Christmas Day (Public Holiday)

‘Tis the season to be jolly, celebrating with family and friends


An international public holiday marking one of the Christian religion’s central events – the birth of Jesus Christ – Christmas Day has become a day where people from all religious and cultural backgrounds come together in the spirit of giving.

While the actual date of Christ’s birth remains up for heated debate, Christians and people all over the world have accepted December 25 as Christmas day, and most still celebrate with a coming together of families at the lunch table, the pulling of crackers and the carving of roasts.

Even though we’re in the hottest hemisphere, many South Africans still uphold the European traditions, including the display of Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, warm drinks and puddings at the lunch or dinner table and the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

---
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA
---

JANUARY

1 January

New Year's Day

MARCH

21 March

Human Rights Day

APRIL

18 April

Good Friday

21 April

Family Day

27 April

Freedom Day

MAY

1 May

Worker’s Day

JUNE

16 June

Youth Day

AUGUST

9 August

National Women's Day

SEPTEMBER

24 September

Heritage Day

DECEMBER

16 December

Day of Reconciliation

25 December

Christmas Day

26 December

Day of Goodwill

---
For more hot and happening things to do, check out the annual events in Cape Town or use our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!

Cape Town Events Calendar
December 2024
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

AroundAboutCars 3 Car rental specials in Cape Town

Free upgrades, free data, 10% off luxury vehicles & more

Wolfkop Nature Reserve 4Our team’s tip-off: 50% off cottage ...

Completely private cottages with splash pools, hot tubs and more

HintHunt AfricaGet over the midweek hump with a ...

Easy spot for team building, midweek date night, & more

Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa August 2024Sublime dining at Palm House Boutique ...

Friday Night Steak Club, Afternoon Tea, 6-course tasting menu & more

Trail's End Bike HotelTeam building, stylish conferencing & ...

Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

Milk on the beach wafflesOur team’s top picks at the Waffle ...

Loaded hotdogs, caramel popcorn G&Ts, waffle churros

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Free beach clean-ups with the Two ...

It happens every single month. See upcoming dates

Pear TreeThe hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Sushi calamari, miso sirloin & rice krispies milkshakes

mischu 2024Weekends are for mischu

You can get breakfast and coffee with the R99 brunch special

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and a buzzy rooftop bar

Cannibisters 2024Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...

Now with over 90 strains of weed and The Serenity Room

Off-road adventure at Scootours BanhoekBest day ever? Monster Mountain ...

Scootours Banhoek has scooters, vine bikes and archery

Milk on the Beach 2024Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

Ramen by the sea, a build-your-own waffle bar & 5 more

Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa August 2024This boutique 5-star hotel offers ...

The signature Palm Journey includes a 3-course lunch

AroundAboutCars 3 Car rental specials in Cape Town

Free upgrades, free data, 10% off luxury vehicles & more

Wolfkop Nature Reserve 4Our team’s tip-off: 50% off cottage ...

Completely private cottages with splash pools, hot tubs and more

Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa August 2024Sublime dining at Palm House Boutique ...

Friday Night Steak Club, Afternoon Tea, 6-course tasting menu & more

Trail's End Bike HotelTeam building, stylish conferencing & ...

Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Free beach clean-ups with the Two ...

It happens every single month. See upcoming dates

Pear TreeThe hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Sushi calamari, miso sirloin & rice krispies milkshakes

mischu 2024Weekends are for mischu

You can get breakfast and coffee with the R99 brunch special

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and a buzzy rooftop bar

Harringtons Cocktail Lounge District SixFridays at East City's Harrington Street

Bar hop in one building, from happy hour to live music

Cannibisters 2024Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...

Now with over 90 strains of weed and The Serenity Room

Off-road adventure at Scootours BanhoekBest day ever? Monster Mountain ...

Scootours Banhoek has scooters, vine bikes and archery

Milk on the Beach 2024Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

Ramen by the sea, a build-your-own waffle bar & 5 more

wb6Live music & craft beer at Woodstock ...

Springbok Nude Girls and Arno Carstens play here. Plus the beer rocks

Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa August 2024This boutique 5-star hotel offers ...

The signature Palm Journey includes a 3-course lunch

Travel MassiveTravel Massive Cape Town event

FREE travel industry event empowered through inclusivity

fabricUnpacked: fabric London comes to Cape ...

Gritty night of serious clubbing with music you can’t Shazam

Ideas Cartel corporate retreats Corporate retreats at Ideas Cartel: ...

Accommodation, meals, teambuilding – just show up

weddingsdjsThe Wedding DJs for your wedding, ...

He's worked with Jared Leto and the Black Eyed Peas 

Kuier November 2Kuier@TheCastle – the Saturday ...

200+ vendors, 13 workshops, free safe parking and more

Waterfront festive season 2023 This festive season all lights lead to ...

9 FREE and 3 affordable things for the whole family to do

Wolfie Familie FestivalGot kids? Put this family festival on ...

Wolfie Familie Festival 2025 unpacked

art of duplicityHush-Hush: Art Of Duplicity Speakeasy ...

How to get the list, plus the glamour, decadence and luxury of yesteryear at a ...

GiveawaysTravel Tips