Christmas markets, lights, fairs, and festive fun in Joburg

26 Nov 2025

Melrose Arch's Destination Christmas. Photo: City Sightseeing.

Munro Drive photo stop as part of the Sunset and Christmas Lights Tour. Photo via @citysightseeingsa on Instagram.

Get lit with the Big Five at the Joburg Zoo. Photo via TimeOut website.

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

Janice Honeyman's 2025 pantomime 'Pinocchio' shows at Joburg Theatre. Photo: Supplied.

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 now.

Sun, Nov 30, 2025: HughFest

HughFest returns to Nirox Sculpture Park on Sun, 30 Nov, bringing together music, art, and the spirit of music icon Bra Hugh Masekela. Now in its 12th year, this soulful celebration of African heritage and creativity features performances by Shekhinah, The Soul Brothers, Mi Casa, Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba, The Brother Moves On, and iComplete. Book your tickets here.

Sat, Dec 6, 2025: Joy to Joburg – A Dezemba Choral Special

Johannesburg Queer Chorus spreads festive cheer. Photo: Supplied.

Sing in the festive season with Johannesburg Queer Chorus. Expect big vocals and a celebration that captures the joy of the season with Joy to Joburg – A Dezemba Choral Special. Be part of this musical celebration, with two exclusive performances on Sat, Dec 6, 2025 at the UJ Arts Centre, Auckland Park. Book your tickets here.

Sun, Dec 7, 2025: A Baroque Christmas

Get into the festive spirit with The African Renaissance Ensemble as they bring a mix of beloved Christmas classics and Baroque sounds to life in the beautiful St. Thomas Church, Linden. Book your ticket here.

Always-on: Ster-Kinekor's Throwback Cinema

Use the jolly season to catch up on some of your old favourites at Ster-Kinekor. Photo: Supplied.

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**

The Mzansi Philharmonic blends classical orchestra with South African heart. Photo: Mzansi Philharmonic via Facebook.

The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra brings its Voices of Home tour to Linder Auditorium on Wed, Dec 10 – Thu, Dec 11, 2025, with a feel-good celebration of South Africa’s musical heartbeat. Expect world-class conducting from Marin Alsop, the spine-tingling magic of cellist Abel Selaocoe, and a programme that moves from African soul to Rachmaninov’s lush Symphony No. 2. It’s orchestral music with a proudly local twist, and a perfect way to wrap up the year. Book your seats and make a night of it.

Sat, Dec 13 – Sun, Dec 14, 2025: Makhelwane Festival

The Makhelwane Festival returns to Soweto from Sat, Dec 13 – 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

The City Sightseeing Red Bus is a regular sight around Joburg. Photo: City Sightseeing via Facebook.

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.

2. Christmas lights and displays

Fri, Nov 14, 2025 – Sun, Jan 4, 2026: Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch

Melrose Arch lights up with holiday cheer and fun. Photo: Supplied.

Magical moments await at Melrose Arch! Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch turns the precinct into a festive wonderland with dazzling lights, a roller rink, sweet treats, kids’ activities, and al fresco dining under the stars.

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

Time Square shines brightly at night this holiday season. Photo: Sun Time Square via Facebook.

For festive family fun in Pretoria, Sun International's Time Square festive lights are back. Stroll through eye-catching light displays, snap beautiful holiday photos, and enjoy a meal at one of the family-friendly restaurants. Kids under 12 get a free Candylicious popcorn and slushies from 19:30 – 21:30 every evening.

3. Christmas Markets and holiday pop-ups

Thu, Nov 13 – Sun, Dec 7, 2025: Hyde Park Corner lights up

Hyde Park Corner provides fun for the whole family this festive season. Photo: Supplied.

Hyde Park Corner lights up for the festive season. Kids can meet Christmas Fairies, explore the giant teddy bear installation, and join the Build-A-Bear fun with Toy Kingdom, while grown-ups enjoy bubbly from the Moët & Chandon Personalisation Pop-Up.

Tue, Nov 18 – Tue, Dec 16, 2025: Bryanston Night Market

Loads of pre-loved goods available at The Bryanston Moonlight Christmas Market. Photo: Bryanston Market via Facebook.

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.

Tue, Nov 18 – Sun, Nov 30, 2025: Russell Kaplan Very Merry Wunderkammer

Unique finds in time for the festive season at Russell Kaplan. Photo: Russell Kaplan via Instagram.

Joburg’s most eclectic auction returns as Russell Kaplan Auctioneers launches its annual Very Merry Wunderkammer sale from Tue, Nov 18 – Sun, Nov 30, 2025. Expect a colourful mix of fine art, vintage furniture, collectable ceramics, jewellery, fashion, and delightfully quirky treasures. Almost 8,000 lots are up for live online bidding. With many pieces starting at just a few hundred rand, it’s a collector’s playground, whether you’re after a bold talking piece or a serious showstopper.

Sat, Nov 29, 2025: Imbali annual craft sale

Shop one-of-a-kind gifts for a good cause at the Imbali annual craft sale.
Photo: Imbali Visual Literacy Project via Instagram.

