13 spots to celebrate New Year’s Eve in SA

Posted by Elise Kirsten on 29 November 2019

Whether you’re wanting a heart-pumping, foot-tapping experience or you’d prefer to bring in the new year with a lavish dinner and entertainment, here are a few fantastic events happening across South Africa to usher in 2020.

Dancing

1. Kinky Summer

Kinky Summer is Cape Town’s longest-running New Year’s Eve festival. The boutique-themed NYE party is decked out to an incredible theme every year and takes place on one of Franschhoek’s most beautiful estates. Welcoming revellers from over 60 countries, the occasion is an international New Year’s celebration that wow’s even the most seasoned party goers.

Artists include Matthew Mole, Parisian DJ & producer, German DJ Till von Sein, Boogie Vice, B_Type, Bronson, Strange Loving and Lady M.

General access: Early bird (sold out); phase 2 R580; phase 3 R680; phase 4 R780; final phase R880

VIP: R999 (sold out), phase 2 R1,150; final phase R1,450

Tickets available at howler.co.za

2. Secrets of Summer, Cape Town

One of Cape Town’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration returns! In collaboration with 5FM, Secrets of Summer boasts a huge lineup of artists.

There’ll be multiple themed stages and dance arenas, a man-made beach oasis – complete with soft beach sand, palm trees, day beds, splash pools, geodesic domes and lifeguard towers – all complemented by views of Table Mountain.

International artists include Faithless – DJ SET and Shapeless. A few of the other artists include Timo ODV, Locnville , Pascal & Pearce, Chunda Munki and Jack Parow.

General Access Ticket Pricing: Phase 1 Early Bird : R390 – currently on sale; Phase 2 Early Bird : R490; Phase 3 Early Bird: R690
Tickets available at howler.co.za

VIP Ticket Pricing: Phase 1 Early Bird VIP : R550 – currently on sale; Phase 2 Early Bird VIP : R720; Phase 3 Early Bird VIP: R1,100
Tickets available at howler.co.za

3. Plett NYE – Get Lucky Summer, Plettenberg Bay

This year, two big names , GoodLuck and Goldfish will be taking the stage for New Year’s Eve on the Plett rugby field and it’ll be a night to remember.

GoodLuck and Goldfish are well known in South Africa and overseas, for their high energy, vibey and unforgettable performances; making their combination at this concert one for the books. Supported by well-known bands and DJs, fully stocked bars and facilities and tempting food truck vendors, this New Year’s Eve is guaranteed to a great one.

Cost: Early bird R280; early bird group R250.00 (min 3 tickets & max 5); main sale R400; kids U12 R200

VIP: R780 (including own raised viewing deck, VIP area, bar area & VIP toilets)

VVIP: R2,700 (include drinks, food platters, own VVIP lounge, raised viewing deck & meet & greet with the artists)

Tickets: now at howler.co.za

4. Revolution NYE Open Air Festival, Hornbill Lodge, Magaliesberg

The ‘tribes of Johannesburg’s underground dance music will come together to present this earth-quaking, mind baking, soul-shaking 3-day open-air festival’ say the organisers of the techo event. It’ll feature two international acts and over 40 of South African top Psy Trance, Techno and Drum & Bass DJs / live acts on two stages at the Hornbill lodge in Magaliesburg.

Cost: Early bird R450 (sold out); presale limited tickets R500; Normal presale R520

VIP Tent Nation Motel R2,000 (2 man tent with mattress, 2 festival tickets, private camping area and parking close to the campsite.) There’s a R500 cash deposit on arrival which will be returned when you leave.

VIP Parking R1,300 (VIP including 2 festival tickets and parking close to the campsite).

Contact: Tel 27 82 900 7107 [email protected]

5. SuperSokkie at Big Top Arena, Carnival City – Johannesburg

On 31 December Carnival City will once again host the highly popular New Year’s Eve Super Sokkie in the Big Top Arena. This is the 5th year that the ‘hit after hit’ dance party will take place on New Year’s Eve on South Africa’s ‘biggest dance floor’.

You can look forward to partying into 2020 with Kurt Darren, Karlien van Jaarsveld, Dirk van der Westhuizen, Juan Boucher and Die Campbells.

There will be plenty of refreshments available from various food outlets.

Tickets: from R175 computicket.com

6. Living Room Rooftop Carnival, JHB

Music and good vibes are inevitable at The Living Room. Image by Gauteng Tourism Authority

General Admission prices: Early Bird: R250; Stage One: R350; Stage Two: R450; Door Sales: R500

Table Bookings: R720 per person which includes general admission and a bottle of champers, a private table with table service throughout event.

All tickets include a delicious welcome drink on arrival!

Book tables and tickets here: http://qkt.io/XZ4emC

7. Southbroom NYE Beach Party

Southbroom New Year’s Eve beach party take place on Southbroom main beach on 31 December. Described as KZN’s ‘largest and loudest New Year’s Eve beach party’ the lineup includes Chunda Munki (JHB), Royal K (JHB), Chris Taylor (CT), Jak Skandi (CT), Veranda Panda, Hart, Ryan Stylz, Ryan James and Mark Crundwell.

