Switching on of the Christmas Lights on Adderley Street

Mayor and soccer icons to switch on Cape Town's festive Christmas lights

With the emphasis on the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the 42nd official switch-on of the festive lights in Adderley Street will offer a kaleidoscope of colour with 12 brand new light installations, making this one of Cape Town’s largest public open-air events.

Read all info on the 2009 Switching on of the Christmas Lights on Adderley Street.

Some 50 000 people are expected to gather in Adderley Street to watch the colourful extravaganza of light and sound. While some of the more traditional elements have been retained, the huge Christmas tree at the top end of Adderley Street will be replaced with an indigenous aloe plant.

A special team designed the new light crossings to incorporate a strong emphasis on 2010 soccer themes.

Festivities will kick off on November 30 at 16h00 with a star-studded stage concert at the Heerengracht Fountain, featuring local stars including Loyiso, Idols winner Jody Williams, Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels, Dozi and Die Burger U-tune winner Alfredo Prins.

Cape Town’s mayor, Helen Zille, will be joined by soccer icons including Zakumi the official 2010 mascot in officially launching the city’s summer holiday season when the lights are switched on Sunday, November 30 at 20:00 (8pm).

Daniel Petersen, the six year-old drumming whiz kid from Kraaifontein, will demonstrate his drumming skills and do a special drum roll in the countdown to the switch on.

"The aim of the festive lights is to spread joy by lifting the spirits of local residents and welcoming tourists during the summer holidays. The event provides Cape Town with an excellent opportunity to test its ability to stage big events in the run-up to 2010," says Mayor Zille.

A 2,000 strong carnival parade which will move from the fountain up to Strand Street will include a fire engine with Santa Claus, Cartoon Network characters, dancers, giant puppets, stilt walkers, unicyclists, Simba, as well as colourful floats, including a 2010 FIFA World Cup™ host city float.

A special musical tribute to the late Miriam Makeba, performed by the SA Youth Choir, will include her best known international hit, The Click Song.

The Adderley Street lights will stay up until mid-January 2009. "The introduction of rope lights two years ago has drastically cut power consumption. We do not foresee a burden on the city’s electricity infrastructure as most industries are closed over the festive season, thus reducing the energy loads," says Charles Kadalie, Manager of the City’s Public Lighting Department.

Adderley Street Switching-on of the Christmas Lights 2008:

Date: 30 November 2008
Time: 20h00
Venue: Adderley Street
Location: Cape Town

Molo says: “This is definitely a sight to soothe sore eyes. Read more about Christmas in Cape Town and find out about Cape Town’s New Years 2008/2009 events.”

Read more about Helen Zille joining Zakumi to switch on the 2008 Adderley Street festive lights , and subscribe to our free monthly Editor’s Picks Newsletter for all the best information on this and other events during the last days of December.