From farmers’ markets and ice shows to doggy dashes and puppet pantomimes, there’s a host of family-friendly fun for you and your little ones to choose from over the festive season.
A Christmas Extravaganza
Be sure not to miss the Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market Christmas Extravaganza on Saturdays 7, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 28 December from 6.30am to 1pm, as well as and Sundays and public holidays from 8am to 1pm. You’ll find authentic, artisanal food and drink options, fresh organic produce, homemade deli edibles, unique handmade crafts and incredible live performances from KZN’s most talented artists. Treat yourself and your families with stunning locally handmade Christmas decor items and gifts. Entry is free. Details: [email protected]
A Doggy Dash
Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park hosts The Christmas Doggy Dash from 6am to 1pm on Sunday, 1 December. This fun-filled event is being held to raise funds for the #2025by2025 Sterilisation Campaign, and includes a family walk with your fur babies, a7km Trail Run along spectacular single track Christmas Market with lots of goodies, a jumping castle and face painting for the kids. Tickets are R150 each. Details: E-mail [email protected] or call Giba Gorge on 031 769 1527.
The Little Mermaid on Ice
The Little Mermaid on Ice comes to the Durban Ice Arena from 4 to 8 December featuring breath-taking sequences, jumps, lifts and daring spins on ice by local figure skaters. Show times are Wednesday to Friday at 4.30pm and 7pm and Saturday and Sunday at 12pm, 4.30pm and 7pm. Tickets are priced from R108 to R180. Details: Book through Computicket.
Aladdin
The Rockwood at Sibaya presents Aladdin, the Princesses and a Lamp on Saturdays 7 and 14 December at 1pm.Once upon a time there was a Genie with three side-kicks – Gigi, Jojo and Jean. Together they go on a mission with Aladdin to find the princess of his dreams. They go up a high tower, under the sea, encounter a sleeping princess, run into little dwarfs, go down a rabbit hole, and meet a beast and a fairy godmother. Tickets are R80. Details: www.rockwoodtheatre.co.za
Globe Trotting Suzy
Fun puppet pantomime, Globe Trotting Suzy, comes to the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo from 9 to 21 December at 11am. A show by Miriam (Auntie Mim) and John Erasmus, it centres around Suzy who travels around the world to see what children in other countries celebrate. In North America she learns about Totem Poles and Wigwams from Blue Cloud; in South America, she joins in with Rozanna at the Mardi Gras and in China Su-Li tells her about their New Year with its weaving Dragon. Suzy visits Sheila and the kangaroos in Australia and Cousin Maggie in Scotland who sings Auld Lang Syne. Altogether, the pantomime explores nine countries to learn about their cultures, make new friends, and exchange gifts. There will be fun songs and lots of entertainment along the way. It’s the perfect holiday delight for children aged four and older. The show runs for 55 minutes and juices and snacks will be on sale. Tickets are R75 each. Details: Book through Computicket or e-mail Roland at [email protected] or call him on 082 499 8636
Park Run
Every Saturday at 8am Suncoast hosts the North Beach Park Run, a timed 5km run to get people active and enjoying the place they find themselves in. An average of 1000 runners converge at the Pirates Lifesaving Club, Battery Beach and post ParkRun many stay to enjoy a breakfast or coffee at Mugg and Bean or Wimpy at Suncoast. All ParkRun participants enjoy free parking in the Suncoast car park. Entry is free. Details: You can register at www.parkrun.co.za
Festive Market
Hillcrest High School will host a Festive Market from 7 to 16 December featuring more than 100 stalls of handmade gifts and goodies for the whole family. The market comes alive from 9am to 5pm daily and both entry and parking is free. How it works… you can browse the market, put your choice items in a basket or bag and pay once at the tills at the end of your shopping spree. Cash, Credit Cards and Zapper payments will be accepted. Details: E-mail Debbie Viviers at [email protected] or visit www.thefestivemarket.co.za
Alice in Wonderland
KickstArt family end-of-year 2019 pantomime is a spectacular new production based on the classic book by Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which comes to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 29 November until 5 January. Written and directed by Steven Stead, and designed by Greg King, the pantomime offers a glorious array of zany, topsy-turvy characters, including colourful puppets as well as magical scenery, vibrant costumes, topical jokes and toe-tapping songs, and stars Georgina Mabbett as Alice, Liesl Coppin as the Queen of Hearts, Belinda Henwood as the White Queen, and Mthokozisi Zulu as the White Rabbit. Tickets are priced from R150 to R250 for adults and R120 to R200 for children, students and pensioners. Details: Book through Computicket.
Trail of Lights
The Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights has become a regular on the city’s festive season calendar, offering a magical night out for families, couples and groups and the chance to give back to several noteworthy charities. This year’s trail will be bigger and brighter than ever, opening on 12 December with a VIP preview evening where only 1000 tickets are available. The event will run until 30 December excluding Christmas Day. Visitors can look forward to nightly entertainment, kid’s holiday activities run by selected charities, new displays, a food garden and a longer trail. New to the event is the Festive Market showcasing local and authentic gifting and décor. Tickets Early bird tickets will be available from www.webtickets.co.za or Pick ‘n Pay for R50 each until 30 November. From 1 December tickets are R65 each. There will be limited tickets for R80 each at the door. VIP Preview Evening tickets for 12 December are R100 each. Children under one: free entry. Details: www.webtickets.co.za
