THE Festive Season is upon us and Durbanites can go through the events listed below to find out where they can spread and enjoy the cheer.

A Christmas Celebration

A Christmas Celebration will take place at the Opera Theatre on Saturday, December 20 at 15h00.

The 2025 Children’s Choir will bring youthful energy, purity and warmth to the stage as they perform alongside celebrated artists, including Ayanda Ntanzi, Don Laka, Timothy Moloi, The Playhouse Chorale and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

This one-performance-only festive highlight promises to uplift and inspire with its blend of powerful music, graceful dance and heartfelt storytelling. Under the direction of Ralph Lawson and guided by the warm, engaging presence of MC Stacey Norman, the production weaves together Christmas favourites and soulful gospel classics, complemented by ballroom performances from Nkululeko Khumalo and Sthembile Ndwalane.

Audiences can look forward to exceptional vocal performances, lush orchestral moments and the added magic of the Children’s Choir, a treasured component of this annual celebration.

“We are thrilled to welcome our 2025 Children’s Choir,” said Lawson. “Their voices bring authenticity, innocence and joy to the production, capturing the true spirit of Christmas. We look forward to sharing their talent with audiences this December.”

Tickets are R200 – R250 and available via Webtickets. Patrons are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

A Baroque Christmas

A glorious morning Christmas concert of music for trumpet and organ will be performed at St Cyprian’s Church in Berea on Sunday, December 21 at 11:00 featuring Margrit Deppe on the newly refurbished organ and Yosuke Matsui on trumpet.

It features works for trumpet and organ alongside solo organ pieces, centred on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert celebrates the joy and splendour of the Baroque era within the spirit of Christmas. Included in the programme will be short, stand-alone hymns, carols and praise and worship pieces for organ and trumpet.

Matsui is a Yamaha performing artist, and principal trumpet player with the KZN Philharmonic, who has served as principal trumpet of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra, Chiba Symphony Orchestra in Japan, and tutti trumpet in the Sydney Orchestra in Australia. He holds a master’s degree from Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. His expertise ranges across various types of trumpets.

Deppe on organ is the co-principal oboe and cor anglais at the KZN Philharmonic. She teaches piano at Clifton school and for 2023 was the church musician / Cantor at the Nauen Rathenow Church District in Germany. She studied Church music in Halle, Saxony Anhalt in Germany and did her BA Honours at UKZN.

Tickets are R130 / R100 concessions at Quicket in advance, or cash at the door. There is off road and guarded parking at the church. Tea and coffee will be served after the concert, and the pub will be open.
This concert is supported by the KZN Performing Arts Trust and KZN Philharmonic.

Michael Jackson HIStory Show moonwalks back to Durban for 2025 finale

Durban is gearing up for an epic end to 2025 as The Michael Jackson HIStory Show returns for two performances only at the playTSOGO Globe at Suncoast on December 20 and 21, from 20:00 and 14:00, respectively.

After a year that saw the production tour the USA, New Zealand and Canada, the much anticipated smash hit will once again close its world tour in Durban for a second consecutive year. South African all-round performer Garth Field leads the production.

He delivers powerhouse live renditions of fan favourites, including Billie Jean, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Bad, Black or White and Man in the Mirror, alongside beloved Jackson 5 classics like ABC and I Want You Back.

Billed as a “visual spectacular,” the HIStory Show recreates Michael Jackson’s biggest moments through immersive film clips and electrifying live performances. Expect a world-class band, high-energy dancers, big-screen visuals, pyrotechnics, and more than 200 moving lights that bring MJ’s legendary concert atmosphere back to life.

Expect powerhouse live renditions of fan favourites, including Billie Jean, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Bad, Black or White and Man in the Mirror, among other top hits from the late icon.

According to showrunners, the repeat finale underscores both the show’s global success and Durban’s enduring love for the King of Pop. “Having captured the hearts of fans in Durban last year, it seems The Michael Jackson HIStory Show continues to promise an unforgettable performance celebrating MJ’s iconic music and legacy,” said the organisers.

Fields has also promised to deliver a thriller of a show for fans of the icon. “I want the audience to enjoy every single bit of the performance, from the singing to dancing and the stage. Michael defied gravity in music,” said Fields. “That is what the audience will get to experience through the performance.”

To be part of the gravity-defying show-stopper and to experience the internationally acclaimed tribute production, tickets can be purchased from itickets.co.za, starting at R225.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here