Imbali Visual Literacy Project host a massive craft sale at The Bus Factory in Newtown. Browse one-of-a-kind handmade items created by their graduating students with huge discounts. This once-off sale is the perfect chance to find unique gifts and support local creativity this festive season.

Sat, Nov 29 – Sun, Nov 30, 2025: The Linden Market Festive Edition

Start saving because you're going to want to buy everything at The Linden Market.
Photo via @thelindenmarket on Instagram.

’Tis the season for supporting all things local. The Linden Market (TLM) returns for a final 2025 Festive edition for two days on Sat, Nov 29 and Sun, Nov 30, 2025. TLM is a great spot for gift shopping, with a focus on ethically sourced materials, sustainable goods, and artisanal creations. Get creative with craft workshops for kids and grown-ups alike. Buy your tickets here.

Sun, Nov 16 to Sun, Dec 21, 2025: Rosebank Sunday Market Festive Edition

You'll find all manner of antique and vintage items here. Photo: Rosebank Sunday Market.

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, Nov 29, 2025: Mistletoe & Mud Pop-up Market

The Mistletoe & Mud Pop-up Market at Melville Mudroom brings with it a holiday-season haul of handmade ceramics with mugs, bowls, plates, soaps, and soap dishes, all fresh from the kiln. Swing by for the cosiest clay-filled Christmas shopping.

Sat, Nov 29 – Sun, Nov 30, 2025: Wizards Vintage Xmas Market

Unique vintage finds, curated treasures, and fabulous fashion come together at the Wizards Vintage Xmas Market, packed with festive charm and plenty of holiday cheer at Manor House in Dunkeld.

Sat, Nov 29 – Sun, Nov 30, and Sat, Dec 6 – Sun, Dec 7, 2025: Festive Forty Four

44 Stanley returns with Festive Forty Four, celebrating local creativity in a fun, family-friendly way.
Photo: Supplied.

Festive Forty Four 2025, a family-friendly holiday celebration, takes place over two weekends at 44 Stanley: Sat, 29 Nov – Sun, 30 Nov, 2025 and Sat, 6 Dec – Sun, 7 Dec 2025. Enjoy workshops, festive crafts, artisanal shopping, live music, and pop-up markets – a fun, family-friendly way to support local makers and soak up the holiday spirit.

Fri, Dec 5, 2025: Prison Break Christmas Market

Get ready for a night of festive fun full of lights, music, treats, and holiday buzz at Prison Break Market.
Photo: Prison break market via Instagram.

Prison Break Market lights up the city with their Christmas market filled with festive shopping, carols under the stars, tasty treats, and the dog-friendly Christmas Night Run. From 17:00 – 21:00, enjoy pop-up gift shops, food, music, and holiday fun for the whole family.

Sat, Dec 6, 2025: Rand Club Christmas dinner

Rand Club sets the scene for a sparkling evening on Sat, Dec 6, 2025, with its annual Christmas Dinner, a festive black-tie affair featuring a three-course feast and a performance by the Maharishi Institute String Quartet. A classic Joburg Christmas moment, wrapped in elegance.

Sat, Dec 6 – Sat, Dec 7, 2025: Double the treasures at Brooklyn Mall and The Firs

The Firs Antique Fair. Photo: Antique Collecting via Facebook.

Discover a world of treasures and delights at the Brooklyn Antique Fair, held on the first Saturday of each month at Brooklyn Mall, where you’ll find unique accessories, ceramics, home décor, and more – the perfect spot to find that one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. For treasures closer to home, visit the The Firs Antique Fair at The Firs in Rosebank, on the first Sunday of every month.

Sun, Dec 7, 2025: First Sundays at Victoria Yards

Wear comfortable shoes and spend the day exploring and creating at Victoria Yards. Photo: Supplied.

Refresh your spirit at First Sundays at Victoria Yards in Lorentzville. On Sun, Dec 7, from 10:00 – 16:00, enjoy Christmas-themed workshops, artisan markets, live music, and family-friendly crafts. Explore art, food, and holiday fun in this vibrant, creative hub.

Wed, Dec 10 – Tue, Dec 24, 2025: Fourways Mall's Santa Land

Festive fun at Fourways Mall's Santa Land. Photo: Supplied.

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

Let Santa know whether you've been naughty or nice at the Christmas Edition of The Field Market. Photo: The Field Market via Instagram.

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

Catch Gunna at Nasrec Expo Centre. Photo via @gunna on Instagram.

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.

Related Events

Thursday Nov 27 - Saturday Dec 27		'Zootropolis 2' mini golf at Mall of Africa's Waterfall City Park (November and December 2025)
Friday Dec 12 - Sunday Dec 14		Makhelwane Festival in Soweto (December 2025)
Nov 14 - Dec 31 2025		Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch
Sunday Nov 16 - Wednesday Dec 3		Life-size LEGO® Mercedes-AMG F1 pops up at Nelson Mandela Square
Wednesday Dec 10 - Wednesday Dec 24		Santa Land: The Jingle Bell Academy at Fourways Mall (December 2025)
Saturday Dec 13 - Saturday Dec 27		City Sightseeing Bus Sunset and Christmas Lights Tour