Four brand new light installations, focusing on the 2010 Soccer World Cup and South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victory, will add excitement to this year’s festive lights in Adderley Street, Cape Town – one of South Africa’s oldest festive light installation traditions.

This year, for the first time in 41 years, the City of Cape Town has appointed external artists to help with the design of the 12 panels of lights.

"The City has implemented these designs, using about 15 000 meters of rope lighting to save energy, as well as modern technology with remote computer control lighting sequences and sound effects," says Charles Kadalie, Head of the City’s Public Lighting Department.

With the theme, ‘Cape Town is fun. Soccer is fun.’, this year’s festive lights include three displays dedicated to soccer and one featuring the Rugby World Cup’s Webb Ellis trophy.

Cape Town Executive Mayor Helen Zille is to officially launch the City’s summer holiday season when she switches on the lights on Sunday, December 2 at 20:00 (8pm).

"The festive lights aim to spread joy by lifting the spirit of local residents, and welcoming tourists during the summer holidays," says Mayor Zille.

Cape Town is expecting an influx of over a million visitors during the peak season and the municipality has devised a comprehensive strategy to ensure a safe, secure and clean holiday for residents and visitors.

The festivities on December 2 kicks off at 15:00 (3pm) with a 2 000 strong carnival parade from the Heerengracht Fountain in Adderley Street up to Church Street and back.

It will consist of various marching brass bands, a fire engine with Santa Claus on board, peacock costumed dancers, giant puppets, stilt walkers, a Chinese Air Dragon, and several colourful floats, including a 2010 FIFA World Cup™ host city float.

The parade will be followed by a stage concert featuring Boeta Joe and Boeta Gamat of Joe Barber fame, Johnny Clegg, Brandon October, Hip Hop Pantsula, Valiant Swart & Ollie Viljoen, Krista Jones, winner of Die Burger’s U-tune competition and the glamorous Cape Town export, Three Tons of Fun.

The soccer focus will be enhanced with a special appearance of former Bafana Bafana captain, Lukas Radebe, just before 20:00 (8pm).

A special musical tribute to the late Taliep Petersen by Emo Adams and JAG will conclude the festivities at the fountain.

Two large LED screens will be strategically placed in Adderley Street to allow the expected 50 000 strong crowd to follow all the action on stage.

The show will be complemented by a dazzling laser light display which will be bounced off mirrors and buildings along Adderley Street.

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