Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras 28 February 2026

Februar 27, 2026

🏳️‍🌈 Cape Town Pride 2026

Saturday 28 February · 11am – 9pm

Pride Mardi Gras

"Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are"

The biggest Pride event Cape Town has ever staged. Celebrating 30 years of SA's Constitution and 20 years of legal same-sex marriage with a parade through De Waterkant, a festival at Green Point Track, and performances from Craig Lucas, Belinda Davids, Dope Saint Jude, Jimmy Nevis and more.

Your complete guide

At a Glance

Saturday 28 February 2026

Parade starts 11am from De Waterkant. Mardi Gras festival 11am–9pm at Green Point Track.

Green Point Track

11 Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point 8051. The parade finishes here and the Mardi Gras begins.

Tickets on Quicket Only

No tickets sold at the gate. Buy online via Quicket before you go.

Family Friendly

Dedicated children's area. No pets, cooler boxes, tents, or shisha pipes allowed inside.

Food & Drinks

Food trucks with halaal and vegan options. Bars and refreshment stations throughout the venue.

Free Bus Rides

Show your Mardi Gras ticket on any Golden Arrow bus for free travel 8:30am–8pm on the day.

Day Schedule

How the Day Unfolds

10:00 am — Warm-Up

Coffee & Mimosas at Crew Bar

Start the day at 10 Cobern Street, De Waterkant. Get into the spirit before the march.

11:00 am — Parade Starts

Cape Town Pride Parade March

Assembles at Prestwich Street Primary School, Alfred Street. Groups pause at the Rainbow Crossing for the official ribbon cutting, then march along Somerset Road through Green Point, around Helen Suzman Boulevard, ending at Green Point Track. Free to join and watch.

11:00 am – 9:00 pm — All Day

Mardi Gras Festival at Green Point Track

Main stage performances, LGBTQIA+ market village, food trucks, bars, NGO village, children's area, chill-out zones, and interactive entertainment. VIP marquee directly in front of main stage.

6:00 pm — Evening

Buddies Night Out — Pride Street Party

Pop-up street party at 1–21 Constitution Road, District Six. Indoor and outdoor party at The District and Harringtons venue. Runs until 11pm.

Sunday 1 March — Morning After

Queer Surfing 2026

8am–12pm at Lifestyle Surf Shop, 21 York Road, Muizenberg. End Pride month catching waves together.

Mardi Gras Lineup

Craig Lucas Belinda Davids Dope Saint Jude Jimmy Nevis Armand Joubert 3 Tons of Fun Stella Rosé Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap DJ Lelowhatsgood DJ Tollie Parton DJ K Dollahz DJ Kixi

Performances run throughout the day on the Pride main stage. VIP marquee positioned directly in front of the stage.

The Parade

Pride Parade Route & Road Closures

The parade is organised by Outreach Africa and starts at 11am. It's free to join or watch — no ticket needed for the march itself. The Cape Town Carnival is lending costumes to add extra fabulosity.

Parade Route

Start: Alfred Street, De Waterkant (assembles at Prestwich St Primary School)
Pause at the Rainbow Crossing for official ribbon cutting
Proceeds along Somerset Road through Green Point
Around Helen Suzman Boulevard circle
Finish: Green Point Track (Mardi Gras venue)

Road Closures (10:50am – 12pm+)

Prestwich Street (Chiappini to Napier)
Alfred Street (Somerset Rd to Prestwich)
Somerset Road through Green Point
Surrounding streets in De Waterkant and Green Point
Plan alternative routes if driving through the area

Best viewing spots: Somerset Road in De Waterkant, near the Rainbow Crossing, and along Green Point Main Road. Arrive before 10:30am for a prime position. The parade cannot start without City of Cape Town Traffic Police presence and permission.

