Things to do with your family on a budget this festive season
These are some family-friendly activities that are either free or cost less than R 100 per person.
Get a glimpse into Santa's bedroom, send postcards to the North Pole, or take a family photo to capture the spirit of the holidays. Picture credit Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - With so many great holiday activities on the way that promise hours of fun, families in South Africa are in for a treat this festive season. Don't worry if you're feeling overextended financially.
These are some family-friendly activities that are either free or cost less than R100 per person.
Gauteng
Bedford Centre (Bedfordview) Live carols performance and Christmas Light Garden on the Square
The first Light Garden on the Square, an illuminated outdoor show, will be unveiled by Bedford, the epitome of holiday charm. A Mirror Illusion Maze, an immersive experience with mirrors, reflections, and lights, will be open for exploration by guests from December 6 to 24. Visitors can use pool noodles to navigate this thrilling, mind-bending experience, briefly doubting reality in this interactive environment.
Dates: 6 – 24 December
Cost to enter: Free
Explore a Mirror Illusion Maze, an immersive experience featuring mirrors, reflections, and lights. Picture credit: Supplied
Fourways Mall (Fourways) – Santa Land
Families may explore five zones with distinct interactive activities at the well-liked Santa Land Adventure, which is open from December 4 to December 22. It starts at Mainland in the center court, where guests can send postcards to the North Pole, view Santa's bedroom, and take family pictures. Remember to make a wish at the Wishing Wall or bounce about in Santa's Ball Playground.
Dates: 4 to 22 December
Cost to enter: 4 - 12 December: R40 per person. 13 - 22 December: R50 per person. Book at Quicket.
Families may explore five zones with distinct interactive activities at the well-liked Santa Land Adventure. Picture credit: Supplied
Mall of Africa (Midrand) – DreamWorks Find the Fun
The well-liked Find the Fun activation is returning to Mall of Africa thanks to the DreamWorks Channel. Families and their children can enjoy free admission to the area from Wednesday, December 11 to Tuesday, December 24.
Activities include the Trolls rainbow slide, the DreamWorks character memory game wall, mini trampolines, a face cut-out wall, a soft play area, and a coloring zone where they can let their creativity run wild.
Enjoy daily DreamWorks movie and television show screenings as well as daily appearances by your favorite DreamWorks characters every day at 1 PM.
Dates: 11 – 24 December
Cost to enter: Free
Families can take advantage of this boredom-busting experience in Johannesburg every day from 11 to 24 December. Picture credit: Supplied
Melrose Arch (Melrose) - Destination Christmas
Melrose Arch is well known for its spectacular Christmas lights, and this year, guests may take in brand-new installations and even more stunning light displays that will complement the beloved, well-known holiday displays.
Additionally, on Friday, December 13, the Jeppe Pipe Band will make a comeback to Melrose Arch, playing on High Street at 19:00.
Dates: 15 November – 5 January, Jeppe Pipe Band performance: 13 December
Cost to enter: Free
Immerse yourself in parades, music, Christmas markets, sparkling lights and new installations, complementing the beloved, well-known holiday displays. Picture credit: Supplied
Sandton City (Sandton) - Momo’s Magical Adventure
With a daring new plot, the beloved children's theatre play Momo's Magical Adventure is returning from December 5, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Momo and her faithful companion, Mack the Meerkat, set out on a cosmic adventure this year, complete with deep-sea marvels, starry sky, and heavenly companions like Polly the Northern Star and Bertie-Stargazer the Unicorn.
A visual and emotional feast for the whole family, this immersive children's theatre show features daily performances in a specially created theatrical tent.
Dates: 5 December to 5 January (no shows on 25 December or 1 January)
Cost to enter: R 60 each at www.sandtoncity.com.
The award-winning Momo’s Magical Adventure will make its return to Sandton City this December, showcasing a captivating new storyline. Picture credit: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal
Gateway (Umhlanga) - LEGO Brand Experience - Gift the Superpower of Play
This holiday season, the LEGO, Gift the Superpower of Play Holiday Activation is a major attraction at Gateway. Fans of the LEGO brand of all ages will be able to explore no fewer than thirteen interactive zones in this captivating experience.
Before embarking on a journey for hidden treasures in the hunt for Santa's gifts, guests will have the opportunity to tour Santa's LEGO workshop, which features a simulated winter setting and an introduction movie.
Dates: 6 December 2024 to 6 January 2025 (closed on 25 December and 1 January)
Cost to enter: R 25 each, book at Webtickets.
Guests will have the opportunity to tour Santa's LEGO workshop, which features a simulated winter setting and an introduction movie. Picture credit: Supplied
Midlands Mall (Pietermaritzburg) - Festive Artspace
The Festive Artspace will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from December 13 to 22, bringing colour to the centre court. Exceeding the conventional holiday activities, this vibrant area will provide a variety of imaginative activities aimed at stimulating kids' creativity.
Young guests can enjoy colouring their shopping bags and enormous wall murals, creating creature standees, decorating cookies with bright colours, having sip-and-paint sessions, and participating in soft-play, sensory activities here.
Dates: 13 – 22 December
Cost to enter: Free but R 10 donation encouraged
Western Cape
Cavendish Square (Claremont) – Santa Claus phone booth
This year, children can use the unique phone booth in Cavendish Square to call Santa on his cell phone and exchange their wish lists with him directly! Santa's pen and paper will be prepared by Mrs. Claus. At the booth, parents can fill out an entry form, and one lucky child will receive everything on their wish list! From December 16 to 24, the festive phone booth will be situated close to the food court on the first floor.
Dates: 16 – 24 December
Cost to enter: Free
Liberty Promenade (Mitchell’s Plain) – Gingerbread Workshop
A children's gingerbread workshop combining sugar, spice, and all things lovely will be held at Promenade Mall. Youngsters ages 4 to 11 may let their imaginations run wild here while decorating delectable gingerbread biscuits and taking pictures in a special photo booth.
Set against the backdrop of a gingerbread house, this entertaining event will include a colourful gingerbread mascot who will teach kids a fun TikTok dance and give them a chance to compete in a TikTok competition as their parents watch.
The Gingerbread Workshop's earnings will support a youth empowerment initiative that will begin in January 2025.
Dates: 12 – 24 December
Cost to enter: R 25 per child
The Gingerbread Workshop's earnings will support a youth empowerment initiative that will begin in January 2025. Picture credit: Supplied
Eastern Cape
Vincent Park (East London) – The Festive Village
To unite the neighborhood, Vincent Park is hosting a number of joyous events this year. The Festive Village, a Disney-themed children's craft area, is the focal point of the celebrations. From December 16 to 22, there are two daily workshops from 11:00 to 12:00 and 12:00 to 13:00, where young children may express their creativity.
Dates: 16 – 22 December
Cost to enter: R 40 each at Quicket (Festive Village).
The Festive Village, a Disney-themed children's craft area, is the focal point of the celebrations. Picture credit: Supplied