Greater Clarens Tourism

06/09/2024

One day to go until the epic Titanic Challenge Trail Run!

We just want to give a massive shoutout to all the volunteers and members of the Clarens Village Conservancy for all their dedication and hard work with organising this spectacular event. Good luck to all the runners and everyone else involved this weekend!

Here are some key deets you don't want to miss:

REGISTRATION:
Each athlete MUST get their hands on the FinishTime Passport App for registration. This nifty app will snag you a race number. Get it from your Apple or Android store.
Heads up - Registration will be held on the Clarens Village Square - you can't miss it! Swing by today from 4-8 pm or on Saturday from 6.15-7.45 am.

RACE BRIEFINGS:
📢📢Calling all 50km runners - make sure to catch the briefing tonight at Clarens Village Square at 6 pm. There's a second briefing for other distances at 6.30 pm. You'll get a refresher before your race on Saturday morning, but hey, safety first - double-deck on those important updates.

RACE GEAR:
Gear up, folks! Pack a charged cellphone for those Insta-worthy views and safety SOS. In case of emergency, dial 082 124. Save it in your phone pronto!

And don't forget, 50km runners, you're the MVPs - bring along your:

a headlamp
a charged cellphone
a GPX device
a hydration pack
extra nutrition

For the 35km champs, pack:

a hydration pack
extra nutrition
a charged cellphone

02/09/2024

The Clarens Arts Festival is super excited to announce their dates for 2025. Keep an eye out for their jam packed programme full of interesting visual artists, music performances and exciting theatre productions.

Tickets will only be available early next year but please help them spread the word and share widely with guests and friends 🌈🦚🌻

30/08/2024

Remember to join the FREE guided walk with Clarens Art Walk this Saturday from 11am.

26/08/2024

Here we go again! Get your tickets and book your accommodation asap. 🍻

13/08/2024

Just over a month to go until we get to eat pancakes, listen to live music, enjoy a plate of braaivleis and play all day at the Jewel of the Eastern Free State's Braaidag Basaar hosted by the NG Clarens Gemeente. We can't wait!

09/08/2024

Today is national Women's Day where we celebrate the women of South Africa and Minette Cilliers Photography is doing just that in capturing a group of wonderful, creative, resilient women when they paint their houses every year.

This art of painting your house is called LITEMA and the showcase is a celebration of their cultural heritage and resilience in keeping this vibrant art form alive.

Make sure to get to Clarens Interiors to view these spectacular photographs and learn more about these incredible women.

09/08/2024

Tomorrow local architect Jacquie Le Roux Architects will be sharing the history behind some of the oldest buildings in Clarens - come and learn about the people and the stories of the houses and churches that we walk past every day.

Clarens Heritage Association

05/08/2024

30/07/2024

The Thunder Tour is coming to Clarens!!!

The Thunder Tour started in 2009 and takes inspiration from the American Power Tour. The tour always starts at Cars in the Park, at Swartkops Raceway in Pretoria, the biggest car show in South Africa, on the first Sunday in August. Each year the group travels in a different direction for 7 days and try to cover at least 4 provinces in South Africa with Muscle Cars, Rat Rods, Street Rods, and Super Cars. The tour normally covers +-1500 kilometres during the 7 days.

They will be coming into Clarens on Monday 5 August and will be showcasing the cars on the square from 15:00.

Their aim is to create a safe environment for the owners of these special vehicles in South Africa, to drive and enjoy their cars, tour with their families, and see our beautiful country as well as having fun together. This is not a car club; it is a family of car lovers who mingle with different car enthusiasts. The participants enjoy each other's cars, experiences and share their unique car stories.

It is a fun event that encourages the involvement of the whole family and is open to everyone with these types of vehicles.

Don't miss out on seeing these incredible vehicles right here in our village!

25/07/2024

Helli's Deli is the perfect spot to grab a snack on-the-go or to stock up on cheese, cold meats and other delicious treats like home-made ice-cream and chocolate truffles. They have a tasting bar where you can sample all the cheeses on offer, including their delectable cream cheese and you can order a cheese/meat platter. New to the menu is their kaasvarkies (haloumi wrapped in bacon) which you can enjoy plain or on focaccia bread, as well as their yummy pizza toasties.

