What To Do On New Years In Cape Town 2021
Cape Town, it’s time to CELEBRATE!
Are you ready to bid 2021 farewell and officially welcome 2022 with open arms, a renewed perspective, and a revived sense of excitement for what the next 365 days may bring?
Cape Town is ready to ring in the New Year with you by its side! Let’s be honest, if there’s one city that knows exactly how to celebrate New Years with an extra dash of style and pizazz, it’s the ever vibrant, unapologetically bold and beautiful, loud, proud and lively Cape Town!
There truly is no New Year’s Eve party quite like a Cape Town New Year’s Eve party, and we dare you to prove us otherwise.
To ensure you have the absolute best start to 2022, we’ve rallied up and handpicked some of the top things to do on New Year’s eve in Cape Town.
**Important Note: This blog was last updated on 27/11/2021. It is thus subject to change as per South African Government COVID-19 Lockdown regulations & protocols.
#New Year’s Eve ‘Lighting of the Beam’ at the V&A Waterfront

Photo credit: The V&A Waterfront
- When: Friday, 31 December 2021
- Where: V&A Waterfront, 19 Dock Road, Cape Town
- Time: 12:00am – 1:00am | Viewers can tune in from 11:50pm on the 31st of December to watch the live stream on YouTube & on the V&A Waterfront Facebook page
- Contact details: 021 408 7600 | [email protected] | www.waterfront.co.za
The night of December 31 is often celebrated with fireworks to usher in the new year. Prior to 2020, the V&A Waterfront was known for its New Year’s Eve firework display to celebrate the start of the New Year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to find a new way to keep Capetonians safe at home, yet together in spirit, the V&A Waterfront replaced their firework display with the lighting of a beam to signify the start of the New Year.
This year the beam will once again take full glory, lighting up the Mother City sky, as we bid 2021 farewell and welcome the arrival of 2022. The turning on of the beam will be streamed live on YouTube as well as on the V&A Waterfront’s Facebook pages for all to enjoy. There will also be a live performance by the talented husband and wife duo – Deville. Viewers can tune in from 11:50pm on the 31st of December 2021.

Photo credit: The V&A Waterfront
“The beam symbolizes creativity, hope, love, community, joy, harmony and gratitude – these 7 themes are represented as we light the beam at midnight on 31 December for 1 hour and for another 6 consecutive nights at 9pm” – The V&A Waterfront Cape Town.
- Facebook: V&A Waterfront: @VandAWaterfront
- YouTube: V&A Waterfront
#One&Only Cape Town New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Photo credit: One&Only Cape Town
- When: Friday, 31 December 2021
- Where: The One&Only, Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
- Contact details: 021 431 5888 | [email protected] | www.oneandonlycapetown.com
Situated right in the heart of the beautiful Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, boasting spectacular views of Table Mountain while overlooking the marina, there is no better place to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
This year the One&Only Cape Town is pulling out all the stops by offering guests a range of decadent New Year’s Eve Culinary Experiences to choose from:
*Old Year’s Eve Champagne Breakfast
- December 31, 2021 | 6:30am – 11am Ochre | À La Carte
*New Year’s Eve All Night Tapas
- December 31, 2021 | 6pm Vista Bar & Lounge | All Night Tapas Menu R5000 per person
*New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner
- December 31, 2021 | 6pm Ochre | 5-Course Set Menu R3250 per person | Final New Years countdown
*A Nobu New Year’s Eve
- December 31, 2021 | 5pm Nobu | À La Carte or Omakase Menu Minimum spend of R4900 per person
*New Year’s Day Recovery Breakfast
- January 1, 2022 | 6.30am – 12pm Ochre | À La Carte
Reservations
- Reservations office hours are 8am to 5pm. Menu prices excludes beverages (unless specified). All venues cater for children. Guests with special dietary requirements should inform the reservations office during the booking process, with full details of the request.
- Terms and conditions: Booking is essential. Full prepayment is required within 48 hours to secure the booking, any cancellations within 7 days of your booking will result in 100% cancellation fees.
- Contact details: 021 431 5888 | [email protected] | www.oneandonlycapetown.com
- Click here to view The One&Only Cape Town’s Festive Menu Pack
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#Secrets of Summer New Year’s Eve
#New Year’s Eve at LIFE Grand Café
#The Cellars-Hohenort New Year’s Eve Celebration
#New Years in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront
- When: Friday, 31 December 2021
- Where: V&A Waterfront, 19 Dock Road, Cape Town
If you’re looking for the perfect thing to do on New Years in Cape Town with the whole family, going to the V&A Waterfront should undoubtedly be at the top of your list. The V&A Waterfront is to Cape Town what Time’s Square is to New York – a lively hub of celebration full of local flair.
Inclusive to everyone, the V&A Waterfront’s New Year’s Eve event is not only family-friendly – which means everyone gets to join in on the New Year’s fun – but a great way to feel like you’re part of a larger community. You can expect tons of fun characters and exciting activities to keep the kids entertained, amazing pop-up performances by some of the city’s most talented musicians and a wide variety of incredible restaurants, trendy bars, laid-back waterfront eateries and rooftop drinking spots. Plus, the fact that the V&A Waterfront boasts one of the most spectacular views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean just further elevates your experience.
The V&A Waterfront always has a few extravagant surprises up its sleeve, especially when it comes to celebrating New Year’s Eve, and we have no doubt that this year will be no different.
#FINAL Sunset Dance of 2021

Photo credit: Secret Sunrise Cape Town
- When: Thursday, 23 December 2021
- Where: Camps Bay Beach
- Time: 6:45pm – 7:45pm | Arrive at 6:15pm to receive your headsets | Event starts at 6:45pm sharp
- Cost: R150 General | R50 kiddies (under 12) | Additional #ShareTheJoy Donations which go towards The UP are welcomed and deeply appreciated
- Contact details: Click here | www.secretsunrise.com
- Tickets: Buy Tickets