Here’s how to spend Christmas in Cape ...
From lunches and carols to markets and meeting Santa
End-of-year party ideas to pitch to your boss
For teams big, small and remote, and every budget
Last updated: 20 November 2023
Here are 16 activities and experiences to get you out of the office and celebrate the end of another year. You could taste beers inspired by rock n roll, listen to local jazz in the artists’ homes, try a Cape Malay cooking class in a Bo-Kaap home, solve a murder mystery and more.
TASTE CRAFT BEERS + BOOK A TOUR
What better way is there to end the year off than with beer tastings, burgers and music? Whether your team is losing their beer-ginity or already massive beer fans, the tasting experience is a great way to explore different flavours (our team tried and loved it). You can also do a brewery tour and learn about the art of craft beer at Woodstock Brewery.
How to book: Call 021 203 3045 to book
Cost: R10/glass for beer tasting
252 Albert Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | @woodstockbrewery | Image: Woodstock Brewery
CHALLENGE YOUR TEAM TO AN ESCAPE GAME
Test your skills and work together as a team to try to beat an escape room in 60 minutes. There are six different rooms to choose from (maximum of six players per room). The latest room, Marble, unleashes your inner superhero as you save the day against a vengeful villain wreaking havoc on Cape Town. The last game slot is at 8.30pm, so it’s a great after-dinner adrenaline kick at HintHunt Africa.
How to book: at HintHunt.co.za
Cost: R590 - R1 650
Watershed | 17 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @hinthuntafrica | Image: Claire Photography
OR PLAY ONLINE FOR REMOTE TEAMS
HintHunt’s online games are able to accommodate any online teams with both mobile and laptop experiences. There are two games to choose from, which take up to 80 players and 100+ players respectively. Connect with your colleagues from the comfort of your home with HintHunt’s exhilarating online experiences.
How to book: via HintHunt
Cost: R395 for an online experience
Watershed | 17 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @hinthuntafrica | Image: HintHunt
PARTY WITH YOUR TEAM ON A ROOFTOP
The Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore is centrally located, with a great restaurant and rooftop bar. Their bar has enough space for dancing and a DJ set-up, and boasts killer views of the city and Table Mountain. If your boss is feeling generous, you could inquire about overnight accommodation at Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore.
How to book: 027 21 427 4800 or restaurant.bookings.capetown@parkinn.com
Cost: Platters from R365 and mains from R125
29 Heerengracht Street | Foreshore | Cape Town | Image: Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town
BUDGET-FRIENDLY BEACH BRAAI
Oudekraal is a paradise cove where you can chill, braai and more. It has 35 well-maintained braai facilities that look over the sparkling blue ocean and surrounding mountains. If you’d like some sundowners at your party, the gazebo can be booked for private events (Oudekraal is the only National Park allowing alcohol and music).
How to book: For gazebo hire, contact 021 712 0527
Cost: Free for general use; from R3 930 for venue hire (reduced rate between 8.30am and 4.30pm)
Between Bakoven and Llandudno | Opposite the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa | Image: @isaacs.chante
COSY DINNER AT A CITY CAFE
This venue has a shisha lounge, big-screen TVs, numerous dining spaces, and daily happy hours. The menu is diverse enough to get your team excited, from pasta, grills, and soups to German dishes, like schweinshaxe mit sauerkraut und bratkartoffeln (knuckle of pork or beef). Have your year-end party downstairs (up to 15 people) at Cafe Extrablatt.
How to book: Email info@cafe-extrablatt.co.za
Cost: Breakfasts from R42, lunch & dinner from R55; desserts from R20
Exhibition Building | Green Point | @extrablattcapetown | Image: Cafe Extrablatt
PLAN A ROADTRIP WITH THIS KOMBI TOUR
It’s the ultimate end-of-year road trip (that can accommodate 10 to 60 people). Do gin, beer or wine tastings in Stellenbosch, visit penguins along the Peninsula or eat Cape Malay food in the city while on a Kiff Kombi Tour. Best of all, nobody needs to be the designated driver. Founder Drew Campbell recommends the Wine, Beer & Biltong Safari or The Gin Jol for your team's year-end function.
How to book: Online at kiffkombitours.co.za
Cost: Tours start from R1420pp
Kiff Kombi Tours | 072 213 3888 | @kiffkombitours | Image: Kiff Kombi Tours
GET COOKING WITH FAEEZA
Learn how to make Cape Malay cuisine at Faeeza’s Home Kitchen. Faeeza hosts fully-interactive cooking classes for up to 14 people, where you’ll be taught how to roll rotis, fry chilli bites, cook curry and wrap samosas. A typical class lasts 2.5 hours, including the meal, dessert and tea (with vegan and vegetarian options).
