Cape Town is getting ready to officially switch on the festive season, and this year’s Festive Lights Switch-On promises a major night of music, entertainment and local talent.
The annual celebration will take place on Sunday, 29 November 2026, with the Grand Parade and Adderley Street transformed into the heart of Cape Town’s festive celebrations.
Best of all, the event is free to attend.
Entertainment will run from 16:00 until 22:00, with a headline line-up featuring some of South Africa’s biggest names.
Nasty C, Liquideep and Jazzwrld headline
Award-winning rapper Nasty C will be one of the biggest names on the bill, bringing his hip-hop catalogue to the Grand Parade.
Also taking the stage will be Liquideep, the electronic duo behind hits such as Fairytale, Still and Alone. The group’s return adds an extra dose of nostalgia to this year’s celebration.
Amapiano duo Jazzwrld and Thukuthela will bring their sound and summer energy to the festivities, while former Idols contestant and Afrikaans singer Monique Steyn will add another musical dimension to the programme.
Cape Town artists get their moment
The celebration will also put the spotlight firmly on homegrown talent.
Woodstock-born performer Ricky Vani Frontline, the leader of Amafront, will return to the Festive Lights stage after previously performing at the event in 2023.
Khayelitsha rapper Dee Koala will represent Cape Town’s vibrant hip-hop scene, while singer Ben Rodrigues will bring his pop sound to the event.
Cape Town-based singer and guitarist Vernon White will also perform, showcasing music influenced by African sounds and delivered in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
DJ Dre, known for his Thank Heart It’s FriDre feature on Heart FM, will keep the party moving with a selection of high-energy mixes.
The entertainment programme will also feature Neon Pulse, who will deliver an LED drumming performance, alongside the West London All Stars.
The event will be hosted by radio personality Tyrone Paulsen and award-winning comedian Dalin Oliver.
Dance crews set to battle for a spot on the main stage
The festive celebrations won’t be limited to music.
The popular Move with Melody Dance Competition is returning in 2026, giving dance crews a chance to earn a place on the main Festive Lights stage.
Ten crews will compete at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre on 21 November, with the top three finalists securing performance spots at the main event.
Entries close on 9 November, with aspiring dancers able to enter by posting a video on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook while tagging @CTfestivelights and using #FLSODance2026.
Entries can also be submitted via WhatsApp on 076 179 7047.
A free celebration for the whole city
The City of Cape Town says the Festive Lights Switch-On is about more than simply turning on the city’s festive lights.
It is an opportunity to celebrate Cape Town’s culture, creativity and communities while marking the end of the year and welcoming the festive season.
With major South African stars, emerging Cape Town performers, dance, comedy and live entertainment all on the programme, this year’s event is expected to attract residents and visitors from across the city.
Cape Town Festive Lights Switch-On 2026
Date: Sunday, 29 November 2026
Time: 16:00–22:00
Location: Grand Parade and Adderley Street, Cape Town
Entry: Free
Are you heading to the Cape Town Festive Lights Switch-On this year?
