Cape Town

Nightlife

Cape Town is Africa’s queer capital, with LGBTQ+ life centered in De Waterkant and Green Point. The city’s mix of beaches, mountains, and nightlife — along with events like Cape Town Pride — make it a hub of visibility, creativity, and celebration for the continent.

The main event of Cape Town Pride featuring a vibrant parade and Mardi Gras celebration.

Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras

Cape Town Pride 2026 Parade and Mardi Gras

The Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras 2026 is the final event of the Pride month calendar, taking place on February 28, 2026, from 11:00 to 21:00 at Green Point Track, 11 Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point. It features a variety of stalls, food, bars, entertainment, a children's area, chill-out zones, an NGO Village, and a diverse entertainment lineup. The event is family-friendly and includes a VIP area with limited tickets offering complimentary drinks and canapés. Tickets are available online only, with early bird and general options, as well as VIP tickets. No tickets will be sold at the gate.

Zer021 Social Club

Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras 2026

A free, fun pop-up party in Cape Town during Pride season, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 6 pm to 3 am. The event encourages friends and new acquaintances to gather, enjoy drinks, and celebrate together with lots of booze, hot bartenders, and a lively atmosphere. It takes place at a venue in Cape Town, featuring multiple dance floors and bars, with road closures on Constitution Street and multiple venues across Harringtons and District. The event is part of Cape Town's Pride festivities and aims to foster community and camaraderie among LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.

De Waterkant, Cape Town

Buddies Night Out Cape Town Pop Up Party

Cape Town Pride 2026 is a three-week celebration beginning on 5 February, featuring art, sport, dialogue, nightlife, and outdoor events culminating in the Pride Parade and Mardi Gras on 28 February. The theme, 'Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are,' honors South African values and milestones like 30 years of the Constitution and 20 years of same-sex marriage legalization. Highlights include opening parties, workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, sports events, hikes, pet walks, and the main parade and Mardi Gras with performances, food trucks, markets, and entertainment.

Buddies Night Out

Cape Town Pride 2026

The event is the Pride Buddies - CPT Street Party, scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 18:00 to 23:00. It is organized by Buddies Night Out and will take place at Harringtons X District X Surfa Rosa, located at 61B Harrington St, Cape Town, South Africa.

Buddies Night Out - Pride Street Party

An event as part of Cape Town Pride 2026 featuring a drag-hosted lube wrestling arena at Green Point Track during Mardi Gras. Contestants compete inside a lube-filled arena to remove a sock from their opponent, emphasizing entertainment and crowd participation. The event marks the debut of Backdoor Botanics, a queer-focused intimate-care brand, aiming to promote visibility, joy, and serious care in queer intimacy. Hosted by drag MC Stella Rosé, the activation combines performance, humor, and social messaging.

Cape Town Pride Festival

Cape Town Pride 2026: Slippery Drag-Hosted Lube Wrestling

The Corona Sunsets Festival is scheduled to take place on March 21, 2026, starting at 12:00 PM at The Bungalow in Clifton, Cape Town. The event features performances by artists including Purple Disco Machine, DJ Kent, Liquideep, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Sun-El Musician, Zakes Batwini, Mila-Rose, Msaki, Roz B2B Housewife, Blaqkongo, and Meek. Tickets are available for purchase at corona.howler.co.za. The festival promises a celebration under the sunset with a lineup of renowned DJs and performers, offering a vibrant experience for attendees.

Corona Sunsets Festival - Cape Town 2026

The Pink Loerie Foundation is hosting the Mardi Gras 2026 event in Toronto, scheduled to start on April 30, 2026. The event aims to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ communities through festivities and charitable activities. Further details about the event's activities, venue, and specific timings are not provided in the available content.

Queer Nightlife in Cape Town

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Cape Town Pride 2026 Parade and Mardi Gras

Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras 2026

Buddies Night Out Cape Town Pop Up Party

Cape Town Pride 2026

Take Cape Town's queer scene with you

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Buddies Night Out - Pride Street Party

Cape Town Pride 2026: Slippery Drag-Hosted Lube Wrestling

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Corona Sunsets Festival - Cape Town 2026

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Pink Loerie Mardi Gras 2026

Take Cape Town's queer scene with you