Cape Town Carnival Announces 2026 Spectacle – Capetonians, get ready to dust off your dancing shoes, shake out your feather boas and polish your party moves! The Cape Town Carnival is returning to Green Point’s Somerset Street in March next year and promises to deliver the crowd-pleasing spectacle it has become known for.
Organisers have confirmed that the annual street parade will take place on Green Point’s Somerset Street on 21 March 2026. It will feature celebrity “Carnival Champions”, including musicians Zolani Mahola and Anslin Gysman, DJ Ready D, Suidooster star Natasha van der Merwe, and graffiti artist Rizah Potgieter.
The run-up to the event
Carnival Champions participating in various ways in the run-up to the event include hip-hop artist Bravo le Roux, designer Stephen van Eeden, make-up influencer Jemma Fourie from jemmasmakeup, performance legend Terry Fortune, activist Nyaniso Tutu-Burris, make-up artist Qhayiya Tyali, and musician Dylan Majavie.
Unique floats will travel down the Fan Walk
Besides celebrity guest appearances, the family-friendly street parade features a series of uniquely local floats that have been crafted throughout the year, brought to life by Carnival performers as they move down the Fan Walk. They will be accompanied by cultural groups from across the city – all showcasing the variety of talent that gives Cape Town and South Africa its soul.
From hip hop dancers to belly dancers. From roller skaters to Chinese dragons, the Cape Town Carnival is a celebration of creativity and community. This spirit of togetherness is also reflected in the thousands of spectators from across the city who fill the streets to enjoy the event together.
“The Cape Town Carnival belongs to everyone. There are so many different role players. The float builders, the meticulous designers and choreographers and people handling behind-the-scenes logistics. The participating groups and the spectators who come to support the event. Together they create something wonderful. The Carnival is community spirit brought to life in the most colourful way possible,” says Cape Town Carnival CEO Jay Douwes.
Behind the scenes, the Carnival is far more than a once-a-year spectacle. It is a year-round engine for job creation, skills development and artistic opportunity. Artisans perfect specialist techniques. Designers craft costumes for hundreds of performers. Choreographers shape the rhythm and flow of the event. Community groups workshop their routines week after week, preparing to take their place on the street.
Cultural and artistic development
The Cape Town Carnival’s contribution to creating space for cultural and artistic development is more vital than ever, given the withdrawal of national government funding from the Carnival and other large-scale, creative ventures across the country.
“Losing key funding from the national arts and culture sector threatens job creation, skills transfer, and artistic opportunity,” says Douwes. “The Cape Town Carnival is an unforgettable day and night of togetherness. Celebrating our community, culture and creativity on the iconic Cape Town fan walk. Let’s show sponsors how much it means to Cape Town and South Africa”.
