If you’re planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cape Town, you’re truly spoilt for choice. The city comes alive on 31 December with massive festivals, beachfront parties, gourmet feasts, family-friendly experiences, rooftop countdowns, and everything in between. Whether you’re visiting from overseas or taking advantage of Cape Town’s long, lingering summer days, this guide walks you through the best New Year’s Eve events in Cape Town for 2025–2026.
Secrets of Summer NYE Festival
A huge open-air celebration with South Africa’s first 180° stage and fully immersive visuals.
Alcazar at Grand Africa Café & Beach
A glamorous, jungle-meets-disco beach party with top performers and spectacular staging.
H2O The Ostrich NYE Experience
One of SA’s most iconic electronic music festivals with headliner Goldfish.
Radisson RED Summer Rooftop Party
A ticket-inclusive rooftop celebration with DJs, live performances, and waterfront views.
Time Out Market Cape Town – Enter the Jungle
A food-driven NYE experience with access to 13 kitchens, bars, and live DJs.
V&A Waterfront NYE Events
A bustling, free-entry precinct celebration with a strong music line-up.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert
A festive outdoor concert featuring Mango Groove and The Billy Joel Experience.
Blouberg New Year’s Eve Silent Disco
A fun beachfront silent disco with three music channels and sunset views.
Kloof Street House NYE Dinner & After-Party
A decadent, Gatsby-style dining experience with performers and an exclusive Asoka after-party.
If you're after a big, theatrical celebration, Secrets of Summer is one of Cape Town’s standout New Year’s Eve festivals. Expect South Africa’s widest main stage ever, an enormous 110-metre-wide setup designed to surround the crowd with immersive sound and visuals. Alongside the headline acts, you’ll find a curated Food Village, jaw-dropping lighting displays, and multi-sensory zones.
Location: Black River Park Sports Field, Observatory
Price: From R570pp
Alcazar returns with what might be their most impressive NYE yet, taking over the entire Grand Africa Café & Beach precinct. This glamorous, high-energy party blends jungle themes, disco decadence, art, dance, and over-the-top staging. With a line-up including Zakes Bantwini, Dean Fuel, and Sona, it’s ideal if you want a beachfront celebration with flair.
Location: Grand Africa Café & Beach, V&A Waterfront
Price: From R650pp
H2O has been a South African party institution for more than 25 years, drawing over 12,000 electronic dance fans to each event. If you want a classic festival atmosphere with big crowds and outdoor stages, this is your go-to. Ring in 2026 with an open-air celebration headlined by Goldfish and supported by top local DJs.
Location: Ostrich Ranch, Philadelphia
Price: From R199
For a refined yet festive experience, the Radisson RED rooftop party is hard to beat. With panoramic views over the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain, the evening includes top local DJs, a live performance from Majozi, a welcome drink, all-night food, drinks vouchers, and bubbles at midnight. If you prefer your celebrations with a good dose of comfort, this one delivers.
Location: Radisson RED, Silo District, V&A Waterfront
Price: R2550pp
If food is your love language, Time Out Market’s “Enter the Jungle” New Year’s Eve is a dream. From 5pm to 1am, you can wander between 13 high-end kitchens, four bars, and the Wine Boutique while enjoying live DJs and views over the V&A Harbour. The ticket includes a food voucher, making it a relaxed but festive option.
Location: Old Power Station Building, V&A Waterfront
Price:
Adults & over 16s: R750 (includes R250 food voucher)
Under 16s: R300 (includes R150 food voucher)
One of Cape Town’s most iconic places to ring in the New Year, the V&A Waterfront celebration is free to attend and packed with entertainment. This year’s line-up includes Zoë Modiga, GoodLuck, Emo and Loukmaan Adams, and Starlight Band. Expect a lively, family-friendly atmosphere, restaurant specials, hotel events, and waterfront views.
Location: Jetty 1, V&A Waterfront
Price: Free entry
If you'd like something a little more relaxed (but still festive), the Kirstenbosch NYE concert is a beautiful way to welcome the new year. With Mango Groove’s legendary energy paired with The Billy Joel Experience, it’s a feel-good combination in one of the world’s most stunning botanical gardens.
Time: 7pm till late
Location: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Constantia
Price: R540
A fun, easy-going and family-friendly alternative to the usual dancefloor, the Blouberg silent disco offers three music channels so you can control your vibe. Dance on the beachfront as the sun sets behind Table Mountain and enjoy a more relaxed, crowd-friendly atmosphere.
Time: 9pm – 12:30am
Location: Blouberg Beachfront
Price: From R150
For an unforgettable, upscale evening, Kloof Street House hosts a Great Gatsby–inspired celebration complete with canapés, a four-course dinner, bubbles, a violinist to welcome guests, and mesmerising Cirque du Soleil-style performers. After dinner, vintage 1950s cars whisk guests to an exclusive after-party at Asoka.
Time: 5pm – late
Location: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens
Price: R3500 (includes 4-course feast, canapés, welcome drink, and Asoka after-party)
With so many incredible New Year’s Eve events happening across Cape Town, from open-air festivals to beachfront parties, rooftop celebrations, and gourmet dinners, having the right base for your celebrations makes all the difference. Whether you want to be close to the action at the V&A Waterfront, within easy reach of Camps Bay’s beach parties, or near the city’s iconic festivals, choosing your accommodation carefully ensures you can enjoy every moment without stress.
Some of the most popular events include Secrets of Summer, Alcazar, H2O, the Radisson RED rooftop party, Time Out Market’s NYE celebration, the V&A Waterfront programme, and the Kirstenbosch Summer Concert.
Yes. The V&A Waterfront precinct offers free entry, with various paid restaurant, hotel, and cruise options.
The V&A Waterfront, Time Out Market (early evening), Bliuberg Silent Disco, and Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts are great for families.
Secrets of Summer and H2O typically draw the largest crowds, offering multi-stage, open-air festival experiences.
The V&A Waterfront is the most popular spot for fireworks, with views from the foreshore, Green Point, Mouille Point, and surrounding areas.