Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch

Name: Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch
Start: 2025-11-14
End: 2025-01-09
Location: Melrose Arch

Nov 14 - Jan 9 2025 Melrose Blvd, Melrose

We may not have snow in Joburg over Christmas, but we have one of the biggest light displays at Melrose Arch. Photo: Melrose Arch.

Christmas lights at Melrose Arch. Photo: Melrose Arch.

Festive delights at Melrose Arch. Photo: Melrose Arch.

Say the words "Christmas in Joburg" and most people will think of Melrose Arch. Every year, this upmarket shopping and dining precinct is transformed into a wonderland with the most impressive lights and festive activities. Melrose Arch is a walkable district with plenty of stores, including premium label shops, luxury stops for spoils, pavement cafés, restaurants, and bars for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and, of course, dessert.

Destination Christmas Photo: Melrose Arch — Spectacular light displays at Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch. Photo: Melrose Arch.

Here's the line-up:

Fri, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 4 – Celebrate the season as Destination Christmas enlivens upper High Street with the luminous launch of its annual Christmas lights at Melrose Arch. There is also glow bikes, a roller rink and face painting for kids.
Sat, Nov 15 – All White Classics On The Square is a live concert under the stars featuring the Chamber Orchestra of Johannesburg conducted by Kutlwano Masote, and DJ Courtnaé Paul, with proceeds supporting Greendale House Palliative and Hospice Care.
Sat, Nov 29 – Melrose Arch hosts the Black Coffee Foundation Benefit Concert with R20 from every ticket supporting youth empowerment through the Black Coffee Foundation.

You can also visit Melrose Arch's market at the Retail Galleria every Friday and Saturday for more shopping and ideas for luxury Christmas gifts.

Get there with the Gautrain:

Melrose Arch is easily accessible from the Rosebank Gautrain station. To get there, catch the RB2 Gautrain midi-bus from Rosebank (weekdays only) and hop off at the "playground for the cosmopolitan". See our guide to the Gautrain here and download the Gautrain app for real-time updates on when the next train and midi-bus is due. Visit G autrain's website for more information on the timetable and fares.