And the theme for MCQP 2015 is…

The tasty theme and venue for MCQP 2015, Africa’s biggest costume party, was revealed in Cape Town over the weekend.

Revellers will be dressing up for a “Candyland” – an explosion of all things sugary on Saturday 19 December at the East City Precinct of Harrington Street.

The news was revealed with great fanfare by drag star and emcee Lilly Slapped Silly at the stroke of 12 at the first MCQP Halloween bash on Saturday night.

“This year, we wanted to go back to memories from our youth, with bright colours, sweets, chocolates and all things sweet and all things nice,” said MCQP Director Ian McMahon about the theme.

He promised to whisk revellers to “a fantasy land” bursting with “eye candy,” adding that they should “expect Turkish delights, suckers, ice lollies and your fair share of sweetie pies at the event.”

Partygoers will be treated to candy cane décor and bright decadent costumes in the street and in venues such as Assembly and Dragon Room, each boasting its own theme and music style.

With Table Mountain as the backdrop, the event will feature 110 local and international DJs, artists and performers, with a live bandstand stage and disco, EDM, house, cabaret, trance, diskotekah, commercial and ladies-only dance floors.

Acts will include Dean Fuel, Jamie Saint, DJ Chadd, VJ Karl, DJ Cambis coming out from Germany for MCQP, as well as Stuart Hillary of Jozi’s historic Therapy club fame. Cape Town’s 80s guru Sam Roy, the local due Legendairy and many others will also perform.

The gates open at 5pm, and there will be food offerings, stalls and many more cherries on the top. Get your tickets here.

Now in its 22nd year, MCQP was launched on the eve of the new South Africa, envisaged as a primarily gay or “queer” event. It has since become an annual Cape Town institution.