Cape Town Carnival set to dazzle with fresh faces and spectacular performances

As anticipation builds for the Cape Town Carnival, scheduled for 15 March 2025, the Mother City is poised for a dazzling display of creativity and culture like never before. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this year’s event promises to captivate audiences with the thrilling theme of “WowZA!”—a homage to South Africa’s vibrant spirit and unity.

By Venecia Valentine, Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor

Pictures: Supplied

The Cape Town Carnival, renowned for its eclectic mix of performances and dazzling costumes, will see the introduction of several exciting new participants. For the first time, the DHL Stormers, the beloved rugby team, will be making their appearance with a specially designed float titled “Taking the Cape by Storm.” Anticipation runs high as both fans and revellers look forward to the infectious energy the Stormers will bring to the festivities.

Alongside local talent, the event will also feature international flair, with Brazilian actress and performer Erika Januza – a celebrated figure from the renowned Rio Carnival – set to grace the streets of Cape Town. Her participation marks a significant crossover of cultures and is expected to mesmerise audiences with her vibrant performances, adding a truly global dimension to the proceedings.

At the launch event held on 16 January, Professor Rachel Jafta, Chairperson of the Cape Town Carnival Trust, encapsulated the essence of the celebration: “When you come to the Cape Town Carnival you see what South Africa can be. You see people from all over coming together to have fun and to tell and create stories through different formats like dance, music, performances, art and beautiful costumes.” This notion of celebration and unity is what forms the backbone of the theme, “WowZA!”, which seeks to showcase the country’s boundless creativity and talent.

Jay Douwes, CEO of the Cape Town Carnival, echoed this sentiment, stating, “15 incredible years celebrating community-based creativity and culture; if you haven’t been to Greenpoint in March, you haven’t experienced the most life-affirming event of the year.” As the Carnival attracts audiences from across the city and beyond, the importance of this event in fostering community connections cannot be overstated.

Showcasing a high energy performance on the Sunrise float this year, Idols SA winner Paxton Fielies gave media a preview of what to expect.

She told Inbound Magazine: “I am excited to be part of this special event. I love the expressions of colour and costumes that comes with this carnival. It really makes me proud to be from Cape Town when I experience the amazing talent and culture our city holds.”

The Cape Town Carnival will take place on 15 March 15 at Fan Walk in Green Point.

What to expect:

The Cape Town Carnival is a free event.

VIP, seated, and Red Bus tickets are available for purchase.

The pre-parade starts at 6pm, and the main parade begins at 7pm.