Next: 2 Jan 2027
Kaapse Klopse
Cape Town's New Year carnival: troupes in satin suits, banjos and brass, parading and singing on Tweede Nuwe Jaar.
When is Kaapse Klopse in 2027?
Kaapse Klopse 2027 is on Saturday, 2 January 2027. Other years: 2026, Friday, 2 January 2026; 2028, Sunday, 2 January 2028.
About Kaapse Klopse
Kaapse Klopse, the Cape Minstrel Carnival, is held on 2 January, Tweede Nuwe Jaar or "Second New Year", in Cape Town. The day has its origins in the enslaved people of the Cape, who were given a holiday on 2 January, and who celebrated with songs and music. Thousands of members, in troupes, parade through the city in brightly coloured satin suits, with painted faces, umbrellas, banjos, guitars, whistles and brass, singing Cape Malay choirs and playing the lively ghoema rhythm. The best known songs include "Daar kom die Alibama". Each troupe competes for prizes and its members are mostly from the Cape Coloured communities of the Bo-Kaap and the Cape Flats. The event is an important expression of heritage and a time for families.
Kaapse Klopse dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Kaapse Klopse date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 2 January 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, 2 January 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, 2 January 2028 |
What is eaten
- koeksisters
- bobotie
- samoosas
Also part of it, and being written: Cape Malay (The community with strong ties to the carnival.), Ghoema (The drum and rhythm of Cape music.), Bo-Kaap (The colourful Cape Town neighbourhood.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Cape Minstrel Carnival" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.