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Unique: New Year’s Eve in Cape Town
Ring in 2023 with an 80s night, Aztec-themed party or family concert
Last updated: 23 December 2022
This will be the first pandemic-free New Year’s Eve in 2 years. We’ve rounded up some of the most unique ways to celebrate the end of the year, from roaring parties to classy celebrations and family-friendly fun.
CELEBRATE WITH AN AZTEC-THEMED PARTY
Cape Town’s hottest New Year’s Eve party is back. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain, this upmarket extravaganza has mind-blowing stage architecture and 20 flamboyant performers. Take your pick between 3 different stages and listen to local and international acts for 12 hours straight. Find out the theme, lineup and where to book for Alcazar NYE.
Time: 4pm to 4am
Cost: From R490
Cape Town High School | 96 Hatfield Street | Gardens | @alcazarnye | Image: Alcazar
WATCH A CARNIVAL AT THE WATERFRONT
This year, the Cape Town Carnival will be performing at the Waterfront from 7pm until midnight. Visit this popular NYE spot earlier and you'll also be able to watch local performers at the Amphitheatre. It's free, which makes it a budget-friendly outing for the whole family.
Time: Carnival starts at 7pm
Cost: Free
V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 | @vandawaterfront | Image: The V&A Waterfront
SPEND NYE WITH YOUR TOES IN THE SAND
Dutchies Summer Lounge is hosting a Studio 54 party. This Hermanus favourite is located on Grotto beach, which means you can settle into the rustic couches and enjoy a cocktail right on the water's edge. A ticket will get you a welcome drink, olie bollen and bubbly at midnight. It's also kid-friendly.
Time: 8:30pm until late
Cost: R350pp (adults); children's tickets available. Email info@dutchies.co.za
Dutchies Summer Lounge | 1 Grotto Street | Hermanus | @dutchiesrestaurant | Image: Dutchies
PARTY AT THIS LEGENDARY FESTIVAL
H2O New Year's Eve has been held in Joburg for the past 23 years, and this year the festival is in Cape Town for the first time. You can expect a completely renovated venue, beach stage, daybeds and hammocks, and some of the best international and local EDM/techno DJs. Enter into a R12 000 giveaway to win 8 VIP tickets, or get a free general access ticket (while stocks last).
Time: 2pm to 2am
Cost: From R250 for a general access ticket
The Ostrich Cape Town | Philadelphia | 078 141 1251| roxy@h2oparty | @h2oparty_capetown
ESCAPE FROM A SUBMARINE
Looking for family-friendly fun? HintHunt offers 5 escape rooms, each with a different theme and story. You’ll have an hour to decipher the clues and figure out how to escape. On New Year's Eve the last game slot is 4pm, which means you can visit the V&A afterwards and watch the fireworks.
Time: First game slot is 10am; last game slot is 4pm
Cost: R315pp
HintHunt | Watershed | 17 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | 076 187 2764 | capetown@hinthunt.co.za | @hinthuntafrica
GO TO A 3-DAY FESTIVAL
Get Lucky Summer’s line-up includes some of the biggest names in the South African music industry. Among other artists, Good Luck, Mango Groove, Spoegwolf and Will Linely will be playing at this 3-day NYE festival in Plett. There will be a beer garden, tons of food and a touch rugby tournament.
Day 1 - Fri 30th Dec ‘22: Spoegwolf & Elandre
Day 2 - Sat 31st Dec ‘22: GoodLuck, Veranda Panda, Kimmy K, Will Linley & Casey Lowry
Day 3 - Sun 1st Jan ‘23: Mango Groove & The Kiffness
Cost: Ticket prices vary as you can buy tickets for individual days or the whole festival, book here
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HAVE SOME FIESTA FUN
At La Paris Estate in Franschhoek, NYE is all about tantalising the taste buds. The evening’s menu is Mexican inspired – expect food like BBQ pork shoulder nachos and cumin and lime lamb quesadillas. There will be Mexican-inspired bar specials and a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival.
Time: 6pm to 1am
Cost: R150 deposit, which will be deducted from your bill. Find more details here
La Paris Estate | R301 | Franschhoek | @laparisestate | Image: Tiaan Fölscher
COUNT DOWN WITH TWILIGHT HAPPY HOUR
Where else can you get cheap drinks on New Years Eve? Rick's Americain Cafe on Kloof Street has two happy hours - one between 3pm and 6pm and another between 10pm and midnight. Cocktails and Woodstock beers on tap are discounted. Along with Twilight Happy Hour, this Casablanca-themed restaurant has a rooftop bar - which makes it the perfect place to ring in 2023.
