Event Dates
From: Monday, December 1, 2025
To: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Cape Town
Gay Christmas and New Year 2025/6
Cape Town at Christmas is warm, bright and busy with Markets dotted across the city, and Winelands and De Waterkant become a summer hub for gay travelers.
Cape Town Gay Christmas and New Year 2025/6
Cape Town at Christmas is warm, bright and busy with Markets dotted across the city, and Winelands and De Waterkant become a summer hub for gay travelers.
- Stay at The Grey Hotel (De Waterkant) gay-base, a small design hotel with rooftop pool and bar in the heart of the gay village, an 8-10 minute walk from the Waterfront and a short ride to Clifton beaches. Rated Excellent by visitors.
Christmas in Cape Town
- Next Edition: Monday 1st December 2025 to Thursday 1st January, 2026 – Cape Town flips the northern-hemisphere script at Christmas.
- The city is in full summer mode, with long evenings on the Atlantic, crowded gay beaches and New Year fireworks over the harbour.
- Gay nightlife centred in De Waterkant is busy right through to New Year, and Clifton 3rd Beach is packed with international gay visitors.
- The city is the perfect base for easy day trips to country estates with festive markets and picnics.
- Cape Town is the perfect Summer city break with beaches and wine.
Buddies Night Out – Christmas Edition
- Saturday 27th December, 2025 – Buddies Night Out in Cape Town is a Pop-up Party held throughout the year.
- The LGBT event takes over Constitution Road, District and Harringtons.
- It is one of the most popular gay events in Cape Town.
V&A Waterfront & Watershed Christmas Market
- Next Edition: 1st December 2025 to 1st January 2026 – The V&A runs a complete festive programme through December, with a massive tree on the amphitheatre square.
- Enjoy late-night shopping, live music and roaming performers across the precinct.
- The Watershed Hall concentrates more than 150 local design stalls under one roof.
- Browse African crafts, fashion and décor – steps from harbour views with easy Uber hops to De Waterkant and the gay bars.
Festive Lights
- Adderley Street Festive Lights: Large overhead light displays run the length of Adderley Street and continue through the festive season.
- Franschhoek and Stellenbosch decorate their main streets and market squares, giving evenings a warm glow.
South Market Christmas Gift & Craft Market – Constantia
- Next Edition 8th-22nd December 2025, Pop-up craft and gift market at the Cape Academy in leafy Constantia.
- With indoor and tented stalls, free entry and a family-friendly, suburban feel.
- Set about 20 kilometres south of the Cape Town CBD, it’s the perfect way to pair a trip to the Constantia wine farms.
- Enjoy an out-of-town escape at the Nova Constantia Boutique Residence, a luxurious villa-style stay in Constantia with gardens and a pool, handy for South Market and Constantia wine estates, around 20-25 minutes from the city.
Franschhoek Village Christmas Market – Franschhoek
- Next Edition: 13th and 14th December, 2025 – Two-day Christmas market under oak trees in the old church gardens.
- Enjoy wine, gourmet food and craft stalls right in Franschhoek village.
- Combine wine-tram tastings by day with market browsing and dinner.
- Tip: Franschhoek Wine Tram offers hop-on loops to multiple estates, so you can frame it as a safe way to taste, shop and see decorations without driving.
- Stay close to the market at the Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, rated “Excellent” by guests with mountain-view rooms just a short walk from the market grounds and wine-tram stop.
Boschendal Wine & Christmas Market
- Next Edition: 15th December 2025 – Boschendal Wine & Christmas Market
- A beautiful one-day event with tasting coupons, live music, food trucks and stalls in the estate’s historic farm setting.
- Skeppend Kersmark & other Winelands markets – Paarl / Stellenbosch
- 28th November-21st December 2025: Keppend Kersmark, Paarl – creative Christmas market, mixing design, food and gifts in the Winelands.
- 26th November-6th December 2025: Stellenbosch Kersmark – art-heavy Christmas market with some great gift options.
Cape Town Weather at Christmas
- December falls during South Africa’s Summer. Expect daytime highs around 22-29°C and nights in the mid-teens.
- Rain is low – roughly 20-22mm across only 6-7 days – and sunshine hours are high.
- Sea temperature averages 17-19°C; the Atlantic feels brisk but swimmable once you’re in.
- December is peak: traffic, queues, crowded beaches and the infamous south-easterly wind (“Cape Doctor”), especially on exposed coastlines.
- Pack light summer gear, a warm layer for windier evenings and serious SPF.
Gay beaches
- Clifton 3rd Beach – Main gay Beach, in a cove below the road with big granite boulders and a tight strip of sand.
- It is the daily meetup spot for gay visitors in summer; arrive early, especially between Christmas and New Year.
