From litchi picking to carols by candlelight, Christmas light displays and loads of wonderful shows and markets – there is something to keep you busy every day this festive season!
THE TRAIL OF LIGHTS
When: 2 December – 2 January
Where: Botanic Gardens, Durban
Awe-inspiring light displays, live entertainment and all the magic of the Christmas season, the annual Trail of Lights is back and better than ever. From 2 December to 2 January, the Botanic Gardens will be fabulously festooned and full of festivity! Santa’s Grotto, magical characters, a charity-hosted Santa’s workshop and a special Secret Garden of Lights … not to mention KZN’s brightest Christmas tree … there really is so much to see. This year, there are also two ‘Paws and Claus’ nights (4 and 11 December) when visitors can bring their ‘fur children’ (dogs) to join the fun. Tickets sold on these evenings will go to charity. Details: Trail of Lights takes place on various days running from 2 December to 2 January, 6pm to 9.30pm. Limited R100 tickets at the gate (rather buy online at www.webtickets.co.za or Pick n Pay). Prices vary according to time of entry (6pm – R80 per person, 7pm – R75, 8pm – R70) and kids under 2 enter free. Paws and Claus nights are R30 per pet.
IT’S LITCHI PICKING TIME!
When: 16 – 31 December (closed on 24/25 December)
Where: Avro Farm, Esenembi Road (6km past Sugar Rush Park)
Litchi picking has become a wonderful annual tradition for so many families. Now in its 17th year, the annual Litchi Picking Festival will this year take place at a new venue (find them on Google Maps under Litchi Festival). Kids can look forward to free tractor trailer rides, and there will be food and beverages on sale to be enjoyed picnic-style under the beautiful 90-year-old litchi trees (no cooler boxes allowed in). Picking is from 9am to 3pm. Entrance is R160 per person (cash only), which include eating as many as you can while picking and taking home 1,6kg of litchis. R50 for kids 3 and under (no litchis to take home). Additional bags are R120. If you’d like to bring your own picnic basket, there is an additional R100 per vehicle charge. Bookings are taken with full payment in advance. Details: [email protected], 064 763 6457 (WhatsApp), www.lifewithheidie.com/litchi-picking
I HEART MARKET
When: 3, 10, 17 December and 7 January
Where: Sugar Rush Park, Ballito
Just in time for the festive season, the much-loved I heart Market has found a new home here on the North Coast, at Sugar Rush Park. The park is a hive of family-friendly activities. It’s the base for Holla Trails (biking, running and walking trails) and there is an awesome restaurant on site, called Food Fundi. The park has a kids play area, mini train, the Ndlondlo reptile park, the Jump Park and the Tree Trails obstacle course. The I heart Market supports artisanal crafters, artists and traders, offering handmade goods such as jewellery, accessories, leather goods, ceramics, visual arts, decor, clothing, deli foods and baked goods. The market will continue to trade throughout the year on the first Saturday of every month after the festive season. Details: There is secure parking and entrance is free. The market is from 8:30am to 2pm, [email protected], @iheartmarket
WORKSHOPS, FOOD & FUN
When: Varying days between 6 and 22 December
Where: Maker’s Yard, 2 School Rd, Umhlali (opposite the Umhlali Prep School).
With awesome (kids and adults) workshops, as well as special Thursday-evening ‘kitchen take-overs’ with guest chefs at The Orange Tree, there is loads to look forward to at The Maker’s Yard in Umhlali in December! Adult workshops: Christmas table flower centrepiece arranging with @botanics_kzn; art classes with @artatangies; yoga, pilates and meditation workshops at Flow The Studio; coffee and chocolate pairing with @cocoaafrica and @colombo_coffee; party make-up tutorial, manis, pedis, champagne, charcuterie & cheese with @ballito_dress_co and @laurachanning.spa.skin; gin pairing with @karoa_cara_distilling_co and sunset pilates and yoga on the deck at The Orange Tree. For the kids: MTB holiday camp @sugar_rats_club (ending at The Orange Tree with pizzas and cupcake decorating); dance with Sabrina @flow_the_studio and various arts and crafts activities with @lustedlamb. Details: @makersyard_sa (for workshop details, dates and bookings).
