What is Cape Town Minstrel Carnival?
The carnival, known in Afrikaans as the Kaapse Klopse, goes back to the 19th century and to Cape Town's communities descended from enslaved people. Its big day is called Tweede Nuwe Jaar, the “second New Year”: 2 January was traditionally a day of celebration after New Year's Day.
Over time the music took in sounds from many places, including the American minstrel shows that toured the Cape in the late 1800s. Today the troupes, or klopse, are a proud part of the Cape's culture, and they compete in categories for singing, costume and marching.
When is Cape Town Minstrel Carnival? Dates for 2026 and 2027
2026
- Monday 5 January 2026Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade
2027
- Saturday 2 January 2027The traditional day of the street paradeexpected
The parade is traditionally held on 2 January, but its date is agreed each year between the City of Cape Town and the carnival associations, and it moves: in 2026 the street parade took place on 5 January. The 2027 date has not been announced yet.
How people celebrate
- The street parade through the city centre, with troupes in their new colours for the year.
- Moppies, comic songs, sung to the beat of the ghoema, a small hand drum that gives the Cape's carnival music its rhythm.
- Competitions between the troupes in stadiums, which carry on through January and February.
Good to know
- Watching the street parade is free: find a spot along the route early.
- It is high summer in Cape Town: bring water, a hat and sun protection.
- Troupes rehearse for months, and each year's costumes are kept secret until the parade.