Having kicked off the celebrations on New Year’s Day at the Athlone Stadium with the Klopse Jol, spectators can expect vibrant costumes, electric energy, and iconic melodies that bring the Klopse culture to life on January 4 where various teams will take to the streets for the Cape Town Street Parade.

The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) with its partners, the City of Cape Town and Hollywoodbets, have set the stage for its celebrations over the next few weeks.

Director of the KKKA, Muneeb Gambeno, said: “The obvious change is the date to 4 January due to the clash with Jum’ah on 2 January. All the organisation for the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade is in place and we are busy with the build up in the CBD. Spectators can expect a spectacular display of colour and the latest music compositions by the troupes. Many of our troupes have grown in size and during our competition event on 1 January they demonstrated that they are well rehearsed and ready to give Cape Town a big jol on event day.”

The City of Cape Town’s Events Permit Office confirmed it finalised permits for the Cape Town Street Parade.

Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the event is always a special time for residents “who get the opportunity to celebrate and honour longstanding traditions that form part of the fabric of this great city”.

“As the City of Cape Town, we are proud to collaborate with the Cape Malay Choir Board and the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association by providing financial and logistical support to ensure we continue to honour these traditions for many more years to come. The City has worked diligently with the organisations and other role players to put measures in place to ensure roads are clear for the troupes, and for the spectators to enjoy the festivities in a safe and family-friendly environment,” said Smith.

Original D6 Hanover Minstrels marching during the Cape Town Street Parade last year.The iconic Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, historically known as Kaapse Klopse, returns to the streets of Cape Town for the Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations on January 4. Picture Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers/File

On Saturday, 4 January 2025, approximately 20 000 performers from 18 minstrel troupes will entertain crowds with the rhythmic symphony of banjos, guitars, ghoema drums, trombones and tubas.

Starting from District Six around midday, the procession of performers will entertain crowds along the historic route before they end in Bo-Kaap.

The event will have a significant impact on several roads around the CBD on Saturday, 4 January 2025 between 06:00 and 23:55.

A comprehensive list of road closures is available here

For more information on these and other events hosted in Cape Town, visit www.eventsincapetown.com