Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs
Feel the festive fever – it’s here. Below is a directory of what will be happening in Durban and surrounding areas. Everyone is invited to various activities, markets and shows happening during the holidays.
Fun family panto returns
Get ready for a spectacular blend of classic charm and contemporary hilarity at this year’s must-see fun family pantomime, Snow White Incorporated. The show, written and directed by Melanie Visser, will be presented at the Westville Theatre Club. A fresh twist on the beloved fairy tale, this production reimagines Snow White as a savvy young woman who transforms her fate with the help of seven unforgettable companions, and Grimmland gets a modern makeover.
Set in the whimsical kingdom of Grimmland, this dazzling performance features everything you love about pantomime – laugh-out-loud comedy, audience interaction, a heartwarming message of friendship and some toe-tapping songs, such as I Like to Move It, Wrecking Ball, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, What Was I Made For?, Workin’ 9 to 5, I’m a Believer, Barbie Girl, The Greatest, It Must be Love, and I’ll Be There for You.
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Evening show dates still to come are December 12–14 at 19:00. The matinee show will be December 15 at 14:30.
Ticket prices are R100 per person and R80 for pensioners and students. Contact Dorothy on 083 776 1754 or dorothyannoneill@gmail.com for bookings.
Trail of Lights to illuminate Durban
If it’s Durban and it’s December … it has to be Trail of Lights time. Celebrating eight years of brilliant awe and wonder, this year’s luminous event offers a double-whammy to visitors – the Durban Botanic Gardens is proud to mark its 175th anniversary milestone, in collaboration with the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust and the Trail of Lights, which is the Trust’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Bringing enchantment and joy to visitors of all ages in Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden, organisers are promising a host of sparkling new attractions, from a re-imagined Santa’s Workshop and Grotto and Build-A-Bear Workshop to a variety of themed areas, including the iconic Whale Tails created by SAAMBR (South African Association of Marine Biological Research).
The popular Paws and Claus evenings are also back in the mix for 2024, with the night of December 12 earmarked for ‘fur babies’ (dogs only). Ticket sales from these evenings go to Feeding the Furballs charity. Tickets on the Paws and Claus nights are R50 per pet when booked with a full-paying adult ticket.
There will be entertainment and live music each evening. Activities include festive characters and spectacular live ‘selfie spots’ across the gardens, as well as food gardens, Mail off your Christmas Wish List at the North Pole Mailbox and festive shopping.
Wheelchairs will be available to hire on a first-come-first-served basis.
Ticket prices range from R70 to R90 per person, depending on the time you visit, and are available through Webtickets or at select Pick ’n Pay outlets. Tickets are available at the door, subject to availability, at R120 per person (card payments only) and are limited. Pensioners’ tickets are R60 per person (proof of ID required).
The Trail of Lights runs until January 3, 2025, from 18:00–22:00 each evening and will be closed on December 25 & 31.
Workshop of Wonders at The Pavilion Shopping Centre
Inspired by Santa and his elves, the Workshop of Wonders awaits youngsters this festive season at The Pavilion Shopping Centre.
Honouring the theme of a traditional Christmas, the Workshop of Wonders incorporates various festive-themed activities for younger visitors: cookie decorating, snow slime, bauble creation and a bead bar to make jewellery and charms. Santa will be in the centre a fortnight before Christmas for photos, and if children want to write him a letter, he will be located at the Cinema Level from December 12–24 between 09:00 and 19:00.
Entry is free, and all are welcome.
There will be charity gift-wrapping stations from December 13–24 on both the lower and upper levels in the centre, staffed by, and as a fundraiser for, the St Martin’s Diocesan Home for Children in Glenwood. The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will be doing a free Christmas Concert of frothy festive favourites under the baton of newly appointed resident conductor, Chad Hendricks, at the Pavilion Food Court on December 16 at 18:00 for an hour.
André Rieu brings Gold and Silver goodies
Celebrate the holiday season with André Rieu’s dazzling Christmas Concert, Gold and Silver, exclusively in cinemas.
This magical event makes its way to the Rhumbelow Classics Cinema big screen on Sunday, December 15, starting at 14:00. The second screening will be on Monday, December 16, at 18:00.
Get ready to be transported to the wondrous world of enchanting glamour that is André’s winter wonderland! Under the sparkle of 150 chandeliers and 50 Venetian candelabras, feel your heart warm with the magical melody of all your favourite Christmas classics.
André Rieu will be joined on stage by his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra, along with special guest artists and the young and talented Emma Kok.
Tickets are sold at R175 each through Webtickets or email Roland Stansell at roland@stansell.co.za.
Bring food picnic baskets or buy at the venue.
Keep things close with Date Night
Get ready for Date Night, a hilarious musical comedy cabaret coming to the Northlands Bowling Club this Christmas Season.
What would the end of the year be like without Durban’s favourite comedic couple, Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert, who will be performing in their latest comedy cabaret, Date Night, at the Northlands Bowling Club, Rhumbelow Theatre, from December 19 to 31.
Date Night promises an evening of laughter, love and lunacy as Aaron and Lisa take to the stage with their unique blend of crazy characters and hilarious songs. It is directed by the amazing Daisy Spenser.
Book your tickets from R180 via email at roland@stansell.co.za or Webtickets.
Get smooth with Umhlanga Milkshake Festival
Umhlanga Milkshake Festival takes place on December 14 and 15, from midday to 16:00 at the Umhlanga Centre on Ridge Road.
On offer will be a pop-up market, artisanal food, milkshakes, a jumping castle, face painting, candy floss, arts and crafts, a reptile show and much more.
Tickets are available on Zapper from R200 general to R350 VIP.
More carols to unwrap
Umhlanga Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (URRA) is proud to bring you the URRA Festive Market with vendors, carols and prizes at Umhlanga Centre, Ridge Road.
The markets will take place over three days, from December 13–15. On Friday, the market opens at 16:00 to 21:00, and on Saturday and Sunday, the market opens from 09:00 to 16:00.
Entry is free. For more information, contact 082 868 9952.
Afternoon fashion show, festive pop-ups at Glenwood Village
Glenwood residents can enjoy greater shopping variety at the Glenwood Village centre this festive period with the addition of pop-up shops as part of a recent Summer and Festive Family Fashion Show.
“All of the clothing and fashion outlets will be involved to showcase the range of family fashion available at the centre. Included in the range will be uber-elegant special-occasion women’s day, evening, cocktail and party wear, available from December 5. There are two festive pop-up shops upstairs which will be added to the selection. The selection includes bespoke, locally made garments – many in bold shwe-shwe colours; quality accessories, including leather bags, cases, hair clips and jewellery from Vittoria and Co; dramatic beaded jewellery, bold picture hats and fun shoe laces from Bright Shadow; exquisite Eastern wear from Silk and Bamboo, and some vintage and preloved bespoke garments from the upstairs thrift table. Children and men’s fashion will be included, as well,” said Glenwood Village’s Steve King.
Over the festive season, there will be live music every Saturday morning courtesy of Durban’s own Gary McKenzie.
There will be a huge collection of CDs and DVDs on sale which will benefit the Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit project which is an entrepreneurial initiative for the homeless.
“Increasingly, we understand the need to nurture a sense of neighbourhood in places where we gather. And what better occasion to celebrate our shared community than over the festive season,” said King.
Entry is free, and all are welcome. Glenwood Village doesn’t charge for on-site parking, has guarded street parking and is easily accessible on public transport. For more information, contact 031 201 0137 (o/h).
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