This year, the Festive Lights Switch-On adds a new layer of creativity and community spirit with the launch of the Mayor’s Festive-wear Challenge 2025 – under the banner _Wear the Hope – Share the Light._
For the past three years, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has kicked off the festive season in a different Christmas-themed jersey for the annual Festive Lights Switch-On. In 2025, that tradition evolves into something with a bit of fun for the whole city: a public design competition inviting all Capetonians – from young designers and fashion students to sewing clubs, schools, elders, and crafters – to create a fun festive-wear top (a jersey, pullover, shirt etc).
The winning creation will make its first public appearance, together with its creator at the testing of the City’s Festive Lights on 11 November 2025, before being worn by the mayor at the official Festive Lights Switch-On concert in front of 80 000 Capetonians.
‘The Festive Lights Switch-On is about more than switching on the bulbs – it’s about shining a light on Cape Town’s creativity, joy and hope. This year, through the “Wear the Hope – Share the Light”
challenge, I’m inviting every Capetonian to help usher in some festive fun. I can’t wait to wear the winning creation and showcase the talent of our people on stage,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
How to enter:
* Challenge opened on 12 September 2025 and closes at midnight on 6 October 2025
* Open to all Capetonians, individuals or groups (e.g. schools, clubs, families, communities).
Entry process:
- Submit a design sketch or concept description (PDF or photo) with a short write-up (max 300 words) explaining the inspiration, use of sustainable materials (if using), and the story behind the design.
- Entries must be emailed with the subject line: _Wear the Hope Challenge 2025_
- Include your full name, contact details (mobile phone and email), your location in Cape Town, and group/organisation name if applicable.
- Email to: wearhope@capetownfestivelights.co.za
- Judges will review entries and select finalists based on creativity, sustainability, theme interpretation, and craftsmanship.
- Judging criteria includes creativity & originality – festive in a fresh, unexpected way. Theme interpretation – a strong symbolic/visual expression of hope and unity. There will also be points for use of sustainable or upcycled materials, as well as craftsmanship and presentation that looks at the creation’s wearability, construction, and stage presence. Of equal importance, is the story behind the stitches and the community spirit.
Creative hint: The winning creation should visually shine under stage lights and reflect Cape Town’s vibrancy – joyful, hopeful, bold, and dignified.
The winner’s prize:
Unlike traditional competitions, this one is about honour, recognition, and community pride. The winner of the _Wear the Hope – Share the Light_ challenge will:
- Have their creation worn by the Mayor at the 2025 Festive Lights Switch-On, test drive and the main stage event to be witnessed by thousands.
- Be invited on stage with the Mayor to help shine the lights.
- Receive a professional photo shoot of the creation and the winning entrant(s),
- Have a community donation of creative material up to the value of R5 000 made in their name to a local sewing/knitting group, school, or creative hub.
- Production of the design is for the entrant’s own account.
Entries opened on 12 September and close on 6 October 2025. Submission details available at https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/festive-lights-switch-on