2016 is almost over and 2017 is looming on the horizon. Wondering where to party or what to do in South Africa this New Year’s Eve? We’ve picked our 26 of the hottest New Year’s Eve parties and events around South Africa for you. Choose from rock concerts, river rafting, dance parties, orchestral evenings, beach dinners or a festival of lights to celebrate the end of another year and usher in a brand new one.
New Year’s Eve parties in the Eastern Cape
1. New Year’s Eve Bash with Dynamic Sounds
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Morgan Bay Hotel
Tickets: From R420 per person
Contact: find the event on Facebook or contact 0438411064
This year’s festivities at the Morgan Bay Hotel include a Mexican theme with a buffet meal, that will be served with a free margarita when you arrive and live musical accompaniment. There will be a firework display at the stroke of midnight at The Deck Restaurant and Bar at the hotel.
2. Nieu Bethesda Festival of Lights
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Nieu Bethesda
Tickets: R150
Contact: Tel 0498411731, email [email protected], nieubethesda.org
The Bethesda Arts Centre, First People Centre, will be celebrating the arrival of the New Year with its usual Festival of Lights. This is a joyful alcohol-free family celebration, where everyone walks in a singing procession carrying their lanterns through Hightown (the local township) and then back to the centre for a braai and dancing to a live band. Those who would like to make a lantern can join a workshop during the two weeks before the Festival.
3. 3rd Annual Countdown Music Festival
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Buffalo City Stadium, East London
Tickets: From R200
Contact: Computicket for ticket purchases
The Countdown Music Festival is a musical celebration that will showcase the young and upcoming talent of the Eastern Cape. The event is hosted by Buffalo City Municipality Metro. The event starts at 17:00 pm and drinks will be available at the stadium.
New Year’s Eve parties in Gauteng
4. Razzle Dazzle NYE Party at Chicago Piano Bar
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Randpark Ridge
Tickets: From R200
Contact: www.facebook.com/Chicagos.Piano.Bar
Your fancy gown deserves a night out! Dine and dance into 2017 in style and don’t forget your mask. There’ll be live entertainment to lead you into the New Year and you can choose whether to indulge in a dinner and dance, or just dance.
5. Revolution New Year Open Air Music Festival
When: 30 December 2016 to 1 January 2017
Where: Hornbill Lodge, Magaliesberg
Tickets: R320
Contact: facebook.com/RevolutionNYE
Join the tribes of Johannesburg’s underground dance at this earth quaking, mind baking, soul shaking three-day open air festival, featuring international acts and over 40 of South Africa’s top trance, techno and drum & bass DJ’s with live acts on two stages.
6. The Barnyard Theatre 99 Hits Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: The Barnyard Theatre, Pretoria
Tickets: From R140
Contact: barnyardtheatre.co.za
Get ready for the most daring 99 Hits rock show ever to hit the Barnyard Theatre stage. Featuring a colourful versatile cast that will rewind to synth pop, new wave and arena rock in the most authentic style. Watch how Elvis takes on Cliff Richard and Cher takes on Mick Jagger, and how Katy Perry takes on Miley Cyrus. Watch the cast go driving down the road with songs such as Little Deuce Coupe by The Beach Boys, Greased Lightning from the musical Grease, Drive my Car by The Beatles, and I Drove all Night by Celine Dion.
7. Randlords New Years Bash
When: 31 December 2016
Where: 22nd floor South Point Towers, Johannesburg
Tickets: From R350
Contact: Facebook page
The theme at this year’s Randlords New Years Bash is dress to impress, which guarantees the night will be a grand affair. Upon arrival, you get a free welcome cocktail and canapes.
8. New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Fairway
When: 31 December 2016
Where: The Fairway Hotel & Golf Resort
Tickets: R 395 per person
Contact: 011 478 8000 or via email [email protected]
The Fairway Hotel and Golf Resort welcomes a Winter Wonderland affair and celebration, to end of the year 2016. This night will be a wonderful night out at the Balata Restaurant. A delicious buffet is on offer and some welcome bubbly when you arrive. Great live entertainment for the night with some golden oldies and party-starters songs will set the tone for the night.
9. Soweto Theatre in Colour Countdown
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Soweto Theatre
Tickets: Free Admission
Contact: 0119307461; sowetotheatre.com
Live music, local talent, DJs and comedians are what the very first Soweto Theatre has to offer. The line promises to offer the diversity that the city of gold has to offer.
New Year’s Eve parties in Kwa Zulu Natal
10. A Night at the Taj Mahal New Years Eve Dinner
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Oyster Box, Umhlanga Rocks
Tickets: From R2500
Contact: oysterboxhotel.com
Step into a world of beauty at the Taj Mahal… well, at the dazzling Oyster Box. The menu is inspired by Indian cuisine with Henna artists and Indian dancing. The dinner will consist of a three-course meal followed by a New Year’s celebration where DJ Daniel Israel will get you into the year 2017.
11. The Smoking Dragon New Year’s Eve Festival
When: 29 December 2016 to 1 January 2017
Where: Amphitheatre Backpackers
Tickets: From R695 per person
Contact: facebook.com/smokingdragonfestivals/
A three-day event with a variety of bands to appeal to a wide range of music lovers. Bands this year include The Kiffness, The Rudimentals, Sublime Tribute Show, Grassy Spark, The Dandies and more. There are also a variety of activities on offer suitable for families with small children, older folk and adrenaline junkies. All tickets allow you to camp on the festival grounds, including the one-day passes.
12. Ballito New Year’s Eve Street Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Ballito Street Party and Crush Night Club, Ballito
Tickets: From R400 per person
Contact: newyearsevesa.co.za/ballito
The biggest and loudest New Year’s Eve street party hits Durban’s North Coast with four dance floors and cutting-edge design and production. This year brings an incredible live component planned that you won’t want to miss!
