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

HintHunt escape roomHintHunt escape rooms for epic ...

6 immersive themes, one being the best in Africa

Harringtons Cocktail Lounge District SixFridays at East City's Harrington Street

Bar hop in one building, from happy hour to live music

zipzap 1Chasing Dreams, Zip Zap Circus’ ...

For R150 you’re getting theatre, acrobatics & a family experience

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Char'd tasting 2025Rum, brandy & gin tastings with your ...

Unusual cuts prepped in-house and a curious gin atomiser

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

Woodstock BreweryBrewery with food specials (almost) ...

Daily specials on comfort meals like burgers and schnitzels

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

wb6Live music & craft beer at Woodstock ...

Springbok Nude Girls and Arno Carstens play here. Plus the beer rocks

shimansky rockwell 6Shimansky Diamond Experience at The ...

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

Marlow on Mill photoshopIt's Newlands’ turn for bold ...

With everything you’ll need like a gym, laundry, rooftop pool

mischu croissant cubes Sea Point’s award-winning coffee spot ...

TikTok-worthy cube croissants, crookies & cruffins

waterfront food specials marble35+ winter restaurant specials V&A ...

Food specials at Marble, Seven Colours, Den Anker & more

saray baklavaSaray restaurant, an authentic Turkish ...

10 must-try dishes from kunafa to the sizzling sote

Off-road adventure at Scootours BanhoekEnd-of-year party ideas to pitch to ...

Outdoor adventures, wine tastings, escape rooms + more

GiveawaysTravel Tips