It’s that time of year again: the schools have closed, families are putting up Christmas trees, the malls are decked out, and everyone is scrambling to buy the perfect gift or 10. It’s also the time of year when a variety of activities – both traditional and unique – pop up in celebration of this happy time of year.
Here are a just a few of the events taking place in Durban this year.
Christmas markets
Live music, wonderful food and festive handcrafted gifts will be the order of the day at this year’s Shongweni Farmers and Craft Annual Christmas Market. The market will take place on 16 December from 9am onwards at 1 Fraser Road, Assagay, and promises to be a fun day out for the whole family.
Handcrafted items and locally-produced food, art and clothing will also be available at the I Heart Market which will take place outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 6, 13 and 20 December, from 9am to 3pm.
Christmas Carols
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a traditional concert outside Mugg & Bean at the Galleria Mall on 9 December, at 6pm. To gain entry, all you need do is donate a toy, which will be given to ‘Amanzimtoti Cares.’ What better way to end off a day’s Christmas shopping?
Oyster Box celebrations
Looking to splurge this Christmas? The Oyster Box is hosting a series of Christmas-related events, starting with Christmas Carols on 22 December. A sumptuous six-course dinner accompanied by live music will be available on Christmas eve, and bookings are open for several dining options on Christmas day. Think live music, cocktails and perfectly-prepared fresh seafood, eggnog, home baked mince pies, and pavlova …
The Playhouse Company
The Playhouse Company has assembled a stunning line-up of celebrity artists for its spectacular Christmas Celebration programme. The season runs from 19 to 21 December at the Opera Theatre, and will feature artists such as Judith Sephuma, Tim Moloi, Nondumiso Tembe and Bongani Tembe. Trapeze performances, dance sequences, a massed choir of over 200 singers and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will also feature. Tickets prices start at R100.
Adult pantomime
If Janice Honeyman’s panto-for-littlies isn’t your thing, you might appreciate Durban’s adult version. 2014 sees Suncoast host the event for the fourth year in a row. This year, ‘Sinder-Fella’ will take to the stage. Expect clever quips, twists in the tale and a fair helping of below-the-belt jokes. The show opened on 11 November and will run until the end of December. Bookings can be made through Computicket.