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Here’s how to spend Christmas in Cape Town
Free market, city concert, ballet, and Christmas lunch buffet
Last update: Friday, 5 December 2025
Christmas in Cape Town is more than just classic lunches and gift-giving. It’s the most wonderful time of the year where you can browse a free Christmas Eve market, settle in for a ballet performance inspired by Alice in Wonderland, or watch a gospel performance in one of the city’s most historic buildings.
FREE XMAS EVE MARKET
The Edgemead Christmas Market is a northern suburbs favourite. The market brings together over 450 local makers selling everything from handmade gifts, jewellery, and jams to ceramics, candles, toys, and Christmas decorations. You can also spoil yourself and buy sweet treats like cookies and meringues while you shop.
Date: Wednesday, 24 December; 10am to 8pm
Cost: Free
100 Edgemead Drive | Edgemead | Cape Town | @capecrafts | Image: Cape Crafts
CLASSIC THEATRE PRODUCTION
At the Artscape, Cape Town City Ballet’s new Alice in Wonderland brings Lewis Carroll’s dreamworld to life with vivid costumes, flashing lights and playful animated effects. It’s an enchanting family production where audiences follow Alice as she meets the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts.
Date: Wednesday, 24 December; 12pm
Cost: From R200 to R400, book via Webtickets
D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town | @artscapetheatre | Image: Artscape Theatre
GOSPEL CONCERT FOR R140
Now in its 20th year, Christmas in the City gathers leading gospel artists for an evening of music, shared stories and communal celebration inside Cape Town’s historic City Hall. This year’s lineup includes The City Choir, Anslin Gysman (The Voice South Africa finalist) and New BIRTH (a gospel group known for praise music and ministering).
Date: Thursday, 25 December; 7pm
Cost: R140pp, book via Webtickets
City Hall | Darling Street | Cape Town | @cityofct | Image: @maryann_west_1 on Instagram
GOURMET PICNIC AT A WINE FARM
Spier’s festive picnic baskets include rolled ham hock terrine, rotisserie chicken, braaied leg of lamb, and a decadent drunken cherry and chocolate trifle. Every dish is made using produce from Spier’s food garden and local suppliers, and there’s plenty of rolling lawns with play areas.
Date and times: 24 and 25 December
Cost: R995pp. Book via Spier’s website
R310 Baden Powell Dr | Stellenbosch | @spierwinefarm | Image: Spier
LUNCH AT A NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT
This new restaurant in the CBD evokes feelings of a laidback Italian summer with limoncello cosmos and tiramisu martinis. For Christmas lunch, Filini is taking it traditional with an Italian twist (think arancini balls, focaccia, Tuscan bean soup and tiramisu). Kids under five eat for free on Christmas Day at Filini, on the ground floor of Radisson Cape Town Foreshore.
Date: 25 December 2024, 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Cost: R745pp, book via info.capetown@radisson.com
29 Heerengracht Street | Radisson Hotel Cape Town Foreshore | 021 427 4800 | @radissonhotelcapetown | Image: Radisson Cape Town Foreshore
PICNIC ON THE LAWN IN WYNBERG
This luxe boutique hotel has two options to choose from on Christmas Day. A three-course lunch at Palm Terrace (including a stunning harvest table starter selection), and a picnic on the lawn with sparkling wine and a wicker hamper. See what else you can expect at the grand Palm House Boutique Hotel in Wynberg.
Date and times: 25 December
Cost: Lunch is R950pp and R450 per child; Picnic is R495pp and R195 per child. Book via Whatsapp 076 487 2016, explore@palmhouse.co.za
10 Oxford Street | Wynberg | 076 487 2016 | info@palmhouse.co.za | @palmhousehotel | Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel
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CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON
Find our recommendations for a Christmas gift guide.
Check out these events happening for New Years Eve.
Treat your staff with these year-end ideas and activities.
Discover things to do in and around Cape Town this weekend.
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