Monday, 16 December 2019, the Day of Reconciliation, is a public holiday all about unity and togetherness. Also known as the 'biggest day in retail', this national holiday offers the chance to catch up on all you have been missing while managing the year-end rush. Take advantage of this long weekend to get out and about in the city. Whether it's family fun you are after, a couple of drinks or a little sophistication at the theatre, there is a ton happening over this long weekend.
Joburg Zoo Festival Of Lights
Joburg Zoo have partnered with the Joburg Theatre to bring you a merry Christmas light festival. Come and see all your favourite animals lit up in brilliant colours. There will also be classical live entertainment, food and craft stalls. This is perfect for the whole family!
The Festival of Lights will run over the long weekend, between 07:00 - 22:00 daily.
Click here for more information.
Fourways Farmers Market Christmas Edition
The Fourways Farmers Market is one of the most popular foodie markets in the city. Their final series of markets for the year takes place over the Reconciliation Day weekend, bringing you awesome food, live music and Christmas festivities for all ages. This will be the final Fourways Farmers Market held at their current location, as they will be moving to a bigger premises in March 2020. Don't miss out!
Visit the FFM Christmas edition on Friday, 13 December 2019, Saturday, 14 December 2019 or Sunday, 15 December 2019.
Click here for more information.
The 12 Pubs Of Xmas
Silly season is officially open! Come through to the 1 Fox Precinct for the epic 12 Pubs of Xmas event. This is Joburg's most outrageous drinking event of the year, so you don't want to miss out on the fun. There are a number of group activities which you must complete, including drinking while standing on one foot, crawling your way to the pub and wearing your shoe as a glove!
The 12 Pubs of Xmas event will take place on Saturday, 14 December 2019.
Click here for more information.
Maboneng Pride Art Festival
Celebrate your pride at the inaugural Maboneng Pride Art Festival. Bringing together queer-indentifying artists, tattooists, fashionistas, sculptors and gamers, this event aims to encourage queer visibility in the arts. There will be a number of participating venues around the Maboneng Precinct, where you can mingle, dance and express your authentic self. It's the perfect way to kick off the long weekend, so don't miss it.
The Maboneng Pride Art Festival will take place on Saturday, 14 December 2019.
Click here for more information.
A Christmas Carol
The Charles Dickens classic Christmas tale returns to the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino this December. With the refrain of Bah, Humbug! from Jason Ralph as Ebenezer Scrooge, you will be transported to a world of Christmas past, present and future. Bring older kids to see this heart-warming story of redemption.
Show times:
Friday, 13 December 2019 at 19:30.
Saturday, 14 December 2019 at 16:00 and 19:30.
Sunday, 15 December 2019 at 15:00 and 18:00.
Monday, 16 December 2019 at 15:00.
Click here for more information.
I Love Soweto Festival
Soweto Theatre is the place to be this long weekend. Hosting the I Love Soweto Festival, they bring you a feast of live music, food, entertainment and much more, kicking things off with an outdoor movie screening for the kids and cheese and wine for the older folk. The following evening sees the I Love Soweto Night Market set up their stalls, offering you handcrafted goods and a magical performance by the Soweto String Quartet. To wrap things up, the Seven Colours Sunday food market will fill your belly with delicious South African treats.
This event is not to be missed, so get your tickets as soon as possible.
Click here for more information.
The Crafters Fair
The Crafters Fair is an East Rand must-visit. Taking place alongside the Emperors Palace Garden of Lights, this Christmas market is the ideal place to pick up handmade gifts and stocking fillers. Bring the little ones to visit Santa's Village and see the merry elves in action. Afterwards, you can take them on a thrilling carnival ride or for some delicious ice cream melts. All in all, it's a family fun affair, so make sure to head on over this long weekend.
The Crafters Fair takes place from 09:00 - 21:00 daily.
Click here for more information.
Lazy Days And Lawn Blankets
Finally, we have the Lazy Days and Lawn Blankets event at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel. For a relaxed Sunday afternoon in the summer sun, free welcome drinks, gourmet finger snacks and live entertainment, get your tickets to the final Lazy Days event of the year. Dress up in your best Christmas attire to stand a chance to win a prize for best dressed! Kiddies are welcome too, so bring the whole family along.
The Lazy Days and Lawn Blankets event takes place on Sunday, 15 December 2019.
Click here for more information.
It's A Stay-Cation
Sometimes all you need over a long weekend is a little rest and relaxation in the comfort of your own home. It's also a perfect excuse to host a family braai. Check out our Braai Essentials Guide for tips and tricks on perfecting your braai skills. Or, bond with the kids by getting into the spirit of Christmas baking.
Whatever you choose to get up to over this weekend, we hope it's fun, refreshing and all that you need to get through the final stretch of 2019. Happy holidays!
What Is It?
The Maboneng Pride Art Festival is a first of its kind. Bringing together queer-indentifying artists, tattooists, fashionistas, sculptors and gamers, the Maboneng Precinct is helping the LGBTQ community celebrate their artistic achievements within a safe and inclusive space. Promoting queer visibility in the arts, the Maboneng Pride Art Festival calls on all young queer artists and entrepreneurs to showcase their work. There will also be a number of awesome after parties where you can let your hair down and express your authentic self. Don’t miss out!
When Is It?
Saturday, 14 December 2019 at 18:00 - 04:00.
Where Is It?
Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg.
**Participating venues will be announced closer to the date. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
How Much Is It?
Not communicated.
For more information
Click here for more information.