Cape Dutch Charm @ Christmas in Winter Festival | Tulbagh’s Historic Church Street | 4K Walking Tour

Cape Dutch Charm @ Christmas in Winter Festival | Tulbagh’s Historic Church Street | 4K Walking Tour

Welcome to Tulbagh, South Africa. A valley town rich in history and tradition. Today we shall explore The Roodezand Church, the Old Church of Tulbagh which was built in 1743. This iron bell was cast in the Netherlands and once summoned the entire valley to worship. This is the oldest church building north of Cape Town still in its original form. Stepping inside the church feels like entering the 18th century; simple, solemn, and timeless. The building is now a museum, showcasing early colonial life and worship. Beneath the pulpit lies what appears to be a tombstone. These are some of the names of the various ministers buried beneath the church. The pulpit is made from the rare beefwood and stinkwood, woods valued by early settlers for their durability and fine grain. This is thought to be the oldest surviving pulpit of its kind in South Africa. This rear room once held communion tools and church records from the 1700s. The wooden canopy above the pulpit doubles as an 18th‑century acoustic reflector, amplifying the preacher’s voice. These wooden stairs lead to the gallery, where singers and readers once led the service from above. Somewhere inside this church, a Dotted Paths logo is hidden. 👀Did you spot it? The echo in this space reminds us how many footsteps passed through this place over centuries. Exiting the church now, we head toward the historic cemetery under towering pines. Walking along this path feels like walking down the center aisle of a church. Many of the tombstones here date back to the 1700s, making this one of the oldest still‑intact churchyards in South Africa. The low stone wall that encloses the cemetery was erected in 1795 to keep livestock out. This “parish enclosure” parallels similar European churchyards of the era and gives the site its serene, cloistered feel. After the 1969 earthquake, local volunteers restored the cemetery’s tombstones and wall, preserving their 18th-century layout. Leaving the church grounds, we move toward the festival entrance on Tulbagh’s Church Street. The town of Tulbagh lies in the Witzenberg Valley, surrounded by majestic peaks and vineyards. ✨Keep an eye out for the hidden Dotted Paths logos…
How many can you spot on this walk? Tulbagh’s “Christmas in Winter” transforms this Cape Dutch village into a festive wonderland each June. Tulbagh is known for its Cape Dutch architecture, preserved almost untouched since the 18th century. This town has more Cape Dutch heritage homes on a single street than anywhere else in South Africa. In 1969, a massive earthquake hit this town. Church Street was later restored using traditional materials. The cheerful marimba band here is amaWolsely Marimbas, filling the street with rhythm. Christmas in Winter draws over 5,000 visitors each year; from Cape Town and far beyond. A full marching band now parades the street; playing church hymns with festive brass and percussion. Santa Park is the heart of the celebration. It’s packed with live music, mulled wine, and fun for the whole family. You’ve got to see this tree lit up at night. It’s in our magical tractor parade video! Many of the houses here are still lived in, and residents decorate their stoeps for the festival. We’re now entering Tulbagh’s community garden, a peaceful break from the festive buzz. Locals grow herbs, flowers, and vegetables here; a symbol of sustainability and care. Even in winter, bright blooms and green life carry the spirit of the valley. Exiting the garden now, we return to Church Street to explore more of the holiday stalls. We are now approaching the end of our walk. Please like this video and consider subscribing to the channel💕. Thanks for joining this immersive walk through Tulbagh’s history and its winter festival magic✨.

Experience the charm of Tulbagh—South Africa’s storybook wine town—in full celebration mode on this immersive walking tour from the 1743 Old Church Museum to the festive heart of Church Street during the country’s most beloved midwinter Christmas festival.
🌏 Map of the Walk: https://tinyurl.com/5n6wabsr

If you’ve strolled the cobbled lanes of the Cotswolds, visited Napa’s wine villages, or wandered Alsace’s timbered towns in December, you’ll feel a familiar magic here—with a uniquely South African warmth.

✨ Whether you’re watching from a frosty village in Germany or a sun-drenched street in California, this midwinter celebration turns tradition upside down, in the most magical way.

What You’ll See:
• Inside the Old Church Museum, with 18th-century architecture and colonial-era artifacts
• A tranquil Cape Dutch graveyard, nestled beneath the Witzenberg mountains
• Church Street transformed—bunting, food stalls, and Christmas music fill the air
• Local crafts, costumed carolers, and children playing beneath vintage gables
• A live marimba band and a marching parade echoing through the mountains
• Cape Dutch townhouses as quaint as anything in rural England or French wine country
• A cozy, small-town winter festival—warm and cheerful welcoming spirit of South Africa

Filmed: 28 June 2025 | 14°C (57°F) | Cloudy, Crisp Air | 4K Binaural

Route Guide:
00:00 – Preview & Map
02:00 – Old Church Museum
14:00 – Graveyard & Churchyard Views
19:00 – Entering Church Street Festival Zone
22:35 – Marimba Band Performance
29:30 – Marching Band on Church Street
39:45 – Church Street Kitchen Garden

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