Festival of Lights

During December, Adderley Street in Cape Town is lit up by hundreds of festive lights. While you can go and check out the lights any night during the festive season, it’s worth making the effort to get to the official turning-on of the lights, which usually happens on the first Sunday of December, when Adderley Street plays host to a huge free street party.

There are stalls lining the street selling everything from food to Christmas gifts, and a live concert kicks off mid-afternoon. When the sun sets, the mayor officially turns on the lights, and Adderley Street – Cape Town’s historic main pathway – is lit up by colourful lights depicting some of the city’s history as well as Christmas themes.

The V&A Waterfront also has a festive season light display. From 9 to 17 December 2016, you can catch the Christmas Light Show at the Victoria Wharf for free from 8.30pm to 9.30 pm. The display is set to carols and Christmas-themed music.