Christmas Wonderland at national botanical gardens a must for friends and family
"Since the Christmas Wonderland was launched on December 10, around 450 people visited the garden daily."
Just before dusk, the national botanical gardens in Pretoria turns into a magic land with a picturesque expanse of lights.
In collaboration with the South African national biodiversity institute and Event Ladies SA, the Christmas Wonderland at the gardens is a first for Pretoria.
One of the organisers, Kobus Visser said that visitors can look forward to 700m of lights.
“Since the Christmas Wonderland was launched on December 10, around 450 people visited the garden daily.
“We have a similar event that we started at Walter Sisulu national botanical gardens around three years ago,” he said.
Visser added that they have received a lot of positive feedback from the public.
“Next year, we plan to host a picnic under the stars as well as a Winter Wonderland.”
Bring your picnic basket, chairs and blankets and spend quality time with your loved ones while enjoying children’s activities and food vendors.
Bring your family and friends for an outdoor experience and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind.
“You can look forward to many Christmas features as well as fairies and angels and blown-up festive figures,” said Visser.
Father Christmas is also at the gardens where you can capture those precious memories.
Local artist Norman Gonzo was approached by Event Ladies SA where he was doing wire figures on the corners of Garsfontein Road and Issie Smuts Streets.
“Kobus asked me if he would like to be part of the team to present this festival,” he said.
ALSO READ: Christmas wonderland – a first for botanical gardens
Gonzo said that one of his most impressive wired figures is the reindeer with mushrooms.
“It took me about five hours, depending on the size of the figures.
“To my fellow artists: never give up. I never thought that I would be part of such a special event. One of these days, I will get my name out there,” he said.
Gates will open from 16:00 onwards and the events start at 18:00.
Tickets are limited. To avoid disappointment at the door, customers were urged to pre-book their tickets online.
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