The Cape Town Street Parade Guide

What you need to know about the return of Tweede Nuwe Jaar

After two years, Cape Town’s most colourful street parade – and Africa’s biggest cultural event – is back with a bang on 2 January 2023. Join thousands of locals and visitors who will take to the city centre’s streets to celebrate the return of the iconic Tweede Nuwejaar parade and its much-loved Klopse. Here are five important things you need to know about this year’s event.

THE TWEEDE NUWE JAAR 2023 ROUTE

The official parade starts on the corner of Hanover Street and Sir Lowry Road in District Six, from about 1pm. The troupes will head along Darling Street in the city centre, form a U-shape onto the Grand Parade, head back onto Darling street and up into Adderley Street, then into Wale Street past the Company Gardens. Troupes then cross over Buitengracht Street into Bo Kaap. From there they turn right into Rose Street.

THERE’S AN OPENING CEREMONY + MORE

The day’s entertainment kicks off before the parade begins – with an opening ceremony from 10:30 on the Grand Parade in front of City Hall. There’ll be a stage, and big screen TVs will broadcast the festivities from the Grand Parade and along the route. There’ll be a Grand Stand free to the public, but with limited space, so go early. The entertainment, including local DJs, rappers and dance crews, will carry on until about 3:30pm. 

IT’S FREE BUT YOU CAN GET GOLDEN CIRCLE TICKETS

Now brought to us by Hollywoodbets, the Tweede Nuwejaar parade is a free public event, but if you want the best views of the Klopse as they pass City Hall, there’s an exclusive Golden Circle area that you can buy tickets for. You can bring your own chairs and cooler boxes for maximum comfort (just no gazebos) and there’ll be easy-access toilets next to City Hall. Golden Circle tickets cost R120 per person, buy them from Computicket.
 

THERE ARE SOME RULES

Spectators are welcome to bring foldable chairs, blankets and cooler boxes. Glass is not allowed, so make sure your refreshments are in non-glass containers. Obvious banned items are drugs, alcohol and weapons. Good vibes only!
 

THERE’LL BE ROAD CLOSURES 

Many roads along and surrounding the parade route will be closed from 6am and will reopen again at midnight. It’s best to avoid driving and parking in town. Keep an eye on updates via the parade’s Instagram and Facebook pages.  

Photos: Cape Town Street Parade Facebook Page. 

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