Rick's Cafe Americain is open: 11am to 2am, daily (Twilight Happy Hour is 10pm to midnight)
Cost: Varies
Corner of 101 Kloof Street and Weltevreden Street | Gardens | 021 822 1100 | @rickscapetown | Image: Rick's Cafe Americain
CELEBRATE ON A BELOVED LONG STREET BALCONY
Countdown to 2023 at Sgt Pepper. A ticket will get you entrance to a roaring party with live entertainment, DJs, a welcome cocktail and a party pack. Upgrade to the VIP ticket and you'll also get a 2-course dinner and access to an exclusive and private bar. Ring in the New Year surrounded by pizza, rock n roll and the buzz of Long Street.
Time : 8pm until late
Cost: General entry R395pp or VIP experience R695pp; to book email info@sgtpepperct.com
194 Long Street | CBD | @sgt_pepper_restaurant | Image: Sgt Pepper
PARTY LIKE IT'S THE EIGHTIES
Welcome 2023 in ‘80s fashion with The Deadbeats. The 80’s cover band will be playing at Cafe Roux, so dress up in your brightest neon clothes and leg warmers and prepare to go back in time to the best decade (we think) in music history. Tickets include a free glass of bubbly on arrival and a 3-course meal.
Time: 7pm to 1am
Cost: R595pp, book here
Cafe Roux | Chapman’s Peak Drive | Noordhoek | Image: Cafe Roux
PARTY IN DE WATERKANT'S GORGEOUS COURTYARD
Prepare for a classy New Years Eve party at Misfits. A ticket will get you 12 pieces of sushi (or a pizza), a welcome drink, a bottle of Mumm champagne for two, and a roaring party hosted by a DJ. The theme is black and gold, so dress up in your most stylish outfit. Or, if you would prefer a more low-key NYE, Misfits also has an indoor golf simulator and a tranquil courtyard surrounded by greenery.
Time: 7pm to 1am
Cost: R650pp, book here
74 Prestwich Street | De Waterkant | 072 127 6332 | @misfits.ct | Image: Misfits
WATCH A CONCERT WITH THE FAMILY
Mi Casa and Swing City are performing at Kirstenbosch Garden’s NYE Summer Sunset concert. Kirstenbosch is bliss for kids and parents – let the little ones run wild safely on the lawns while you sip on bubbly or snack on picnic food. Or, skip the picnic prep and get your party food from the many stalls that’ll be operating on NYE.
Time: 7pm to 12:15am
Cost: R490, children under 6 get in free, book here
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | Rhodes Dr | Newlands | Image: Diandra Yorke
PARTY WITH A VIEW
Disappointed that you can’t celebrate on Table Mountain? Harald’s Bar & Terrace on the 11th floor of the Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore is just as good, thanks to sweeping views of the mountain and city. Plus, you can escape from the wind and get a 4-course meal with your ticket to this rooftop party.
Time: 6pm to 12:15am
Cost: R750 per person, including a welcome drink and a bottle of house wine for the table. Call 021 427 4800 or email info.capetown@parkinn.com to book
Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore | 29 Heerengracht St | Cape Town | @parkinncapetown | Image: Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town
CELEBRATE IN STYLE
Ready for an elegant celebration? The Athletic Club and Social on Buitengracht Street is housed in a three-storey Victorian building and is filled with velvet chairs and Persian rugs. A ticket to this NYE party will get you a welcome drink, canapés, access to two dance floors with DJs, and midnight bubbly.
Time: 7pm to 2am
Cost: R1000, book here
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HAVE A ROARING GOOD TIME
Number Nineteen (XIX) at Century City is hosting an Old Year’s Eve Soiree. Expect Roaring Twenties glitz and glamour, as well as old school drinks, tapas, live entertainment, and music. It’s a pretty affordable night out: R450 will get you a welcome cocktail, complimentary tapas and bubbles served at midnight.
Time: 7pm to 2am
Cost: R450, book here
Number Nineteen (XIX) | 19 Oxbow Cres | Century City | @numberninteenvenue | Image: Number Nineteen (XIX)
GO BACK TO THE NINETIES
The Wave in XX is hosting a 90s themed New Year’s Eve party – grab your Dr Maartens and your cargo pants and go dance and sing in the New Year to all the 90s bangers. There will also be thrift stalls, a tattoo parlour and nail and makeup artists.
Time: 1pm until after midnight
Cost: R80 (general ticket) or R200 (VIP ticket), book here
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DISCOVER MORE OF WHAT CAPE TOWN HAS TO OFFER IN 2023
Read more about options on what to do on 1 January of 2023.
Visit a new place in Cape Town.
Fill your free-time up with fun activities every weekend.
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