Tips to help you have a wonderful day.
For many of us, Pride is the highlight of the year and we can go a bit overboard. But hey, it’s our day to be whoever we want to be, protest or celebrate or both. So whether you want to liberate your inner drag, release the bear, unfetter your Sapphic yearnings, break down the closet doors, be Out and Proud and Queer, here’s how to do it safely while still having loads of fun. Let nobody rain on your Parade!
Try to get enough sleep the night before. You know it’s going to be a long day
If you are going to march in the Parade, wear comfortable shoes. It’s 2km from de Waterkant to Green Point Track.
Please let the official parade of vehicles, floats and registered organisations proceed first. You may join the parade after they have gone by.
Pay attention to the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement officials and Pride Parade Marshals, who will be wearing yellow T-shirts with ‘Marshal’ printed in red on both sides. They are there for your safety. Please stay within the confines of the Parade.
Wear a hat, unless you have on a magnificent headdress, which will probably do the trick too. It’s always very hot, and as the saying goes, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, unless you’re a queen at the Pride Parade. A parasol can also work.
Sunscreen is a must on the Parade and at the Mardi Gras, especially if you’re gonna show off what your Mama gave you. You don’t want to display a farmer’s tan later at the club.
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate! And no, tequila is not the answer. Bring water if you are marching. Remember to throw your empty bottle in a bin. No alcohol is permitted on the Parade. You can drink as much Jagermeister as you like later at the Mardi Gras.
Look after your phone and wallet. It can be hard when you are wearing nothing more than a G-string. For the less flamboyant, wear something with zips or button-up pockets, or put them in your front pockets.
Free passage on golden arrow bus services on Pride Day. If you live near a Golden Arrow bus route you can travel to the CBD for FREE on Saturday 1 March, on presentation of a ticket to the Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras.Free rides from 8:30AM to 8PM on existing bus routes. There is limited service on a Saturday, especially after 5:30PM. There will be no extra services scheduled after 8PM.
Don’t check that dating app every three minutes. There are thousands of fabulous queer people all around you. Go and talk to them. It’s Pride, everyone’s a little more approachable than usual
Be nice. Leave your Fashion Photo RuView comments at home. It’s our day for self-expression however we chose to do so, so nobody needs judgement. We get enough of that on a daily basis from the rest of society.
Don’t feel up a drag queen’s boobs or bum and don’t touch their hair. It’s just rude.
Pick up some free condoms and lube or find out about PrEP at one of the public health tents that will be at the Mardi Gras.
If you are going to take recreational drugs, do it safely. It’s not a good idea to mix with alcohol. Stay with friends you trust and if you feel unwell, there is a first aid unit at the Mardi Gras. Take care; you don’t want to end the day in cells or in casualty.
Get an Uber home or jump on a bus. There’s a MyCiti terminus just opposite the stadium.
Above all, have a wonderful day! Happy Pride!
The 2025 Cape Town Pride Parade departs at the intersection of Alfred and Prestwich Streets at 11am on Saturday 1 March, starting at the intersection of Alfred and Prestwich Streets in de Waterkant at 11am. The Pride Mardi Gras follows at Green Point Track straight after.
Please note that tickets are only available online. NO tickets will be available for sale at the venue.
