The City of Cape Town’s flagship Festive Lights Switch-On event made a grand return this past Sunday 27 November, after a two-year pandemic enforced hiatus.
Thousands of people attended the event on the Grand Parade and Adderley Street for the first event since 2019.
Fresh off his first-ever Grammy nomination, multi-award winning musician Zakes Bantwini anchored an all-star line-up which also included Mi Casa, Emo Adams, Will Linley, Abavuki, and Sasha-Leefor the free open-air concert.
In its five-decade history, the Festive Lights Switch-On event has always been a family-focused occasion where loved ones can celebrate and have fun in a safe environment.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis pushed the button on the stage of the City Hall just after 20:30 on Sunday night to light up Adderley Street and surrounds.
Hill-Lewis delivered a short message of hope to Capetonians, before switching on the lights.
He said Cape Town was an example of hope to the rest of the country and urged residents to welcome tourists from elsewhere in South Africa and abroad for the December holidays.
Cape Town lost billions of rands in revenue from tourism over the past two years, when travelling was limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The city’s hotels, restaurants and destinations hope to make up lost revenue, and to provide employment opportunities during the next two months.
What a great concert and wonderful to see 80 000 Capetonians, from every corner of the city, coming together again!
Last night we continued the Cape Town tradition of launching the festive season with a switching on of the festive lights.
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— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) November 28, 2022
