#WeekendEvents: The holiday festivities have begun!

Friday, December 14

• Take a picture with Santa at the Ballito Junction Mall between 10am and 7pm.

• Enjoy live music at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. The Market: Faye and Wren from 12pm – 3pm, The Capitals from 3.30pm – 5.30pm and Semi Koala from 6pm – 9pm. Eat Street: Mark Maurel from 12.30pm – 3.30pm and Dave Starke from 6pm – 9pm.

• Look for the fairies and find the elves as you watch large sections of Africa’s oldest botanic gardens illuminate into a Christmas wonderland at Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights. The magical, festive family event will be open every day, except Christmas Day, until December 30. Tickets cost R50 and, if booked online at Webtickets or at your local Pick ‘n Pay Store, children under two are free. Limited tickets will be available each night at the door at R70 per ticket. For more details click HERE.

Saturday, December 15

• Wish Upon A Star fundraiser at Sage Centre from 8am to 6pm. Decorate Sage Centre’s Christmas tree by purchasing a beautiful wooden star (available from all Sage retailers). Personalise with a wish to loved ones near and far, or decorate with glitter and glue. In aid of The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund. Contact 032-5258059.

• Head down to The Litchi Orchard for their Makers Market! Enjoy good food, fantastic craft, live music and free entry from 9am – 1pm.

• Father Christmas and his face painting elves will be entertaining the little guests at The Market at the Lifestyle Centre. There will be two gift wrapping stations, one outside Woolworths and Toast and another outside Superspar, available for customers to have any gifts they have bought at the centre wrapped free of charge.

• Enjoy live music at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. The Market: Tara Blake on Violin from 9.30am – 11.30am, Rowan Stuart from 12pm – 3pm, Nibs van der Spuy from 3.30pm – 5.30pm and Gavin Ferguson from 6pm – 8pm. Eat Street: Johnny Casquinha from 2pm – 4pm and Jacques Mouton from 7pm – 10pm.

• Rotary Club of Zimbali Christmas Tree Sales at the marquee at the Ballito’s Quarter Boutique Centre from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 3pm on weekends.

• Take a picture with Santa at the Ballito Junction Mall between 10am and 7pm.

• Free kids’ holiday ‘Seasun fun’ at the Ballito Junction Mall from 10am to 4pm: biscuit icing, arts and crafts and giant games.

• KwaDukuza Municipality will host a jazz event dubbed, “We protect Music Picnic” with a view of communicating a message of non-violence against women and children during and after the period of 16 Days of Activism. The musical line-up will consist of Khaya Mahlangu, American Jazz pianist George Duke, Noma Khumalo, Tutti Grooves as well as Dane Francis. The event will be hosted at Blythedale Beach from 5pm.

• Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights. Tickets cost R50 and, if booked online at Webtickets or at your local Pick ‘n Pay Store, children under two are free. Limited tickets will be available each night at the door at R70 per ticket. For more details click HERE.

Sunday, December 16

• Lace up those walking shoes and head down to Velani Township community hall on Sunday for a family fun walk/run for depression awareness from 8am to 1pm. Pearl Mvundle of Syathandana Community Connectors will also be sharing her experience of overcoming depression. Contact Pearl on 071 056 2096.

• Wish Upon A Star fundraiser at Sage Centre from 8am to 6pm.

• Meet the stars of Snakes in the City! The meet and greet will be held at Ndlondlo Reptile Park from 9am – 11am. Simon and Siouxsie be chatting with fans, signing autographs and showing off some cool snakes.

• Head down to the exciting new Blythedale Coastal Adventure Market at the Blythedale Event Bowl every Sunday. This market is the first ever fresh produce market with adventure activities on site and will also include live music from top artists. The longest slippery slide in KZN is one of the main attractions. Anything from fresh fish, locally sourced regional produce and artisan food will be available. On the adventurous side, challenge your friends with a capture the flag paintball game or a game of laser tag. Open every Sunday from 10am – 4pm.

• Rotary Club of Zimbali Christmas Tree Sales at the marquee at the Ballito’s Quarter Boutique Centre from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 3pm on weekends.

• Father Christmas and his face painting elves will be entertaining the little guests at The Market at the Lifestyle Centre. There will also be two gift wrapping stations.

• Take a picture with Santa at the Ballito Junction Mall between 10am and 7pm.

• Free kids’ holiday ‘Seasun fun’ at the Ballito Junction Mall from 10am to 4pm: biscuit icing, arts and crafts and giant games.

• Enjoy live music at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. The Market: Dave Charles from 10am – 12pm, Winston Smile from 12.30pm – 3.30pm, Shanbe Strachan from 4pm – 6pm and Semi Koala from 6.30pm – 9pm. Eat Street: The Capitals from 2pm – 4pm and Rob Stories from 6pm – 9pm.

• Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights. Tickets cost R50 and, if booked online at Webtickets or at your local Pick ‘n Pay Store, children under two are free. Limited tickets will be available each night at the door at R70 per ticket. For more details click HERE.

Monday, December 17

• Ballito Car Boot sale and Christmas Market between 10am and 6pm. Contact Brenda 083 780 1953.

• Wish Upon A Star fundraiser at Sage Centre from 8am to 6pm.

• Rotary Club of Zimbali Christmas Tree Sales at the marquee at the Ballito’s Quarter Boutique Centre from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 3pm on weekends.

• Take a picture with Santa at the Ballito Junction Mall between 10am and 7pm.

• Father Christmas and his face painting elves will be entertaining the little guests at The Market at the Lifestyle Centre. There will also be two gift wrapping stations.

• Free kids’ holiday ‘Seasun fun’ at the Ballito Junction Mall from 10am to 4pm: biscuit icing, arts and crafts and giant games.

• Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights. Tickets cost R50 and, if booked online at Webtickets or at your local Pick ‘n Pay Store, children under two are free. Limited tickets will be available each night at the door at R70 per ticket. For more details click HERE.