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Wolseley Stories · June 2026

Wolseley Stories June 2026 Roundup | 🍾Silver Celebrations, Community Stars & Valley Warmth 🎄

Wolseley Stories June 2026 Roundup | 🍾Silver Celebrations, Community Stars & Valley Warmth 🎄

Here is our roundup of the magical stories that unfolded across Wolseley and our surrounding Witzenberg region during June 2026.





❄️ As a crisp winter chill settled across the Breede River Valley this June 2026, warmth flowed freely through our streets, wine cellars, and classrooms. June was a month defined by festive cheer, local triumphs, and the enduring spirit of togetherness that makes our valley so special.💫

🎅 Silver Jubilee Magic ❄️ 25 Years of Christmas in Winter

There was magic in the air over the weekend of 26–28 June 2026 as Tulbagh’s beloved Christmas in Winter festival celebrated its milestone 25th anniversary. What started years ago as a creative spark to attract visitors during the quieter winter months has blossomed into a silver jubilee tradition that drew record crowds to the valley.

Thousands of visitors filled the streets, wine estates, and cozy eateries from Wolseley through to Tulbagh and Ceres, bringing a welcome economic boost to local artisans and hospitality venues.

Historic Church Street transformed into a glowing wonderland of fairy lights, where laughter mingled with the comforting aroma of mulled wine and hearty winter feasts. Families gathered to marvel at the twinkling Farmer’s Electric Light Parade, warm up at cozy Glühwein shacks, explore the Kids’ Winter Wonderland, and enjoy live music echoing down the street.

✨ Highlights of the 2026 Celebration

🎄Festive Atmosphere: Historic Church Street transformed into a winter wonderland of
lights and décor.
🍷Local Flavours: Wine estates and restaurants offered mulled wine, hearty menus, and tastings.
🎸Entertainment: Choirs, live music, and family activities filled the valley with joy.
🙌Community Spirit: Residents, businesses, and visitors united to celebrate tradition and innovation.

🔮 Looking Ahead

The success of the 25th Christmas in Winter sets a promising tone for future events. It demonstrates how heritage, hospitality, and community spirit can combine to create
experiences that resonate far beyond the valley. In reflection, the 25th Christmas in Winter was not only a celebration of festive traditions but also a powerful reminder of the valley’s ability to draw people together

As one visitor beautifully noted, ’The feet that walked Tulbagh’s streets this June carried stories, laughter and memories—ensuring the valley’s heartbeats stronger with each passing year.” -unkown


🙌Celebrating Our Hometown Heroes: 🏆Congratulations to Our ‘Wolwe’!🐺

Beyond the winter festivities, June brought immense pride to our local classrooms. Three dedicated staff members from Laerskool Wolseley were honoured at the prestigious National Teaching Awards for their passion and transformative work in primary education:

💯 Ms Lambrechts received top honours for Excellence in GET Mathematics.🙌 Ms Van Zyl was recognized for Excellence in Primary School Teaching.🏆 Mr Strydom earned the trophy for Excellence in Primary School Leadership.
These achievements showcase the dedication of our educators, who inspire and guide our local "Wolwe" learners every single day.

🍷Toasting to National Triumphs: Mountain Ridge Wines

Our local winemakers had plenty of reason to raise a glass this month! Mountain Ridge Wines celebrated an outstanding trio of national accolades for their handcrafted red blend, the Romansrivier Fire Lily 2023.
🏆 Double Platinum at the National Wine Challenge 2026
🏆 A spot in the Top 100 SA Wines 2026
🥇 Gold at the Red Blends Challenge 2026

Inspired by one of nature’s rarest blooms, this refined blend earned three top honours: It is a wonderful testament to the artistry, passion, and unique terroir of our valley.

⭐Wolseley Tourism is proud to spotlight Angelique Le Roux of Ceres Zipline Adventures a valued Wolseley Tourism member.

Next time you travel towards Ceres, make time for this truly unique adventure. Experience the thrill of soaring through the valley, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and the natural beauty that makes our region so special. ⛰️ Zip through the mountains. Feel the rush. Discover the valley.

👤 Angelique Le Roux | Ceres Zipline Adventures
📍 Location: Ceres
🥾 Adventure: Zipline thrills
⛰️ Highlight: Breathtaking mountain views
"Soar through the valley and experience the rush of adventure!”



🌐Big News from Wolseley Tourism!

Meanwhile behind the scenes, Wolseley Tourism announced an exciting upgrade to our official website! The upcoming site will feature an interactive, modern design to make discovering local wine estates, hiking trails, and hidden valley gems easier than ever.

🚧 Support Local on the R43 mountain pass.

While repairs to R43 and R46 continue after the devastating May storm, life in Wolseley carries on—and our local businesses are open and ready to welcome you. Despite the big “Road Closed” sign, several beloved establishments remain accessible, including:

🍽️ Harvest Table Bistro

🐓Hillbilly Farm

☕Café on the Hill

🎨Creative Hub

💒Olive Rock Wedding Venue

These businesses are part of the heartbeat of our valley, and they need our support now more than ever. The storm may have scarred our landscape, but our community’s resilience shines through.

🤝 Strengthening Tourism Through Collaboration

Wolseley Tourism was proud to attend the Regional Tourism Office (RTO) Forum – Cape West Coast, hosted by Weskus Tourism and Wesgro, in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism(DEDAT).📍 Held at the Saldanha Bay Hotel on 8–9 June 2026, the forum brought together tourism stakeholders, government representatives, industry experts, and local businesses under the theme: “Inclusive Tourism: Unlocking Township and Community Opportunities.”


📆 Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events

📌 28 July 2026: Wolseley Tourism Annual General Meeting at Monks Distillery.
🏃 19 September 2026: Wolseley Waddle (5km fun walk/run) & Dakkie Markie Community Market at Rietdakkie Farmstall & Kitchen.
🍷 October 2026: Wines of Wolseley evening showcase at Mountain Ridge Winery.

The winter months may be cozy, but there are plenty of warm gatherings on the horizon:







Visit Us & Stay Connected

Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or passing through our scenic valley, there is always something warm and welcoming happening in Wolseley. Visit www.wolseleytourism.co.za to discover local accommodation, wine tastings, and regional highlights.