December in Cape Town is a festive wonderland, brimming with excitement & celebration, perfect for anyone & everyone looking to enjoy the glorious Mother City holiday season! The city lights up with an array of parties, events, activities & adventures – catering to both the young & young at heart – that captures the true essence of a Cape Town summer! With a lively blend of music, cultural activities, outdoor festivals, culinary experiences, fun-filled family outings, thrilling adventure escapades & fabulous holiday events – there’s ALWAYS something happening in the beautiful & vibrant city of Cape Town that’s sure to light up your December & get you in the festive & holiday spirit!
Let’s take a look at some of the top events happening in Cape Town this December – all of which you definitely won’t want to miss!
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#Carols at Kirstenbosch Gardens: A Magical Festive Tradition
- Date: 12 December 2024 – 15 December 2024
- Event by: Cape Town Carols at Kirstenbosch
- Location: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
- Time: Concert Area Gates open at 6pm | Carols starts at approximately 7:15pm & finishes by 9:15pm
- Cost: Thursday – Sunday: General Access – Adults: R175 | Thursday – Sunday: General Access – Scholars: R125 | Children U/6: FREE!
- Contact Number: 083 270 9286 | 084 529 4272 | [email protected]
- **Please note that wine will NOT be on sale at the event, but visitors are welcome to bring their own
- **Website: www.kirstenboschrotary.co.za | Visit the Kirstenbosch website for more information, updates, special deals & EVERYTHING you need to know about the Cape Town Carols at Kirstenbosch event!
- **Tickets: Click HERE to get your ticket / tickets via WebTickets | Tickets are also available for purchase at all Pick ‘n Pay stores nationwide | **Make sure you book your spot early to avoid disappointment!
No festive season is complete without carols under the stars, and Kirstenbosch Gardens is the perfect place to experience this beloved tradition.
**It wouldn’t be the Festive Season in Cape Town without Cape Town’s Carols By Candlelight at Kirstenbosch – The City’s most-loved carols gathering! Carols By Candlelight is all about getting into the holiday spirit – and what better place to do that than at the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens?! **
Experience the magic of the holiday season with Christmas Carols by Candlelight at the breathtaking Kirstenbosch Gardens! Proudly hosted by the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch, sponsored by Pick ’n Pay & supported by Radio Tygerberg 104FM & Fine Music Radio, the Mother City’s most-loved carols event returns this year to the picturesque Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens from Thursday, the 12th of December to Sunday, the 15th of December 2024!
Grab a picnic blanket, round up all your friends & family & enjoy a wonderful evening of Christmas cheer set against what is unmistakably one of the world’s most magnificent backdrops! Just picture a warm evening under the Mother City stars, surrounded by Cape Town’s stunning natural beauty, with loved ones by your side as you sing along to your favourite classic Christmas carols. It’s the perfect way to kick off the Cape Town holiday season! Carols by Candlelight 2024 will usher in the Festive Season with your favourite singalongs, delicious food & Christmas treats & the beautiful sight of thousands of digital glowsticks* lighting up the evening sky – making it a fun & memorable night out for everyone!
**NOTE: This year, they’ve added a special perk for Pick ‘n Pay Smart Shopper members, offering reserved seating with chairs to make the experience even more comfortable, and there’s even a special ticket for kids over six years old (**NOTE: One chair per paying guest | The Pick ‘n Pay Smart Shopper area will only accommodate children over the age of 6 with a Smart Shopper Scholar Ticket).
Things kick off at 6pm / the concert area opens at 6pm & wraps up around 9:15pm – giving you plenty of time to soak up the vibrant festive atmosphere & join in on ALL the fun this magical NOT-TO-BE-MISSED festive season event & celebration has to offer!
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#Naledi’s Dream: V&A Waterfront offers an Exciting LIVE Festive Theatre Show for the entire family this year!
