First Sunday Highlights on Sun, Dec 7
Here’s what to look forward to this December 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 09:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 16:00 and includes all materials, fragrance and colour options, as well as light snacks, for R450 per person. Bookings of groups of three or more receive 10% off. Make a booking 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 R300 per person, with all ages welcome. There is a 10% discount for groups of three or more. Book via WhatsApp on +27 72 579 8205. Last day to book is Fri, Dec 5, 2025.
3. Tie Dye Kids Workshop
Franco Kamanga hosts a colourful Tie Dye Kids Workshop where your child can create one-of-a-kind tie-dye tees, vests, caps, and hats – a fun way to free their imagination and make wearable art. The workshop runs from 10:30 – 15:30 and includes guidance on colour choices, design ideas, games, and a colouring station for R250 per person. Get 10% off bookings of three or more. Bookings for individuals and birthday sessions are welcome via WhatsApp at +27 84 338 4724.
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. Perfect for all ages, it’s a space to wander, discover, and be inspired while local food and drinks provide irresistible shopping.
5. New Thrift Studio
Discover The Thrift Studio, now inside the main market, where you can browse festive-season finds ranging from sizzling summer wear to unique décor and one-of-a-kind gifts.Enjoy the same great thrift treasures now in an even easier-to-shop space. Stop by, say hi, and find the perfect pieces to brighten your holiday season.
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 that make for beautiful home décor or gifts. All materials are provided; just bring your hands. It costs R200 per person. Contact natania.botha@outlook.com or WhatsApp + 27 72 632 8593 for bookings.
7. Kids Art & Craft Workshop
Visit the playful Kids Art & Craft Workshop where children can transform instant print photos of themselves into unique masterpieces using paint, stickers, and craft supplies. This laid-back, hands-on creative session runs from 10:00 – 12:00 for R150 per person. Perfect for unleashing your child’s inner artist with festive Christmas crafts.
8. Beading Art Workshop
Fuel the Dream Hub hosts a beginner-friendly Beading Art Workshop where you’ll create unique bead-embroidery pieces. The workshop runs from 10:30 – 14:00 for R350 per person, including all materials and a complimentary sip. Get 10% off bookings of three or more. Book via www.fuelthedreamhub.com or WhatsApp +27 68 121 6943.
9. Hand Printing Kids Workshop
Franco Kamanga hosts a Hand Printing Kids Workshop where children can create one-of-a-kind hand print tees, vests, caps, and hats. The workshop runs from 10:30 – 15:30, with guidance on colours, designs, games, and a colouring station included for R250 per person. Get 10% off bookings of three or more. Bookings via WhatsApp at +27 84 338 4724.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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