From food and drinks to arts, lifestyle, sports and more we’ve got you covered with all the best events in South Africa this December.
Lifestyle
AFROPUNK Joburg returns for its third installation on 30 and 31 December, held at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Solange Knowles makes a return to the line-up this year and will be joined by Miguel, Masego, Sho Madjozi, Busiswa, and more.
Tickets are selling from R600 and are available on the event’s webpage.
Joburg Zoo Festival of Lights and Night Market
The City of Johannesburg brings you the inaugural Joburg Zoo Festival of Lights, which features a night market every day from 1 December to 5 January 2020, excluding Mondays.
With consideration to animal rights, the Zoo’s festival and the market will open from 19:00 to 22:00, and guests will be guarded to occupy areas away from the animals.
The festival opens with a performance of The Nutcracker by Joburg Ballet. Tickets to this are available from Webtickets.
Back at one with the superwoman
All soul and R&B music lovers, head out to the Sun Arena in Pretoria for a lifetime experience on 20 December with performances by Brian McKnight and Karyn White.
The “Back at One” hit-maker (Brian) along with the “Superwoman” hit-maker will be performing their greatest singles.
Sharing a stage with them are South Africa’s Lira and Lady Zamar. Tickets are selling from R315 at Computicket.
The Goldfish Outdoor Experience
Brought to you by 5fm, the Goldfish Outdoor Experience happens on 14 December at Montecasino, Fourways, in Johannesburg.
Bands and DJs performing at this event include 5fm’s Roger Goode, MS Cosmo, December Streets, and many more.
Bringing a picnic–in–the–park setup, Goldfish Outdoor Experience is a family-friendly event. Tickets available at Howler from R150.
Arts
Marc Lottering’s Aunty Merle: The Musical is back at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch, Cape Town.
This year’s installation is titled Aunty Merle – It’s a Girl!, as Aunty Merle’s daughter and son-in-law are expecting their first child.
Written by Marc himself, the production started on 22 November and ends on 1 February 2020.
Discoveries from Africa
Binky Newman, owner of Design Afrika, hosts the Discoveries from Africa exhibition from 11 December 2019 to 31 January 2020 at The Old House Shop in Plettenberg Bay.
Discoveries from Africa will showcase basketware, jewellery, furniture, handbags, photography, ceramics, and more from Ghana, Rwanda, the DRC, Tanzania, South Africa, and other African countries.
These art pieces will be available for sale as well. Entry is free and the exhibition will open daily, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
021 683 6464
Sport
International Cricket Fixtures: South Africa, England and Australia
What’s summer without cricket?
Cricket South Africa will host fixtures from 17 December 2019 to 7 March 2020 across the country.
The Proteas will be up against England for the first part of summer, and Australia will arrive in February to wrap up the games. Tickets are available at Computicket.
Rugby fans, head out to Cape Town Stadium from 13 to 15 December for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Twelve women’s teams and 16 men’s teams will be participating in the series matches. Tickets are available at Computicket.
Food & Drink
Share light conversations and meet new people while experiencing some gourmet vegan treats offered by Patrick Knight and Karen Fletcher at their home in Green Point, Cape Town.
They host Green and Vegan pop-ups in winter and summer, of which two events will be on 14 and 28 December.
Menus will be posted on social media – Instagram @greenandvegancapetown – closer to the dates.
While the pop-ups aren’t licensed to serve alcohol, guests are advised to bring their own at no corkage cost. Email kflech@mweb.co.za for bookings.
Celebrate the new year at the Lanzerac Hotel and Spa in Stellenbosch. The hotel will be serving a five-course menu at their extravagant Manor Kitchen.
The food will be served on New Year’s Eve from 7pm and by midnight the dancefloor is open. Space is limited; booking is essential. Dinner cost is R1 850 per person.
Chefs Kobus van der Merwe (South Africa) and Willem Hiele (Belgium) will be collaborating their styles of cooking and serving you the food this December.
Two Brothers from Another Sea’s SA installation will be at Wolfgat, a restaurant in Paternoster, 45km north of Cape Town.
An eight-course menu will be on offer – including drinks – at R2 000 on 7 and 8 December.
Saturday has two sessions starting at 12:00 and 19:00, while Sunday has one session at 12:00. Book tickets online.
Playtopia MGA Gaming festival 2019
Back in Cape Town for the second time is Playtopia and MGA’s Gaming festival. This year it will be held at the Castle of Good Hope from 5 to 7 December.
Over the three days, there will be interactive talks from more than 50 local and international gaming experts, exhibitions of new trends, and much more.
Get your tickets from Quicket.
Words by Yonga Balfour
