Cape Town Festive Lights Switch-On 2025: Free concert, road closures & full event guide!

Cape Town’s iconic Festive Lights Switch-On returns to the Grand Parade on Sunday, 30 November 2025, with a free open-air concert expected to draw more than 80,000 people. The annual event marks the start of the festive season and will once again light up Darling and Adderley Streets with its popular display.

This year’s music line-up is headlined by DJ Zinhle, supported by GoodLuck, Kurt Darren, Tarryn Lamb, Karabo Mogane, Early B & Justin Vega, DJ Masoodah and Heavenly Quartez. A special cultural tribute featuring Emo Adams, Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell, Jody Abrahams and Fancy Galada - together with the Street Stylers - will celebrate Cape Town’s vibrant artistic heritage.

The six-hour show runs from 16:00 to 22:00, hosted by Joe Barber, Bubblegum & Boere Jules and Carl Wastie. The festival area opens at 13:00, with access through 13 controlled entry chutes around Adderley, Castle, Plein, Shortmarket, Longmarket, Hout and Church Streets. Bag checks will be conducted, and alcohol, drugs, fireworks, weapons, umbrellas, gazebos and gas canisters are not permitted.

Parents attending with children are encouraged to use the KID SMART Project, offering free temporary ID bracelets to help reunite lost minors with guardians. Multiple water points will be available across the Grand Parade and Adderley Street.

Road closures around City Hall will affect traffic from 25 November to 02 December, with Darling Street closed for stage construction. On 30 November, Darling, Adderley, Longmarket and surrounding streets will be shut from 05:00–05:00 the next day. Several MyCiTi routes, including Route 106, will be diverted via Strand Street, skipping the Groote Kerk stop.

The full list of road closures is available here. 

 

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Festive season 2021/22: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park from 15 December 2021 until 11 January 2022. Three time slots have been introduced, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival and there are three time slots which they can choose from as follows:

• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away.
It is also important to continue to obey the current COVID-19 protocols of wearing masks in public, social distancing adherence and sanitising our hands as screening will continue to be done at entrance gates. The management of Kruger National Park has made plans for increased visibility of both traffic officials and visitor management personnel to monitor speeding, after-hours travelling and general behaviour on the roads.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R48 per adult and R24 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R110 per adult and R55 per child (between ages 2 - 11). For nationals of Eswatini and other SADC countries, the conservation fees are R220 per adult and R110 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R440 for adults and R220 for children applies.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure the membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at https://www.sanparks.org/wild_new/. Guests using Wild Card need to also produce their ID and valid Wild Card Membership Confirmation Letter.
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver's license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry if quotas are full.
• Alcohol consumption by Day Visitors is strictly prohibited at all leisure sites such as Swimming Pools and Picnic Spots in Kruger National Park.
• Visitors are urged to help keep Kruger National Park clean by disposing of their litter at designated areas, not alighting from vehicles on undesignated areas, not speed, and adhering to all rules and regulations as stipulated on the gate permit.
• Visitors are urged to be courteous and cooperative at sightings to avoid inconveniencing other road users.
• Visitors are advised to plan their trip carefully, allowing sufficient time to enjoy the bush and to get to their destination.
• Gate operating hours are from 05:30 to 18:30 in December and January.

Festive season 2020/21: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park from 16 December 2020 until 26 January 2021. Through the day visitor quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival and there are three time slots which they can choose from as follows:

• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. 

src.: SANParks

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R48 per adult and R24 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The conservation fee for South African residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R105 per adult and R52 per child (between ages 2 - 11). For nationals of Eswatini (previously Swaziland) and other SADC countries, the conservation fees are R210 per adult and R105 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R424 for adults and R212 for children applies.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure the membership is valid before arrival
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver's license, identity document or passport) please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry.
• Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the Kruger National Park.

Festive season 2019/20: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) will enforce daily quotas for day visitors at the entrance gates to Kruger National Park over the coming festive season (13 December 2019 - 14 January 2020). Through the day visitor quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors, as well as to improve the visitors' expectations. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos can choose from. It is advised to book a time slot prior to arrival, as pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at Kruger National Park's entrance gates.

