This year, start afresh by celebrating New Year in South Africa. Head to one of the famous tourist places, South Africa, and explore while creating new memories with loved ones. One visits cafes, restaurants, or clubs to celebrate the New Year. But, this time, celebrate it with a twist by travelling to new places in South Africa for an exhilarating experience.
13 Things To Do During New Year In South Africa (Updated 2025)
The following are some things to do to welcome the New Year in South Africa with a blast. These things will surely make your New Year vacation in South Africa a grand gala.
- Orange River Rafting
- Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
- Revolution New Year Open Air Music Festival
- NYE Cruise
- Hot Air Balloon Safari
- Rezonance New Year’s Eve Trance Party
- The Barnyard Theatre 99 Hits Party
- New Year’s Festival Of Light
- The Smoking Dragon New Year Festival
- Makakatana Bay Lodge
- Secrets Of Summer Festival
- Southbroom Beach Party
- Anew Hotel Hilton
1. Orange River Rafting
Welcome the brand-new year in a unique South African style on the banks of the Orange River, amidst the scenic beauty of the mountainous, semi-desert region in the Northern Cape. A perfect new year for the adventurous traveller in you, your canoe down the river, give your body warm sun bathe, and narrate stories at a campfire. This is one of the best ways to enjoy a New Year’s Eve in South Africa.
Fee: 3,190 Rand per adult for a three-day trip
Address: South Namibia, Namibia., Namibia
Phone: +27 21 559 1573
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2. Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
The Waterfront hosts one of the most populous and fun New Year’s parties in Cape Town. They have introduced various entertainment zones for outdoor sport-loving people and various one-of-a-kind carnival performances, ending majestically with a magnificent firework display at midnight. At around 5 p.m., every zone is one by one with circus performances, roaming musicians, bands, dancers, floats and carnival characters. Hundreds of restaurants and food trucks serve delicious delicacies for the guests and participants.
Address: 19 Dock Rd, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Hours: Closes 9 PM
Phone: +27 21 408 7600
3. Revolution New Year Open Air Music Festival
Revolution is an outdoor fest hosted at Gauteng yearly, a total quaking, pumping three-day open-air extravaganza. Party freaks should check out the details of this event and venue. They can look forward to two epic stages, two international artists, + 40 DJs and live shows with mind-boggling UV decor and appealing sound and lighting. There will also be tent zones, spaces for hot showers, pools and licensed retro bars. This is one of the best music festivals in Moscow.
Fee: From R380
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4. NYE Cruise
Cruise along Table Bay Harbor and enjoy the balmy mood while you sip on sparkling wine. Experience the vibes on board a traditional catamaran and witness the spectacular midnight fireworks display.
Fee: From 750 per person
5. Hot Air Balloon Safari
Witness the new year’s first sunrise in the skies floating above the spectacular Magalies River Valley. Post the scenic 60-minute flight, land down to a delicious champagne breakfast at Bill Harrop’s balloon base in the Cradle of Nature.
Fee: 2570 Rand per person
Address: Skeerpoort, 2146, South Africa
Hours: Closes -8PM ⋅ Opens 6 AM
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6. Rezonance New Year’s Eve Trance Party
If you want to escape the city lights and yet have a rocking New Year party, keep no doubts and head straight to the Pat Busch Mountain Reserve in Robertson. Resonance is a mind-rocking party they host yearly on new year’s Eve. The event is four days long, filled with crazy beats and a stellar lineup featuring international psytrance, dub, techno, and electronica DJs. Guests can even pitch tents or rent one of the pre-pitched tents for the long weekend.
Fee: From 500 Rand -680 Rand per person
7. The Barnyard Theatre 99 Hits Party
The Barnyard Theatre at the Emperor’s Palace hosts a retro style 90s Mania New Year’s Eve party. It’s basically a celebration of the 90s and with a variety of cool music such as pop, rock, alternative and the time lapses back into that decade. If you want to rewind yourselves to a decade back this new year this is the place you should not miss.
