Cape Town - With New Year’s Eve fast approaching, many are racking their brains, wondering how best to usher in the new year and thus setting the tone for the year ahead.
The Cape Argus has listed some of the more accessible, affordable, if not free, family-friendly events to welcome in the new year.
Some events have an age restriction in place due to the nature of the event.
A much-loved feature in Cape Town’s cultural fabric and annual events calendar, the Cape Malay Choir Road March, is set to return following a two-year absence to help carry the festive groove into 2023.
The Cape Malay Choirs Parade will take place from Saturday to Sunday from 9.30pm at the Corner of Grande Parade and Darling Street and will end at the intersection of Rose and Castle Streets in Bo-Kaap.
Motorists are advised to take note of a number of road closures that’ll be in place from 6pm on Saturday.
The Baxter will also be hosting a free New Year’s Eve party for patrons who have booked for any of the three shows on the night.
Tickets are also available for the party, with a live DJ from 10.30pm on Saturday, and can be booked via Webtickets online or at any Pick n Pay stories.
Some of the stars from the respective productions (Marc Lottering’s Aunty Merle - Things Get Real, Christo Davids’ Platform 9: Coming Home and Alfred Adriaan’s Unfit & Forty), will do the countdown and lead audiences into the new year.
A firm family favourite is the infamous New Year’s Eve countdown among thousand others at the V&A Waterfront.
Local live acts and community-based entertainment will be available for the public to bask in from 7pm until the countdown.
“It’s been a tough but fulfilling year to get to the point of presenting our visitors a reconnection to their old favourites as well as new and exciting retail, restaurants, and recreational spaces.
“The past 12 months offered us opportunity for renewal, and I hope our visitors will share in our excitement as they take in the atmosphere of our fun, diverse and inclusive neighbourhood,” V&A Waterfront CEO David Green said.
Closer to midnight, entertainment will be at the newly-opened Union Square, where the Cape Wheel had previously been situated, with a light display, including pyrotechnics, to mark the jubilant occasion.
“More than 30 years after it first opened its doors, the V&A Waterfront continues to innovate and showcase the best of what Cape Town has to offer.
“Happy New Year to every resident and visitor to our beautiful city. May you have a truly unforgettable time here, and we know you’ll be back soon,” Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said.
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts' special New Year’s Eve concert will feature much-loved South African musicians, Mi Casa and Swing City, at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens from 8.30pm until just after midnight.
Tickets for the concert are available on Webtickets at R490. Gates will open at 7pm, with the show ending at 12.15am.
Good Hope FM will be broadcasting live from Hanover Street on Saturday at GrandWest. The event is strictly for adults only, with no under-18s allowed.
The night will feature Jason Spikes, Dr Jules, Stan Mars, Naz Titus, Jaryd Busch, and Robbie Savage. The event will start at 8pm until 3am, with a cover charge of R100.
5FM will be hosting the H20 New Year’s Eve Party - City 2 City! The party will take place at the Ostrich Ranch, Cape Town, and will feature international artists DJ Juicy M and South African artists Kid Fonque, Roger Goode, Kyle Cassim, Max Hurrell, and Dean Fuel, among others.