GET ready for a festive season like no other in Durban. From the Workshop of Wonders at The Pavilion Shopping Centre to the Trail of Lights at the Durban Botanic Gardens, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a fun day out with the kids, a romantic evening with your partner, or a chance to give back to the community, Durban’s got you covered. Take a look at some of the top events and activities happening in Durban this festive season.


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 until December 24 from 09:00 to 19:00.

Entry is free, and all are welcome.

There will be charity gift-wrapping stations until December 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.

Festivities at Umhlanga Beach
THE Umhlanga Summer Festival kicked off on December 15 at the main beach with fun activities for the entire family. Beach volleyball, sandcastle building, grand in sand, limbo, touch rugby, treasure hunt, soccer and carols by candlelight are some of the games and activities which will be taking place. MSC Cruises will also be giving away a cruise so make sure you are there to stand a chance of winning. Events take place daily from 10:00 to 14:00.

“Date Night” at the Rhumbelow Theatre
This Christmas season, Durban’s favorite comedic couple, Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert, are back with their latest musical comedy cabaret, ‘Date Night’. The show will be performed at the Northlands Bowling Club, Rhumbelow Theatre, from December 19-31.

‘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. With their trademark chemistry and humor, the duo tackles the ups and downs of relationships, marriage, and middle age, leaving audiences in stitches.

Directed and choreographed by the talented Daisy Spenser, ‘Date Night’ is a must-see for couples and friends looking for a fun and entertaining night out over the festive season.

Tickets for the show are now available, priced at R220 for adults, R200 for pensioners, and R180 for children under 13. On December 31, all tickets will be priced at R250. Northlands Bowling Club members can enjoy a discounted ticket price of R180 from December 19-30.

Audiences are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, and a full bar will be available. Secure parking is limited, and booking is essential.
To book your tickets, contact Roland at roland@stansell.co.za. Tickets are also available on Webtickets: https://events.durbantheatre.com/ Don’t miss out on a night of unadulterated fun and laughter with ‘Date Night’ at the Rhumbelow Theatre.

LEGO Workshop

Visitors of all ages are invited to explore their creativity at the LEGO workshop taking place at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping until January 6.

The LEGO workshop is an immersive experience catered for both children and adults. Upon arrival, visitors will receive an event activity booklet, which will guide them through 13 interactive zones within Santa’s LEGO workshop. Highlights of the workshop include a simulated winter scene, an introductory video, and a quest to find hidden treasures.

Visitors can also look forward to building paths to guide lost elves, designing vehicles in the Christmas Express, and creating festive ornaments to decorate a LEGO Christmas tree. Younger children will enjoy the pre-school LEGO DUPLO area, while adults will find inspiration in the Botanical Zone, featuring a stunning range of fauna and flora-inspired LEGO sets.

In addition to the LEGO workshop, Gateway Theatre of Shopping will also offer a range of other activities, including magical festive décor photo opportunities, interactive family fun events, live musical performances, and photographs with Santa.

Tickets for the LEGO Gift the Superpower of Play activation are available on Webtickets or at the venue, priced at R25 per person for a 45-minute session. Only card payments will be accepted, and each child attending (under the age of 12 years) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information, visit: https://www.gatewayworld.co.za/ or follow Gateway on social media. Don’t miss out on the fun – head to Gateway Theatre of Shopping this holiday season.

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).

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 R120pp (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.

Kloof Family and Craft post Christmas Market

In the spirit of Christmas and the festive season, the Highway community is invited to the Kloof Family and Craft post Christmas Market. Taking place on December 29 on 4 Dan Pienaar Road in Kloof from 9:00, the market will be hosting vendors selling arts and crafts. There will be live music and entertainment as well as jumping castles for children. People who wish to book a stall can contact Hannah on 076 741 9321. Entry is free.

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