How to book: Email bookings@faeezashomekitchen.com
Book: R450 per person
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Chiappini Lane | Bo-Kaap | Cape Town
GO ON A JAZZ SAFARI
Learn about the jazz history of the city by visiting local musicians in their homes. There are two parts to the tour: Dinner and music at the home of a musician, followed by a nightcap at a second musician’s home, or visiting a jazz venue for a late set. The tour lasts around four hours.
How to order: Email info@coffeebeansroutes.com
Cost: R3 213 per person for private tours for over nine people
Various locations | @coffeebeansroutes | Image: Coffee Bean Routes
BIG FLAVOURS FOR SMALL TEAMS
You can book a private dining experience at this seaside eatery. Order a few inventive dishes to share – like brisket tacos, sushi calamari, chicken lollipops, sticky pork belly ribs, and poke bowls washed down with ice-cold kombucha cocktails. Beyond the cobblestone pathway and spekboom, you’ll find Pear Tree in Hermanus.
How to book: 028 313 1224 or info@pear-tree.co.za
Cost: Small plates from R30 and mains from R150
81 Marine Drive | Hermanus | @peartreehermanus | Image: Pear Tree
SOLVE A MURDER MYSTERY
Get out of the office and into character as your team must find a murderer. Dinners To Die For has 15 partnered venues (or choose your own venue and they’ll bring the party to you). They set up the crime scene, a photo booth, props and tables with investigation packs for each person.
How to book: Email info@dinnerstodiefor.com
Cost: Packages starting from R295 pp (depending on venue & food choice)
Various locations | @dinners.to.die.for | Image: Dinners To Die For
SIT OUT IN THE GARDEN
Hidden between Groot and Klein Constantia, Little Stream Conference Centre and Tea Garden has over seven acres of garden to explore. For a team of 20 to 50 people, Little Stream has three options: a casual self-catering braai, a 3-course braai meal and an elevated 3-course meal.
How to book: Email info@littlestream.co.za
Cost: Packages start from R150 pp (depending on number of people and package choice)
Klein Constantia Road | Constantia | @littlestreamconstantia | Image: Eden Theron
RELAX WITH BEER PONG IN CAMPS BAY
For something laid back, try Dizzys. Unwind with your team with live music, karaoke and beer pong. While you can’t book out a private section, bookings are available for large groups. The deposit for large group bookings is R200 per person, which is deducted from the bill on the evening.
How to book: Contact via 021 438 2686 or info@dizzys.co.za
Cost: Bar bites from R42, mains from R112, desserts R65
41 The Drive | Camps Bay | @dizzyscampsbay | Image: Dizzys
HAVE DINNER OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN
If you’re looking for a year-end function with sea views, Clifton Surf Club House is located on the idyllic 4th Clifton Beach. The Club House can accommodate 80 people cocktail style and offers a bar with a barman, full kitchen and braai facilities for your use. Bring in a caterer of your choice or your own food and snacks.
How to book: Online at cliftonsurf.co.za
Cost: R10 000 (excluding deposit)
59 Fourth Beach Promenade | Clifton | @cliftonsurflivesaving | Image: Clifton Surf Livesaving Club
TAKE THE TEAM ON A DAY TRIP
Cheverells Farm is a working apple farm with a light-soaked café. The team could go apple picking (when in season) and have a bite to eat, or book out the space for a proper party. There are also workshops and events like watercolour painting, jewellery making and more at Cheverells Farm.
How to book: Contact cheverellsfarm@gmail.com
Cost: Upon inquiry
5 Highlands Road | 060 861 1044 | cheverellsfarm@gmail.com | @cheverellsfarm | Image: Cheverells Farm
GO TO A BUCKET LIST STEAKHOUSE
This steampunk steakhouse offers brandy, rum and tequila tastings, as well as a gin atomiser for a unique gin tasting experience. Rare and unique cuts are brought to your table for you to choose, and there are plenty of options for vegetarian team members too. Dinner at Char’d Grill is an exciting experience that you wouldn’t find at any ordinary steakhouse.
How to book: Contact info@chardhermanus.co.za
Cost: Upon inquiry. No deposit required
Village Square | Hermanus | 028 312 1986 | @chardhermanus | Image: Char’d Grill
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HAVE FUN WITH YOUR TEAM
Celebrate your team’s hard work with these team-building activities in Cape Town.
Your team will love the laid-back and loud vibes of the Food Jams cooking party.
Bond with your team over gin-making, pizza and beers at Distiller's Union.
Planning an event? Here are some more function venues in Cape Town.
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