West Cape Travel: Discover the Colorful 2nd New Year Carnival
- Jani Davids
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
Overview of "Tweede Nuwejaar" Cape Town Carnival
Most cultural tourists around the globe have a special affinity with colorful festivals that have been celebrated for hundreds of years in the destinations they visit. If you’re one of them and not only want to explore the rich cultural heritage of a destination, but also its ancient history, the Western Cape of South Africa should be added to your bucket list.
For a cultural shock if you’re a foreigner visiting Cape Town in December, the Carnival Parade (“Tweede Nuwejaar” Afrikaans), is the place to be for some healthy fun. Extend it to the Choral Competition at Athlone stadium, and you’ll get a sense of what “immersive cultural travel” is all about.
Cape Town, located in the Western Cape Province, is the top African destination for most travelers across the world, and if you’ve never considered to visit, you’re missing out on one of the most vibrant cities not only in the Western Cape Province, but also in Africa. Especially if you are into cultural and historical exploration.
Learn more about the ancient history of South Africa here:
https://www.phenixiitravel.com/post/vibrant-controversial-melting-pot-of-races-cultures-south-africa
Brief History of the Coloured Community
South Africa’s history goes back hundreds of thousands of years, when the Khoi and San peoples migrated from Northern and Central Africa to become the very first people to occupy the land. Fast forward to the 1600’s when the Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape. As you can imagine, the San and Khoi weren’t impressed and this caused lots of conflict between them and the new ‘incomers’.
So when the San and Khoi refused to cooperate with the Dutch settlers to build a refreshment station for passing ships to get fresh products on their journey to the East, they decided to get involved in the slave trade.
This is how the history of the Coloured people started, and evolved into a rich cultural heritage of San, Khoi and the slaves. The Coloured people of South Africa is a mixed race group made up of Khoi, San, slaves and European heritage so I suppose clustering all of them together in race classification as Coloured is somewhat of an irony.
The irony is that Coloured people, no matter where they find themselves today, have a “colorful” culture and history that fits the race tag perfectly. To understand the rich cultural heritage, the Carnival would be the best place to start. It will give you some insight into the slavery background of the Coloured people. The carnival’s street parade is a vibrant and interesting event and will whet your appetite to learn more.
It goes back to when slaves were brought into the country and is one of the best events to attend
during the festive season. Combine your visit with the Choral Competition that forms part of the event.
Regretfully there’s been lots of confusion and controversy surrounding the carnival for January 2026, including in-fighting among organizers and sponsorship. With the result that the dates for both the street carnival and choral competition was only confirmed a day or two into the new year. Hopefully, by the end of 2026, all these issues will have been sorted out among the parties so that there is more time to notify visitors about the dates.
Nevertheless, I’m happy to say that it will take place and is expected to be as spectacular as always.
The carnival’s street parade gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a cultural festival spanning more than a hundred years (and the only one at that), in the country. It is attended by hundreds of thousands of local and overseas visitors who just love to make merry and end the festive season on a high note.
So if you need a boost to get a pleasant shot of ‘cultural shock’ mixed with Cape Town hospitality, make a date to visit Cape Town in 2026 and party into 2027 like a local.
Our Vibrant Carnival …
Watch the video
Courtesy of Cape Town City.
The carnival parade dates back to the mid-nineteenth century when the slaves in Cape Town were given one day off in the year. This was usually on 2 January, but with all the controversy that erupted the past year, the date might change for future carnivals; as it has now been changed to Monday, 5 January 2026.
The celebration is made up of different groups, including the Malay groups. The members of the troupes paint their faces, dance and perform wild antics to the beat of drums, banjos and other musical instruments, wave parasols, and just have loads of fun. Fun, yes, that’s what the festival is all about. It’s a day to get ‘away from it all’ and just be yourself.
The parade used to start in the famed District Six and continued on through Cape Town’s City Center up to Green Point Stadium. The stadium is where each group goes all out to strut their stuff to the beat of songs dating back to the 1800s when the slaves first took to the streets. The songs have evolved to include not only the popular classics, but repertoires that are interspersed with various interpretations of modern music genres.
More than 13000 minstrels in over 70 troupes parade throughout the city center in their colorful outfits to entertain the crowds. But the cutest participants are usually the little ones, who put all their heart into the celebration as part of their different troupes.
However, the festivities don’t end when the carnival is over … the best part is left for the Choral competition that usually takes place at Athlone stadium. This is the heart of the celebrations, and you’ll be mesmerized by the music presented by the groups, especially the Malay groups. And don’t worry that you might not understand the languages of the songs. Some of the songs are in Afrikaans or Arabic; but music in any culture or language can be enjoyed .. if you’re open to experiencing a foreign culture.
The Choral competition was scheduled for 10, 24 January, and 7 February. So if you’re still around by then (in 2027), it would be best to check out the Cape Town City website before your trip at: https://www.capetown.gov.za/. You can also visit Cape Town Tourism’s website at: https://www.capetown.travel/
Watch the video
Courtesy of Cape Town City.
This is what cultural travel is all about … getting out of your comfort zone, and immersing yourself in diverse cultural experiences!
The minstrels, in my opinion and the rest of the Coloured people who are proud of our cultural and historical roots, believe it’s a dazzling celebration to display the power of overcoming nasty circumstances beyond your control doesn’t always lie in politics, but mostly in the human psyche to thrive and overcome.
Instead of bemoaning it forever, we celebrate the fact that we are now free of the constraints that dictated to previous generations who they are and what they should be. I believe the slaves knew that somewhere in the future there will be change … even if they knew they might not be alive to experience it. They knew that future generations might enjoy the freedom of choice that they did not have. The carnival, to me, was their way of celebrating the distant future of their generations to come.
Despite the challenges during the past year, we are holding thumbs that the organizers will come to a mutual agreement that will ensure that the carnival is celebrated year for years to come.
To give you a taste of what you can expect and to inspire you to visit our stunning Western Cape Province, have a look at the video. And if you’re going to attend, have oodles and oodles of fun. Because that’s the purpose of the entertainment provided at the Carnival Parade and the Choral Competition!
Watch the video
Courtesy of Cape Town City.
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