- Date: 14 December 2024 – 22 December 2024
- Location: V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre | Amphitheatre V&A Waterfront, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Time: Naledi’s Festive Dream is a 40-minute dreamscape of family enjoyment, performed three times a day, 14 – 22 December 2024 with the following schedule: Monday – Thursday (two shows in the week): 2pm & 3:30pm | Friday – Sunday (three shows on the weekend): 12pm, 2pm & 3:30pm
- Cost: R100
- **Tickets: Click HERE to get your tickets NOW!
- **Visit www.waterfront.co.za for more information!
The V&A Waterfront is keeping both kids & grown-ups entertained over the 2024 Cape Town holidays & festive season with Naledi’s Festive Dream, an exciting new LIVE Christmas musical show staged in a purpose-built theatre over the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre for an immersive indoor theatrical experience created especially for the vibrant city of Cape Town!
Join Naledi, a 10-year-old Capetonian, as her festive wish to meet Santa’s crew comes true. This cast of quirky characters even visits her in the Mother City to see what Joy from Africa is really about.
The energetic festive show is a joyous experience for young & old, filled with music, dancing, rhythms, rhymes & a whole lot of MAGIC! You’ll meet the naughty elf that sits on Naledi’s shelf, as well as dapper Nutcrackers, spinning snowflakes, Santa’s spirited hip-hop elves, dancing candy canes & SO MUCH MORE!
**Naledi’s Festive Dream is a 40-minute dreamscape of family enjoyment, performed three times a day, 14 – 22 December 2024. **BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW TO AVOID MISSING OUT!**
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#Santa’s Arrival at The V&A Waterfront!
- Date: 15 December 2024
- Location: Centre Court, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
- Time: Santa arrives: 3PM – 4PM
- Cost: FREE!
Kids won’t want to miss the chance to see & meet Santa at the Centre Court in the V&A Waterfront on Sunday, the 15th of December 2024! The jolly big man will arrive at 3PM to greet all the little ones. It promises to be a memorable experience filled with holiday cheer!
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#Meet Santa & his Elves!
- Date: 16 December 2024 – 24 December 2024
- Location: Centre Court, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
- Time: 10am – 6pm | **Meeting Sessions: 10am – 2pm & 2pm – 6pm
- Cost: FREE!
SANTA & HIS ELVES ARE OFFICIALLY HERE! From the 16th of December 2024 until the 24th of December 2024 children & families have the very special opportunity to see & meet Santa & all his Elves in Victoria Wharf’s Centre Court, located in front of H&M!
In addition to meeting the jolly big man all the way from the North Pole, you can also enjoy engaging with him & his fun & fabulous elves in a special meet-and-greet session & capture some delightful & memorable family photos with Santa & his crew from December 16 to 24, between 10am & 6pm.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy & immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere & ambiance of Cape Town’s favorite shopping destination & embrace the holiday spirit!
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#Kickstart the Festivities with live performances, music & Cape Town’s dazzling Lights Display
- Location: Grand Parade, Darling Street, Cape Town CBD, Cape Town
- Cost: FREE!
We simply couldn’t continue this list without the iconic Festive Lights Switch-On!
Get ready to kick off your festive season with one of Cape Town’s most beloved traditions: The Festive Lights Switch-On! For over fifty years, the City of Cape Town has been illuminating its streets with stunning themed displays & this year is no exception!
Bring the whole family for an evening filled with live performances, music & a joyful atmosphere. As the star-studded concert leads the countdown, the city will transform into a magical wonderland of twinkling lights, officially ushering in the holiday season. **DON’T MISS THIS MAGICAL FESTIVE SPECTACLE!
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#A Christmas Carol at Theatre On The Bay: A Festive Must-See!
- Date: 10 December 2024 – 14 December 2024
- Location: Theatre On The Bay, 1 Link Street, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Time: 7pm
- Cost: R150 p/p to R280 p/p
- Contact details: 021 438 3301 | [email protected]
- **Tickets: Click HERE to get your ticket / tickets!
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ returns to Theatre on the Bay having played to sold-out audiences for many years now! This beloved classic transports audiences into the heart of Victorian London to follow the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas, kindness & the importance of giving back.
