The festive countdown has begun, and there's already a hint of holiday cheer sweeping the city, with markets, theatre shows, and twinkly light displays. Here's our round-up of Joburg events to make this season a truly memorable one, from now into the new year. Save this, as we'll be updating it on the go.
1. Festive fun and live entertainment
Until Sat, Jan 31, 2026: Soar with The Cirk
Step into the roaring 1920s with The Cirk’s, Gatsby – A Cirque Extravaganza, at Cresta Shopping Centre. With eight phenomenal dancer-aerialists, this family-friendly spectacle combines breathtaking acrobatics with Gatsby-style glamour. Book your tickets here.
Until Wed, Dec 24, 2025: Panto magic for everyone
It wouldn’t be the festive season in Joburg without a Janice Honeyman pantomime! This year’s Pinocchio at the Joburg Theatre promises music, dance, circus magic, and laugh-out-loud fun for the whole family. Book your tickets here.
Until, Sun, Dec 28, 2025: Cape Ballet Africa’s The Nutcracker
Step into a world of festive magic as Cape Ballet Africa brings The Nutcracker to the Teatro Montecasino. This brand-new production sparkles with South Africa’s finest classical dancers and international guest stars, transporting audiences into a dreamscape of twirling snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s shimmering kingdom, and the brave Nutcracker Prince’s enchanted adventure. Book your ticket here.
Always-on: Ster-Kinekor's Throwback Cinema
The movies are always a good time, especially over the festive season. Ster-Kinekor celebrates cinematic nostalgia by offering classic films for just R50 per ticket at its Rosebank and Sandton theatres. It’s the perfect opportunity to revisit your favourite movies at a classic price. Book your tickets here.
Wed, Dec 10 – Thu, Dec 11, 2025: Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra Voices of Home tour
Fri, Dec 12 – Sun, Dec 14, 2025: Makhelwane Festival
The Makhelwane Festival returns to Soweto from Fri, Dec 12 – Sun, Dec 14, 2025, bringing a liveley “Welcome Home” celebration to Poka Street. It's a mix of township flavours with live music and DJ sets, art, fashion, food, and a bustling makers’ market that champions local creativity. With street art, gourmet bites, family-friendly fun – it’s a three-day slice of Soweto culture at its most electric.
Sat, Dec 13 – Sat, Dec 27, 2025: Sunsets, city lights, and Christmas magic with City Sightseeing
With its iconic double-decker, topless Red Bus, City Sightseeing offers a special, three-hour tour to celebrate the festive season. The sunset and Christmas lights tour begins at the City Sightseeing ticket office at The Zone @ Rosebank, journeying to savour sunset views at Munro Drive with a complimentary snack, then moving on to explore shopping, dining, and festive events at Melrose Arch. Book your tickets now.
Sat, Dec 20: Norwood Mall's drive-in movie night
Norwood Mall is bringing back a dose of nostalgia with its Drive-In Movie Night featuring an 11-metre screen and this year’s fan-picked film, Inside Out 2. Kids can enjoy pre-movie fun like a Zoom with Zebra activity and a mini driving adventure before settling in for the big show. With ticket options for cars or cosy bean bag pods (plus snack packages loaded with treats), it’s an easy, feel-good way to spark festive joy under the stars. Book tickets here.
2. Christmas lights and displays
Fri, Nov 14, 2025 – Sun, Jan 4, 2026: Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch
Wed, Dec 3 – Tue, Dec 30, 2025: Christmas Village at Emperors Palace
Step into a world of wonder and delight at the Christmas Village at Emperors Palace. Expect to be enchanted by the lights, festive characters, charming shops, games, and entertainment. Tickets are available here or at the Box Office at Emperors Palace.Thu, Nov 27, 2025 – Sun, Jan 4, 2026: Joburg Zoo Festival of Lights
The Johannesburg Zoo transforms into a wonderland of glowing life-size animal sculptures, live music, and a food and craft market. Take a peaceful stroll along the well-lit paths, surrounded by trees twinkling with festive lights. Perfect for all ages – plus, kids younger than three get in for free. Book your tickets here.Fri, Dec 5, 2025 – Sun, Jan 4, 2026: Family delights and lights at Time Square
Until Wed, Dec 31, 2025: Christmas lights on Moray Drive
Get ready for magical December evenings along Moray Drive in Bryanston, where the whole street lights up with festive charm. Drawing families from all over Joburg. Stroll or drive through to enjoy twinkling displays, Grinch characters, sleighs, nativity scenes and plenty of Christmas charm. The best part? It’s all lovingly created by the residents, led by Bryanston’s very own Mrs Claus, Danielle Goff, making it a true celebration of neighbourhood spirit and holiday cheer. Entrance is free.
