Our city has world class experiences to offer us as residents and guests from all over the world and it really shines in December & January when the sun is out and the feeling of celebration is in the air. Here is a bumper edition of our favourite things happening in December 2019 and January 2020.
Book now to ensure you don’t miss out.
DECEMBER 2019
From 6 December: The Rocky Horror Show
Location: ARTSCAPE THEATRE
Two squeaky clean college kids meet Dr Frank ‘n’ Furter by chance and embark on an adventure they’ll never forget, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The show runs until 12 January. Find out more »
7 December: A Perfectly Peculiar Picnic
Location: MOUNT NELSON
A spectacular (peculiar) garden picnic featuring Hendrick’s gin and some of the hottest DJ’s and performers of the season. Find out more »
From 7 December: Festival of Light Art
Location: SPIER WINE FARM, STELLENBOSCH
Explore an array of 21 interspersed light and sound installations created by leading artists and designers until 19 January 2020. Find out more »
11 December: Gin & Jazz in the Fynbos
Location: 12 APOSTLES HOTEL
Celebrate World Mountain Day with a spectacular sunset and live Jazz in this magnificent setting. Find out more »
12 December: Full Moon Picnic
Location: BOSCHENDAL
Enjoy an evening on the moonlit Rhone Rose Garden lawn while listening to a live performance by the Nomadic Orchestra. Find out more »
12 – 15 December: Carols at Kirstenbosch
Location: KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS
Setting the tone for Christmas 2019 with Carols at Kirstenbosch promises to be the most festive yet as the events celebrates its 31st anniversary. Find out more »
From 12 December: Euphonik Live
Location: RADISSON RED
Getting the festive season started with DJ Euphonik and friends performing every Thursday from 12 December 2019 until 9 January 2020. Find out more »
From 13 December: Black Coffee x Shimmy Beach Club
Location: SHIMMY BEACH CLUB
A festive season itinerary in Cape Town wouldn’t be the same DJ Black Coffee. He’ll be appearing weekly from 13 December until 4 January 2020. Find out more »
13 – 15 December: Favorite Things Market
Location: GABRIËLSKLOOF
Featuring hand-picked stalls with this season’s must-have goodies. From baked treats to beautiful jewellery; home-knits to rare finds – it’s all in one location. Find out more »
14 December: Wine & Crayfish Festival
Location: STELLENBOSCH
Seven Sisters Wine & Crayfish Festival hosts South African family entertainment, authentic foods, local market vendors and wine. Local wines are on offer and food options consist of seafood with crayfish made in different ways. Find out more »
25 December: CHRISTMAS DAY
Buffet Lunch at Mint Restaurant & Terrace, TAJ Hotel – you’ll be spoilt for choice on with all the trimmings which includes a L’Ormarins Brut Classique welcome drink on arrival. Find out more »
Set menu Lunch at Skotnes Restaurant, Tokai – with two menu options (vegetarian substitutes available) to choose from, the serene wetlands and sculpture garden offers a breathtaking backdrop for the celebration. Find out more »
Dinner at Asoka Restaurant & Bar, Kloof Street – adding some festive cheer with elegant trinkets, bells and whistles, this beautifully lit inner city eatery is the perfect setting for the celebration. Not recommended for kids. Find out more »
KIDS CORNER, courtesy of agaaain!
