Cape Town Minstrel Carnival & 2nd New Year in Cape Town

Every year, Cape Town kicks off the New Year in a bright, colourful, rhythmic and musical way: The Cape Minstrel Carnival, known as the Tweede Nuwejaar. A 100% Capetonian event not to be missed!


Every year, Cape Town kicks off the New Year in a bright, colourful, rhythmic and musical way: The Cape Minstrel Carnival, known as the Tweede Nuwejaar, and formerly known as Cape Coon festival.

The minstrel parade on January 2nd in Cape Town is a must-see for everyone in Cape Town, local or visitor, as it reflects the heart and soul of vibrant Cape Town and beyond.

==Read about the Cape Minstrel Carnival 2007 or the 2008 Cape Minstrel Carnival ==

It is Cape Town's biggest
carnival with numerous minstrels festivals, minstrel competitions and extravagant parades. The Cape Minstrel Carnival or Coon Carnival has roots in the 18th century, when slaves in the Cape were allowed their one and only day off on January 2nd.

They picked up the 'art' of entertaining from the minstrel entertainers who stopped by Cape Town on American ocean liners in that time frame.

The Minstrel street parade on the first weekend starts in District Six and there are plenty of South African wares and mouth-watering local delicacies on sale along the route, attracting crowds of over 80,000.

Former President Nelson Mandela endorsed the minstrel event in 1996 and is now a patron of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association.

Keep an eye out for the events calendar and our news section as we will on a regular basis pay attention to this wonderful event. Subscribe to our free newsletter for all updates on the Cape Town new year celebrations!

Cape Town Events Calendar
 
January 2006
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with R35 happy hour pints ...

Burgers for just R60, craft beer tasting trays, R35 happy hour pints

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Paul Cluver concerts new Paul Clüver concerts are back for ...

Karen Zoid, Elvis Blue, Nataniël, Kurt Darren & more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

Daily deals on classic comfort meals like burgers, schnitzel, ribs, steaks…

EpocheBucketlist fine dining with ...

Guest called it “the best meal I’ve had anywhere in the world”

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

maynardville new 2All you need to know about Maynardville ...

Everything you need to know: Parking, VIP experiences, tickets & more

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with R35 happy hour pints ...

Burgers for just R60, craft beer tasting trays, R35 happy hour pints

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Paul Cluver concerts new Paul Clüver concerts are back for ...

Karen Zoid, Elvis Blue, Nataniël, Kurt Darren & more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

Daily deals on classic comfort meals like burgers, schnitzel, ribs, steaks…

EpocheBucketlist fine dining with ...

Guest called it “the best meal I’ve had anywhere in the world”

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

mischu R99 brunch special Lunch at mischu: R99 special with ...

Avo & salsa on sourdough and cappuccino for R99, + try the viral crookie

maynardville new 2All you need to know about Maynardville ...

Everything you need to know: Parking, VIP experiences, tickets & more

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with R35 happy hour pints ...

Burgers for just R60, craft beer tasting trays, R35 happy hour pints

Killarney Extreme Festival 2026All thrills, all spectacle at Cape ...

Door-to-door battles, contact racing, blazingly fast Superbikes, and a kids ...

Focaccia Bar 2Cape Town’s first focaccia sandwich ...

Baked daily with high-quality Italian meats & cheeses

Webersburg Wine EstateMore to do at Webersburg Wine Estate ...

Yes, there’s wine, but also art, yoga, cooking classes & kudu macarons

West Coast Safari 2025Cape Town’s closest land and sea ...

Plus horseback rides, whale-watching, eco-boat & San cultural tours

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Killarney Motor ShowKillarney Motor Show, full-blown car ...

Drifting, spinning, BMXing + fun fair. Just R45 for kids

fable cocktail The drama & decadence of cocktail ...

Cocktails that rain, change colour, and come with handcuffs

GiveawaysTravel Tips