Where to Celebrate Galentine’s Day in South Africa

Valentine’s Day is all well and good, but what about Galentine’s Day? Don’t miss the chance to celebrate with your closest friends this February. Across South Africa, there are a variety of opportunities to get together with your girls and toast to your bond.

What and when is Galentine’s Day?

While the 14th of February is for lovers, the 13th of February is for friends. Popularised by the lovable workaholic, Leslie Knope, in the comedy series, Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day is to celebrate female friendships. So, mark your calendar and send this link to your WhatsApp friends group.

Galentine’s Day Ideas

There are so many ways to make the most of Galentine’s Day 2025. From wine and chocolate pairings to luxurious high teas, here are nine of our favourite ways to celebrate this year:

Wine Pairings for Galentine’s Day

Bottle of wine with some flowers for Galentine’s Day | Photo: Liliia Bila via Getty

A food and wine pairing is matching the flavours of a wine with a particular dish. The wine pairings at some of the Western Cape’s top wine farms are diverse and cater to many palates! Whether you’re a chocolate lover or you want to see what kind of macaron is best paired with MCC, there’s a wine pairing for you this Galentine’s Day!

Where to Go for Galentine’s Day Wine Pairings:

• Canto Winery in Durbanville offers a macaron and MCC tasting. If you’re more of a savoury person, opt for their savoury wine pairing featuring arancini, bitterballen, and a spring roll.

Price: R180 per person

• The Waterford Wine and Chocolate Experience takes you through three of their wines paired with signature chocolates created by chocolatier Richard von Geusau. Waterford’s gorgeous outdoor setting is the perfect place to enjoy these flavours.

Price: R150 per person

• What’s a better pairing than wine and cheese? Well-loved wine and cheese farm, Fairview, has been enchanting tastebuds with their pairings for years. The Standard Tasting consists of six wines and six cheeses, while the Farmer’s Tasting features six wines, four cheeses, and two cured meats.

Price: R75 per person for the Standard Tasting and R95 per person for the Farmer’s Tasting.

Picnic for Galentine’s Day

Galentine’s Day picnic | Photo: irynakhabliuk via Canva

Celebrate the girls as well as the last month of summer with a picnic. Create your own picnic basket with your favourite foods and head to your local park. Alternatively, some venues provide picnic baskets as well as serene escapes ideal for a Galentine’s Day celebration.

Where to Go for a Galentine’s Day Picnic:

• The expansive green lawns at Ground in Muldersdrift are the perfect place to host a Galentine’s Day picnic. Their Boujee Boho Picnic Experience is for the group of friends who want to celebrate in style, with stunning décor for Insta snaps and a bottle of Boschendal Brut.

Prices: Picnic baskets for two adults are R650. Additional set-up charges will apply to select experiences.

• If you’re in Cape Town, plan an afternoon at Rhebokskloof wine estate in Paarl. Spread out a blanket under the trees overlooking the dam and tuck into the picnic basket. From grilled chicken salad and salmon cream cheese sourdough to pâté, tapenade, and cheesecake, this well-appointed spread will delight.

Prices: Two adults sharing: R790; one adult: R395

• Did you know that there are Japanese gardens in Durban? The well-manicured landscape, bridges, and ponds all create a peaceful escape for those looking for some time in nature. Pack your own picnic to spend an afternoon here for Galentine’s Day.

Price: The gardens are free to visit.

High Tea for Galentine’s Day

Galentine’s Day High Tea | Photo: Jackson Stock Photography via Canva

Spend a classy afternoon with your friends, enjoying tiny finger sandwiches, pastries, and tea. High tea has long been a quintessential “girls’ day” experience, and there are a variety of venues around the country that offer this afternoon treat.

Where to Go for a Galentine’s Day High Tea:

• Kedar Lodge in Rustenburg, North West, is offering an elegant Galentine’s Day High Tea, complete with a selection of teas, savoury snacks, and sweet treats. On site you’ll also find the Spa in the Country – take your high tea to another level of relaxation by booking a treatment.

Price: R450 per person for high tea

• Morning and Afternoon Tea experiences in the Saxon Hotel’s Piano Lounge are luxurious affairs. Relax, catch up, and celebrate friendship over a pot of tea and delectable snacks (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menus are available). The tea menu is extensive, and there are bubbles available.

Prices: Wednesday to Friday: R750 per person; Saturday and Sunday: R800 per person

• Located in Hyde Park, Just Teddy’s Signature High Tea is a must for a girls’ day out! Three tiers of delicacies arrive on the table, ready to be tucked into – these creations are made according to the season and inspiration. You’ll be blown away by the attention to detail.

Price: R450 per person

Whether you and your friends want to raise a glass of MCC, share delicate pastries at a high tea, or laugh over a picnic in nature, Galentine’s Day in South Africa can be celebrated in a host of exciting ways. Don’t let this special occasion pass by! Gather your besties and create some special moments.