Cape Town Carnival 2026 Street Parade

Venecia Valentine

Capetonians, it is time to dust off the dancing shoes, fluff up the feather boas and get those party moves ready.

The much-loved Cape Town Carnival will once again transform Green Point’s Somerset Street into a vibrant playground of colour, culture and creativity when it returns in March next year.

Organisers have confirmed that the annual street parade, a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar, will take place on 21 March 2026.

Celebrity Carnival Champions lead the celebration

An exciting line-up of celebrity Carnival Champions will lead this year’s celebration. These include musicians Zolani Mahola and Anslin Gysman, DJ Ready D, Suidooster actress Natasha van der Merwe, and graffiti artist Rizah Potgieter.

They will be joined by additional Champions who will contribute to various pre-Carnival activities. These include hip-hop artist Bravo le Roux, designer Stephen van Eeden, beauty influencer Jemma Fourie, performance icon Terry Fortune, activist Nyaniso Tutu-Burris, make-up artist Qhayiya Tyali, and musician Dylan Majavie.

A showcase of creativity and community

Beyond the star power, spectators can look forward to the signature flotilla of locally crafted floats, each the result of months of work by talented artisans and creatives.

As they make their way down the Fan Walk, the floats will be accompanied by community groups from across Cape Town, reflecting the diversity, imagination and spirit that define the city.

From hip-hop and belly dance to roller skaters and Chinese dragons, the Carnival once again promises a feast of movement, music and magic.

Thousands of families, friends and visitors are expected to line the streets, bringing to life the unity and celebration at the heart of the event.

“The Cape Town Carnival belongs to everyone,” says Cape Town Carnival CEO Jay Douwes. “Float builders, designers, choreographers, behind-the-scenes crews, performing groups, and the spectators who come out to support it all play a role.

“Together they create something extraordinary. The Carnival is community spirit made visible in the most colourful way.”

Impact beyond parade day

While the parade dazzles for one unforgettable night, the impact of the Carnival extends far beyond the event itself. It supports year-round job creation, skills development and artistic growth.

Artisans refine specialised techniques, designers create costumes for hundreds of performers, choreographers shape the flow of the parade, and community groups rehearse week after week for their moment on the street.

This work has become even more vital following the withdrawal of national government funding for the Carnival and other major cultural initiatives across South Africa.

“Losing key national arts funding threatens job creation, skills transfer and artistic opportunity,” says Douwes. “The Cape Town Carnival is a powerful celebration of community, culture and creativity.

“Let’s show potential sponsors just how much this event means to Cape Town and to South Africa.”