Alcazar, THE Cape Town NYE celebration

Zakes Bantwini, 3 stages, 12+ hours of music & jungle theme

Last updated: Monday, 27 October 2024 

Alcazar isn’t just a NYE party; it’s THE New Year’s Eve festival to go to in Cape Town. It’s an immersive art experience, with a new theme every year, incredible large-scale stage architecture, and an eclectic blend of music from some of the biggest DJs; all set against the coastal backdrop of Grand Africa Café & Beach. Here’s everything you need to know about Alcazar 2025, including the lineup, ticket prices and where to park.

The city’s only grand-scale NYE festival is back with a new venue, an outrageous theme, and its biggest lineup yet. Image: Golden Hour

EPIC CELEBRATION AT A NEW VENUE

This year, Alcazar returns with a full takeover of Grand Africa Cafe & Beach, one of Cape Town’s most iconic seaside venues. 

For the first time ever, the entire precinct from the restaurant to the parking lot will be transformed into a full-blown urban jungle playground. That means partying just steps from the ocean, with sand between your toes and Table Mountain in the background.

Alcazar 2025 will be an electric event, with no detail left untouched. Image: Golden Hour

3 IMMERSIVE STAGES

Each year Alcazar has three unique stages, each with its own personality and flair.

Set in the front parking lot, the main stage will be an architectural large-scale art piece hosted by Bazique. Expect massive visual installations, 3D projection mapping, incredible decor, and performance artists dressed up according to the theme.

The warehouse stage will be curated by Kinky Disco. One of South Africa’s most legendary electronic music brands, they’ll be making a triumphant return for their first event post-COVID. You can expect famously infectious funk and house beats for a high-energy evening.

And Alcazar’s Beach Stage will be just metres away from the shoreline. With sand, ocean views, and a full tent cover, it’s perfect for golden-hour grooves to ease you into the night.

Expect world-class DJs, light shows, and large-scale stage design. Image: Golden Hour

THE THEME FOR 2025 IS… 

Jungle Fever. Picture prowling panthers, women in woven tribal-inspired outfits, and parrot puppets in vivid hues of pink, yellow and blue.

Party-goers are encouraged to dress to the theme. Dress up as exotic jungle creatures, in leafy prints and bold wildlife motifs, or step into disco-fever territory and come in your best sequins and metallics.

The theme incoporates a lush, wild wonderland of animals and tribal decor. Image: Golden Hour

ALCAZAR 2025 LINEUP: ZAKES BANTWINI 

Zakes Bantwini, Grammy Award winner and one of South Africa’s most influential artists, will be headlining the main stage. Known for his electrifying Afro-house sound and high-energy performances, Zakes has played on some of the world’s biggest stages and never fails to ignite a crowd.

Another internationally-acclaimed star on the lineup is Airrica (known for her unique sound that mixes techno, house and gritty acid), as well as GiZ (melodic jungle and bass) and Layla Benitez (deep and Afro house).

Plus, look out for crowd favourites Dean Fuel, one of Cape Town’s most prolific and in-demand deck masters, and Blaqkongo, bringing his signature Afro-tech grooves to the city’s shores. See more details on Alcazar’s Instagram page.

Keep a lookout for the set times closer to the event. Image: Golden Hour

GENERAL, VIP AND VVIP TICKET OPTIONS

Early bird tickets are R700 and will increase to R900 once Phase 1 goes on sale. Standard tickets offer full access to the Alcazar experience, and if you’re feeling fancy, there are two VIP options.

VIP Access is R1 800 and the next phase R1 950. These passes include access to private luxury toilets, a VIP bar, and viewing decks overlooking the stages. 

There is also a VVIP private tables area with waiter service. You can even pick a viewing experience from the main deck, sea deck or backstage. Tickets start from R2 050.

Ticket prices increase as the event approaches, so buy your tickets as early as possible. Image: Golden Hour

EXPLAINED: FOOD & WHERE TO PARK

Food trucks (offering pizzas, burgers, falafels and more) will be available, with vegan and gluten-free options. We recommend Ubering to Alcazar, as there’s very limited street parking available (and it’s safer if you’ll be drinking).

Where will you be when the clock strikes midnight? Maybe it’ll be under glittering lights, feeling the primal pulse of disco in the heart of Alcazar’s urban jungle. It’s organised by Golden Hour, the brand behind Cape Town’s most memorable festivals. See what else is on the 2025/26 Golden Hour festival lineup.