Cape Town is living up to its intention of being the "party capital" of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, with the city set to host a number of parties and events for the entire duration of the month-long tournament.

On the eve of the kick-off, the City of Cape Town will welcome the world to the Mother City with a street festival.

This will include a parade featuring 2 000 people, the switch-on of the special soccer-themed street lights in Adderley Street, and a concert on the Grand Parade, featuring a guest performance by American R&B superstar R Kelly and acts such as the world-renowned Haindling Bavarian Band. Most of the performers will be local, and include Vicky Sampson (who will perform My African Dream), HHP, JR, Kurt Darren, Vicky Sampson, Flip a Coin, Fancy Galada, Locnville, Emo Adams, Joey Rasdien, the Lindiwe Suttle Band, DJ Reddy, as well as Soli Philander.

The official FIFA Fan Fest™ on the Grand Parade will be open on all 24 match days, between 11:00 and 23:00. Entrance is free.

It promises to offer "the most fun you can have without a ticket" and aims to recreate the stadium atmosphere. Matches will be broadcast on a giant screen and there will be over 100 performances by various artists, including Goldfish, K'naan, African Marimba bands, local DJs and new and emerging talent.

There will also be arts & craft stalls, food and beverage stands and interactive activity zones.
The Fan Walk, between the Fan Fest and station and the Cape Town Stadium, will also be abuzz with many entertainment options.

The City's four Public Viewing Areas or Fan Jols will cater for those who do not want to come into the city centre, but want to experience the atmosphere of watching the games in big crowds. These will be at Bellville Velodrome; Swartklip Stadium in Mitchells Plain; Oliver Tambo Sports Hall in Khayelitsha; and Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone.

Meanwhile, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) will host Cape Town's Biggest Football Party between 11 June and 12 July.

The venue will be open from noon until the early hours of each morning, and aims to be the main after-party venue. Matches will be shown live on six big screens, and top musicians will perform. International acts include Fatboy Slim and Dizzee Rascal while DJ Fresh, Euphonik, Roger Goode and a host of other local acts will also keep the party going well into the night.

The CTICC will also feature a Chill Zone, fashion shows, and activity zones with five-a-side soccer pitches.

An added bonus is that all of this will take place indoors, meaning that should Cape Town's famous rainy winter weather set in, partygoers will have a warm and dry place to party.

The nearby V&A Waterfront will also offer a variety of entertainment options for fans of all ages.

The much-talked-about new 50-metre-high observation wheel – The Wheel of Excellence – will be operational and will offer panoramic views of Cape Town. Trips will cost R70.

There will also be numerous spectator zones where fans can watch live matches throughout the Waterfront.

The MTN Fan Zone at the Clock Tower Square will offer live screenings and entertainment.
The adidas Football Experience will have a mini pitch and goal wall, as well as a virtual kick-off with some top soccer stars.

The Lookout, an exclusive rooftop marquee venue with panoramic views, will also accommodate up to 700 people.

"The City wants to position itself as the party capital of the world," says Cape Town Executive Mayor, Dan Plato.

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