Cape Town’s festive season began with a massive roar as tens of thousands of people packed into the city centre for the annual Festive Lights Switch-On, now officially the Mother City’s biggest free event, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The landmark celebration, held on 30 November, drew more than 95 000 people, a number that pushed this year’s edition into record-breaking territory.
The event has become a beloved staple for generations, and 2025’s theme, United in Hope, added an emotional pulse to the night’s festivities. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis highlighted the milestone in a Facebook post, celebrating the 56-year-old tradition and the extraordinary turnout. ‘Last night a record 100 000 Capetonians came TOGETHER to enjoy our heritage and culture in the Mother City!’ he wrote.
The entertainment line-up lived up to the hype, with a roster of well-known South African performers keeping the crowd energised from start to finish. GoodLuck, Kurt Darren, Tarryn Lamb, Karabo Mogane, Early B & Justin Vega, The Heavenly Quartez, and fan favourite DJ Masoodah lit up the stage before headline act DJ Zinhle took over to close out the night.
Anticipation grew as the moment of the switch-on approached, and shortly after 9pm, Hill-Lewis stepped forward to ignite the lights that stretched across the city centre. The crowd erupted in cheers as the festive decorations burst to life, officially signalling Cape Town’s start to the holiday season.
Residents who were part of the massive celebration can share their photos or videos of the switch-on with Cape {town} Etc by emailing [email protected].
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Picture: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis / Facebook
