The Tweede Nuwe Jaar is one of the best events on the Cape Town party calendar. Capetonians together with the Cape Minstrels celebrate New Year twice in Cape Town.

On the second of January the fun continues with an even more festive celebration called the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade.

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. More information soon in our newsletter.

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.

The different dates of the Cape Minstrel Festival are usually a surprise, pretty much until it starts.

We do not now why this is, but our safest bet it to subscribe to our newsletter so you are in the know when more news on the Cape Minstrel Festival takes place in Cape Town in 2008.

The festival takes place over a number of weekends in Cape Town's City Centre, Bo Kaap and Greenpoint.

Minstrels Road March: 2 January 2008
73 Minstrel troupes and bands will participate.

The route of the Minstrel Parade follows Keizersgracht into Darling Street, Adderley Street, Wale Street and finishes on Rose Street.

Start Minstrel Parade: 10:00.
End of 2e Nuwe Jaar: Approximately 20:00

It is Cape Town's biggest carnival with numerous minstrels’ festivals, competitions and extravagant parades.

The Cape Minstrel Carnival or Coon Carnival has its roots in the 18th century, when slaves in the Cape were allowed their one and only day off on January 1st.

They picked up the 'art' of this style of entertaining from the minstrel entertainers who stopped by Cape Town on American ocean liners.

These entertainers (who were white) painted their faces black in their acts. The 'coloured 'or 'black' locals adapted their style to the method of these entertainers but painted their faces white in their acts.

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 '96 and is now a patron of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association.

If you're wondering when the Cape Minstrel Festival in Cape Town takes place, subscribe to our popular newsletter.


Celebrating New Year in Cape Town? Read more about Christmas Events in Cape Town and New Year Celebrations in Cape Town.

Human Rights Day
Good Friday
Family Day
Workers Day
Youth Day
National Women's Day
Heritage Day
Day of Reconciliation
Christmas Day
Day of Goodwill
New Year's Day

Also Check out our Events in Cape Town in December 2007, Events in Cape Town in January 2008 and Events in Cape Town in February 2008.