JAZZWRLD, THUKUTHELA, NASTY C, LIQUIDEEP, RICKY VANI FRONTLINE, DEE KOALA & MORE TO LIGHT UP CAPE TOWN’S FESTIVE SEASON
Cape Town is about to light up the start of the festive season with the biggest free open-air concert and some of Mzansi’s biggest musical stars are coming to town.
The City of Cape Town’s flagship Festive Lights Switch-On event will transform the Grand Parade into a celebration of music and dance on 29 November 2026.
With a star-studded line-up on the bill, thousands of Capetonians and visitors will be singing and dancing for hours in the heart of the city.
A cross genre line-up of Amapiano, hip-hop, electronic music and pop will bring together major South African acts and homegrown talent.
SAMA Award-winning duo Jazzwrld and Thukuthela will bring their infectious summer hits and Amapiano flair to the Festive Lights stage while reunited electronic duo Liquideep will perform South African classics including Fairytale, Still and Alone.
Hip-hop star Nasty C will deliver sharp lyricism and high-energy performance, while Afrikaans singer and Idols alumni Monique Steyn adds her distinctive sound to the line-up.
Cape Town talent takes centre stage
Woodstock-born Ricky Vani Frontline returns for his second Festive Lights appearance. The singer, rapper, actor and social media personality energised the crowd in 2023 during his Festive Lights debut.
Khayelitsha rapper Dee Koala will deliver a performance featuring her her bold style and Khaltsha-rooted hip-hop to the stage.
Named among The Plug Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in Urban Culture, she is one of Cape Town’s standout hip-hop talents.
DJ Dre, the Heart FM personality behind Thank Heart It’s FriDre, will keep the Festive Lights energy up with his signature mixes, drawing on more than two decades in Cape Town’s nightlife and events scene.
Rising pop singer Ben Rodrigues will deliver his feel-good anthems, while Cape Town singer and guitarist Vernon White brings soulful vocals and acoustic sounds in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
Neon Pulse will add visual spectacle with LED drumming, while the West London All Stars will give the crowd a taste of the Mother City’s rich culture as Cape Town kicks off the festive season.
Radio personality Tyrone Paulsen and award-winning comedian Dalin Oliver will host the event, keeping audiences entertained throughout the programme.
Dance competition returns for 2026
The annual Move with Melody Dance Competition is back, giving aspiring dancers the chance to showcase their skills on one of Cape Town’s biggest stages.
Ten crews will compete at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre on 21 November 2026, with the top three advancing to perform at the Festive Lights Switch-On.
Entries close on 9 November 2026. Dancers can post a video on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, tag @CTfestivelights and use #FLSODance2026, or submit their entry via WhatsApp to 076 179 7047.
A free show for everyone
The Festive Lights Switch-On celebrates Cape Town’s people, culture and creative talent through live music, dance and entertainment.
With established stars, local favourites and emerging performers on the bill, the free event offers something for audiences of all ages.
Bring friends and family to the Grand Parade and enjoy a day of live entertainment as Cape Town lights up for the holidays.
