V&A Waterfront to replace New Year's Eve fireworks display with beam of light

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town will replace its annual New Year's Eve fireworks display with a beam of light that will be visible throughout the city and suburbs that have a view of the city bowl.

The beam, which consists of 36 vertical searchlights, forms part of the Waterfront’s Tribute of Light symbolising the lives that were lost, the jobs that were affected, the coming together of a nation in solidarity and ultimately for hope in the new year.

“We are using the symbolic warmth of light to draw us to a moment to connect, even though we are physically apart, and hope everyone who sees it takes the time to contemplate on themes of compassion, solidarity, connection, inspiration and collaborations we have been able to demonstrate and experience during a very uncertain period. New Year’s Eve will mark the first time in the V&A Waterfront’s 30-year history that we won’t see crowds converging in our neighbourhood for the traditional countdown to a fireworks display at midnight to usher in the New Year,” says David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.

The beam will light up for an hour at midnight on 31 December and daily for an hour at 9pm for the following six days into the new year.

For more information, please visit the V&A Waterfront website.