Fee: 395 Rand
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8. New Year’s Festival Of Light
The lantern parade is a heart delighting and inspiring community event organized by the Bethesda Arts Center in the small Eastern Cape town of Niue Bethesda. Head to this place to enjoy a New Year’s Eve in Cape Town. You can join this magical parade at sharp 8 p.m. This parade takes you through the town under a starlit sky and ends at the Arts Center, where feasting takes place. You can even create your lantern at one of the workshops or have the community artists make one for you and float it off. This is like one of the New Year traditions in South Africa.
Fee: Visit the official website
9. The Smoking Dragon New Year Festival
The Drakensberg is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world and the best place to celebrate New Year in South Africa. Celebrate this new year at the star attraction of Drakensberg with the Amphitheater as its centrepiece. This fest, hosted at the Amphitheater Backpackers Lodge, features a stages-40 acts package. Other features the hosts offer include a campsite that has complementary hot showers, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a rock pool, and much more.
Fee: From 695 Rand
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10. Makakatana Bay Lodge
Have a serene and relaxed New Year’s in the lap of nature and wildlife at their best at the Makakatana Lodge, located in the magnificent iSiMangaliso Wetlands Park on Lake St Lucia. The park is a declared World Heritage Site that harbours unspoiled beaches, vast wetlands, and game reserves. The lodge offers game drives, safari tours, and more.
Fee: From 7,900 Rand for two people sharing per night
Address: iSi Mangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia, 3935, South Africa
11. Secrets Of Summer Festival
Secrets of Summer is one of the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in South Africa. The festival’s organizers collaborate with 5FM to create this fantastic event, which includes heart-throbbing performances by renowned artists like Faithless and Shapeless. There is a man-made oasis where you can enjoy yourself without limits and dance arenas where you can dance the night away.
Fee: From 390 Rand
Address: Cape Town
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12. Southbroom Beach Party
If you love beach parties, then you should not miss out on Southbroom, one of the biggest events in South Africa, on New Year’s Eve. The party takes place on the beach of Southbroom beginning from 31 December. Some of the artists that perform here are Chunda Munki (JHB), Royal K (JHB), Chris Taylor (CT), Jak Skandi (CT), Veranda Panda, Hart, Ryan Stylz, and more.
Fee: 250 Rand
13. Anew Hotel Hilton
Anew Hotel Hilton offers one of the most dashing parties on New Year’s Eve for families. The theme is the 80s, so dress accordingly and learn some dance steps, too. You will get some free wine and snacks on arrival. Enjoy soothing music from the DJ, a delicious dinner, and movies.
Address: 1 Hilton Ave, Hilton, Pietermaritzburg, 3245, South Africa
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Indulging in these exciting things to do in the new year in South Africa will certainly not disappoint you. If you don’t want to miss your best New Year experiences, plan a trip to South Africa now and welcome the year with wide open arms.
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Frequently Asked Questions About New Year In South Africa
How does South Africa celebrate New Year?
A large population of South Africa parties all night. People indulge in extravagant dinners, drinks, and dances. There are fireworks and a countdown when midnight strikes. The church bell chimes to declare the New Year officially. Johannesburg nightlife is known to be happening and lit.
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Is New Year’s Eve a public holiday in South Africa?
Most businesses, offices and public schools are closed on the next day of the New Year’s Eve if it falls on a Sunday. However, public transport is not affected.
Which are the best places to celebrate the New Year in South Africa?
Here are the best places to celebrate the New Year in South Africa:
1. Clifton Beach, Cape Town
2. Nederburg Wine Estate, Paarl
3. KwaZulu Natal, Durban
4. District Six, Cape Town
Which country celebrates New Year in September?
Ethiopia and Eritrea are the African countries that celebrate New Year in September. It is called Enkutatash and is celebrated on 11th September according to the Gregorian Calendar.
Where should one go for New Year Eve in Durban?
There are many places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Durban. Some of them are:
1. 9th Avenue Bistro
2. Bel Punto
3. The Chef’s Table
4. Vasco’s Restaurant
5. The Ocean Terrace.
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