• Time slot 1 - 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2 - 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3 - 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R43 per adult and R22 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for South African residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R100per adult and R50 per child between ages 2 - 11. For nationals of eSwatini and other SADC countries the conservation fees are R200 per adult and R100 per child. For all other guests the standard conservation fees of R400 for adults  and R200 for children applies.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) may be required to identify themselves upon admission (South African drivers' license, identity document or passport).
• Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they are regarded as booked for all Day Visitor admissions.
• Gate quotas will be applied and un-booked guests could be denied entry.

Easter 2019: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) is urging visitors to be aware of gate quotas for day visitors at the entrance gates to Kruger National Park that will be in effect over the coming Easter long weekend. Through the day visitor quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors, as well as to improve the visitors' expectations. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos can choose from. It is advised to book a time slot prior to arrival, as pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at Kruger National Park's entrance gates.

• Time slot 1: 06:00 to 08:00
• Time slot 2: 08:00 to 10:00
• Time slot 3: 10:00 onwards
  

Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor pre- bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R43 per adult and R22 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter the Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for South African residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mozambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R93 per adult and R47 per child (between ages 2 – 11). For nationals of Eswatini and other SADC countries the conservation fees are R186 per adult and R93 per child. For all other guests the standard conservation fees of R372 for adults and R186 for children applies
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver's license, identity document or passport)
• Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they have paid for the annual operating permit and are authorised to enter external gates 15 minutes before opening time to ensure fair distribution/flow of traffic.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry.

Festive season 2018/19: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) will enforce daily quotas for day visitors at the entrance gates to Kruger National Park over the coming festive season (13 December 2018 - 08 January 2019). Through the day visitor quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors, as well as to improve the visitors' expectations. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos can choose from. It is advised to book a time slot prior to arrival, as pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at Kruger National Park's entrance gates.

• Time slot 1 - 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2 - 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3 - 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R43 per adult and R22 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for South African residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R93 per adult and R47 per child between ages 2 - 11. For nationals of Eswatini (previously Swaziland) and other SADC countries the conservation fees are R186 per adult and R93 per child. For all other guests the standard conservation fees of R372 for adults  and R186 for children applies.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) may be required to identify themselves upon admission (South African drivers' license, identity document or passport).
• Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they are regarded as booked for all Day Visitor admissions.
• Gate quotas will be applied and un-booked guests could be denied entry.

Festive season 2017/18: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) will enforce daily quotas for day visitors at the entrance gates to Kruger National Park over the coming festive season (07 December 2017 - 02 January 2018). Through the day visitor quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors, as well as to improve the visitors' expectations. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos can choose from. It is advised to book a time slot prior to arrival, as pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at Kruger National Park's entrance gates.

• Time slot 1 - 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2 - 07:90 to 09:30
• Time slot 3 - 09:30 onwards
  

Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R40 per adult and R20 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for South African residents is R82 per adult and R41 per child between ages 2 - 11 and for international guests it is R328 per adult and R164 per child.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) may be required to identify themselves upon admission (South African drivers' license, identity document or passport).
• Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they are regarded as booked for all Day Visitor admissions.
• Gate Quotas will be applied and un-booked guests could be denied entry.

Festive season 2016/17: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) is set to enforce daily quotas for day visitors in the Kruger National Park during coming festive season 2016/17 (15 December 2016 - 03 January 2017). Through the Day Visitor Quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors, as well as to improve the visitors' expectations. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos are able to choose from. It is advised to book a time slot prior to arrival, as pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at Kruger National Park's entrance gates.

• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R38 per adult and R19 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents is R76 per adult and R38 per child between ages 2 - 11 and for international guests it is R304 per adult and R152 per child.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) may be required to identify themselves upon admission (SA driver’s license, identity document or passport).
• Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they are regarded as booked for all Day Visitor admissions.
• Gate Quotas will be applied and un-booked guests could be denied entry.

Enjoy 24 days of Christmas prizes with HostelBookers

With everybody counting down the days to Christmas, HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist, is today launching a great competition*. Participants will have the chance to win fantastic prizes worth over £3000.

Everyday, between 1st and 24th December, HostelBookers will be posting a question on their Facebook wall. To enter the competition participants need to email their correct answer, full name and which Hostelbookers Facebook group they follow to be in with a chance of winning an iPad, an iPod, Ryanair vouchers, a hostel stay, a scuba diving course, sunglasses, shopping vouchers and much more.
Winners will be picked from qualifying entries and announced, along with their prize, the following day on Facebook and via the blog.
For more information about how to enter the 24 days of Christmas Prizes competition please click here!

*Terms and conditions apply