Helli's Deli is next door to Liewer Koffi and Thrift & Threads in the Posthouse Corner in Market Street.

18/07/2024

Some exciting upcoming events in Clarens over the next few months:

live in concert at the The Clarens Golf & Leisure Estate on Sunday, 28 July.

Steve Newman and live at Voetstoots Music Saloon also on Sunday, 28 July.

Maluti FM 97.1 will have markets on the square on 10 August and 21 September.

The epic Titanic Challenge Trail Run is taking place on Saturday, 7 September, with all proceeds going to the Clarens Village Conservancy

The Juweel van die Vrystaat Basaar is back Saturday 21 September with a fun day for the family at the Clarens Gemeente NG church grounds.

18/07/2024

Well done Dr. Karla and the Cluny Animal Trust PBO No. 930039295

TODAY IS MANDELA DAY, AND DR KARLA HAS ALREADY STERILISED 44 DOGS AND CATS AND WE ARE FULLY BOOKED FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW!

Fantastic news, so far this week, Dr Karla has sterilised 44 animals and because we have been completely oversubscribed, Dr Elsa had to step in. Yesterday, she did 9 steris as well bringing us to a total of 53 animal’s sterilised for the week from Monday-Wednesday.

We have 18 animals booked in for today that we know of, there may be more as we have been trapping feral cats as well. Dr Karla will sterilise a minimum of 15 of them, meaning that she is going to smash this challenge as we are fully booked again tomorrow!

We are sure that Madiba would be proud of our efforts. The ripple effect that this week of steris is going to have on controlling the animal population in our community is significant and we are so glad to be a part of that🐶🐱🐾

16/07/2024

There's two really exciting shows in Clarens on the 28th of July.

Steve Newman and Nish Pillay will be doing what promises to be a unique and eclectic live show at Voetstoots Music Saloon at 12:00

AND

Rocco de Villiers will be dazzling the audience on his piano at the Clarens Golf & Leisure Estate Clubhouse at 14:00.

A jam-packed, music filled Sunday in Clarens indeed!

Booking info below.

12/07/2024

Looking for a unique and special adventure when you're in Clarens this weekend? Kaho Stargazing is hosting a hike, sunset picnic and stargazing adventure this Saturday in Golden Gate National Park.

Yesterday evening's stargazing was out of this world and Saturday promises to be another spectacular outing. Don't miss out!

Contact details for Karlin Roos and Holger Oosthuizen below.

12/07/2024

It has been inspiring and amazing to see how our community have jumped in to help and support the Working on Fire team by donating food and water and physically assisting in fighting the fires.

Sadly, many of our farmers' winter supply of livestock feed has been burned and they are in need of support.

Please consider donating to the Clarens Boerevereeniging which will assist the farmers affected by the fires. Details in the link.

At 4pm on Sunday the 7th of July 2024, a veld fire broke out in Clarens and then it spread, wiping out the winter supply of food for farmers

11/07/2024

Clarens' favourite thrift store has found a new home at the Posthouse Corner next to Liewer Koffi and Helli's Deli. Now you can grab a coffee and a sandwich and immerse yourself in all the glorious preloved and vintage items at Thrifts & Threads. You can expect to find a bit of everything here, from glorious boots and evening wear, to funky tops and jewellery and denim...lots and lots of denim! You can even customise your denim pieces with some of the wonderful badges at the denim customization station. So fun and soooo worth a visit! Remember, when you shop preloved, it's doesn't count because you're saving the planet.

08/07/2024

There's some wonderful shows in Clarens this month, the first of which is taking place this Wednesday, 10 July in the NG Church Hall.

Misery Loves Company presents 'Jou Ma se Platespeler - 'n Verhaal van Tegnologie, Politiek en Kultuur' featuring Afrikaans treffers by David Kramer, Johannes Kerkorrel, Laurika Rauch and more.

Tickets are R120 and on sale at the door. The show starts at 18:30.

Proudly presented by The Gate Guesthouse Clarens

02/07/2024

Just a reminder that the annual Polar Bear Plunge is on Saturday!

