Cape Town - There’s nothing more magical than festive season lights and on Tuesday night Cape Town’s Adderley Street was ablaze with 5km of brightly-hued bulbs depicting scenes of holiday cheer when mayor Patricia de Lille did a trial switch-on.
The theme is the countdown to “World Design Capital 2014”.
The ceremonial switching-on of the festival lights, which marks the start of the city’s festive season, has been a calendar highlight for more than 45 years and the council expects about 100 000 people to gather in Adderley Street on December 1 when De Lille is due to officially flick the switch that will turn it into an iridescent wonderland.
Other events in the city over the festive season include free concerts, with artists such as Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Nevis and Mi Casa; summer markets and the mother of all New Year’s Eve parties.
But safety will remain paramount, and the city said law enforcement officials would try to ensure that all events were well managed.
“The city has pulled out all the stops with an interesting line-up of summer events to ensure Capetonians and the thousands of expected visitors are kept entertained this festive season.
“Our main goal is to ensure that everyone is part of the celebration and included in all events,” said Grant Pascoe, mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing.
He said research by Grant Thornton showed that tourism last year generated R14.6-billion in revenue for the city. It also created about 34 500 permanent jobs and 15 000 temporary positions.
The first big event on the city’s bumper holiday calendar is a free public concert on the Grand Parade on Sunday, December 1, with actors Sorina Erasmus and Terence Bridgett as the MCs. Artists include Masekela, The Rockets, Goodluck, Hot Water and DJ Luwayne.
The ceremonial festive season switch-on ceremony on December 1 will also mark the start of the four-week countdown to Cape Town taking on its World Design Capital status next year.
The Adderley Street Night Market is now known as the Cape Town Summer Market, and will be spread throughout the Company’s Garden from December 14 to December 30. Its twin market is the Langa Summer Market, which will take place just off the N2 from December 20 until Christmas Eve.
There will also be traditional Christmas bands and choirs in the city centre on December 24.
The Fan Walk linking the central city with Cape Town Stadium will take centre stage on December 16 for Reconciliation Day festivities.
A massive New Year’s Eve party will start at 6pm on the Grand Parade, and revellers can look forward to a line-up of top DJs and dance artists. The “Nagtroepe” parade will start after the party in the early hours of January 1.
Pascoe said the Tweede Nuwejaar Parade would be on January 4 in Darling Street. The date had been changed to accommodate Muslim residents and visitors who celebrate a holy night on January 2, he said.
The city will also host African Nations Championship matches at the Cape Town and Athlone stadiums in January and February, and serve as the home base for Bafana Bafana, said Pascoe. – Cape Argus