Festival attendance and socio-cultural impacts: Views from the Cape Town carnival

Abstract

This study explores festival attendees’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of the Cape Town Carnival, a major cultural festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Since its inception in 2010, the Carnival has grown into a key economic and social event, promoting community engagement, empowerment, and cultural diversity. The research aims to determine the socio-cultural positioning of the event through a quantitative enquiry conducted over two years (2023–2024) with 1,214 attendees. Data revealed positive attendee experiences, highlighting social inclusion, a sense of belonging, and a strong representation of Cape Town’s cultural diversity. Findings underscore the Carnival’s role in fostering diverse attendee profiles and its contribution to sustainable cultural practices. This study provides valuable insights for event organisers and practitioners, emphasising the importance of socio-cultural impacts in planning culturally sustainable festivals. The study aligns with the theme of social inclusivity and cultural sustainability in festivals.