Described as “a sumptuous banquet for the eyes, ears & imagination; a sensory delight for any tired soul,” this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless story is a heartwarming celebration of humanity, family & the boundless generosity of the human spirit.
Audiences can expect a sensory delight for any tired soul, with innovative storytelling, vivid animation & spectacular performances from the dedicated cast! Trust us, you definitely don’t want to miss out on this incredible Cape Town festive event!
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#A Christmas Market with a European twist | German Inspired Christmas Market
- Date: 30 November, 7, 14 & 21 December 2024
- Location: 33 Section Street, Paarden Eiland Cape Town
- Time: 9am – 3pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact details: 082 7250 690 | [email protected]
- Website: www.yes-flowers.info
Yes! Exclusive Flowers hosts a German inspired Christmas market on the four Saturdays before Christmas weekend at their showroom in Paarden Eiland!
The market features original German decorations & delights with a range of vendors. Guests have access to a variety of Christmas gifting ideas & a selection of dried and fresh flowers. The market also offers German Christmas trees & greens, colourful Christmas wreaths, tasty home-made Christmas cookies, nutcrackers & modern & traditional Christmas decorations.
Tasty treats such as gingerbread, Stollen bread, German sausages & rolls are also available.
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#Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series!
- Date: 20 December 2024 – 30 March 2025
- Location: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town
- Time: 5:15pm – 7pm | **Gates open at 4pm
- Contact details: 021 799 8783 | [email protected]
- Website: www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/
- **Facebook: @Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
- **Tickets: Tickets may be booked through Webtickets, at Pick n Pay stores nationwide & at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden gate
The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series is back & we couldn’t be more excited!
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town OFFICIALLY kicks off its 2024/2025 series of Summer Sunset Concerts on Sunday, the 20th of December 2024 with a star-studded line-up of South Africa’s best-loved, grooved-to acts!
The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series has become a real summer staple in Cape Town! There’s nothing quite like celebrating the vibrant summer season than to the cool beats & epic tunes of some of the best local & international music acts out there! Plus, the fact that you get to live your very best Summer Sunset Concert life in one of the most stunning settings in Cape Town – the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens of course – just makes it all the more special!
**There is absolutely NO denying that The Annual Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens’ Summer Sunset Concert Series is one Cape Town summer event you absolutely don’t want to miss! SO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T!!**
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**THE 2024/2025 KIRSTENBOSCH SUMMER SUNSET CONCERT SERIES LINE-UP (*Note: Schedule can be subject to change):**
- 22 December 2024 – Unity (various local artists)
- 29 December 2024 – Goldfish
- 31 December 2024 – Will lInley and Loyiso in a New Year’s Eve special. Gates open at 7pm
- 5 January 2025 – Freshlyground and Congo Cowboys
- 12 January 2025 – Mango Groove
- 19 January 2025 – Bok van Blerk and Elandre
- 26 January 2025 – 21 Mafikizolo and Ross Learmonth
- 2 February 2025 – The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
- 9 February 2025 – Matthew Mole
- 16 February 2025 – The Golden Oldies
- 23 February 2025 – Stef Bos and Friends
- 2 March 2025 – Mi Casa
- 9 March 2025 – Mandisi Dyantyis
- 16 March 2025 – Watershed
- 23 March 2025 – Jeremy Loops
- 30 March 2025 – Ami Faku and Simmy
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Bring family & friends & enjoy an evening listening to world-class musical performances with beautiful Cape Town sunsets on the slopes of Table Mountain. Pack a hearty picnic, or pre-order five days in advance from the Kirstenbosch Tea Room or Moyo Restaurant, a picnic blanket & a fun-loving summer concert spirit. The Moyo food trucks will also be back with a variety of fantastic & freshly made meals, beverages & snacks at all shows. Cool beats, cool eats & cool summer vibes shared with cool people – what more could you ask for?