Until Wed, Dec 31, 2025: Lawley Street lights up Pretoria
Every Christmas, Lawley Street in Waterkloof, Pretoria, transforms into a dazzling wonderland straight out of a holiday film, drawing fun-seekers from near and far (it's worth the drive for us Joburgers). Whether you drive through or explore on foot, you’ll find snack vendors and festive displays – some even courtesy of foreign embassies. But the real magic? It’s all brought to life by the residents, a true celebration of Christmas spirit and community cheer. You can view the lights on Lawley Street daily from Wed Dec 31 from 19:00 – 23:00.
3. Christmas Markets and holiday pop-ups
Tue, Nov 18 – Tue, Dec 16, 2025: Bryanston Night Market
Catch the Bryanston Moonlight Christmas Market over five festive Tuesday evenings until mid-December. Expect twinkling lights, relaxed night-time browsing, stocking fillers, gifting stalls, craft-your-Christmas activities for the whole family, plus plenty of great food. A lovely tradition during the week.
Sun, Nov 16 – Sun, Dec 21, 2025: Rosebank Sunday Market Festive Edition
This festive season, the magic of Christmas infuses the Rosebank Sunday Market. From 09:00 – 16:00 each Sunday, Level 4 of Rosebank Mall comes alive with handcrafted gifts, décor, live music, and delicious food. Don’t miss the final Christmas Market on Sun, Dec 21, 2025 for those last-minute gifts.
Fri, Nov 28 – Sat, Dec 27, 2025: Zootropolis-inspired mini golf
Swing into the festive season with Mall of Africa’s Zootropolis-inspired mini golf experience, open daily from 09:00 – 20:00. Tickets are available online or at the gate, but booking in advance is encouraged. Get your tickets here. While you’re there, explore Waterfall City Park, a fresh, purpose-built green space perfect for planning your next outdoor event. With generous picnic spots, play areas, and a layout designed with gatherings in mind, it’s an ideal backdrop for everything from family-friendly fun to stylish pop-ups.Fri, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 28, 2025: Sandton City's City of Enchantment
Sandton City is spreading festive cheer with City of Enchantment. Little ones can get creative at Sprinkle and Sugar, decorating oversized cookies, and at Donut and Dazzle with DIY doughnut kits, before crafting ornaments and festive trees at Trees and Twinkle and Baubles and Bliss. At Words and Wishes, kids can pen letters to Santa and snap a photo with the big man himself, who is in residence until Wed, Dec 24. Along the way, families will discover charming surprises like Santa’s wishing well, a drawbridge, and a reindeer merry-go-round, while Château Gâteaux serves up festive cakes and treats to keep everyone fueled for fun.
Wed, Dec 10 – Tue, Dec 24, 2025: Fourways Mall's Santa Land
Fourways Mall is stepping into the festive season with a dose of pure holiday magic thanks to the return of Santa Land, with the theme of The Jingle Bell Academy. From Wed, Dec 10 – Tue, Dec 24, 2025, kids can train to become Santa’s little helpers as they decorate cookies, scoot through chimneys, stack presents, write elf letters, enjoy face painting, and wind their way through charming Christmas houses before “graduating” with a photo with Santa. The fun doesn’t stop there; the mall is packed with family adventures, from Bounce and Adventure Golf to Total Ninja, Xtreme Go-Karting, cinemas and more.
Sat, Dec 13, 2025: Field Market Christmas Edition
Celebrate the season the South African way: with sunshine, live music, and good food at The Field Market Christmas Edition. Join the fun on Sat, Dec 13, 2025 from 09:00 – 15:00, with more than 160 stalls offering gifts, local goods, food, and drinks. There's also a “Find the Elf” challenge, Santa’s letter box, and a visit from Father Christmas.
Sun, Dec 14, 2025: Kensington Family Christmas Market
The Kensington Family Christmas Market on Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at the Kensington Club is where the holiday spirit comes wrapped in sweet treats, great food, cute trinkets and jewellery, and all the clothes and gift ideas you could need. It’s the perfect one-stop festive shop for the whole family – come browse, snack, and soak up the Christmas cheer.
4. What to look forward to in 2026
Sat, Jan 10, 2026: Milk + Cookies Festival headlined by Gunna
Cure those post-holiday blues on Sat, Jan 10, 2026, as Joburg's inaugural Milk + Cookies Festival kicks off at Nasrec Expo Centre, headlined by renowned American rapper, singer, and producer, Gunna. The festival blends local culture with global sounds, promising an energetic start to the new year. Book tickets here.
Note: This list is updated regularly. Check back for new additions.
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