Klondyke Cherry Farm, Ceres – Take the kids to pick their own cherries this season (until 31 December) and explore the picturesque orchards or have a picnic under the shade of pine trees. Find out more »
Kids Programme, Norval Foundation – Learn about South Africa’s most prolific artist, William Kentridge, in a range of fun arts & craft activities, including tours, drawings and decoupage. Find out more »
More Adventures of Noddy, Artscape Theatre – This heart-warming children’s classic will bring you into a festive mood (from 7 – 21 December), while the kids won’t be able to get enough of the ‘funky monkey dance’. Find out more »
Kids Art Exhibition, Zeitz MOCAA presents the museum’s first exhibition geared toward children until 30 March! And So The Stories Ran Away celebrates stories from Africa with a multi-sensory, interactive experience with the artworks. Find out more »
NEW YEAR’S EVE 2019
Our pick of this season’s New Year’s Eve parties
Pacha New Year’s Eve, Grand Africa Cafe & Beach – Returning to Cape Town, join them on the beach and ring in the new decade in legendary Pacha style with a seaside Summer soirée that will be unforgettable! Find out more »
The Big Band NYE Party, The Bugalow – Welcome 2020 in style a live performance by Cape Town’s hottest 8-piece jazz, groove, soul and funk band with a set 6 course menu. Bookings are essential. Find out more »
New Year’s Carnival, Hout Bay Manor – Expect a swing band, magicians, mimes and stilt walkers, as well as an extensive menu to keep your energy up while the kids enjoy a slumber party so that the grown-ups can let their hair down. Find out more »
Family-Friendly Dance Party, The Range, Tokai – Bring a picnic basket and dance to classics and old favourites as The Professors perform covers. Drinks are available at the bar and there are activities for children under the age of 12. Find out more »
JANUARY 2020
2 January – Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Location: CITY CENTRE
Every year the city’s streets come alive to the sound and parade of the Kaapse Klopse Minstrel Festival, a historic and cultural parade featuring musicians, singers, dancers and vibrant costumes. Find out more »
3 January – Silo Concerts
Location: V&A WATERFRONT
If you love to jump, jive, jitterbug, swing or hop, then this is your time, This Thing Called Swing will have you swaying throughout the show, so bring your dancing shoes. Find out more »
10 – 11 January – L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival
Location: KENILWORTH
As one of Cape Town’s most celebrated horse racing days, the Queen’s Plate invites you to enjoy some of the best racing, wine, food, antique car displays in the peak of Cape Town’s summer. Find out more »
18 January – The ABBA Show
Location: GRANDWEST CASINO
This full-scale 2.5 hours theatrical production features live musical performances with a live backing band, replica costumes, lighting and effects and all the dancing an ABBA fan can handle. Find out more »
24 – 25 January – Pinot Noir Celebration
Location: HERMANUS
World-renowned winemakers, wine influencers, esteemed media, epicures and wine lovers will flock to the beautiful region to explore and celebrate their famous wine and savour unforgettable meals. Find out more »
25 January – Classical Music Concert
Location: LA MOTTE ESTATE
Be serenaded with classical sounds of Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Beethoven and Schoenberg by Austrian pianist Cornelia Herrmann as she presents a Night in Vienna. Find out more »
25 January – Delheim Harvest Festival
Location: STELLENBOSCH
At the annual celebration of Mother Nature’s bounty at the celebrated Stellenbosch winery’s Harvest Festival you can expect grape-picking, stomping and an array of delicious food and of course wine from the estate. Tickets are limited so book as early as you can. Find out more »
MONTHLY AND WEEKLY EVENTS
The first Thursday of every month sees the city come alive with all things art and design. Museums, shops and bars are open till late with people ambling along the streets exploring what Cape Town has to offer. In December it takes place on Thursday 5th and on 2nd of January 2020. Find out more »
Sidecar Adventures, Enjoy a city tour and then head over Chapman’s Peak Drive to Simon’s Town via Noordhoek, region. Enjoy a classic lunch of Fish & Chips in Simon’s Town harbour before continuing along the False Bay coastline & returning to the City via the Constantia Winelands. Find out more »
Oranjezicht City Farm Market, is held every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront. Customers can do weekly food shopping, try out some delicious cooked and raw foods and be inspired about helping to build an alternative food system. Find out more »
OUR RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH
JEWELLS RESTAURANT
Location: Spice Route Destination
A picturesque road trip out to the Spice Route in Paarl reveals a new food-lovers destination on the sun-soaked wine estate. Voted the winner of the New Restaurant of the Year in the Eat Out Awards 2019, Jewells restaurant has opened and is serving delicious and classic, honest food. Behind the stoves is former Bread and Wine chef Neil Jewell and running the show at the front is his famous-bread baking wife, Tina. Together with chef and restaurateur Liam Tomlin, the Jewells are offering a menu with a focus on the farm-to-table ethos. All ingredients are locally sourced, with some being grown right on the farm.
spiceroute.co.za/artisans/jewellsrestaurant/