Christmas markets in South Africa

Posted by Rachel Robinson on 12 December 2013

It’s that time of the year when time seems to go by really fast and you still haven’t quite finished (or even started) your Christmas shopping. The malls are overcrowded, your boss is demanding that you finish up all your projects and all you want to do is go on holiday and put your feet up.

Christmas markets are the way to go if you can’t stand the thought of listening to Boney M at your local shopping centre while fighting over the last Christmas mince pies at Woolworths and having a trolley or pram jammed into your achilles tendon. Instead you can enjoy the fresh air while you shop for interesting and novel gifts, indulge in delicious fare and even relax over a glass of wine while the kids bounce out all their energy on the jumping castle. What’s more, you’ll be supporting local talent while you have a fun day (or evening) out. Here’s a list of Christmas markets worth visiting:

Christmas markets in the Western Cape

Edgemead Christmas Market

6 – 22 December 2013
10h00 – 20h00

The Edgemead Christmas Market held in the Community Hall on Edgemead Drive is one of Cape Town’s favourite indoor Christmas markets with more than 200 crafters travelling from far and wide to take part. You will find everything that your heart desires from delicious foodstuffs, jewellery, handcrafted leather and wrought iron, glassware, mosaics, teddy bears and more! Open every day, including Sundays. www.edgemeadmarket.com

Christmas Night Market at Oranjezicht City Farm

12 and 13 December 2013
15h00 – 20h00

“Where Father Christmas Meets Mother Nature” is the theme of the markets, in line with the farm’s focus on everything natural, local and beautiful. The gifts you’ll find there will be ones reflecting the ethos of the Farm – natural, fresh, one hundred percent local, supporting recycling and upcycling, or simply transforming the old into something new. www.ozcf.co.za

V&A Market on the Wharf Christmas Night Market

13 December 2013
From 09h30

Celebrate ‘Christmas Around The World’ with specially prepared delicious Christmas themed food, fun activities for the kids, (bring torches) plus live music to keep things festive. In the spirit of giving, the market will also be giving away spot prizes to lucky patrons. www.marketonthewharf.co.za

Fab Ideas Christmas Gift Market

13-16 December 2013
From 11h00 (Friday) and 09h00 (Saturday to Monday)

Kommetjie Primary School will be buzzing with a magical hall in which gifts fill every corner. From décor, jewelery, clothing and crafts to a delicious deli of tasty treats and goodies to compliment your festive spread. With late shopping on Friday night, kiddies entertainment, organic wine, Craft beer and live music this will be an unforgettable shopping experience. In addition, Ard Matthews from Just Jinger will be doing a late afternoon unplugged acoustic set on Saturday (bookings essential) and there will be Christmas carols on Sunday evening. Tel 021-783-2973.

Gabriëlskloof Favourite Things Market

13 and 14 December 2013
From 17h00 and 11h00

Ranging from prized Kokkedoor koeksisters and homemade pestos to fresh oysters and bubbly, this authentic and trendy market at Gabriëlskloof in Bot River showcases more than 30 passionate producers who will make, bake, curate, craft, sew and share their seasonal delights for you to stock up in style. With the soulful sounds of the French accordion and jazzy tunes of Tim Burnz wafting through the air, you can browse the enticing stalls and shop to your heart’s content. Or simply relax on the lawn after a game of pétanque while the young ones enjoy the jumping castle and other fun activities in the estate’s chapel. Tel 082-852-6547, www.gabrielskloof.co.za.

Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Christmas Market Day

14 December 2013
09h00 t0 15h00

The perfect opportunity to stock up on produce for your Christmas table as well as shopping for delicious stocking fillers along with the estate’s superb wines, luxury body products and olive oils. It’s a showcase of the finest produce from the Riebeek Valley and surrounding areas giving you the opportunity to taste, sample and buy in one convenient location. Tel 022-448-1635, www.kloovenburg.com.

Cape Town Summer Market

14 – 30 December 2013
12h00 – 23h00

Get your retail therapy fix at this inner-city Christmas market formally known as the Adderley Street Night Market. Purchase gifts from more than 200 vendors, whose stalls stretch the length of Government Avenue and onto the lawns of the Iziko National Art Gallery. Make the most of summer with a picnic in the Company’s Garden, which will host a daily garden party where there will be delicious fare from a food court as well as craft beer and wine. Enjoy live entertainment while the little ones have fun in a play area. Tel 083-899-7312, email [email protected].

Stanford Christmas Street Market

16 Dec 2013
10h00 – 18h00

Take the whole family to Victoria Street in Stanford and enjoy the festive atmosphere while shopping for Christmas gifts and decor. There will also be delicious country market fare and all the restaurants will be open. Tel 028-341-0340, email [email protected], www.stanfordinfo.co.za.

