Event Dates
From: Thursday, February 5, 2026
To: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Cape Town Gay Pride twirls its way into town at the height of the South African Summer in Feb/March to celebrate cultural diversity.
When it comes to Gay Pride Cape Town has its own style, with hot winter sun, pristine beaches and the backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain you just know it’s going to be magical.
- Visiting for Cape Town Pride? Stay in the Rockefeller Hotel, rated “Fabulous” by guests in a great location featuring fresh modern rooms and a superb fitness centre.
Cape Town Pride Program 2026
- Next Edition – Thursday 5th February, 2026 – Sunday 1st March, 2026
- The theme of Cape Town Pride changes each year. The Pride partners with Cape Town Carnival who will be lending some of their costumes to add extra fabulosity to the parade on the day of the event.
- The festival includes a variety of events such as drag shows, book launches, sporting events, film shows, poetry reading, and art exhibitions, the Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride Pageant, the annual Pink Party, several pool parties and the closing event.
- Stay close to the pride festival and after party at the O’Two Hotel Cape Town, with a beautiful heated deck rooftop pool, superb views and boutique design.
Cape Town Pride March
- Saturday 28th February, 2026 – The Cape Town Pride March is scheduled to start at 11 am. Please note that the March cannot start without the presence of the City of Cape Town Traffic Police and without their permission. So please be patient.
- The parade begins at Alfred St, de Waterkant.
- Getting a spot early is key, as crowds line Somerset Rd quickly on parade day.
- Best Public View Spots along the route include Somerset Road in De Waterkant – around the rainbow crosswalk.
- Alternatively, if you want to be close to the party after, catch the parade near Green Point Track where the parade ends and celebrations continue all afternoon.
- Stay close to the parade starting point at The Grey Hotel and watch the parade gather at the hotel’s Skybar. The charming boutique hotel is just steps from the city’s lively gay district.
The Route
- Route to be confirmed – Use the following as a guide: The Cape Town pride parade gathers outside Prestwich Street Primary School in Alfred Street, De Waterkant. The parade starts at 11 am, proceeding along Prestwich Street, right into Chiappini Street and into Somerset Road.
- Groups will pause at the Rainbow Crossing for the official ribbon cutting to start the parade.It then proceeds along Somerset Road, through Green Point, around the Helen Suzman Boulevard circle, ending at the car park at the Green Point Track.
- Stay at the Gorgeous George Hotel, featuring 32 luxurious rooms in downtown Cape Town, a design hotel rated “wonderful” by guests with stylish rooms, a la carte breakfast and excellent location.
Mardi Gras Festival
- Saturday 28th February, 2026 – Post Parade – Cape Town Pride are celebrating in style at the A-Track in Green Point from 11pm to 9pm, and it’s going to be bigger and better than before including a bigger stage, larger grounds, more stalls and a mix of local and international artists. Tickets are only available online, not at the gate.
- Stay close to Cape Town’s top attractions at the Upperbloem Guest House and Apartments, rated “Superb” by guests in the historic Bo-Kapp quarter, offering flawless views over the city and the bay.
Village Drinks
- Thursday 12 Feb, 18:00–20:00 – Kick off Cape Town Pride with a drink or two…with members of Cape Town’s LGBTQI+ community at the Village Drinks event. At Cafe Manhattan
Mr & Miss Cape Town Pride
- Saturday 14 Feb 2026, 18:00–22:00- At the Joseph Stone Auditorium, Doors open at 5pm and the show starts at 7pm.
- The winners become the grand marshals for the main parade and act as pride ambassadors for the forthcoming year.
Pets for Pride Promenade Walk
- Sunday 22 Feb, 10:00–12:00 – An informal gathering where proud pooch parents will be promenading their pets on a fun walk to Sea Point Pavilion and back. Prizes for best dressed pets.
- From Green Point Lighthouse, 100 Beach Rd, Mouille Point, 8005, at 10 am.
Buddies Night Out
- Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 6 pm – Buddies Night Out – A pop-up street party and fun night out, hosted during large public holidays (NYE etc) and during the Pride celebrations.
- The party takes over Constitution Road and the District and Harringtons venue with an indoor and outdoor party.
ZER021 Party
- Awaiting dates – Who doesn’t love a party! Kick start Pride month with the Pride Party at Zer021!
- Zer021 Social Club, 46 Canterbury St, District Six, 7925
Crew Bar Party – Love Sucks Ball
- Awaiting dates – Tired of the Valentine’s Day hype? If love sucks, let’s have a Ball at Crew Bar!
Cape Town Gay Bars
- Cafe Manhattan – Long running popular gay bar and cafe with impressive cocktail menu and live shows with special theme parties. (De Waterkant)
- Zer021 – Hosts a busy cocktail hour, drag acts and live shows. Very busy during live show nights. (CBD)
- Pink Candy Night Club – Spacious night time club, perfect for dancing with live DJ. Open Turs to Sat. (CBD)
- Crew Bar – Located on Cobern Street in De Waterkant, this small bar and terrace is home to sexy bartenders, delicious cocktails and a friendly vibe. (Reopened in 2024 in a new location). Open daily from 6 pm to 2 am.
- Club Stargayzers – Large dance hall with superb music, drink specials and guest DJs.
- Shaft Cruise Zone – Gay cruise club with busy “underwear night” and very popular theme parties.
Gay Beaches
- Clifton 3rd Beach – Set between Camps Bay and Sea Point, just a short walk down steep steps from the road.
- 6–8 min from De Waterkant/Green Point; 10 to 12 min from V&A Waterfront.
- Relaxed, gay-friendly crowd on fine white sand. Great for soaking up sun and chatting with fellow travellers.
- Tip! The wind picks up later in the afternoon. Go early for calmer conditions and shade spots. Stay close by at The Glen Boutique Hotel.
- Sandy Bay – Located 25 to 30 min from De Waterkant/Green Point (ride to the car park).
- More secluded, clothing-optional sections, strong gay presence, quiet cruising beach.
- Taxi and rideshare services like Uber/Bolt are plentiful in busy season and a simple way to reach beaches quickly.
Where to stay in Cape Town?
De Waterkant is home to most of Cape Town’s gay bars and gay-friendly restaurants, shops and galleries. The following hotels are popular with our visitors to Cape Town and are close to the pride parade and activities. They are also gay-friendly.
The Westin, DysArt Boutique Hotel The Cape Royale The Capital Mirage
DeWaterkant, close to the gay bars.
Book now and pay on arrival.
The Glenn Hotel in Cape Town’s Seapoint.
Stylish, great pool and gay operated.
For further information and advice on
Cape Town Pride, check out The Website
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. take a look at booking.com
Address: Quay, 6 W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Address: Convention Square, Lower Long St, Cape Town City Centre
Address: 40 Chiappini St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001
Address: Moorings 5 & Portswood Ridge, 5 Portswood Rd
Address: 10 Hospital Street Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 32 Prestwich StreetCape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 23 Jarvis StreetGreen Point, Cape Town, 8051
Address: 137 Waterkant StreetCape Town, 8001,South Africa
Address: Victoria Rd, Clifton, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Address: Fulham Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Address: 84 Camps Bay Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040
Address: 23 Geneva Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Address: 74 Waterkant Street,Cape Town, 8001,South Africa
Address: 120 Strand St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 55 Prestwich St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 46 Canterbury St, District Six, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Address: 12 Cobern St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 299 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Address: 123 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Cape Town Pride Higlights
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

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