Cape Town has been hosting Pride events every year since 2004.
Spanning ten days, usually in late February/early March, Pride Cape Town celebrates cultural diversity and creates awareness for LGBTQ+ issues in South Africa and beyond.
This year’s Pride Festival culminates with the Pride March and Mardi Gras on Saturday, 4 March 2023.
Here is everything you need to know:
Pride Festival March
Per the website, this year’s Pride March will form outside Prestwich Street Primary School in Alfred Street in De Waterkant.
At 11:00, the parade will leave and proceed along Prestwich Street, make a right into Chiappini Street and another right into Somerset Road.
The Parade will stop at the Rainbow crossing for the official ribbon cutting to start the Parade. It will then proceed along Somerset Road through Green Point and around the Helen Suzman Boulevard circle.
It will finish in the car park at the Green Point Track.
The parade is open to all members of the public, and participation is free.
Pride Festival Mardi Gras
This year’s Pride Festival Mardi Gras has an incredible lineup of talent performing, including Dope St Jude, Jarrad Ricketts, Manila Von Teez, 3 Fingers, 3 Divas, The Trans-formers, 3 Tons of Fun, Belinda Qaqamba Ka-Fassie, Craig Jordaan and more.
Mardi Gras will take place at the Green Point Track, with celebrations set to begin directly after the March at 12:00.
In addition to the Pride Stage, the event will host a village of stalls selling LGBTQIA+ goodies, food stalls, bars and refreshment stations, a children’s area, and chill-out areas.