Happiness in Pictures From This Year's Cape Town Carnival Parade!

Photo Credit: Cape Town Carnival

The biggest celebration of Cape Town, culture, and community happened on Saturday along the Green Point Fan Walk. Here are the highlights that made us smile.

Cape Town, South Africa (23 March 2026) – Thousands poured into Green Point on Saturday as the 16th Cape Town Cape Carnival touched down in the Mother City.

The parade is always one for the books.

Tradition saw the carnival kick off with the city’s firefighters and law enforcement officers, who launched the event with the sheer power of their muscles alone. Then came the Harley-Davidsons. By then everyone’s engines were revving.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Events Cape Town (@events_capetown)

Hosts Carl Wastie and Cassidy Nicholson from the Mother City’s Kfm radio station kicked off the official opening of Cape Town’s biggest family-friendly street party of 2026.

Over 50 community groups from across the city joined forces to make the parade special this year, alongside 10 incredible floats, each given a voice by the carnival’s twelve champions who led every pod through the streets with Capetonian pride and cheer.

“We called them our Champions because they have voluntarily and proudly been part of the process of telling their stories and inspiring carnival participants to follow their dreams. Their excitement to be part of the carnival has been inspiring,” says Carnival CEO Jay Douwes, “We want the public to see themselves in these very local, but incredible talents.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cape Town Tourism (@lovecapetown)

Here’s a closer look at the event in pictures!

“Kicking off the parade procession was WPMA, followed by Circle of Life. Mystique carried the torch, followed by Trap vir Trap, featuring performers Natasha van der Merwe and Anslin Gysman.” shared the carnival.

“The Kaapse Vibes and Chinese Community dazzled the crowds, before Uvuyo, featuring The One Who Sings, Zolani Mahola, took the spotlight.”

“African Rhythms brought the beats. Madiba graced the Fan Walk this year, with Amandla close on his heels, featuring activist Nyaniso Tutu-Burris, Kfm 94.5’s Carl Wastie, and Cassidy Nicholson.”

“Percussion Majorettes then demonstrated skill and unified presence. Mixing drama and athleticism, Triple Threat emerged, featuring Siv Ngesi and Leda Botha.”

“Borboletas then took the lead, before Morph, featuring media personality Dylan Majavie brought the fabulous creative colour to the fanwalk. Glamour followed in Boldly Beautiful, as Miss Universe South Africa 2025, Melissa Nayimuli wowed the spectators.”

“Ending off a spectacular night was BPM – Beats, Paint, Move, featuring DJ Ready D and graffiti artist Rizah Potgieter – and the pimped cars from GCAP and SR4A.”