Our top NYE options
7 Dec 2015
For me, New Year's Eve is inevitably a let down: you put way too much pressure on having the most amazing night ever, but then your phone gets stolen, you get stuck in traffic 10 minutes before countdown, your best friend throws up in your car - and if you have no plans you can't help but feel like the loneliest person on the planet. Yeah, NYE parties can go horribly horribly wrong.
However if you haven't made a plan yet and are not going somewhere quiet and secluded here are a couple of our top local picks for seeing the New Year in.
The festival
NYE parties at music festivals have many things going for them; you don't have to drive, they're out of the hustle and bustle of the city, you generally have a recovery day, which can take place in a cooling river.
Our top pick if in the Western Cape is Electric Vines, which takes place at Wildekrans Wine Estate, an hour's drive from Cape Town, over the 30 and 31 December. The local line-up features party-starters of note: Goldfish, Shortstraw, PHFat, Dean Fuel, Desmond and the Tutus and many more. Look at all those put on your dancing shoes artists. Tickets range from R490 to R2000. (Unfortunately Electric Vines has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales)
If in Gauteng, Revolution NYE, taking place at Hornbill Lodge in Magaliesburg, is probably your best outdoor bet. Featuring international and local psytrance and electro acts this is one for the trance bunnies. Tickets are R300.
While Smoking Dragon New Year's Eve Festival held at the Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge in the Northern Drakensberg from 29 December to 1 January cannot be missed if in KZN. This festival offers pool lounging, mountain biking and hot-air ballooning amongst top local acts Haezer, The KIffness, Zebra and Giraffe, Diamond Thug, Albert Frost and many more. Tickets range from R560 to R800.
The out-of-town party
If you want to make a little holiday adventure of your New Year's, then you can do no wrong with the Vic Falls Carnival taking place at Victoria Falls (obviously) in Zim from 29 to 31 December. The carnival includes an epic steam train journey through the Vic Falls National Park and African Bush on the 29th and the NYE party includes stilt walkers, fire dancers, Mango Groove, Goodluck and the best of the best of African musicians and DJs. Tickets range from R862 to R933.
The shmodel party
If you like your skirts short or your girls in short skirts then Cape Town Calling at Bungalow in Clifton might be your perfect party option. DJs deluxe, a fountain of cocktails, this is the party for the flash and the shmodels. Tickets range from R450 to R850.
While Joburg sees the stylish flock to NYE 2015 at the swish VSP Lounge in Sandton to for a night of decadence and dancing. Tickets range from R220 - R6200.
The street party
If you're brave enough to tackle the crowds and chaos of a street party, then the Ballito New Year's Eve Street Party is probably your safest option, being Ballito and all. Featuring Goldfish and Das Kapital this is one for the bar and party hoppers. Tickets range from R299 to R590.
The chilled options
Who says NYE has to be all about dancing and shots? Here a few options for those looking for a more sedate time:
- Enjoy dinner and a magical show at Madame Zingara's The Celebration at Montecasino. Tickets are R1250 to book call 0861 623 263.
- Watch the fireworks and sip champagne aboard one of the NYE boats cruises at the Waterfront. Prices range from R650 to R1000 per person.
- Pack a picnic basket and head to the lush Kirstenbosch Gardens for its NYE concert featuring the ever-popular Jeremy Loops and Grassy Spark. Tickets cost R330.
Happy New Year's lovelies, whichever party path you may choose!
