By far one of the best places to be over the summer holidays, Durbs not only boasts the best beaches with the warmest water for every age to enjoy, and has a host of attractions for all to experience.
Festive spirit at market
Santa’s elves will be scattered around The Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market this year, lending a hand in showing the way to his castle where kids (and adults too!) can write their letters to Santa AND post them! There will be a real-life ballerina, Christmas carols and even some fluffy snow, so take your picnic baskets, settle in, and enjoy the festive spirit of the market, which runs on Saturday 5 and 12 December from 6.30am to 1pm, 16 December from 8am to 2pm, 19 December from 6.30am to 1pm and 20 December from 8am to 2pm. The market will open again in the New Year on 2 January. For the adults, these are Christmas market outings not to be missed, with 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], 031 777 4686 or 083 777 1553.
Trail of Lights
It was touch and go as to whether this event would actually take place, but we are so thrilled that the Trail of Lights is back at Durban’s Historic Botanic Gardens this year! Arguably Durban’s most popular festive season event, and now in its fourth year, the Trail of Lights is firmly entrenched on the city’s festive season calendar. With the gardens festooned with millions of lights, 2020 (themed ‘Add A Little Light’) will see the return of some fan favourites along with new lighting displays and activations, Live@theTrail pop-up entertainment, a bigger festive market, two food gardens, Santa’s Grotto and the opportunity to give back to a host of worthwhile charities in the charity-driven Santa’s Workshop. From 11 to 30 December. There will be three entry times at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm this year, for social distancing, and no ticket sales at the door. Tickets are R80 each for 6pm, R70 each for 7pm and R60 each for 8pm. Children two years and under enter for free.
Details: Book at www.webtickets.co.za or buy from Pick ‘n Pay.
Kid’s Christmas crafts
Here’s something for those keen to take a little seaside drive to Amanzimtoti. The Wooden Workshop, in conjunction with Love Me Knott, is hosting a series of delightful kids’ workshops (for kids aged six to 14) at Café Amanda in December and January. There are loads of different workshops, ranging from Christmas-themed felt and wood crafts to butterfly and macrame bow holder or DIY wooden robot puppet workshops (R120 per child), between 21 December and 13 January. Fun and games day includes painting, arts and crafts, dodge ball and capture the flag and is from 9.30am to 12.30pm, R100 per child. Kids can bring extra cash to buy a milkshake or snack. Juice will be provided. Parents can drop off and fetch later, or stay and enjoy tea and cake in the cafe. DIY craft kits are also sold on the day.
Details: Café Amanda, 16 Rockview Road, Amanzimtoti. E-mail for bookings: [email protected]
A world of adventure
There is a world of adventure and entertainment awaiting both young and old at Gateway Theatre of Shopping this season! They have an exciting festive lineup planned, including: a Lighthouse & Ocean Play area (from 1 December; Sweetopia (a delicious sweet fantasy world with awesome rides and props, from 11 December, R10 per person); a giant plush Disney tree charity drive (until 10 January, donate R50 and help donate a Disney soft toy to children of the Smile Foundation); live entertainment in the Palm Court (16 – 22 December and 26 – 30 December, 6pm – 9pm) and charity gift wrapping for Reach for a Dream (16 – 24 December).
Details: www.gatewayworld.co.za
Gibaland family-friendly arts and craft market
Don’t miss Gibaland’s family-friendly arts and craft market by the river from 9am to 3pm, featuring local, handcrafted and produced products. The market will be hosted along the new Umfula Trail, which runs next to the river at Gibaland in the heart of Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park. Not only can families enjoy browsing the market, but you can also burn off some energy by enjoying a forest walk to the waterfalls and indulge a choice of mouth-watering menu options from Gibaland’s onsite restaurant Café Umfula. On Sunday 6 December those not ready to go home can stay on and unwind to Sunday Sunsets with Monaj from 2pm to 8pm. On the public holiday, Wednesday, 16 December, the market will feature a live Reggae band during the late morning and afternoon, followed by a drumming circle from 4.30pm to 10pm; and on Boxing Day, Saturday, 26 December, the market will feature a drumming circle from 4.30pm to 10pm.
Details: Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park, 110 Stockville, Pinetown,
082 309 5983, [email protected]
Something for everyone
Don’t miss the Festive Market shop at Watercrest Mall on the lower level, next to Ster Kinekor from 1 to 24 December! For a fun, family excursion, take the kids along and pop in to see what great local goodies they have in store for you, do some Christmas gift shopping, then hit the cinema and catch any one of the now-showing family movies. For those who love a more thrilling adventure, have some fun go-karting as a family at Karting KZN (www.kartingkzn.co.za). Priced from R90 for six minutes to R200 for 20 minutes (children need to be at least 10 years old and over 1.4m tall in order to race). Younger children are welcome to come and watch.
Details: For more info on the Festive Market contact 083 795 0105 or e-mail [email protected]
