When we lived in Gauteng we used to go into Johannesburg to see the Christmas lights every year. It was great to drive slowly along the streets, looking at the lights as they passed overhead.
Since moving to Strand nine years ago we had never been into Cape Town to see the Christmas lights there, so yesterday we extended an outing around the peninsula into the night so that we could see them.
We were very disappointed to find that only a few blocks up Adderley Street, the road was closed off and beyond was the same melee of crowds and stalls selling every kind of plastic junk. Just like Main Road in Somerset West during the Christmas Season. We only went there once as we’re no fans of the noisy atmosphere at such events.
How sad that the lights in Adderley Street can’t be enjoyed as could those in Johannesburg.
It seems that others had a better experience than we did; different expectations I suppose.
craniac's place 
It was my first time too and I must admit the crowds really got me down. I’m not big on being shoved around in a mass of people so we ended up walking down St Georges Mall instead just to see the festivities by the fountain. I did get some great pics though and it was fun forming part of such an authentic Cape Town experience.