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What are you waiting for? Put on those dancing shoes, gather ALL your friends & family & get ready to celebrate every glorious, fun-filled, sun-kissed & soulful second of summer in Cape Town as you enjoy some of South Africa’s best live music at this year’s iconic Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden’s Summer Sunset Concert Series! You won’t regret a single second of it – THAT’S A PROMISE!
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Important Note:
- Tickets may be booked through Webtickets, at Pick n Pay stores nationwide & at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden gate. Please note that Webtickets is the SOLE online ticketing partner of the Summer Sunset Concerts.
- Kirstenbosch cannot guarantee that tickets purchased from third parties will be valid. We have no working relationship with Viagogo.
- All Kirstenbosch concerts take place irrespective of rain. Regret no refunds are issued.
- Children under 6 years do not require a concert ticket for the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts.
- The Kirstenbosch concerts are completely non-smoking events. There are no designated smoking areas.
- Please don’t bring high deckchairs that obstruct the view of the stage. Highchairs will be restricted to the sides of the concert lawn.
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#A Lipizzaner Christmas
- Date: 7, 8, 20 to 23 December 2024
- Location: Mistico Equestrian Centre, R312 Lichtenburg Rd, Paarl Farms, Paarl
- Time: 3pm
- Cost: Adults: R200 | Pensioners & Children under 12: R150
- Contact details: 079 716 4792 | [email protected]
- Website: www.lipizzaners.co.za
- **Booking: Click HERE to book your spot / ticket via WebTickets!
The South African Lipizzaners present A Lipizzaner Christmas, a jaw-dropping performance of horses.
The experience is a festive journey filled with the grace & beauty of some of the most majestic horses, adorned in holiday finery that sparkles under the twinkling lights. Marvel at the timeless artistry of riding set against the backdrop of a world class venue, where every stride & leap embodies the spirit of the season. Delight in the harmonious partnership between horse & rider – a testament to dedication & precision that will leave you spellbound.
After the performance, mingle with the Lipizzaners & their riders, and capture unforgettable moments with these gentle giants. It’s a perfect way to create cherished memories with loved ones this holiday season!
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#Blaauwklippen’s Twilight Christmas Market
- Date: 19 December 2024 – 22 December 2024
- Location: Blaauwklippen Vineyards, Strand Road, on R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, P.O. Box 54, Stellenbosch
- Time: 19 Dec: 4pm – 9pm | 20 Dec: 10am – 9pm | 21 Dec: 10am – 9pm | 22 Dec: 10am – 4pm
- Cost: FREE!
- Contact details: 021 880 0133 | [email protected]
- Website: www.blaauwklippen.com/market
- **Click here to find out everything Blaauwklippen Vineyards has to offer!
**The Blaauwklippen Twilight Christmas Market is an annual festive event that takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Blaauwklippen Wine Estate**
Light up your holiday season at Blaauwklippen’s Twilight Christmas Market from the 19th of December 2024 until the 22nd of December 2024! These festive evenings will be filled with locally crafted arts, unique gifts & authentic delights – your ultimate destination for all your Christmas shopping & gifting needs this festive season!
Visitors can expect a wide variety of vendor stalls offering an array of products, including handmade crafts, artisanal food & beverages, locally produced wines & cheeses, unique gifts, clothing, handcrafted jewelry & SO MUCH MORE! There truly is something for absolutely EVERYONE at the not-to-be-missed Blaauwklippen Twilight Christmas Market!
Market lovers are also treated to live music performances, creating a fun & joyful ambience that only adds to the market’s already festive spirit! Parents can rest assured that there are plenty of exciting activities to keep the kiddos entertained, including face painting & Santa’s grotto – Making it the perfect outing for the whole family!
Go ahead & explore the amazing variety of vendor stalls, enjoy internationally inspired dishes & sip on Blaauwklippen’s finest wines, all while soaking up all the fun & festive vibes & holiday spirit! **With extended market hours & the Bike Park & Pump Track open throughout, it’s a celebration for the whole family – Click here to find out everything Blaauwklippen Vineyards has to offer!
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