Getting There

Transport & Parking

Free Golden Arrow Bus

Show your Mardi Gras ticket to any Golden Arrow driver for free travel 8:30am–8pm. Limited Saturday service especially after 5:30pm. No extra services after 8pm. Call 021 466 7000 for timetables.

Uber / Bolt

Best option for evening departures. Expect surge pricing from 7–9pm. Set a pickup point on Helen Suzman Boulevard or side streets away from the main venue entrance.

Parking

Free public parking at P9 and P10 on Bill Peters Drive, Green Point. Paid parking at V&A Waterfront (open-air and underground). No parking on Green Point side streets — cars will be towed.

Tips & Safety

Make the Most of It

Beat the Heat

Highs around 20°C with sun. Wear sunscreen, bring a hat, and stay hydrated. The venue has refreshment stations and chill-out zones. Wear comfortable shoes for the parade walk.

Tickets & Cash

Buy your Mardi Gras ticket on Quicket before you arrive — no gate sales. Bring some cash for market stalls. Food trucks may accept cards but don't rely on it.

Stay Safe

Keep valuables secure and out of sight. Stay in groups after dark. Use Uber/Bolt for evening departures. Green Point is generally safe but stay on well-lit main streets.

Dress Code: Be You

"Get into your most outrageous outfit, wave your LGBTQIA+ flag, be seen, be proud!" Rainbow flags, glitter, costumes — this is the day to go all out.

Not allowed inside: Pets, cooler boxes, tents, shisha pipes. This is a family-friendly event with a dedicated children's area. Everyone is welcome regardless of race, faith, sexuality, or gender.

After the Mardi Gras

Afterparties & Sunday Plans

Buddies Night Out — 6pm

Pop-up street party on Constitution Road. Indoor and outdoor party at The District and Harringtons. The main afterparty of the evening.

Gat Party Milnerton — 8pm

Pride Edition at Bothasig Hall, Link Road. Running until 11pm. A suburban alternative to the city centre afterparties.

De Waterkant Gay Village

Crew Bar, Café Manhattan, Zer021, and Pink Candy keep the party going late. The heart of Cape Town's LGBTQ+ nightlife, all walking distance from the parade route.

Sunday: Queer Surfing — 8am

Close out Pride month catching waves at Muizenberg. Lifestyle Surf Shop, 21 York Road. The perfect cool-down after a legendary Saturday.

Why It Matters

Pride in Context

Cape Town's first Pride parade was held in 1993. South Africa's Constitution — adopted in 1996 — was the first in the world to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. In 2006, South Africa became the fifth country globally to legalise same-sex marriage. This year's theme, Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are, marks both milestones: 30 years of the Constitution and 20 years of marriage equality.

The City of Cape Town is the official sponsor of Pride 2026. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed his support, noting that Pride transforms the city into a celebration of love, equality, and diversity. Cape Town Pride is entirely run by volunteers and is open to people of all races, faiths, sexualities, and genders.

As brand ambassador Nkosinathi Sangweni puts it: "Even as our community continues to face real challenges, our voices rise, our stories grow louder, and our presence becomes ever more undeniable."

Looking ahead: Cape Town has been selected to host WorldPride 2028 — the first city in Africa to do so. This year's Mardi Gras is a milestone on that journey.

Don't Miss This

This is the biggest Pride event Cape Town has ever staged — a celebration of love, diversity, and 30 years of constitutional rights. Whether you're marching, dancing, or soaking up the atmosphere, here's your checklist:

Buy tickets on Quicket now — no gate sales, they will sell out
Parade is free — join the march from Alfred Street at 11am
Free Golden Arrow buses all day with your ticket
Park at P9/P10 Bill Peters Drive or take Uber/Bolt
Bring sunscreen, hat, and cash for stalls
Plan your afterparty — Buddies Night Out or De Waterkant bars
Sunday: Queer Surfing at Muizenberg to close out Pride month

Be seen. Be proud. Have a great queer day. 🏳️‍🌈

Diskussion anzeigen