Comedy winners to perform at festive lights switch-on

Aspiring comedians in Cape Town now have a chance to showcase their talent and win big with the City’s People of Hope Comedy Competition, a new addition to this year’s Festive Lights Switch-On celebrations. The competition, which aims to highlight the city’s unique sense of humor, offers a R10,000 grand prize and an exciting live performance opportunity at the highly anticipated Festive Lights Switch-On concert and event at the Grand Parade on Sunday, December 1st.

The People of Hope Comedy Competition is open to comedians of all ages who can bring their best “hopeful humor” to the stage. Whether you’re an emerging comic or a seasoned performer, this competition is a chance to share your unique perspective with a broader audience.

Prizes and Performance Opportunities

The winner of the competition will walk away with R10,000, while the second-place contestant will take home R5,000 and the third-place winner will receive R2,000. In addition to the cash prizes, the top three finalists will also perform live at the City of Cape Town’s iconic Festive Lights Switch-On event, making it a fantastic platform for showcasing their comedic skills to thousands of attendees.

Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, highlighted the significance of humor in bringing people together: “This year’s Festive Lights Switch-On is about more than just lights – it’s about the people of Cape Town. Our people are people of hope who express themselves through humor that shines from the heart of Cape Town. There’s something magical about laughing together – it’s a shared experience, and Capetonians know how to have a good time. I’m excited to celebrate the incredible talent that makes this city special and look forward to meeting everyone on the Grand Parade for a good chuckle and some great entertainment.”

How to Enter

To enter, participants must submit a one-minute stand-up comedy video that reflects the theme “People of Hope.” The video should be original, family-friendly, and contain no offensive content, political or religious commentary—just clean, positive humor. The goal is to create laughter and uplift audiences, in line with the theme of hope.

Entries should be submitted via social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X (formerly Twitter). To ensure the entry is recognized, participants must tag the official Cape Town Festive Lights account (@CTFestiveLights) and use the hashtags #PeopleOfHopeLaugh and #CTFestiveLights.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 15th. After the closing date, the top 10 finalists will be selected and invited to perform in a live “laugh-off” at the V&A Waterfront on Saturday, November 23rd.

Judging Panel

A panel of esteemed South African comedians, including Lunga Tshuka, Angel Campey, and Stuart Taylor, will judge the competition. These talented comedians will evaluate performances based on originality, humor, and how well the contestants reflect the theme of hope in their routines.

A Platform for Emerging Talent

This competition is not only a chance to win cash prizes but also an opportunity for emerging comedians to gain exposure and connect with fans and industry professionals. Performing at the Festive Lights Switch-On event provides a unique platform for both amateur and established comedians to showcase their talents to a larger audience.

Stay Connected

For more information on the competition and the Festive Lights Switch-On event, follow the official social media accounts for Cape Town Festive Lights. You can find updates on Facebook (@CTFestiveLights), Instagram (@ctfestivelights), TikTok (@CTFestiveLights), and YouTube (@CapeTownFestiveLightsSwitch-On).

So, if you’ve got a joke or a story that can bring joy and laughter, enter the People of Hope Comedy Competition today!