There’s a lot to love about summer in South Africa. On top on the braais, braais and more braais, glorious sunshine and long summer days, it’s also the festive season.
We may not get a traditional white Christmas, but we still always manage to get into the swing of things. And with such good weather, it isn’t hard to spend an afternoon meandering around a festive Christmas market. Here are some of South Africa’s best ones…
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Bryanston Organic Christmas Moonlight Market, Sandton
- When: 22nd November to 20th December
- Where: Culross Road, Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg
Bryanston Organic Moonlight Market is as magical as it sounds; on Tuesday evenings you can enjoy the twinkling fairy lights of this evening market along with asty food and music.
Great for the whole family, children have the opportunity to make their own gifts including ceramic paintings, t-shirts, candles, wood paintings and stone crafts. There is also a charitable gift wrapping service.
Piggly Wiggly Christmas Fun Day, Howick
- When: 16th December
- Where: Lions River, KZN Midlands, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal
The Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands invite you to experience the greenest Christmas you’ve ever had, with the emerald-hued splendour of the hills and valleys of this natural wonderland.
Piggly Wiggly is a shopping hub located in Howick, one of the midlands many quaint towns. This shopping haven boasts the fun and flavour of organic food and craft beer, as well as arts and crafts; and in December they host a Christmas market. You can meet Father Christmas, take a steam train ride and start your Christmas shopping, all the while enjoying the festive frivolity of this country market.
South Coast Christmas Market, Uvongo
- When: 2nd December to 8th January
- Where: Douglas Mitchell Sports Grounds, Smuts Avenue, Uvongo, KwaZulu-Natal
Enjoy a tropical Christmas in KwaZulu-Natal by visiting the South Coast Christmas Market on the Douglas Mitchell Sports Grounds.
With over 300 stalls, you’ll be spoiled for choice as you hop from vendor to vendor admiring the toys, jewellery and décor for sale. If you’ve worked up a sweat after doing all your shopping, you can make a trip to Uvongo Beach to take a refreshing dip in the sea.
Transoranje Christmas Market, Pretoria
- When: 25th November to 4th December
- Where: 855 Church Street West, Pretoria West, Pretoria
This market is held as a fundraiser for the Transoranje School for the Deaf and is crammed full of Christmas goodies – so you will find plenty to fill your stockings and your stomach.
As you amble through the market, hosting more than 250 exhibitors, celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with the knowledge that you are supporting a good cause while doing your end-of-year shopping.
Rotary Christmas Market, Vanderbijlpark
- When: 17th December 2016
- Where: Stonehaven on Vaal, Next to Baddrift Bridge, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng
Take a walk along the banks of the famed Vaal River, breathing the fresh summer air as you wonder amongst the stalls of the Vanderbijlpark Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Market.
There are numerous stands where you can start your festive shopping, all doing their bit to raise funds for local projects.
Willowbridge Christmas Slow Market, Stellenbosch
- When: 2nd and 3rd December
- Where: Slow Market, Oude Libertas Estate, Oude Libertas Road, Stellenbosch
A winter wonderland is envisioned at Willowbridge with all the white Christmas wonder of lights, lanterns and snowflake origami.
The wafting smells of braii will definitely make you hungry and if you like a big Christmas dinner, then this market is the place to go as you can stock up on turkey, mince pies, nuts and champagne.
Featured and header image provided by Bryanston Organic Christmas Moonlight Market
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