- Sandy Bay – Clothing-optional, more remote and with a historic cruising reputation.
- Reached via a short hike from the parking area south of Llandudno.
- Tip: Avoid beaches on 24th-26th December unless you embrace crowds; go very early or pick quieter coves or push your big beach days into early January when locals go home.
- Watch the wind forecast: the south-easter can make exposed spots like Camps Bay quite gusty, but leave Clifton more sheltered.
De Waterkant Gay Village
- Think of De Waterkant as your gay village, with Bree Street and the City Bowl as spillover for mixed nightlife.
- A grid of cobbled streets above the Waterfront, De Waterkant is packed with cafes, restaurants and bars.
- New Year’s week feels like a mini-festival, with De Waterkant bars running summer-themed nights.
- Club details often appear late on Instagram rather than long in advance.
- De Waterkant to V&A Waterfront – 5-10 minutes by Uber or a 15-minute walk, so easy to combine Watershed shopping with barhopping.
- Check out our guide to the best gay bars, restaurants and hotels in Cape Town.
Gay Cape Town on New Year’s Eve
- V&A Waterfront NYE Celebration – Free, precinct-wide party on 31st December 2025, 6 pm-1 am, with multiple stages, live bands and fireworks at midnight over the harbour.
- Most gay travellers start with sunset drinks at Clifton or on the Sea Point promenade, then dinner in De Waterkant or Bree Street.
- Later, people head to the bars and club nights in De Waterkant.
- Crew Bar – Go-go dancers, pumping pop and house, and a clear LGBT crowd, reopened and is busy again.
- Zer021 Social – Mixed-but-queer bar often named on Reddit as the top pick to meet gay locals; strong urban playlist and themed nights.
- Cafe Manhattan – The oldest gay restaurant and bar in Cape Town with an outside terrace, shows and DJs.
Recommended Hotels in Cape Town
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action,
The Capital Mirage, The Westin Cape Town, DysArt Boutique Hotel The Cape Royale
Save on Hotels
DeWaterkant, is next to the gay bars
Book now and pay on arrival.
Where we stay!
The Glenn Hotel in Cape Town’s Seapoint
Stylish, great pool and gay operated.
Official Website
For further information and advice on
Cape Town Gay Christmas Instagram
Gay Map of Cape Town
Most of the gay bars are located in the De Waterkant area, surrounded by some lovely restaurants and only a short walk to the shopping streets, we have chosen some hotels and apartment that keep you in the hard of all the action.
Quay, 6 W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
The Table Bay Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel situated at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. It boasts beautiful views of the working harbor, Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. It features a pool and a spa. Each air-conditioned room comes equipped with a minibar, flat-screen satellite TV and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. The private bathroom includes a bath and shower with free toiletries.
Convention Square, Lower Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
The Westin Cape Town’s airy rooms have deluxe bedding and floor-to-ceiling windows with views over Cape Town. Selected rooms have a spacious lounge area, all rooms with free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Guests can enjoy a vigorous work-out in the well-equipped gym which boasts panoramic city views. The outdoor pool is drenched in sunshine
40 Chiappini St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Offering a rooftop bar and restaurant, The Capital Mirage Hotel is conveniently situated between Cape Town’s city centre and trendy De Waterkant. Free WiFi and parking are available. The spacious suites and apartments offer a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, kitchen facilities and bathrooms with bath and shower. Air-conditioned and fitted with a hairdryer
Moorings 5 & Portswood Ridge, 5 Portswood Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Situated just opposite the V&A Waterfront’s timeball tower, Dock House impresses with personalized service and panoramic views of the harbour and its surroundings. Enjoy breakfast in the elegantly furnished morning room, followed by a swim in the stylish outdoor pool.Classic décor and a spacious layout make each of the guest rooms and suites at Dock House a welcome retreat after a busy day. Marvel at stunning views of the waterfront from your balcony.
10 Hospital StreetCape Town, 8001, South Africa
Set between the V&A Waterfront and Signal Hill, Harbouredge offers modern apartments with over ’s skyline or . It features a gym and is provided.
The apartments are elegantly furnished, and come equipped with a fully leading into an open-plan lounge and dining room. The bathrooms include bathtubs and a separate shower.
32 Prestwich StreetCape Town, 8001, South Africa
The The Rockwell Luxury Suites offers self-catering accommodation with scenic views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill or the harbour. It features a health club with indoor swimming pool, gym and massage treatments.
Opening out onto panoramic patios, the spacious apartments are fitted with designer furnishings. Each includes a stainless steel kitchen with dining area and a large lounge with Smart TV.
23 Jarvis StreetGreen Point, Cape Town, 8051, South Africa
Purple House Accommodations offers a B&B and seven self-catering units situated in De Waterkant district, just 2 km from Cape Town City Center. An additional self-catering apartment is located within the City Centre, a 20 minutes’ drive from the Cape Town International Airport.
