Cape Town’s iconic Minstrel Parade, officially known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade, could be shaking things up with a proposed new route along the fan walk in Green Point on Monday, 5 January 2026 - but final confirmation is still pending.
The City of Cape Town’s Events Permit Office is currently reviewing an application for the revised route, submitted by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA). While planning is well under way, organisers have acknowledged that several logistical and technical challenges still need to be resolved before everything can be locked in.
According to the KKKA, recent technical issues linked to event processes have caused some delays. Organisers have reassured participants and spectators that these challenges are actively being addressed to ensure the system is fair, accessible and not open to abuse - a process expected to take a few days.
New route proposal
If approved, the parade would be centred around Green Point, following a route already used for other major city events, including the Cape Town Carnival. Under the current proposal, around 20,000 performers would march from Chiappini Street, moving along the fan walk down Somerset Road before entering DHL Stadium.
The route would span approximately 1.2km, with troupes performing for spectators along the way. The parade is scheduled to start at 11am, with the final troupe expected to enter the corridor around 5pm. Festivities would then continue inside DHL Stadium, where day one of the KKKA competitions would run until 10pm.
DHL Stadium ticket prices for the opening day will range from:
R100 - Adults
R60 - Pensioners
R60 - Kids 2 - 6 years
Free - Kids under 2 years
“Please be patient while we ensure that the service we share with you is working, fair and accessible to all,” organisers said in a social post. “Remember, the stadium is big enough for everyone. Thank you for your loyal support and for encouraging us to always be better.”
Plan for possible road closures
Should the application be approved, traffic disruptions are expected in and around Green Point between 6am and 9pm on Monday, 5 January. Roads likely to be affected include:
- Somerset Road
- Green Point Main Road
- Prestwich Street
- Chiappini Street
- Ebenezer Road
- Waterkant Street
Access would be restricted to residents, permit holders, hotel guests and staff. A full list of proposed road closures is available here.
Parking info
Spectators are advised that no parking will be permitted on side streets in Green Point. Vehicles parked illegally, in no-stopping zones or obstructing residential access will be towed.
Free public parking is expected at P9 and P10 on Bill Peters Drive, while paid parking will also be available at the V&A Waterfront, including underground and open-air bays.
Heritage celebration rooted competition
Dating back more than a century, the Minstrel Carnival is rooted in the traditions of Cape Town’s formerly enslaved communities. Originally marking the first day off after New Year’s Day for slaves, it has evolved into a powerful expression of culture, music and resistance, with Kaapse klopse parading through the city in colourful satin suits and painted faces.
Beyond the street parade, the carnival carries a fiercely competitive edge that Cape Flats communities plan around throughout the year.
Long after Tweede Nuwe Jaar, troupes continue to compete in judged events focused on music, choreography and costume. In 2026, these additional competition days will take place at Athlone Stadium on 10, 24 and 31 January, and 7 February, extending the celebrations well beyond the city centre.
For updates on this and other major events, visit eventsincapetown.com.
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