Why Cape Town's Eclectic Carnival Is So Mesmerising

Cape Town’s annual carnival may not have the history and gravitas of some of the decades-old festivals from around the world, but it’s a remarkable, lively celebration of the city’s many cultures that has become a popular event on the busy local calendar.

Cape Town Carnival sprang to life in 2010, the year that the world focus shifted to South Africa during the FIFA World Cup. The festival capitalised on the infectious atmosphere of the time, and though it’s since moved from busy Long Street to the more manageable Fan Walk in Green Point, it’s no less eclectic and enthralling. And the crowds have responded, too: in recent years the Cape Town Carnival spectator crowds have grown to over 50,000.

It’s without doubt a beautiful annual spectacle, but what makes the carnival so special is its inclusiveness and community-centred approach. The organisers provide opportunities for local communities interested in arts and culture to participate on all levels, from costume design to set building. This leads to job creation and training that equips many people to enter into similar industries at other times of the year.

The carnival adopts a new theme each year that’s somehow linked to the city and its people, but always has a strong message of diversity and inclusiveness. 2018 was, ‘Mother City, Mother Nature’, and over 2,000 costumed performers and musicians took to the streets and hopped aboard dazzling floats in a captivating synchronised performance.

The Cape Town Carvnial has become a unifying experience for tourists and locals alike, and it’s a truly festive celebration of the city’s creativity, culture and diversity.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.