The modern furnished units offer different configurations and facilities. All of the units include a seating area and a kitchen. The en-suite bathroom contains free toiletries.
137 Waterkant StreetCape Town, 8001,South Africa
This charming guest house with Georgian-style façade is situated in the heart of De Waterkant Village. It offers views over Cape Town landmarks Table Mountain and V & A Waterfront from its rooftop terrace.
The Charles is comprised of 3 historic Georgian houses connected together. Rooms feature African art work and original Cape cottage furniture. Each room offers amenities including free WiFi, a ceiling fan and tea-coffee maker. Some rooms offer an open-plan bathroom.
Victoria Rd, Clifton, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Clifton Private Beach Villa featuring an outdoor swimming pool and a bar, a full kitchen with a dishwasher, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 3 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
Fulham Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
This secure and luxurious mansion includes a maid and bulter service. It is equipped with a heated pool, private gym, home cinema and 6 bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar and there is a pool table and 3 lounges for relaxation.
84 Camps Bay Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Merridew Villa is a stylish 6-bedroom villa, five of the six bedrooms are en suite and some of them have a balcony with ocean views, a fully equipped kitchen and separate lounge areas for guests to relax in. as well as an outdoor pool.
23 Geneva Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Geneva Drive Villa Offers air conditioned accommodation with 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a living room, a dining area and a well-appointed kitchen with a dishwasher, and washing machine. An outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi
74 Waterkant Street,Cape Town, 8001,South Africa
This iconic gay eating, meeting and chilling spot is the longest standing venue in the heart of de Waterkant village and has been a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike.
Whether your intention is a quick bite to eat, a cheeky afternoon cocktail on the terrace, or a late night rendezvous in the bar, at this welcoming venue anything could happen.
120 Strand St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Spacious night time club, perfect for dancing with live DJ. Open Turs to Sat
55 Prestwich St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Conveniently located on Prestwich Street in the well-known De Waterkant area of Cape Town, Honey & Dora is a mix of a café style offering serving Breakfast and Lunch with a more relaxed bar vibe for after work drinks and a great Friends Catch-up spot.
Link Rd, Bothasig, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
The Gat Party Milnerton is a newly-established dance venue that offers a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTIA). At our establishment, patrons are encouraged to bring their own refreshments, ice and snacks, as no cash bar is provided.
46 Canterbury St, District Six, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Hosts a busy cocktail hour, drag acts and live shows. Very busy during live show nights
10 Cobern St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Gay bar and nightclub in Cape Town with hunky barmen, sexy go-go dancers, and theme nights. Recently reopened in a new location (2024)
299 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Gay cruise club with busy “underwear night” and very popular theme parties
Recommended Apartments and villas in Cape Town
Geneva Drive Villa
7 Bedrooms
- Air conditioned accommodation
- 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
- Living room, a dining area
- An outdoor swimming pool.
- Free WiFi & free private parking
Merridew Villa
6 Bedrooms
- Stylish 6-bedroom villa,
- Six Bedroom (5 ensuite)
- Balcony with ocean views
- A fully equipped kitchen
- An outdoor pool.
Hollywood Mansion
6 Bedrooms
- Secure and luxurious mansion
- A maid and butler service
- Heated pool, gym, home cinema
- 6 bedrooms
- 3 different lounges
Clifton Private Beach
3 Bedrooms
- Located on Clifton Beach
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Bar and full kitchen
- 3 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms
- Garden with barbecue facilities
Video Gay Cape Town
Join Ravi for his round-the-world guide to Cape Town.
Recommended Hotels in Cape Town By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking
We have chosen hotels in Cape Town that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
The Table Bay
5 Star, Luxury
- 5-Star, V&A Waterfront Location, Harbor Views
- Close to the gay district
- Minibar, flat-screen satellite TV
- Situated at V&A Waterfront, offers luxurious rooms with beautiful harbor and mountain views
The Westin
5 Star, Stylish
- 5-Star, Deluxe Bedding, Panoramic City Views
- Close to the gay district
- Floor-to-ceiling windows, free Wi-Fi
- Airy rooms with city views, features a gym with city views and a sun-drenched outdoor pool
The Capital Mirage
5 Star, Readers Choice
- 5-Star, Rooftop Bar, Between City Centre and De Waterkant
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Flat-screen TV, kitchen facilities
- Offers spacious suites and apartments with modern amenities, ideal for convenience and luxury
Dock House Boutique
5 Star, Modern Classic
- 5-Star, Opposite Timeball Tower, Waterfront Views
- Close to the gay district
- Classic décor, balcony
- Located near V&A Waterfront, provides classic, spacious rooms with stunning waterfront views
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