Now known as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, this annual event is the longest existing carnival in the city and is an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage. The event was historically known as Kaapse Klopse .
- The iconic Hollywoodbets Cape Town Minstrel Carnival returns to the Mother City on 4 January 2025.
Approximately 20 000 performers from 18 minstrel troupes will entertain crowds with the rhythmic symphony of banjos, guitars, ghoema drums, trombones and tubas.
Starting from District Six around midday, the procession of performers will entertain crowds along the historic route before they end in Bo-Kaap. In their dazzling colourful costumes, the performers will also put on a show in front of the historic City Hall and along Darling Street, where thousands of spectators will gather.
All 20 troupes will march along the full route, starting on Darling Street, passing through the Hollywoodbets Purple Mile, and continuing into Adderley Street. The parade will then make its way up Wale Street, past the Company Gardens, and cross Buitengracht Street before entering the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood (Schotsche Kloof). The route will end on Rose Street.
The event will have a significant impact on several roads around the CBD on Saturday, 4 January 2025 between 06:00 and 23:55.
A comprehensive list of road closures is available HERE
WHAT: Hollywoodbets Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
WHERE: See above
WHEN: Saturday January 4, 2025 from 11.15 am
COST: FREE entrance but there are 700 tickets available in grandstand seating for the Purple Mile. Book at Computicket
INFO: EVENTS in Cape Town | see also Cape Town Tourism