The event is strictly over 18 and gates open at 18:00. The VIP area includes a deck overlooking the lagoon with private bar and cocktail seating.

Tickets: Regular R250 (R300 on the day); VIP R450 (R500 on the day).

Tickets available at webtickets.co.za

Contact: 0834342421 Instagram: @bigniteoutproductions or Facebook

8. Anew Hotel Hilton 1980s New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pietermaritzburg

Party like it’s 1985 with the 80s-themed New Year’s Eve celebration event at ANEW Hotel Hilton on 31 December 2019. An 80s theme dinner and dance with light snacks at 19h00 and dinner at 20h00. There’ll be a free glass of sparkling wine or juice on arrival, live music/DJ, kids play area with child minder, big-screen movies and activities.

Cost: R450 per person, pensioners R350 per person
Book: via email to [email protected]

Eating

9. Pop the cork at Grande Provence, Franschhoek

Let Grande Provence whisk you away into 2020 and a new decade with a lavish six-course dinner and all-night entertainment to toast the New Year in Franschhoek. Winston Siljeur and his band, and incredible fire performers will up the tempo at this grande affair keeping guests entertained throughout the night until the magic hour.

Chef Marvin Robyn has put together a selection of festive dishes with his signature heritage twist. The menu includes marinated aubergine, confit shiitake mushrooms and smoked macadamia nuts to trigger your appetite, followed by cured yellowtail, grapefruit, fennel and sour onions.

Savour baby marrow risotto, mushrooms and cured egg yolk lemon truffle. Meat lovers will enjoy the beef brisket, pickled turnips, parmesan and horseradish. As a final indulgence to wrap up the year, banana carpaccio, sourdough ice-cream, salted fudge and chocolate tuiles will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Cost: R2,495 per person and includes bubbly on arrival. Pre-paid booking is essential.

Contact: [email protected] or phone 021-876 8600.

10. The 41 in Camps Bay, Cape Town

The 41 will be hosting a 20s-themed Charleston party to welcome in 2020 on 31 December from 7pm – 2am.

Don your tasselled sequined frocks or top hat and tails as you pay homage to this glamorous era at the 1920s soirée Années Folles (the name used to refer to the 1920s in France) at The 41 in Camps Bay. The dress code is Charleston, the dinner is four courses and the view is sunset over the beach. Dinner is over jazzy house music and the classically trained musician Liam Pitcher, will take to the decks and crank up the party from 10pm until 2am. You may also join for the party only, which commences after dinner.

Cost: Dinner: R1,600; Party: R500 – R800
Contact: [email protected], 021-437-0558

11. Piccolo Mondo NYE dinner, Michelangelo Hotel, Sandton

There’ll be live music and a delicious dinner at the Piccolo Mondo restaurant in Sandton’s five-star Michelangelo Hotel. The festivities start at 6:30pm on 31 December 2019 and run until 12:30am on 1 January 2020. The set menu includes a chose of starters from pan-seared duck with toasted brioche, duck liver pate and grape compote to Norwegian salmon and a vegetarian tomato mozzarella terrine. The main course will include options of grilled seabass with potato fondant, dhukkah-spiced beef fillet or wild mushroom and pea risotto. There will also be a trio of desserts to choose from.

Cost: R795 per person

Bookings: [email protected] or phone 011-282-7463

12. Gåte at Quoin Rock, Stellenbosch

Quoin Rock Wine Estate on Knorhoek Road in Stellenbosch is gearing up for a magical experience on New Year’s Eve. Guests have been warned to ‘expect the unexpected!’ This high-spirited occasion features a 14-course New Year’s dinner menu, a complimentary glass of festive-fizz upon arrival, global gastronomic food and wine pairing experience (non-alcoholic options available), waters for the table, and of course a festive after-dinner drink to spearhead the party.

Easing guests into the evening is jazz trio, Alvin Dyers and co. from 6pm to 10 pm, followed by a live DJ performance for uplifting upbeat entertainment driving Old Year’s Eve into 2020. Patrons will also be gifted with Black Series MCC to continue the celebration in the new year.

Cost: R4,000 per person, service fee included. Bookings in advance are essential.
Contact: 021-888-4750, [email protected], [email protected] quoinrock.co.za

13. Azure Restaurant, 12 Apostles Hotel, Oudekraal

Azure will be hosting a rollocking evening with music from the ‘swinging 60’s, seductive 70’s and over-the-top 80’s’. Great views, terrific music and menus celebrating the best produce of the season are bound to provide a New Year’s Eve to remember. The five-course set menu includes a drink on arrival, a glass of French Champagne at midnight and access to The Leopard Bar for the after party. Dress is black-tie/elegant.

Time: Arrive at 7.30pm for 8pm dinner
Cost: Five-course buffet menu; R3,650 per person at Azure or a three-course buffet menu; R3,250 per person at the 12 Apostle’s Atlantic Terrace Marquee.

Book: contact: +27 (0) 21 437 9029 or [email protected]