Festive Lights Switch-On

09 September 2026

With a history spanning over five decades, the City of Cape Town ushers in the festive season by illuminating Adderley Street with a series of festive light motifs, and a free music and entertainment event held on the Grand Parade in front of City Hall.

What if your creativity became a Beacon of Hope for Cape Town this festive season?

Every year, the Festive Lights Switch-On brings Capetonians together under thousands of lights. It is a moment of celebration, connection and shared pride.

For the second year, residents have the opportunity to become part of that story through the return of the Wear the Hope, Share the Light Design and Make Challenge.

The challenge invites Capetonians to design the festive-wear top that will be worn by the Mayor of Cape Town during the 2026 Festive Lights celebrations.

Participants are encouraged to create a design inspired by this year’s theme, Beacon of Hope, that reflects the spirit, resilience, creativity and optimism that make Cape Town shine.

Whether you are an experienced designer, student, artist, sewing enthusiast, part of a school or community organisation, or simply someone with a creative idea, this challenge is open to everyone. You do not need to be a professional designer to enter.

Challenge criteria

• Design concepts should be inspired by the Beacon of Hope theme. The design may take the form of a jersey, pullover, shirt, jacket or another suitable festive-wear top. 
• Designs should be festive, creative, bold and wearable while capturing the essence of Cape Town and the values of hope, togetherness, celebration and community spirit. 
• We encourage you to incorporate sustainable thinking into your concepts through the use of recycled or upcycled materials.

How to enter

At this stage, you are only required to submit a design concept and not a completed garment.

• Your submission should include a design sketch, drawing or visual representation of your proposed festive-wear top. 
• This can be submitted as a PDF or a clear photograph. 
• Alongside the design, you must provide a written motivation of no more than 300 words explaining the inspiration behind the concept, how it reflects the Beacon of Hope theme, the story it tells and how sustainable materials could be incorporated into the final garment. 
• Include your full name, contact details, area of residence within Cape Town and, where applicable, the name of your school, organisation or group. 
• Email entries to wearhope@capetownfestivelights.co.za using the subject line “Wear the Hope Challenge 2026”.

Important dates

• Entries close: 2 October 2026 
• Winning garment should be completed by 6 November 2026 
• Winning design will be presented to the mayor on 11 November 2026

Late entries will not be considered.

What happens after you enter?

• All eligible submissions will first be reviewed by an internal panel. From there, the top five designs will be shortlisted and submitted to a panel of independent judges. 
• After reviewing the shortlisted concepts, the judges will select the winning design. 
• Entries will be assessed on creativity, originality, interpretation of the theme, sustainability considerations, craftsmanship, visual impact, wearability and storytelling. 
• Judges will be looking for a design that can shine under the lights of one of Cape Town’s most iconic celebrations while embodying the city’s hopeful and vibrant spirit.

Important information for finalists

• You should not produce your garments before the winner is selected. Only the winning entrant or team will be required to create the final garment. 
• To assist with production, the winner will receive one of the mayor’s previous festive-wear tops for sizing purposes. 
• This garment remains the property of the City and must be returned once the final design has been completed. 
• Please note that production costs associated with the final garment will be the responsibility of the winning entrant or team.

Winner recognition

While there is no cash prize, the winning designer or team’s creation will become the official festive-wear garment worn by the Mayor during the 2026 Festive Lights celebrations.

The winning design will be showcased through City and Festive Lights Switch-On communication platforms, providing valuable recognition and exposure.

In addition, the winner will have the opportunity to nominate a Cape Town community project who will receive R5 000 worth of arts supplies.

Cape Town’s story has always been written by its people. Your creativity could become a symbol of hope, worn at one of the city’s most beloved celebrations and seen by thousands across the Mother City.

For any enquiries, please contact wearhope@capetownfestivelights.co.za.