New Year’s Eve parties in the Western Cape
13. Karoo Art Hotel New Year’s Eve
When: 30 December 2016 to 1 January 2017
Where: Karoo Art Hotel, Barrydale
Tickets: From R200 per person
Contact: karooarthotel.co.za, [email protected]
Swing into 2017 with singer, songwriter, guitarist and key vocalist from 90s era favourite: Nic Turner. There will also be supporting acts from legendary Schalk Joubert on the bass and Jannie Hannepoot Van Tonder playing the trombone.
14. Rezonance Festival
When: 30 December 2016 to 2 January 2017
Where: Pat Busch Mountain Reserve in Robertson’s
Tickets: From R500
Contact: rezonancefestival.com
Four music arenas, magical décor, world-class sound system and the perfect space for reckless abandon and general mayhem with the hottest local trance, progressive, drum & bass, techno, chill and dub step acts. Plenty of food options will be offer as well as a flea market with jewellery, clothing and more.
15. Kirstenbosch New Year’s Eve Concert
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town
Tickets: R375 per person
Contact: www.sanbi.org
This year sees South Africa’s best-known Johnny Clegg as the headline act and Slow Jack as a guest act, at the New Years concert. This is a picnic-style concert, so don’t forget to take a blanket and a picnic basket.
16. HQ New Year’s Eve Experience
When: 31 December 2016
Where: HQ, Shortmarket Street
Tickets: R700 per person includes canapés and Ciroc Cocktails on arrival, followed by a 3-course dinner
Contact: find the event on Facebook
HQ is transforming itself into a Tropcal Paradise, so guests can groove into 2017 in style. Tickets include a welcome cocktail, light canapés, and entertainment in the bar.
17. The Bungalow New Year’s Eve Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: The Bungalow, Clifton
Tickets: From R950 per person
Contact: thebungalow.co.za/
This promises to be a memorable night with including bubbles on arrival, dinner and a DJ/Dancefloor as entertainment. Get up close and personal with the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying two dance floors to let loose on.
18. FOREX 007 New Year’s Eve Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: The Foreign Exchange Bar, Cape Town
Tickets: From R150
Contact: find the event on Facebook
This year’s theme is “From Russia With Love: Moscow” and party goers are expected to dress in attire worthy of this classic Bond movie. There will be canapes and snacks, champagne upon arrival and at midnight, a photo booth and a dance floor with a DJ spinning tunes will into the early hours of 2017.
19. Kinky Summer New Year’s Eve Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: La Paris, Franschhoek
Tickets: From R550
Contact: facebook.com/KinkySummerNYE
Party the night away in a lush paradise, where imagination and whimsical delight are cherished and nurtured. Featuring five international artists, an extra special revival stage, a beautiful island and festival food area. Transport to and from the venue available (R150) and you can opt to spend the night in a tepee (R1600, sleeps four).
20. Reuben’s Restaurant
When: 31 December 2016
Where: One and Only, Cape Town
Tickets: From R 750 per person
Contact: oneandonlyresorts.com
Reuben’s Restaurant situated at the One and Only, will host a New Year’s Eve dinner. The three-course meal will include some drinks and good food, entertainment and a day to make sure you dance all the way into the New Year.
21. PACHA Ibiza Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Grand Café & Beach Bar, Cape Town
Tickets: From R750
Contact: facebook.com/PachaSouthAfrica
Ibiza’s most famous nightclub returns to Cape Town this summer, for an exclusive event to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style. This year sees Ibiza resident DJs Danny Wade and Josef Bamba along with selected local DJs, while the famous Pacha Ibiza dancers will also be in attendance.
22. The Cape Town Comedy Club New Year’s Eve Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: The Pumphouse, V&A Waterfront
Tickets: R350
Contact: capetowncomedy.com
In addition to an awesome comedy show, you can enjoy great food and good music, while relaxing, laughing and having fun. There will be five comedians (Shimmy Isaacs, Martin Davis, Devin Gray, Dalin Oliver and Lungelo Ndlovu), a champagne cocktail on arrival and an after party with DJ Aaron. A la carte menu and a NYE Specials menu available.
23. Six of the Best at the Barnyard Theatre
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Willowbridge, Cape Town
Tickets: R140
Contact: www.barnyardtheatre.co.za
A roller coaster ride of Six of the Best featuring a cast of singers, musicians and dancers. Spend the last night of 2016 with Freddie Mercury, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Billy Joel, Cher & Pink.
24. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Street Party
When: 31 December 2016
Where: New Church / Bree Street, Cape Town
Tickets: From R200
Contact: facebook.com/fireandice
New Church Street will be transformed into a carnival fiesta with a continuous flow of house and hip hop beats, mixed with old time favourites. Revellers will also experience the excitement of a massive screen projection for a New Year’s Eve countdown with confetti cannons and lasers.
25. Red Carpet at the Twelve Apostles
When: 31 December 2016
Where: Azure Restaurant, 12 Apostles Hotel
Tickets: R 2 950 per person
Contact: https://www.12apostleshotel.com/
Have a classy celebration this New Year’s Eve with at the Twelve Apostles Oscars New Year’s Eve party. Glitz, glamour and champagne. the night will include a 5-course menu, a glass of sparkling wine on arrival. Dress in Oscar glam and black tie.
26. New Year on the Breede River: Round the Bend 2016/17
When: 30 December 2016 to 2 January 2017
Where: Breede River, near Swellendam (Up The Creek Camp)
Cost: From R2450 per person
Contact: felixunite.com
See the New Year in while experiencing outdoor fun and adventure on the Breede River! The cost includes a New Year Party with spit braai, accommodation, river rafting and all meals. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
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