Cape Town’s Klopse parade returns to Somerset Road as City pledges up to R10.35m

The annual Kaapse Klopse Carnival returns to Somerset Road in Sea Point.

The iconic Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade will return to Cape Town's Somerset Road route on 2 January 2027, with organisers confirming a shortened four-day carnival season as the City commits support worth up to R10.35 million towards the Mother City's cultural celebrations.

Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) chairperson Muneeb Gambino confirmed that the popular street parade would again follow the Somerset Road District 1 route, with competitions taking place at DHL Stadium and Athlone Stadium.

Gambino welcomed the City's continued investment, saying the carnival had successfully adapted its programme to accommodate the shifting Ramadan calendar.

"We're positive about the City of Cape Town's continued support for the event," Gambino said.

"Last season we opted for the Somerset Road/DHL stadium route to cater for the abridged carnival season calendar due to movement of the Ramadan calendar."

He said organisers had demonstrated that the traditional street parade and competition elements could successfully be combined without compromising the cultural significance of the celebrations.

"With us having proven that we can consolidate carnival elements by successfully delivering a street parade and first day of competition at DHL Stadium, we are confident that carnival can persist and be sustained in a complimentary manner to the religious requirements of the troupes and their members and supporters."

The upcoming carnival season will begin on 16 December 2026, with a combined Voorsmaakie and first day of competition at Athlone Stadium.

The traditional Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade will take place on 2 January 2027, followed by the second day of competition at DHL Stadium.

Further competition days are scheduled for 9 and 16 January 2027 at Athlone Stadium.

Gambino confirmed that the Somerset Road procession would remain free to the public, while events at DHL Stadium and Athlone Stadium would be ticketed.

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town's Special Events Committee has approved financial assistance, event services and venue waivers for several longstanding cultural organisations, with the largest allocation going towards the minstrel parade.

According to the City's funding breakdown, the Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade will receive financial support and services worth up to R4.2 million, alongside an additional R2 million towards DHL Stadium rental and associated costs.

The KKKA competitions will receive up to R2 million, while the Cape Malay Choirs Road March has been allocated support worth up to R1.3 million.

Other allocations include R300,000 each for the Keep The Dream Choral Competitions and South African United Christmas Bands Board competitions, R200,000 for the Cape District Minstrel Board competitions and R50,000 for the Suid Afrikaanse Koorraad.

The allocations also include waivers of costs for City-owned venues.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the events remained an important part of Cape Town's cultural identity.

"These cultural events are an important part of Cape Town's identity and heritage and have been part of the city's social and cultural fabric for generations. Thousands of Capetonians look forward to these events each year, and they provide an important platform for communities to celebrate their heritage, culture, and traditions."

Smith said the cultural celebrations collectively received the largest allocation from the City's annual events budget.

Meanwhile, the Cape Malay Choir Board's annual choral competition took place at the Artscape Theatre Centre from 16 to 18 October, bringing together 18 choirs.

Further competitions are scheduled for 31 October and 1 November at the Good Hope Christian Centre in Ottery.

The City said all financial agreements remained subject to organisations meeting financial, corporate and other compliance requirements.

Permit applications for several events, including the Cape Malay Choir Road March and Tweede Nuwe Jaar, are currently under review.

Organisers who have not yet submitted applications have been urged to do so within the prescribed deadlines to allow sufficient time for safety assessments and event planning.