Schools are closed and most workers are on leave already, or they will be soon.
Either way if you are looking for things to do this festive season here are some ideas.
OUTDOORS
* Umgeni Steam Railway at Inchanga Station: Enjoy a vintage steam train ride through the rolling 1 000 Hills based at Inchanga Station. Throughout the holiday, the Inchanga Craft Market will be held with stalls offering family-friendly locally sourced festive fare. Dates and times: December 26 at 11am and 1pm; January 7 at 8.30am and 11am, January 8 at 8.30am, 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. For enquiries, call 082 353 6003 or visit www.umgenisteamrailway.com
* Trail of Lights – Durban Botanic Gardens: This year’s Trail of Lights promises to be bigger, better and brighter. It is festooned with thousands of lights in the lighting displays. There will also be live entertainment, Santa’s Grotto, magical festive characters, charity-hosted Santa’s Workshop, KZN’s brightest Christmas tree, a special Secret Garden of Lights concealed within the trail, new horticultural displays and two food gardens. It is on until January 2, excluding Christmas Day, from 6pm to 9.30pm. Limited tickets will be available at the door. Children 2 years and under, enter for free. Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za or Pick ‘n Pay.
* Dingo’s animal exhibitions/interactions: South Africa’s favourite wildlife crusader and YouTube celebrity Dingo Dinkelman and his team will be running animal activations at three public facilities during the festive holidays for those wanting to see and interact with a wide range of animals.
– At Piggly Wiggly (Midlands) Dingo’s Farm and Reptile Park visitors can get to know some of their softer and cuddlier animals. Kids can interact with farmyard animals such as goats, lambs, pigs, donkeys, cows and alpacas, while checking out several interesting reptiles including alligators, iguanas and snakes. There will also be two live shows daily, at 11am and 2pm, where everyone can learn a bit about each animal. Cost: R70. Tickets: Buy them at the venue. For more information, visit Dingos Farm and Reptile park on Instagram or Facebook
- Dingo will also have a set-up at Shelly Beach Shopping Mall on the KZN South Coast and another at The Pavilion Shopping Mall in Westville for the duration of the holidays. The entire family will have the opportunity to fall in love with a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids. Find out more about Dingo’s holiday activities and adventures at www.dingowild.com.
THEATRE
* Jack and the Beanstalk – Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: The show stars newcomer William Young as the hero, Jack, with the golden-voiced Roshanda Lewis as his love-interest, Princess Jill. Blessing Xaba steps into the Dame’s high heels to play Jack’s long-suffering mother, Flora Flatbroke. Panto favourites Bryan Hiles and Iain ‘Ewok’ Robinson feature as the inept robbers, Cecil and Claude. The forces of good and evil are represented by Shelley McLean Downham as the ditsy good fairy, Glissanda Goldenvox, with Liesl Coppin as the deliciously nasty Lady Beastly. And much-loved, versatile actor, Lyle Buxton, once again gets up on his stilts to play the Giant. Written and directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, with lighting design by Tina le Roux. Runs until January 15 . Tickets at Computicket.
* Eastern Comedy & Dance Explosion: The Playhouse Company presents Eastern Dance and Comedy Explosion, a dance production, interspersed with comedy. The Nateshwar Dance Academy joins forces with Kathak artist Manesh Maharaj to provide a wide range of dance entertainment. Jailoshini Naidoo brings the funny to the production, linking the dazzling dance acts with her signature brand of wit. Performances are on December 22 at 6.30pm, and December 23 at 2.30pm. Bookings via Web Tickets.
* Impossible – Magician Brendon Peel: Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and touring on cruise ships across the world, Impossible, featuring Brendon Peel’s magic comes to Durban. The show is filled with deceptions, illusions and mentalism that will leave you wondering if the impossible can, for a fleeting moment, be possible. Venue: Live shows at Bellézar, uMhlanga, from December 18 to 22 at 6pm daily. Ticket price: R250 per adult | R150 children under 12. To book visit www.bellezar.co.za.
MARKETS
* I Heart Market: KZN’s much-loved I heart Market makes a new permanent home up the North Coast at Sugar Rush Park in Ballito. Situated next to Collisheen Estate, Sugar Rush Park is a hive of family-friendly activities. It runs on December 17 and January 7 from 8.30am to 2pm at Sugar Rush Park, Ballito, secure parking and free entry. For more information, visit Facebook: I Heart Market.
* Buzz Market: A regular Saturday feature in the heart of Westville. Find unique and authentic gifts; organic vegetables; clothing with a local flair; treats including brownies, biscotti, muffins and malva; boerie rolls, Indian delights and home-crafted sauces; decor and jewellery; second-hand books and coffee. Located at 38 Pitlochry Road, Westville, next door to Garden Centre; Every Saturday, 9am to 2pm. For more information, contact info@buzzmarket.co.za.
FOOD AND WINE
* Durban Gin Festival: Celebrate the Day of Reconciliation at the Schweppes Durban Gin Festival on either Friday, December 16, or Saturday, December 17 December, at the Sun Park area, Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom. Tickets start at R220 and can be purchased via www.howler.co.za. Tickets are valid for the day purchased and not both days. No food or beverage items may be brought into the event venue. No under 18s allowed.
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