FESTIVE FUN AT GATEWAY
When: Throughout the festive season
Where: Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga Ridge
Once again, Umhlanga’s Gateway Theatre of Shopping has transformed into a sparkly wonderland for the festive season! Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift (or gift-wrapping), or are looking to make special memories with your loved ones and friends, there is loads to do throughout the mall. The ‘picture-perfect’ festive installations make for great holiday-time ‘selfies’, and this year there are six festive photo booths to enjoy. You can be surrounded by snow one minute, and peeking through ravishing ribbons the next! You can snap a shot with a timeless red and white Santa or take a pic with the striking stripes of sweet candy sticks. Visitors can also expect a completely different snow globe this year. If you’d like to give back to the community (and save wrapping presents at home), the wish-granting ‘Reach for a Dream’ charity will also have a gift-wrapping station set up in the mall, opposite Starbucks. Extended trading hours: December 16 to 23, 9am to 10pm (9pm on Christmas Eve), and 26 to 30 December. Details: @gatewayumhlanga, www.gatewayworld.co.za
SHOWS GALORE AT SUNCOAST
When: Various days throughout December
Where: Barnyard Theatre and The Globe, Suncoast
We loved a little Barnyard Theatre ‘throwdown’, and this is sure to be a goodie! Nineties vs Noughties features a rollercoaster ride of iconic rock and pop music delivered by a skilled, ten-piece cast. Think Shania Twain, Westlife, Celine Dion and Maria Carey from the 1990s … and the likes of Coldplay, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Maroon Five, Pink, Lady Gaga and others in the 2000s. Then there are the legends such as Def Leppard, Santana, Bon Jovi and Kings of Leon who were prominent in both decades. Whether you’re booking for the whole family, a date night or even your office year-end function, this is a show you don’t want to miss! Tickets range from R150 to R195 (pensioners 50% off and kids under 12 free (2 kids per full price paying adult). Ts & Cs apply.
Then, if you’re a Michael Jackson fan, the History Show at The Glob is not to be missed. Taking place from 21 to 24 December, the Showtime Australia production is a spectacular tribute to the ‘king of pop’. With a live band, choreographed dancers and visual effects, this is a mind-blowing stage production! Tickets from Ticketpro
Details: www.suncoastcasino.co.za, FB @gottalovesuncoast, IG: @suncoast.durban
LUXURY SPOILS AT THE OYSTER BOX HOTEL
When: 24, 25 and 31 December
Where: Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga
If you can’t spoil yourself over the festive season, when can you? Nothing says ‘spoil’ quite like a celebration at The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga. There are various dinners and lunches to choose from, including: Christmas Eve dinner on 24 December in The Grill Room (regrettably no children), R2 600 per person; Christmas Day lunch, including live music, a welcome drink and delicious, seasonal menus – The Ocean Terrace and The Grill Room, R2 600 per person, R1 600 per child under 12; Saturday Night Fever themed New Year dinner on 31 December – dance your way into 2023 in retro 70s gear! From 7pm in The Pearl Room, R2 900 per adult, R1 900 per child under 12 years. Details: 031 514 5000, [email protected], @theoysterbox
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
When: From 8 December to 15 January
Where: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
Is it even Christmas without a pantomime? We think not. Thankfully, this year we see the return of Kickstart’s beloved annual pantomime at The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. This year the family show is Jack and the Beanstalk and it promises to be a laugh-a-minute adventure, with toe-tapping songs, jokes, slapstick, romance, fantastic sets and fantasy costumes! The magical and hilarious pantomime is written and directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, with lighting design by Tina le Roux. Tickets are between R130 and R250. Details: Bookings via Computicket, @kickstarttheatre
LIVE MUSIC AND DINING AT LIFESTYLE CENTRE BALLITO
When: From 15 December to 7 January
Where: Lifestyle Centre Ballito
Whether you’re dining at Eat Street, hanging out with friends and family at The Market or perusing and stocking up at their many wonderful stores, Lifestyle Centre is always a great place to be during the festive season. This year, in addition to their regular weekend music line-up, Lifestyle is taking it up a notch with live music every day of the week at The Market and on Eat Street over the festive season. For more details regarding times and line-ups, check out their website. Details: www.ballitilofestylecentre.co.za/events,
@ballitolifestylecentre
SNAP A FESTIVE SELFIE AT THE BALLITO JUNCTION
When: From 2 December
Where: Ballito Junction Regional Mall
There is set to be loads of fun and activity at the Ballito Junction this festive season! Very exciting is the arrival of Toy Town on 9 December, which promises to be wonderland of whimsy and magic for all. Younger kids will love Santa’s Workshop, Lego World and the Makers Space, while parents, teens and older kids will enjoy the ‘Insta Corner’ with fun settings to capture magical moments! Daily activities are from 11am to 3pm, including velvet, ceramic and scratch art, bauble decorating and a reindeer craft. The mall will have photos with Santa from 2 December, and letters to Santa can be pinned on the Ballito Junction wish board. Extended hours are from December 16 (8am to 7pm daily, with some stores staying open for longer). There will also be charity gift-wrapping stations from December 16. Lastly, look out for live entertainment with ‘Music on the Lawn’ starting from 4 December. The Christmas Carols on 21 December, by All Saints Catholic Parish Church, is not to be missed! Details: 032 586 1130, [email protected], @mallballitojunction
