Here’s how to spend Christmas in Cape Town

From lunches and carols to markets and meeting Santa

Last update: Tuesday, 19 December 2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Whether you’re spending time with family or celebrating Friendmas, we’ve got a range of activities that you can do in and around Cape Town. Catch an outdoor concert, tuck into a feast, sing Christmas carols at Kirstenbosch, meet Santa Clause, salsa on the promenade and more.

EXPLORE THE V&A THIS FESTIVE SEASON 

Children’s play Naledi’s Festive Dream; locally-inspired and created art and decor; Africa’s biggest NYE celebration with celebrity guests and musicians; free concerts in the artsy Silo District…There's so much to do. See what you can get up to this festive season at the V&A Waterfront.

Date: N/A
Cost: Varies, from free to R100

V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 | Website | @vandawaterfront | Image: V&A Waterfront

INDULGE IN A FIVE-COURSE LUNCH & WINE PAIRING 

Palm House, a five-star boutique hotel with lush gardens and views of the Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain, is hosting an opulent five-course lunch with wine pairings. Courses include rock lobster with asparagus, salmon trout with sweet potato dumplings, chocolate bubble filled with cake and caramelised hazelnut, and more. 

Date: 25 December 2023, from 12pm
Cost: R2 250pp; book via marketing@palmhouse.co.za or 087 265 1034

10 Oxford Street | Wynberg | @palmhousehotel | Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel

ENJOY A BOTTOMLESS BUFFET

Celebrate Christmas Day with a festive buffet lunch at Café Extrablatt. With a sports bar, a shisha lounge and numerous dining spaces, enjoy a four-course meal while overlooking the streets of Green Point. Tuck into savoury rice and sweet potato mash before digging into mains like slow-roasted rosemary chicken, and pan-fried lemon and herb hake. They’re open 365 days and run specials every day of the week.

Date: 25 December, from 12pm
Cost: R400 per person, book via info@cafe-extrablatt.co.za

Exhibition Building | Green Point | Cape Town | @extrablatt_cpt | Image: Café Extrablatt

FEAST ON A CHRISTMAS SPREAD

Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore is celebrating the festive season with a Christmas lunch. There’ll be mains like glazed gammon, deboned leg of lamb and seafood curry and sides such as seasonal veg lasagne and pan fried butternut. There'll also be a dessert table with pecan nut tartlets, cherry cheesecake and more. Here are 7 more reasons why you should visit Park Inn by Radisson.

Date: 25 December, 1pm to 4pm
Cost: R650 per person (including a welcome drink), book via capetown@parkinn.com or call 021 427 4800

29 Heerengracht Street | Foreshore | @parkinncapetown | Image: Park Inn by Radisson Foreshore 

WATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS

Benguela Cove Wine Estate is showing a special screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Treat yourself to a pre-packaged picnic or food and snacks at the venue: There’ll be cheese and charcuterie platters, hotdogs, burgers, popcorn and Slush Puppies. Drinks and other beverages can also be bought at the bar.

Date: Friday, 22 December 2023; 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Cost: R150 per adult, R120 for guests aged 65+, R50 kids aged 4-16, and free entry for kids under 3, book via benguelacove.co.za

Benguela Cove | R43 Hermanus | @benguelacove | Image: Benguela Cove

SING CAROLS AT KIRSTENBOSCH

Get into the festive mood with your favourite singalongs at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden from 14th to 17th December. Bring the family along for a picnic (or pre-order a picnic for two) and enjoy an evening set against the backdrop of Table Mountain with the sight of thousands of glowsticks lighting up the evening sky.

Date: 14 - 17 December, from 6pm
Cost: R175 for adults, R125 for scholars and free for kids under 6, book via Webtickets

Rhodes Drive | Newlands | Cape Town | @kirstenbosch_nbg | Image: @melissa_ct

GO TO A CHRISTMAS MARKET

Eden on the Bay is hosting a jolly evening filled with holiday cheer, crafts and seasonal delights at their Christmas craft market. Find a wide selection of gifts, including handmade crafts like jewellery and candles from local artisans, and stocking fillers. You can also purchase homemade goodies and drinks or dine at a handful of restaurants and cafés along the beach.

Date: 15 December, 4pm to 8pm
Cost: Free entry

Beach Estate Boulevard | Big Bay | Cape Town | @edenonthebaymall | Image: Eden on the Bay 

MAKE YOUR OWN WREATH 

Attend a wreath making workshop presented by Bernice Baumgarten, using indigenous fynbos sourced from De Bos Farm. Learn sustainable crafting techniques to create your very own  Christmas wreath. After crafting, relax over a light lunch overlooking spectacular views of fynbos, vineyards and towering mountain peaks. 

Date: 13 December, 9.30am to 2pm
Cost: R795 via seatavern.co.za

De Bos Farm | Karwyderskraal Road | Upper Hemel-en-Aarde | Hermanus | @bosmanhermanus | Image: Bosman Hermanus

MEET SANTA CLAUSE

Santa is coming to Sunbird Farm, as they host an evening of carol singing, kids activities, glühwein drinking and meeting Santa Clause. Bring the kids to play and enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival. There’ll be pizza, with cooldrinks, glühwein, wine or beer, and after the sun sets, enjoy the sounds of carolers singing.

Date: 17 December, 6pm to 9pm
Cost: R250 via Allevents.in

Sunbird Farm | Avondrust Circle | Chapmans Peak | Facebook | Image: Sunbird Farm

WATCH A CLASSIC THEATRE SHOW 

Theatre On The Bay brings you VR Theatrical’s A Christmas Carol. Experience this holiday classic as the magical world of Charles Dickens comes to life. Take the kids to watch this retelling of the story of Scrooge as he changes his grumpy, old ways, to a new Scrooge, spreading goodwill and cheer.

Date: 6 - 16 December, 7.30pm
Cost: Between R180 to R280, via Quicket

Link Street | Camps Bay | @pietertoerienproductions | Image: Shannon Shutte

SALSA ON THE PROMENADE 

Celebrate Christmas Eve at an open-air Afro-Latin dance social. As the sun goes down over Sea Point Pavillion, the resident and guest DJs are sure to keep you on the dance floor. Refreshments and snacks can be bought from the surrounding kiosks.

Date: 24 December, 3.30pm to 7pm
Cost: Free

Sea Point Pavilion Forecourt | Beach Road | @sunkissedsalsa | Image: @sunkissedsalsa & @amigos.sbk

GO TO A THEMED-PARTY

Trenchtown invites you to The Nightmare Before Christmas party, with DJs Nytrox and Myster-I. Come dressed up in your sexiest (or scariest) monster outfit for a trip from Halloween Land into the realm of the “Santy Claws”. There are bar tabs to be won for the “Scariest Monsters” and “Sexiest Beasts”, and tracks from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Date: 22 December, 8.30pm to 2am
Cost: R50 before 10pm and R80 after 10pm

143 Lower Main Road | Observatory | @trenchtown_obs | Image: @sacrificialcam

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CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON

Check out these events happening for New Year's Eve.

Celebrate New Year's Day at a 12-hour beach party.

Treat your staff with these year-end ideas and activities. 

Discover a guide for things to do in and around Cape Town this weekend.

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