Blaauwklippen Twilight Christmas Market

17 – 22 December 2013
From 18h00

Bringing the classical European Christmas markets to the heart of the Cape Winelands a delectable variety of food will be on offer as well as ginger bread cookies, fruit cakes, cinnamon pancakes, Pfefferkuchenhaus, Christstollen, toffee apples and candy floss. With gifts ranging from fashion items to hand crafted wooden toys, candles, pottery and jewellery , it will be the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping while enjoying a glass of wine. There’ll also be live music, choirs, children’s’ entertainment and carols by candlelight. Tel 021-880-0133, www.blaauwklippen.com.

Christmas Night Market at Hathersage

18 December 2013
17h00 – 22h00

Gather friends and family, pack a picnic blanket and a torch, and get to the beautiful tree-lit setting of Hathersage Farm in Somerset West for festive cheer and gifts galore. Find gifts, taste wine and indulge in delicious market fare while enjoying the sounds of Gypsy Jazz band, Manouche. There will be Christmas crafting for the kiddies, and even an appearance from Santa himself. R20 per adult, children free. Tel 082-295-1758, www.tomarketwithlove.co.za.

Christmas markets in KwaZulu-Natal

Christmas Night Markets at Granada Square

13 and 20 December 2013
18h00 – 23h00

Get into the festive spirit at the night markets at Granada Square in Umhlanga, where you can enjoy an arty Durban design atmosphere within an urban landscape. Discover many treasures, including artisan foods and designer wares with live entertainment along the way. www.granadasquare.co.za.

Midlands Bee Christmas Market

14 December 2013
09h00 – 16h00

An open air market at the Lynwood Club in Pietermartizburg with loads of stalls for all your Christmas shopping – handbags, jewellery, home decor, canvas art, books, garden decor, clothing, toys. Food and beverages will also be on sale. Live music by DJ WORX along swings, pony rides, jumping castle and Groovy balls. Held in conjunction with the Maritzburg Cricket Club T20 festival, making for a fun -filled family day out. Tel 033-344-1340, email [email protected].

Litchi Orchard Christmas Market

14 December 2013
09h00 – 14h00

Have the ultimate Christmas shopping experience at this family-owned and run market in Salt Rock. Expect a festive atmosphere with gifts ranging from food gifts, to leatherwork, jewellery, clothing, antiques and much more. Support local trade this year and give a gift that has truly been made with love. www.litchiorchard.co.za

Christmas Market & Fun Day

16 December 2013
08h00 – 15h00

Relton Hall in Pennington is hosting a Christmas market with stalls selling a wide range of products and plenty of entertainment during the day, including a Miss Pennington Beauty Pageant, a Mr. Muscles Competition along with various raffles and hamper giveaways. Kids can enjoy a jumping castle and visit Santa’s Grotto while parents can relax in the Beer & Tea Garden. Tel 071-088-1341.

Shongweni Christmas Market

16 December 2013
09h00 – 15h00

Enjoy a fun day out with wonderful food, live music and a festive showcase of unique and lovingly handcrafted items that would make out-of-the-ordinary gifts for loved ones. Tel 031-777-4686, www.shongwenimarket.co.za.

Christmas markets in Gauteng

Kensington Christmas Market

15 December 2013
10h00 – 16h00

Do your Christmas shopping in the beautiful Rhodes Park where you’ll find high quality, local, hand-made, fresh, creative and quirky items. There will also be food stalls catering to all tastes, including boerie rolls, sushi, samosas, vetkoek, popcorn, sangria and coffee. Dogs on a leash are welcome and a “watering hole” is provided for them. Plus there’s entertainment for kids too! Tel 071-741-7086, www.kensington.org.za.

Moonlight Market at Bryanston Organic & Natural Market

17 December 2013
17h00 – 21h00

It is that special time of the year when the market is lit up with the sparkle of festive lights and trimmings, and laid before you is a tempting array of uniquely hand crafted gifts, decorations and festive foods. In keeping with the wholesomeness of the season and the ethos of the market, these are all lovingly made from organic and natural materials and ingredients. Children’s entertainment includes ceramic painting, sand art and candle dipping and making. A carol singing ceremony will take place at 19h00. www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za

Rotary Christmas Market

22 December 2013
09h00 – 21h00

Meander amongst the stalls on the banks of the Vaal River and shop for gifts, decorations and antiques. Create your own family heirloom and relax in the Tea Garden while enjoying a snack and a drink. Carols by Candlelight from 18h00 will get you into the Christmas spirit. Tel 016-982-2951, www.stonehaven.co.za.