Cape Town Pride
About This Event
Cape Town Pride, the country's best-known pride event, is set to host WorldPride from 30 September to 14 October 2028. The first pride parade was held in 1993, resumed in December 2001, and later moved to February.
It's run by Cape Town Pride, with Tommy Patterson at the helm, and OUTReach Africa is credited as co-organiser.
The event unfolds over a month, culminating in a Saturday march and ticketed Mardi Gras. The march starts at the rainbow crosswalk on Somerset Road in De Waterkant, the city's gay village, and makes its way through Green Point to Green Point Track.
It's free to join the march.
In 2024, a small religious group protested at the start, but police intervened and the march continued.
Mardi Gras tickets cost R100 general admission, with early birds paying R65 if they bought before 19 December 2025. VIP tickets were R550, and the VIP area was limited to 200 guests.
You couldn't buy tickets at the gate, so it's a good idea to purchase them online ahead of time. The venue can accommodate up to 10,000 guests, according to the population certificate.
De Waterkant and Green Point Track are adjacent, making it easy to walk from the march to the Mardi Gras.
February is peak summer in Cape Town, and accommodation in the Atlantic Seaboard suburbs fills up quickly.
In 2026, Pride Month kicked off on 5 February with the theme '#IAmBecauseWeAre', exploring the concept of ubuntu. The parade and Mardi Gras took place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, with the Mardi Gras running from 11:00 to 21:00 at Green Point Track.
Thousands participated, according to EWN, though Reuters reported hundreds of marchers.
The 2025 theme was 'RainbowID'.
As of our last check, the 2027 dates hadn't been announced, but travel listings are guessing late February.
Where to stay during Cape Town Pride
via Stay22Schedule & Sub-Events
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Check the official website for the latest programme.
Videos
Celebration Meets Activism In Cape Town Pride 2026 | Lifestyle
