Get that festive feeling this December, Travelstart brings you a guide to the best markets in the Western Cape to get into the spirit of the season plus great spots to stock up on gifts for loved ones.
Lourensford Christmas Market, Somerset West
Kicking off today until Sunday, the Lourensford Estate’s Christmas market is styled as a magical woodland this year. Tonight and tomorrow night is their Twilight Christmas market lit up by sparkly lights and good cheer.
2-4 December 2016
Friday & Saturday: 4pm-10pm | Sunday: 10am–4pm
Lourensford Estate, Lourensford Road, Somerset West
French Christmas Market, Sea Point
Stock up on beautifully made gifts at the Marche de Noël (in its 7th year).
Bring along your bathing costumes as there will be waterslides this year.
Saturday 3 December 2016
Cost: R10/ adult and free for kids under 18.
9.30am-4pm
Ecole Française du Cap – Kings Road, Sea Point
Stellenbosch Street Soirees
Twice a month Stellenbosch Street Soirees are taking over a balmy street in the city of oaks where tourists and locals can mingle with glasses of the good stuff and snacks from the likes of the bright-green Taco Kombi.
Usher in the season with a festive gathering on the streets of Stellenbosch. Catch the festive street party every second and last week of the month from November till March from 18h00 to 20h00.
Drostdy Road
R70 buys a tasting glass to taste unlimited wines and food will be for sale.
Dates:
14 December 2016
11 & 25 January 2017
8 & 22 February 2017
8 & 22 March 2017
For more information contact: 021 886 4310.
Free bubbly and late night gift shopping at Steenberg Winery, Constantia Valley
Steenberg will be offering exciting mixed cases, pop-the-balloon spot prizes & discounts on wine & merchandise.
Enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly and snacks on arrival while you shop their special offers. They are also offering complimentary tastings of a selection of their wines.
8 December
Date: Thursday 8 December 2016
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Venue: Steenberg Vineyards Tasting Room
Win your partner’s weight in wine at the Stanford Street Festival
160 Stalls are on offer at this popular festive season staple currently in its 4th year.
Participate in crazy activities like the “Worth their weight 100m competition” – winners of the running race will win their partner’s weight in wine.
Over 18 year olds only for the wine race. There are more competitions on offer for the under 18s too.
Queen Victoria Street, Stanford (Overberg Region).
The Gift Market at Curro, Hermanus
Visit the charming seaside haven of Hermanus for some festive cheer.
9-22 December 2016
Curro Private School, Sandbaai, Hermanus
The Gift & Food Fair at the Castle of Good Hope, CBD
The market will be open just in time to enjoy the castle following renovations. Entrance is free and includes free castle tours and live entertainment. Craft and food stalls on offer.
ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP:
20 December: Adriaan Krause 6pm-8pm
21 December: Nadia Herbst (Idols 2015 top 10) 6pm-8pm
22 December: Nadia Herbst 6pm-7pm | Adriaan Krause 7pm-8pm
23 December: Hentie & the Bully puppet show 10am – 10.40am | Emo Adams 1pm-2pm
Pinelands Craft & Gift Fair
Start your festive shopping early this year at the Pinelands Craft & Gift Fair.
5-22 December 2016
Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm (incl public holiday) | Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm
Pinelands, Cape Town
Gabrielskloof ‘Favourite Things’ Market, Botrivier
Brown paper packages tied up with string… Find your ideal gifts at the ‘Favourite Things’ Market in Botrivier.
16, 17 & 18 December 2016
Gabrielskloof Estate, Botrivier
Fab Ideas Christmas Market, Kommetjie
Take a day trip to charming Kommetjie for some festive shopping.
15-18 December 2016
Thursday: 9am-5pm; Friday-Sunday: 9am-7pm
Kommetjie Community Hall, Teubes Road, Kommetjie, Cape Town
Boules and festive cheer at Jordan Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
The Jordan Summer Festival welcomes the season with a day of boules, wine tastings and vineyard and cellar tours on 26 November from 10am-3pm. A lucky draw, face painting and jumping castles for the kids are also on offer.
The proceeds will go to Animal Welfare, PETS and Border Collie Rescue and visitors are also encouraged to bring cans of dog food.
Picnic blankets and umbrellas are essential although no private picnics can be brought in. There will be plenty of food for sale and the restaurant is open for lunch, where bookings are essential.
Tickets are R130 pre-booked and R150 on the gate (children under 12 are free).
Book fast to secure your Christmas Lunch at The Bakery at Jordan where R350 per person will ensure a family-style feast.
For Summer Festival tickets and Christmas lunch bookings contact Jordan Wines on 021 881 3441 or www.jordanwines.com
Middelvlei Sings Into the Season, Stellenbosch
On Sunday 11 December 2016, Father Christmas will once again be making an appearance on his tractor at Middelvlei Wine Estate’s annual Sunset Carols. As the sun sets over the Middelvlei dam there will be carol singing while Steakbraai is served and Father Christmas delivers the presents. The Sunset Carols event will be in benefit of Stellenbosch Youth Outreach.
Sunday 11 December 2016
18:30
Adults R170 (Steakbraai included)
Children under 12 – R70 (includes a snack pack)
Bring a gift for your child from Father Christmas.
For enquiries and reservations contact 021 883 2565 or boerebraai@middelvlei.co.za
All aboard the magic Steam Train, Stellenbosch
There are just a couple more chances this year to do the magical Steam Train Day Trip to Spier.
Book for the 4th and 11th of December to travel in a vintage wooden coach dating from 1922 ending in a visit to one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. Taste five wines, visit the Eagle Encounters and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants. Spend the day relaxing on the banks of the Eerste River and explore the Protea gardens and historic buildings before returning to Cape Town in style.
The train departs Cape Town at 09h30 and returns at 16h50.
The cost is R500 per adult and R400 per child between the ages of 3 and 12 years old
Atlantic Rail on info@atlanticrail.co.za or 021 558 5805. www.atlanticrail.co.za
Spier Festive Werf Market, Stellenbosch
The Werf Market is back! Visitors sip on glasses of wine and tuck into delicious treats. Kids roam the lawns or browse the special Kids’ Market. There is a wide range of gifts for friends and family, as well as locally grown fresh fruit and heirloom vegetables to take home 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December.