin at around R2 000, tickets for Shanti start at just R120 for a Sunday experience ticket (ideal for those who want a shorter visit). Even the most expensive ticket, a full weekend ticket purchased at the gate, is capped at R697.

The schedule includes a wide variety of activities, classes, and talks. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

9. LISTEN TO TALKS

There’s also a lineup of interesting and inspiring talks, such as “The Quantum Power of Life Alignment” with Dr Jeff Levin (the internationally-renowned healer will demonstrate how energy medicine can help release past patterns and reprogram consciousness), and “Feel, Sense, Know: On the Power of Intuition” with Berenice.

10. DANCE PARTIES WITH DJS & LOCAL ARTISTS  

As Saturday afternoon turns to evening, the serene atmosphere will transform into a joyful dance party with organic house and down-tempo melodic house music. Live bands will also take the stage.

A lineup of DJs and live music sets the tone. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

11. THE VENUE IS BEAUTIFUL AND SERENE

With a variety of lush gardens and outdoor areas, the Riverside Estate (at Riverside Retirement Village) is the ideal location for an intimate outdoor festival. There’s plenty of space for different activities, and the beautiful surroundings contribute to the serenity.

12. DIP A TOE WITHOUT HAVING TO COMMIT  

The experience ticket (which costs R170 on Saturday, R120 on Sunday, or R195 for both) enables you to enjoy just the stalls, the entertainment, and the beautiful venue. If you change your mind and you’d like to attend a talk or a class, you can upgrade your ticket on the day. Half-day tickets are also available if you just want to do one or two classes. 

Kids and adults enjoy cooling off in the Riverside Estate pool. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

13. TREATMENTS & CONSULTATIONS 

Kahuna massage (a Hawaiian massage technique that uses dance-like movements), Lyno (a treatment that addresses fascia restrictions and restores proper movement patterns), and Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (these release built-up muscular tension through shaking or vibrating), Kinesiology, Reiki, Acupuncture, and more will be on offer.

14. ARTS AND CRAFTS 

In addition to the classes and the talks, there are art classes and crafting workshops. One standout is Harnessing Your Power to Create Your Staff, an outdoor session where participants craft symbolic staffs using personal motifs to reflect inner strengths and intentions.

15. VEGAN & VEGETARIAN FOOD VENDORS 

There are a number of food vendors serving vegetarian and vegan food. Atma, a crowd favourite from previous years, will be back with food like their paneer butter masala, vegan butter chicken masala, and mixed veg samosas. 

Vegan and vegetarian food is on offer at Shanti Wellness Festival. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

16. EARTH-FRIENDLY MARKET 

The festival is home to a market with products that align with Shanti Festival’s philosophy. Everything is bespoke, chemical-free, handmade, and earth-friendly. From a range of soaps, oils and honey, to jewellery and clothing, there is a curated collection of stalls to support your wellness. 

17. NOT TO MISS: OPENING & CLOSING CEREMONIES 

The weekend is bookended by two special ceremonies. The opening ceremony includes music and blessings to welcome attendees and set intentions for the weekend. 

For the closing ceremony, attendees are invited to wear white and participate in a symbolic flag ceremony. Children will create their flags during Sunday’s activities so they can be part of the procession.

18. HOW TO GET THE CHEAPEST TICKETS  

Phase one tickets are for sale at a discounted rate (R320 for Saturday, R295 for Sunday, or R530 for both) until 31 August. Prices will be going up closer to the festival and will be more expensive at the gate. So, the earlier you buy them, the cheaper they will be. It works out cheaper per day if you go for both days.

The earlier you buy your tickets, the cheaper they will be. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival 

19. WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU 

To make the most of your day, bring a yoga mat and water for the activities, blankets to sit on the lawn, swimming gear, sunscreen and a sun umbrella. 

20. WHERE TO PARK

There is limited parking at Riverside Estate, so try to get there early to make sure you get one. Uber and ride-share services are recommended. 

21. TIPS FROM THE EVENT ORGANISERS

• The classes fill up, so arrive early.

• Wear clothes that you can move freely in. 

• This is a great opportunity to try new things. Instead of sticking to what you know, take the opportunity to do something different. 

• Consider attending at least one talk. They are more profound than you think. 

Hula hooping is just one of the activities happening. Image: Shanti Wellness Festival

MORE ON SHANTI FESTIVAL 

Shanti Wellness Festival is happening: 25 and 26 October 2025. Saturday: 9am - 10pm, Sunday: 9am - 4:30pm
Find more info: On the Shanti Wellness Festival website
Cost: From R120 (Free for kids under 12)
Book: Via Quicket
Contact on: Dani at dani@shantifest.co.za; Carey at carey@shantifest.co.za

By Sharon Waugh

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