Switching on of the Adderley Street Lights

It’s that time of the year again…


---

Click here for information about the 2014 switching on of the Adderley Street lights

---

South Africa’s biggest free open-air event, the City of Cape Town’s annual switching on of the festive lights, will this year be held on Sunday, 4 December.

The City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia de Lille, will kick off the summer Festive Season with the official switch on, when over 80 000 people are expected to descend on the city centre.

The event will see a range of entertainment including a carnival parade with floats, live performances and appearances by some of the leading television and radio personalities from Cape Town and South Africa.

With Cape Town announced as the World Design Capital for 2014, residents and visitors will see three new festive lights crossings designed under the themes ‘Cape Town – Africa’s Greatest City’, ‘The Musical City’ and a ‘Bird’s Life’, which speaks to the City’s commitment to the preservation of the environment through the Green City and Global Warming awareness campaigns.

One of the central pieces of this year’s installation and always a favourite with children, is the six metre high Christmas tree with gifts, while South Africa’s national flower the Protea has been modified to depict our country’s sporting heritage.

The switch on concert will take place at the Cape Town Station Forecourt from 15:30 – 20:00 on Sunday 4 December with an entertainment line-up that includes Hip Hop Pantsula, Jozi and the Festive Lights Showcase – an ensemble featuring leading Cape Town musicians and vocalists including Karen Kortje, Camillo Lombard, Alistair Izobell and Loukmaan Adams.

For all Christmas lunches and dinners as well as New Years and New Years Eve parties and celebrations happening throughout Cape Town and surrounds in December, be sure to check out our overviews for Christmas Eve and Christmas as well as New Years Eve and New Years in Cape Town.

For updates on happenings in and around Cape Town for kids, for you or for the whole family, be sure to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter and follow us on Twitter.

Cape Town Events Calendar
April 2026
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

mischu new breakfast 2026Breakfast at mischu: R119 special with ...

Eggs benedict & flat white for R119, + try the viral crookie

WTM 2026 3World Travel Market (WTM) Africa ...

Where 6 000+ industry professionals and over 500 exhibitors meet

Pear Tree 2024Pear Tree, the tiny Hermanus bistro ...

Breakfast poké bowls, egg and kimchi tacos, and fresh juices

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

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

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with amazing happy hour & ...

Craft beer tasting trays, burgers for just R60, R35 happy hour pints

mischu new breakfast 2026Breakfast at mischu: R119 special with ...

Eggs benedict & flat white for R119, + try the viral crookie

WTM 2026 3World Travel Market (WTM) Africa ...

Where 6 000+ industry professionals and over 500 exhibitors meet

Milk on the beach wafflesWaffle Shack is the ultimate ...

Waffle crocs on a blue flag beach near Hermanus

Pear Tree 2024Pear Tree, the tiny Hermanus bistro ...

Breakfast poké bowls, egg and kimchi tacos, and fresh juices

Dutchies recurring event Free jazz nights at Dutchies by Grotto ...

Sushi platters, crisp wine, and jazz in the sea breeze

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

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

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with amazing happy hour & ...

Craft beer tasting trays, burgers for just R60, R35 happy hour pints

Fools & Fans Beer Fest 2026200+ craft beer tastings at Fools & ...

Taste 90+ homebrews for free, meet champion brewers, and see Freshlyground

Carmen Cape Town OperaCape Town Opera’s fiery Carmen at the ...

Love, jealousy & music you know (you just don’t realise it)

FABLE PARTYCape Town’s best cocktail bar on a ...

From free starters to R85 cocktails, here’s how to do fable smartly

mischu new breakfast 2026Breakfast at mischu: R119 special with ...

Eggs benedict & flat white for R119, + try the viral crookie

Milk on the Beach 2025Stunning day trips to take in the ...

Fill your weekends with wildflowers, wildlife and 50m tall dunes on these 5 day ...

Father's Day 2024 Clay CaféSpecial places to celebrate your ...

Racing simulators, picnics pods, escape rooms, high tea...

Scootours Stellenbosch team-buildingTop Bachelor Party Ideas in Cape Town

Stag parties for every budget, style and personality

Hermanus Tourism_whalesHello Hermanus!

Because whale watching, mountain biking, art, top wine farms + food mecca..

GiveawaysTravel Tips