The festive season is fast approaching, and few experiences herald the start of the holidays like a tree lighting ceremony. The dazzling lights, the collective countdown to the flip of the switch and a sense of anticipation in the air. There’s a reason why from New York’s Rockefeller Centre to Palace Square in St.Petersburg, tree lighting ceremonies attract thousands of revellers each year, and none now more eagerly anticipated than that of Cape Town’s Moët & Chandon Golden Tree.
Capetonians and visitors alike are once again invited to bring their festive cheer to the Moët & Chandon Golden Tree Lighting Ceremony – taking place on Friday the 29th of November from 6:30pm at the V&A Waterfront Silo District.
Moët & Chandon’s Golden Tree Lighting Ceremony
In honour of the Springbok Rugby team’s epic World Cup 2019 win, legendary Captain Siya Kolisi will this year be given the honour of flicking the Golden Tree’s switch and declaring the festive season officially open. SA stars Boity Thulo, Katleho Sinivasan and members of the World Cup-winning Springbok team will also be in attendance.
“The Moët & Chandon Golden Tree has become a symbol of festive celebration and marks the opening of the holiday season in South Africa. Moët & Chandon Impérial also celebrates its 150th anniversary this year and the Springboks have brought the World Cup Rugby trophy home – there are so many reasons to join us and celebrate!” says Pascal Asin, Moët Hennessy Managing Director Africa & Middle East.
Light It Up
Indeed, 2019 is also the 150th anniversary of the Moët Imperial, the Maison’s flagship champagne and a global symbol of celebration. Indeed, from the world’s sporting podiums to Hollywood’s red carpet, Moët Impérial has marked personal and public milestones and launched celebratory traditions. Now in its third year, South Africa’s Moët & Chandon Golden Tree Lighting Ceremony has too found its rightful place in the festive history books.
Built with over 2000 recycled champagne bottles and sitting at an awe-inspiring four-storeys high, the Moët & Chandon Golden Tree is wrapped in a shimmering gold ribbon created using over 2000 discs.
Expect an unforgettable lighting display to themed festive music, with 230 metres of dazzling LED lights individually programmed to illuminate in time with the music.
Music and Dance Performances
Visitors to the Moët & Chandon Golden Tree Lighting Ceremony will enjoy performances by internationally revered opera singers Given Nkosi and Magdalene Minnaar – a voice you may recognise from the opening of the Cape Town Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as the Cape Town Youth Choir. This year’s ceremony will also include unforgettable dance performances.
The lighting ceremony this year takes place on Friday the 29th of November and those hoping to attend are advised to arrive at the V&A Waterfront Silo District well in advance of the 19h00 start, as this experience attracts a crowd of thousands.
For the first time, visitors will be able to purchase Moët & Chandon minis from dedicated bars around the tree and festive specials will be available at selected restaurants.
And this year, for those that miss the opening ceremony, in the spirit of festive generosity Moët & Chandon have organised an additional 3 Festive Fridays: 6th, 13th and 20th December, which will include a Golden Tree lighting experience.
Need-to-Know Event Info
- The Moët Golden Tree Lighting Experience is open to the general public at no cost on Friday the 29th of November.
- The event will run from 18h30 to 21h30
- The Moët & Chandon Christmas Tree is located in front of Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront Silo District.
- The design-driven district is home to a host of retailers including Lindt, Kirsten Goss and Kat van Duinen. With shops open until 20h00, visitors are also invited to indulge in some late-night Christmas shopping on the 29th of November, as well as delicious Moët & Chandon festive specials at participating restaurants in the Silo District.
- Festive Fridays, which include additional tree lighting experiences, will take place on the 6th, 13th and 20th December
The Moët Golden Tree will be situated in the Silo District until 6th January.
Update December 4th 2019
It was a balmy Cape Town evening filled with magical moments and festive cheer, which saw a crowd of thousands gather to watch as the Moët & Chandon Golden Tree lit up against Table Mountain’s iconic silhouette. The collective joy was palpable as the grand tree’s twinkling lights sparkled in perfect unison to the sounds of ‘Nessun Dorma’ sung by internationally revered opera singers Given Nkosi and Magdalene Minnaar – a voice immediately recognisable from the opening of the Cape Town Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Friday’s atmosphere of celebration was unparalleled as the newly crowned Rugby World Cup winning Captain Springbok Siya Kolisi and South African star Boity Thulo turned on the lights at this year’s 3rd annual Moët & Chandon Golden Tree Lighting Ceremony. Indeed, the dazzling lights, the crowd counting down to the flip of the switch and a stand-out performance by the Cape Town Youth Choir created a sense of wonder in the air.
“The Moët & Chandon Golden Tree is a true symbol of celebration. Every single bottle of Moët & Chandon used to build this magnificent Tree represents a #MOETMOMENT that was shared and celebrated in South Africa. So tonight we celebrate 2000 memorable moments between friends and families; the opening of the festive season and the start of what we hope will be an incredible new decade,” said Pascal Asin, Moët Hennessy Managing Director Africa & Middle East.
Revellers had many reasons to celebrate in 2019 – most notably the Springboks’ incredible World Cup rugby win and the 150th anniversary of the Moët Imperial, the Maison’s flagship champagne and a global symbol of celebration. Indeed, from the world’s sporting podiums to Hollywood’s red carpet, Moët Impérial has marked personal and public milestones and launched celebratory traditions. South Africa’s Moët & Chandon Golden Tree Lighting Ceremony now too takes its rightful place in the history books.
An impressive lighting display saw 230 metres of individually programmed LED lights illuminated in sync to festive music. Built with over 2000 recycled champagne bottles collected from all over the country, the Moët & Chandon Golden Tree was a sight to behold, wrapped in a shimmering gold ribbon created using over 2000 discs.
Moët & Chandon’s guests included a line-up of celebrities, sports stars and fashion royalty including Kefilwe Mabote, Kat Sinivasan, Mampho Brescia and Terry Pheto; sporting legends Jean de Villiers, Herschel Jantjies and Steven Kitshoff as well as fashion designer Gavin Rajah. And Moët & Chandon was honoured to host Stéphane Baschiera, Chairman and CEO of Moët & Chandon for this momentous occasion in South Africa.
And this year, for those that missed the opening ceremony, in the spirit of festive generosity Moët & Chandon have organised an additional Festive Friday the 6th of December, which will include a Golden Tree lighting experience at 20h30.
#moetmoment
