First Sunday Highlights on Sun, Nov 2
Here’s what to look forward to this November edition of First Sunday at Victoria Yards – a day of colour, craft, candles, cake, and cool encounters with Joburg’s most exciting makers:1. Candle-making workshop with ABO Home Decor
ABO Home Decor hosts a relaxed candle-making workshop where you’ll pour, scent, and design your own handmade soy wax candle – the perfect sustainable start to the festive season. The workshop runs from 10:00 – 12:00 and includes all materials provided, fragrance and colour options, and light snacks and refreshments for R450 p.p. Get 10% off bookings of groups of three or more. Bookings via WhatsApp at +27 68 302 8508.
2. Vintage bento cake decorating workshop with La Meli Confectionery
Pipe, swirl, and style your own vintage bento cake with La Meli Confectionery from 10:00 – 12:00 for a hands-on workshop – no experience needed. Take your beautifully iced mini cake home or enjoy it in the sunshine. The session is R280 p.p., all ages welcome, with10% off for groups of three or more. Book via WhatsApp on +27 72 579 8205. Last day to book is Fri, Oct 31, 2025.
3. Children's arts and crafts session with Etherealize.inc
Inspired by the Japanese art of “decoration denwa,” the word Decoden means turning everyday items into sparkling, kawaii masterpieces. Etherealize.inc hosts a Children's Arts and Crafts session where you can bedazzle supplied keyrings and mirrors, or bring your own items to decorate with frosting-like clay, pearls, rhinestones, and tiny charms. Other fun crafts include air-dry clay molding and friendship bracelet making. Decoden costs R150 p.p. but prices may vary for additional crafts.
4. Art @ The Yards
Experience the streets come alive at Art @ The Yards. Head to the Upstairs Market Courtyard at Victoria Yards for a celebration of art, music, and street performance. Talented buskers or street performers will dazzle with music, magic, and movement, while art installations and local food and drinks provide irresistible shopping.
5. Ceramic workshop
Get into the festive spirit with a three hour Christmas Ceramic Workshop. Create and paint your own ceramic ornaments that work perfectly as unique keepsakes or heartfelt holiday gifts. Guided every step of the way, you’ll choose designs, colours, textures, and finishes to bring your festive vision to life. Suitable for ages nine and up, with a maximum of 15 participants. It's happening from 10:00 – 13:00 for R680 p.p. Book via WhatsApp on +27 83 788 3886.
6. Paper Protea Flower folding workshop
Unwind at this beginner-friendly Paper Protea Flower folding workshop. From 10:00–12:00, learn to fold and assemble your own paper protea flowers. All materials are provided; just bring your hands. It costs R200 p.p. Contact natania.botha@outlook.com or WhatsApp + 27 72 632 8593 for bookings.
7. Mosaic workshop
Join a hands-on Mosaic workshop from 10:00 – 12:00 and design your very own mosaic flower pot using colourful tiles. All materials are provided for R200 p.p. Bookings can be made via natania.botha@outlook.com or WhatsApp +27 72 632 8593.
8. Soap making workshop with Tru Beauty Africa
Discover the art of soap making with Tru Beauty Africa For R350 p.p., you’ll learn to create 100% natural, vegan-friendly cold process soap, choosing your own designs, colours, and fragrances using essential oils and botanicals. For ages 10 and up, this all-inclusive workshop lets you craft a custom soap perfect for a gift, but that you'd be loath to give away. Enjoy 10% off pre-bookings or groups of three or more via WhatsApp at +27 84 882 6558.
Art, food, fashion, music, and culture at Vic Yards
With its community ethos and bountiful gardens, a visit to Victoria Yards is a highly recommended family outing and a day filled with art, food, fashion, music, and culture.On First Sunday at Victoria Yards, resident artists open their studio doors to the public, presenting an opportunity to meet the artists and get a look behind the scenes of their creative process. Amongst those you should look out for are prominent artists Daniel "Stompie" Selibe, James Delaney, and Dario Manjate.
You can also explore fashion studios, furniture design workshops, and incredible African craft and design shops keeping traditional artisanal pottery, wood carving, and beadwork skills alive.
There's also a market with an eclectic range of 40 stalls, plus plenty of food and beverages available, including the excellent Foakes Coffee Bar & Roastery, charcuterie at Curado (opened July 2024), Joburg's best fish and chips The Fish and Chip Shop, and Sobae's refreshing and seasonal sorbet.
Shop handmade crafts, vintage and thrifted clothing, accessible art for a cause, and more.
Apart from First Sunday, Victoria Yards offers tours of their gardens and artisan studios daily. The Discovery tour and walkabout runs for half an hour and starts at 10:30 daily and, to visit the different artisan studios, join hour-long Artisan tour at 11:00 daily. You can also organise a private tour of Victoria Yards with Angela at a specific date and time; contact her on +27 78 477 5810.
Prices start from R50 p.p. for a 60-minute tour, and this includes visits to the various studios at Victoria Yards, and a tour of the Jukskei River rehabilitation project. Groups of up to 16 people can be accommodated per guide. School groups are also accommodated.
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