Mariah Carey fans may wait until Mariah has dramatically announced that ‘It’s time’ before they start their festive celebrations but Capetonians know that the festive season only truly kicks off when the festive lights in the city are switched on. Good tidings, friends of the festive season: we’ve got a date for the latter!
Cape Town, South Africa (23 October 2024) — When does the festive season truly kick off? If you’re most retailers, it’s usually late October, just after the Halloween decorations have been taken off shelves. If you’re a Christmas music fan, it’s when Mariah Carey officially announces (usually dramatically) that ‘it’s time’. But if you’re a Capetonian, you know it’s only official when the festive lights switch-on happens. In the case of the latter, we’ve got some good news: we have an official date!
As Cape Town prepares to host the world this summer, the festive lights switch-on extravaganza is now more of a global gathering than ever before. Along with the spectacular Grand Parade, it’s an event that unites all friends of the festive season in the only way to do it: together.
Going on 55 years strong, the event’s theme for this year is “Cape Town: People of Hope”. It promises a time of laughter, music, entertainment and, of course, the famous lights.
For Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, it’s the epitome of celebrating the people who make the city as loved as it is.
“I remember attending this concert as a little boy, and it’s one of my fondest childhood memories. Above all, this is a wonderful family event for the whole of Cape Town. It’s more than just a celebration of the festive season; it is a celebration of Cape Town’s people—the People of Hope. I am always so pleased to see families from every corner of the city coming together to share in the fun and joy of this event. It’s these moments of togetherness that make Cape Town the remarkable city it is—a city of hope, resilience and opportunity.”—Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis.
Details
When: Sunday 1 December 2024
Time: 4 pm to 10 pm
Where: The Grand Parade, Cape Town (in front of the City Hall) and Adderley Street
Cost: Free, but don’t forget to bring your festive cheer!