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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! In just a few short weeks, Christmas Day will be here. Cape Town is getting into the swing of things with some excellent festive season events taking place around the city and its surrounding areas.
South Africa celebrates Christmas in the summertime. This means, that while we may not experience any snowy days and won’t necessarily be cosying up next to any fireplaces, we will be making the most of the festive season under the sun! Locals and visitors in Cape Town get to embrace the long days, warm weather, sandy beaches and ocean waves. Don’t worry about missing out on a Christmas experience though as the festive spirit is still strong! Take a look at the festive events below to enjoy during December 2022.
The Best Christmas Events around Cape Town in December 2022:
Makers Market Festive Edition - Dates: 26 November - 31 December
Throughout the year, Makers Landing in the waterfront hosts several exciting markets, cooking classes and food and drink festivals. The Makers Market Festive Edition takes place every weekend from late November until the end of December. Visit and enjoy festive handmade gifts, local artisanal food and drinks plus fun activities for the whole family! Find Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront Cruise Terminal.
Kirstenbsoch summer sunset concert series - Dates: Various dates during the summer season
Embrace the best of the festive feeling this season while enjoying one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor spaces! Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden hosts a Summer Sunset Concerts series from December to January. During the 2022/23 season, head to the beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens to watch performers such as Mi Casa, Goldfish, Majozi and more! Get tickets here.
Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol - Dates: 29 November - 10 December
Watch one of Charles Dickens's most famous tales come to life on stage this festive season! Theatre on the Bay is putting on a production of the classic Christmastime favourite for the whole family to enjoy - find tickets here.
Interestingly, 2022 is the year for this famous Dickens story! Two new Netflix films are premiering this festive season. Spirited is a musical version of A Christmas Carol starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell while Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a new animated version of the classic tale. If you can’t make it to Theatre on the Bay, be sure to add these two films to your watch list!
The Nutcracker at the Artscape - Dates: 7 - 23 December
Why not watch the Cape Town City Ballet perform a Christmas classic? Enjoy a festive night out with an evening spent enjoying the talented performers of the Cape Town City Ballet in action! The Nutcracker is the tale of a family gathering on Christmas Eve; taking the audience on an enchanting adventure featuring the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Mouse King. The ballet will take place at the Artscape Opera House and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at select shows. Find more information here.
Imhoff Farm Christmas Market - Dates: 19 - 22 December
Around the Southern Suburbs and looking for a great way to spend an evening in the week before Christmas? Visit the Imhoff Farm Christmas Market in Kommetjie! Browse vendors offering a variety of local food and crafts at the evening market, from art, clothing and handmade gifts to great local food and produce. It’s a wonderful way to round off a day in this beautiful part of the Cape Peninsula!
Franschhoek Village Christmas Market - Dates: 16, 17 and 18 December
Enjoy the incredible scenery of the Cape Winelands with a visit to the Franschhoek Village Christmas Market. Franschhoek is famous for its wine farms and gourmet cuisine. The village itself is warm and welcoming with a weekend market. During December, the market gets into the festive swing of things! Shop for unique gifts while enjoying the live music and food stalls of this family-friendly market. Furry friends are welcome too!
DARG Christmas Night Market - Date: 16 December
Feel the joy of giving back this festive season! Visit DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group) in Hout Bay on Friday 16 December for a wonderful Christmas Night Market. Support the adorable animals during your visit while doing your Christmas shopping or simply enjoying the vibe! You can browse crafts, fresh produce, home decor, art, second-hand books and antiques. Tuck into dishes hot from the food trucks, listen to the live music and enjoy the company of the DARG pooches!
Christmas Special at Warwick Wine Estate - Date: 10 December
Have you had your fill of markets and Christmas shopping? Try something different with a visit to Warwick Wine Estate in Stellenbosch for a festive day out on 10 December! Enjoy a joyful Christmas atmosphere with live music and a gourmet picnic. This is the perfect way to sit back and relax under the sunshine and enjoy the South African summer Christmas-time experience!
Dress up for the occasion in your best festive gear and look forward to a jolly afternoon. As Warwick Wine Estate says, this event is sure to put you in the ho ho ho-liday mood! More information and tickets can be found here.
City Centre Christmas Lights Dates: Miscellaneous
Finally for this list is a perennial Christmas classic - Christmas lights! Each December, Cape Town city centre comes to life with a skyful of Christmas lights! While it was a more subdued affair during 2020 and 2021 due to travel restrictions, this year, the lights are back in full force! The Christmas lights were officially illuminated ay the end of November during the official Festive Lights Switch-On ceremony. With a crowd of 80,000, performances by famous South African artists and an impressive light show, the Festive Lights Switch On was an incredible way to launch this Christmas tradition! You can take a wander around the city centre either on foot or by car and admire the lights. Seeing the bright, sparkling colours is sure to get you into the festive spirit!
Jump straight into the festive season with these fun Christmas-time events! You get to see some of Cape Town’s most beautiful spots while celebrating with friends and family, what could be a better way to end off the year?
These are just a selection of the fun activities taking place around the city at this time of year so be sure to keep an eye on your social media channels for more exciting events!