If you are looking for something to do on Saturday, the 6th of July 2024, we hope you can go and support the brave Polar Bear Plungers as they dive into the icy water at the Arpa Adventure Dam (which is on the R711) at 12 noon.

This year will be a little different: from 10am there will be stalls available selling some really cool items, some lekker music and then there is going to be some really delicious and heart-warming food and a cash bar set up by our friends Braam, Jana and Di Plaasstoep Fouriesburg team.

Please take along some bags/tins of cat and/or dog food – the goal is to make a mini-mountain of food to help support local animals in need.

Once the plunge and the Lucky Draw (this is for the swimmers only) are done, then it is time to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery, it really is a fun day out for the whole family.

If you would like to find out more about the day, perhaps you would like to have a stall or sponsor some prizes or even take the plunge yourself, then contact the team - details on the pic.

We hope to see you there❄️🐻‍❄️❄️🐻‍❄️

Cluny Animal Trust PBO No. 930039295

02/07/2024

These beauties from Cape2Cairo 2024 really brought the square to life yesterday. 😍

22/06/2024

There are some wonderful events to look forward to in the coming weeks.

The Platform Clarens is hosting a solo art exhibition by Raquel Lewis and you are invited to attend the Glen Carlou food and wine pairing on the 28th of June. All proceeds go to the Clarens Village Conservancy.

The CVC are also hosting a fabulous wine tasting at Charlie's Cafe with a Durban July theme on the 14th of July.

More info pictured below. 👇

15/06/2024

What's better than getting to spend Father's Day in Clarens? We have so much going on in the village on Sunday, you get to pick and choose how to spoil the Dads.

Take them to Highland Brew Clarens for incredible views, delicious food and a free beer for the Dads.

Voetstoots Music Saloon and TWO GRUMPY OLD MEN | Clarens are hosting a blues fest on Father's Day. Enjoy music by Guenter 'Soulman' Nerlich , The Thatcher Brothers Donovan Thatcher and Larry Amos while spending the afternoon having a braai and a good time.

OB is playing live at The Platform Clarens at 11am and at The Grouse and Claret from 3pm this Sunday.

Come and enjoy all our little village has to offer! Enjoy a cold beer or warm coffee and a delicious brekkie, lunch or dinner at one of our restaurants. Do some shopping, see the sights, take some selfies and enjoy the day. Life is good!

14/06/2024

There's so much happening in Clarens this weekend, we don't even know where to start?!

If you are in the village this afternoon, don't miss OB live at the Clarens Kooperasie Restaurant from 3pm.

Don't miss the Clarens parkrun on Saturday morning! You will still have time to shower or grab a coffee before joining the Clarens Art Walk at 11am. The walk starts from The Post House Restuarant (Clarens) and is free of charge.

If you are more into dinosaurs than art, book a spot for the Clarens Dinosaurs outing at 10am on Saturday morning.

The Maluti FM 97.1 market will be on the square on Saturday. The market is a perfect starting point for a day in Clarens, followed by browsing all our local shops and enjoying a delicious lunch at one of our many restaurants.

Rudo Schwim Live is playing at The Grouse and Claret tonight and at The Platform Clarens on Saturday from 12. The Platform is also hosting a 'langarm' dance evening on Saturday which promises to be a blast.

If live music is not your scene, book for the Stargazing Evening - but hurry, there's only a few spots left.

More to follow for what to do on Father's Day in Clarens. 😁

12/06/2024

What a sight?! Thanks Lindsey Lotringer from Clarens Brewery The Stoke House and 767 On The Ridge for this beautiful pic.

A stunning winter sunrise in Clarens this morning.

07/06/2024

Some fun to be had in Clarens this weekend and over the next couple of weeks.

See you in the village!

07/06/2024

Stargazing Evening

Have you ever witnessed stars ✨ through a high powered telescope? 🔭 The quarter moon will be out and that means seeing it through the telescope! It is something truly spectacular to experience and kids (including the grown-up ones) will love it!

Limited space available. Book now to avoid disappointment. 🌒✨🪐🔭 The 15th of June is around the corner!