Iconic Cape Town Minstrel Carnival is back. The most vibrant event of the Mother City is returning to streets on January 04, 2025.
Popular as the HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade, the annual event is the longest existing carnival in the city and is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Cape Town.
Historically known as Kaapse Klopse, the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival will be observed at the Cape Town Grand Parade and Cape Town CBD from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the very first month of the year 2025.
What Cape Town Minstrel Carnival will display?
The Carnival will showcase thousands of people in glittery uniforms, face paints, hats and parasols march through the city roads. The event will also play the signature ‘ghoema’ music on banjos, trumpets and drums.
However, the troupes are spaced out so that each performance happens separately and will allow onlookers to hear each troupe. Also, there will be set structure to be followed by each troupe with non-instrument playing members who are called ‘voorlopertjies’. These members will lead the way with extravagant dance moves, while the band is responsible to provide the backing soundtrack.
This year’s line-up specifically includes many famous performers that will make the event alive with their stunning performances. The list of sponsors and supporters begins consisting of the West London All-Stars, Phantoms Community Development, as well as Playaz Inc, with Young TV Stars Community Development, Posh Vibrant Youth Development, also Wesbank Youth Entertainers, Juvie Boy Entertainers, Philadelphians Sporting Club and Youth Development.
The carnival will also be supported by the Cape Town Hawkers, Ashwin Willemse Orient Community Development, will also receive help from the Original District Six Hanover Minstrels, Fabulous Woodstock Starlites, as well as Manenberg Superstars, Mitchells Palin Young Tycoons Academy and The Original Famous Wild Apaches.
Experience Live Magic of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
The HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade is anticipating to attract a huge crowd of 80,000 to 100,000 spectators who are eager to experience more than 18 minstrel troupes and 20,000 performers.
As per organisers, the parade will begin its walk on Hanover Street in District Six with the teams that will drop off near Russell Street. The official procession will commence at Sir Lowry Road and Hanover Street, immediately after the Thuhr prayer (in mid-day).
Later, after that the first troupe will perform the festivities at 1:15 p.m. All 20 scheduled troupes will march along the full route, beginning on Darling Street and will pass through the HollywoodBets Purple Mile and will continue to walk into Adderley Street.
The traditional parade will then make its way up to Wale Street, past Company Gardens and will then cross the Buitengracht Street before entering into the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood (Schotsche Kloof), the parade route will end on Rose Street.
Competitions to Showcase in the Stadium
The highly anticipated HollywoodBets and KKKA Annual Kaapse Klopse competitions or tournaments will be observed at the Athlone Stadium which will begin priorly from Wednesday, Jan 01, 2025. The weekly scheduled competitions will draw crowds of almost 20,000 people every Saturday until Feb 01, 2025.
The musical or dance troupes will compete in various categories considering the grand march-past, as well as junior and senior drum major, the best-dressed troupe and Klopse.
Excluded Items in 2025
To have a safe and enjoyable experience, some of the items have been excluded by the organisers this year and they have decided to prohibit them from consisting in the coming future also. The items which are prohibited are glass containers, weapons, alcohol and drugs.
According to the organisers, vulgar language and violence is not allowed. No political statements and any provocative or illicit behaviour will be tolerated at all.
Moreover, people are welcomed to bring blankets, cooler boxes and foldable chairs for their own comfort.
The event organisers have also confirmed that on Jan 04, and 05, 2025 several roads will remain closed from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Such roads are Buitenkant, Lower Plein, Adderley, Caste, Hout, Shortmarket, Church, Wale, Longmarket and Burg Streets.
Road closure list continues and extends till Loop, Bree, Van Der Meulen, Rose, also considering Heiliger Lane/Street and Chiapinni Street.
To have access to the HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade no fees will be charged. The entry is completely free for the public.
However, for the HollywoodBets Purple Mile grandstand, visitors need to book tickets earlier to get some of the best views of the parade. Tickets can be purchased via ticket buying platform Computicket.