Cape Town is all set to ring into the New Year! Alike rest of the world, the Mother City is lining up exciting range of events in store to help the residents and visitors usher in 2026 in style.
The City of Cape Town has prepared a special guide for this. First is, the Cape Malay Road March that will usher in the New Year with traditional Malay music, drums and marching as several choirs taking them to streets of the Cape Town CBD on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025.
The New Year evening will begin with a procession from Rose Street in Bo-Kaap at 08:30 p.m. before making its way down to Wale Street and concluding in Adderley Street. The event is expected to finish at approx. 04:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan 01, 2026. This is a free event, and the public can line up along Rose Street, Wale Street and Adderley Street to celebrate with the bands and choirs who will be entertaining the crowds.
Several roads in the CBD will be closed on Dec 31, 2025 to accommodate the procession and ensure public safety. The motorists are advised that the following roads will be closed from 5:00 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 until 4:00 a.m. on Jan 01, 2026.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert
Mango Groove, the iconic South African band will be joined by The Billy Joel Experience and will take to the stage at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden for a celebration that ensures everyone to enter the New Year on a high note.
Music lovers can spend the New Year’s Eve surrounded by nature under the shadow of Table Mountain. The concert will bring an upbeat sound and nostalgic energy for an unforgettable evening.
The gates of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden will open at 07:00 p.m. with the concert scheduled for a 08:30 p.m. start.
SA20 Cricket Action at Newlands
Cricket lovers in South Africa are in for a T20 action at Newlands Cricket Ground on New Year where the home team MI Cape Town will be taking on the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 clash.
The reigning champion MI Cape Town will be looking to once again turn the Newlands into a fortress, remained unbeaten at home last season. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and the gates for the stadium will open 3 hours before the start of the game.
General parking is available at Groote Schuur primary on Campground Road and Groote Schuur High School on Palmyra Road.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront will once again host one of the most iconic New Year Eve celebrations of Cape Town by offering a free, family-friendly event at one of the most popular destinations of the city.
2025 New Year Eve will feature live performances by an impressive line-up of artists, including Emo & Loukmaan Adams, Zoë Modiga, GoodLuck, DJ Shezzy K and the Starlight Band.
Entertainment is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start with the various acts taking the stage through the evening for this free event. High pedestrian volumes are expected, and the visitors are advised to arrive early, expect traffic delays and make use of public transport where possible.