Cape Town Carnival 2018 | Western Cape Government

Cape Town Carnival 2018

Cape Town CarnivalCape Town is gearing up for the city’s annual street festival, the Cape Town Carnival, on Saturday, 17 March 2018. The Cape Town Carnival is one of the city's most popular free outdoor events, and draws bigger crowds each year. 

What is the Cape Town Carnival about?

The Cape Town Carnival is a multicultural celebration which focuses on social inclusion and bridging the divide between the diverse communities of the Western Cape and specifically Cape Town. It‘s a celebration of the many diverse cultures which makes Cape Town one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The carnival is considered a community participation event by the Western Cape Government.

The event creates over 800 part-time jobs. The long-term vision, however, is to permanently employ people and to expand our skills development programmes.

The carnival also aims to provide a platform for local performance groups, designers, musicians and artists to showcase their talents to the world.

Since 2010 when the carnival was held on Long Street, it has become the festival of the year, and has grown from 17 000 spectators to as many as 55 000. It’s now held on the Fan Walk in Green Point.

Cape Town CarnivalTheme for 2018 

This year's theme is Mother City, Mother Nature.  This theme explores two of Cape Town's greatest assets, its natural beauty and its people.

The festival will showcase what makes the Mother City one of the most unique cities in the world. Join us on 17 March 2018. Come and see the spectacular colours, music and dances that will be on full display. 

Get involved

Take part and celebrate Mother Nature and the Mother City. Bring your family and friends along for a fun-filled evening and celebrate everything that makes this city unique on 17 March 2018. 

Revellers will have the freedom of the city streets in the Green Point Fan Walk precinct. Over 2 000 dazzling costumed performers and musicians will take to Cape Town’s Fan Walk, entertaining viewers with floats and vibrant dance routines. The parade will be followed by a thumping street party, showcasing some of SA's hottest musical talent.

Fans and revellers are encouraged to join in the street festivities anytime from 16:00, when it will turn into a pedestrian walkway with 2km of food vendors, stalls and festive hospitality areas. Later in the evening Cape Town will up the tempo with the most riveting and festive open air party, the Cape Town Carnival Street Party! 


Cape Town CarnivalWhat time does the carnival start?

The Fan Walk will close at 6pm to allow for final preparations and cleaning ahead of the parade which will kick-off at 7pm. The official after party will take place from 9:30pm to 00:30am. (entry is free, and no under-18s will be allowed). 

Logistics

Getting to the Cape Town Carnival with public transport will be easy. Additional MyCiti and Park & Ride facilities will be in operation. Please check with transport service providers for their schedules. 
Restaurants and cafés all along the route will be open and there’llbe seating stands along the Fan Walk for those wanting to be within inches of the performers.

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Access to the Cape Town Carnival is completely free, gratis, mahala! However,for those who want an elevated view of the parade, seated and VIP tickets are available for purchase.

To stay on-top of the festivities, visit the official Cape Town Carnival’s website and be sure to follow the action on Facebook or Twitter. #CTCarnival2017

The content on this page was last updated on 9 March 2018