On Sunday, 30 November 2025, Cape Town will once again light up the summer sky as thousands gather on the Grand Parade and along Adderley Street for the 56th edition of the Festive Lights Switch-On. This free, family-friendly celebration takes place this year under the theme: “United in Hope.”
More than just a seasonal celebration, the Festive Lights Switch-On has grown into one of Cape Town’s most beloved traditions and a symbol of Cape Town’s resilience, creativity, and community spirit. Building on the success of recent hope-themed editions, this year’s event takes that message one step further – recognising hope not simply as an emotion, but as a unifying civic value that connects us all.
Highlights of 2025
This year’s campaign and main event will feature not only a bright culturally diverse line-up of entertainers and the much-anticipated light switch moment, but also two exciting community-driven initiatives:
- The FLSO “Move and Melody” Competition: a cross-discipline dance and vocal showcase that will see emerging local talent compete for a chance to perform live on the Festive Lights stage in front of thousands – this goes lives on 1 October so keep an eye out for the news.
- Wear the Hope – Share the Light: a new creative project inviting Capetonians of all ages, from fashion students to sewing clubs and elders, youth, to design and create a festive top for the mayor. The winning creation – upcycled, sewn, bedazzled, crocheted or hand-knitted etc – will debut at the annual test switch-on drive and will be worn on stage by the mayor. Entries close 6 October.
The Festive Lights Switch-On offers something rare and vital in this digital-driven world – the chance to connect face to face, to dance, to laugh, with one another and to celebrate Cape Town’s unique culture under the summer sky. It is a gathering where neighbours meet, families bond, and visitors experience the warmth and energy of the Mother City at its most joyful. The concert programme builds up to the switch-on moment of the festive lights, a lighting display of lasers, lights and pyrotechnics. Followed by a highlight of a colourful video mapping display on the façade of the City Hall, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Save the date: Sunday, 30 November 2025. Cape Town is ready to welcome one and all to celebrate the start of summer – United in Hope.
Keep an eye and ear open for the artist line-up and the competitions in the weeks ahead.
Gentle Avenger
Yebo – yes [yeh-boh] Often expressed as a double positive by combining it with the English “yes” in “Yebo, Yes!” or as an extremely expressive “Yeeebo!” This Zulu word is used regularly in South Africa to show agreement or approval with something or someone.
foot-long fry
Braai – a barbecue [brr-rye] Also known as a barbecue where steak, lamb chops and of course ‘boerewors’ is cooked on a grid over wood and flames. Add some salads, rolls and ‘melktert’ for dessert and you are set for a traditional South African braai.