Don\'t miss the switching on of the City\'s festive lights on Sunday December4, 2011. Photo courtesy of DanieVDM

This summer, the Mother City is being set alight in more ways than one. From hot beach parties to scorching entertainment and more, the heat is on in Cape Town.

Getting the fiery entertainment off to a great start are the illuminating festivals of light and carols by candlelight all around the Peninsula.

Don’t miss the following events:

Switching on of the City’s festive lights

Join Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille and a thrilling line-up of proudly local artists who will be performing for the highly anticipated switching on of the City’s festive lights at the Cape Town Station Forecourt.

Heralding the onset of the festive season, this beloved annual celebration features a concert by Capetonian crooners Karin Kortje and Loukmaan Adams and a special performance by SA superstar HHP. The main attraction, of course, is the switching on of the festive lights along Adderley Street.

Don’t miss it!

Date: December 4

Location: Cape Town Station Forecourt

Contact:+27 (0)21 400 4592 

Website: www.capetown.gov.za

Somerset West's festival of lights

Be sure to check out the Main Street to see the festive display of lights, bells, angels, reindeer and candles.

Date: December 7 to 10

Location: Main Street, Somerset West

Contact: +27 (0)21 852 8972

Website: www.capetown.gov.za

Carols by Candlelight at Taalmonument

The annual Carols by Candlelight event at the Afrikaanse Taalmonument in Paarl is worth the drive for a lovely summer’s evening of festive cheer.

Date: December 4

Location: Afrikaanse Taalmonument, Paarl

Contact: +27 (0)21 872 3441

Website: www.taalmuseum.co.za

Kirstenbosch Carols by Candlelight 

This popular four-day musical extravaganza returns to the breathtaking Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

In addition to your complimentary hymn book and candle, you’ll be led in song by the likes of The Brothers Streep, Cape Town Concert Brass, Cape Town Male Voice Choir, Perfect Score, the Gugulethu Tenors and more.

Date: December 15 to 18

Location: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Contact: +27 (0)21 531 9807

Website: www.sanbi.org

Steenberg Hotel’s Christmas Carols Concert 

Bask in the beauty of the Steenberg wine estate while singing along to traditional Christmas carols sung by tenor Gareth Witten and the Cape Town String Ensemble.

Date: December 21

Location: Steenberg Hotel, 10802 Steenberg Estate, Tokai Road, Constantia

Contact: +27 (0)21 713 2222

Website: www.steenberghotel.com