Kaapse Klopse 2025 in Cape Town

The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, locally known as Kaapse Klopse or Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year), is a vibrant celebration that takes place in early January in Cape Town, South Africa. This lively festival sees around 13,000 minstrels gather in colorful troupes to parade joyfully through the city streets. Accompanied by the energetic rhythms of ghoema drums, banjos, and trumpets, the event is a dazzling display of music, dance, and cultural heritage deeply rooted in the city's rich history.

Carnival Highlights

The bright, colorful costumes and the amazing dances combine for the appearance as if 50-60 theatrical shows are happening all at the same moment. Visitors can join the abundance of fun and color and even a huge amount of people won't break the unforgettable atmosphere!

Music

Music is an essential part of Kaapse Klopse. Over 10,000 musicians or minstrels take to the streets on that day, playing a variety of musical instruments. Many minstrels belong to certain klopse (which means clubs or bands in Kaapse Afrikaans). Klopse usually consists of Afrikaans-speaking working-class families who have inherited this custom from their grandfathers.

The music associated with Kaapse Klopse is very eclectic and original since it was influenced by many sources. The Cape of Good Hope received slaves from Madagascar and other areas of East Africa as well as from Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India, which has left its influence on the music. The British and the Dutch 17th and 18th centuries marching processions have also made a considerable impact.

Contests

Kaapse Klopse includes a variety of exciting competitions, such as contests for the best Christmas choir, Cape Malay choir, and Cape minstrel choir. While the main parade takes place on January 2, the festivities continue into February, with competitions held every Saturday at Athlone Stadium. During these events, minstrel troupes showcase their talents, and they are judged on factors like their attire, vocal performances, and overall showmanship.

Schedule & Tickets

Kaapse Klopse takes place annually on January 2, with festivities beginning at midday and the opening ceremony around 1 pm on the Grand Parade. The vibrant parade winds between Hanover Street in District Six and Rose Street in the Bo Kaap, filling the streets with music and color until 10 pm. This colorful event, free to watch, draws between 60,000 and 100,000 spectators. Many enthusiasts arrive early, with some even camping out the night before to secure prime viewing spots. While admission to the carnival is free, if you're unable to attend the parade, you can still enjoy the competitions at Athlone Stadium, which require entry tickets.

Kaapse Klopse History

During Colonial times, enslaved people were given January 2 as their only day of rest, traditionally following the New Year's celebrations. While folklore suggests this break was granted because their masters were recovering from indulgent festivities, official accounts indicate it was meant to allow enslaved people to participate in the New Year's celebrations. This day featured lively dancing and singing, reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro's carnival. Today, it continues to be celebrated not only as an extension of New Year's festivities but also as a poignant reminder of the liberation of slaves.