Top Things To Do In Joburg This Weekend (19 To 21 December)

This weekend in Johannesburg feels like the city taking a collective breath before Christmas Day arrives. Schools are out, offices are winding down, and Joburg has leaned fully into festive mode. From glowing night walks and pantomimes to hands-on kids’ activities, markets, art, science and indulgent dining experiences, this is one of the busiest and most joyful weekends on the city’s calendar.

Whether you are entertaining restless kids, hosting visiting family, planning a festive date night or just looking for something different to do, there is no shortage of options across Joburg and surrounds.

Here is your full guide to what is happening this weekend.

Festive Lights And After Dark Experiences

Festival Of Lights At Johannesburg Zoo

The Johannesburg Zoo’s annual Festival of Lights has become a December tradition for many Joburg families. Visitors follow a softly lit walking route through the zoo, surrounded by illuminated life-size animal installations and decorative light displays set among the trees.

It is designed to be calm and atmospheric, keeping visitors away from the animals themselves while still offering a magical night-time experience. A food and craft market adds to the festive feel, making it an easy evening outing for all ages.

Where: Johannesburg Zoo, Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkview
When: Thursdays to Sundays until 4 January, 7pm to 10pm
Cost: R175 adults, R75 kids (3–12), R100 pensioners

Celebrations On The Square At Nelson Mandela Square

Nelson Mandela Square has created one of Sandton’s most elegant festive experiences with Celebrations On The Square. A custom-built glass marquee welcomes visitors into a beautifully styled space complete with a statement ceiling installation, festive décor and relaxed lounge seating.

Your entry includes a glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne and a charcuterie board, while local vendors inside the marquee offer premium festive gifting ideas. A live violinist performs daily in the evenings, adding a soundtrack to the Square’s famous Christmas lights. With daily numbers capped, this experience has been getting strong buzz on social media.

Where: Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton
When: Until 22 December
Cost: R75

Christmas Night Market At Blueberry Hill Hotel

Blueberry Hill Hotel hosts a Christmas Night Market this Saturday evening, offering festive stalls, twinkling lights, live music and plenty of seasonal treats. It is a relaxed, community-style market that works well for families or couples looking for a low-pressure festive outing.

Where: Blueberry Hill Hotel, Honeydew
When: Saturday, 20 December, 5pm to 9pm
Cost: Free

Kies En Keur Kersmark At Emerald Resort

The Kies en Keur Kersmark returns with a wide selection of handcrafted décor, gifts and festive treats. It is a great stop for anyone still hunting for thoughtful, locally made Christmas presents.

Where: Emerald Resort & Casino, Vanderbijlpark
When: Until 22 December, daily
Cost: Free

Kids’ Holiday Fun And Family Activities

Santa Land: The Jingle Bell Academy At Fourways Mall

Fourways Mall’s Santa Land returns this year as The Jingle Bell Academy, a playful elf-training experience designed especially for young children. Kids move through themed Christmas houses, learning festive “skills” like cookie decorating, stacking presents quietly, writing letters to Santa and listening to gentle holiday stories.

The experience includes festive face painting, toy displays, activations from Exclusive Books and Oh My Cake, and ends with a photo with Santa. Sessions run in timed slots, so booking ahead is recommended.

Where: Fourways Mall
When: Until 24 December, 9am to 8pm
Cost: From R50

City Of Enchantment At Sandton City

Sandton City’s City of Enchantment turns the centre court into a festive wonderland filled with interactive activities for kids. Families can explore Santa’s wishing well, cross a drawbridge into his world, and enjoy a reindeer merry-go-round.

Parents needing a breather can stop at the Château Gâteaux pop-up for coffee and cake, or pick up whole cakes for festive gatherings.

Where: Sandton City Centre Court
When: Until 28 December, 9am to 6pm
Cost: R50 to R200

Zootropolis 2 Mini Golf At Mall Of Africa

Mall of Africa’s festive programme includes a nine-hole mini golf experience inspired by Disney’s Zootropolis 2. Each hole brings scenes from the film to life, making it a fun and interactive outing for kids of all ages.

Families can pair the activity with a cinema visit at Ster-Kinekor Mall of Africa to watch Zootropolis 2 and create a full themed day out.

Where: Waterfall City Park, Mall of Africa
When: Until 27 December, 9am to 8pm
Cost: R85

Candy Cane Lane At Eastgate Shopping Centre

Eastgate’s Candy Cane Lane offers a festive playground featuring games, reindeer-themed ice cream, a North Pole claw machine, gaming stations and face painting. Optional add-ons include decorating a Krispy Kreme doughnut or creating a personalised sweet-filled bauble to take home.

Where: Eastgate Shopping Centre, Bedfordview
When: Until 24 December, 10am to 6pm
Cost: R50 basic entry, add-ons extra

Kids’ Activities At Randridge Mall

Randridge Mall hosts simple, hands-on festive activities including tic-tac-toe, mini bowling, mini putt putt and bean bag games. Spend R150 or more at the mall to give one child access to the activity area.

Where: Randridge Mall, Randburg
When: Friday and Saturday, 10am to 3pm
Cost: Spend R150

Festive Art, Eco Heart At Key West Shopping Centre

Key West Shopping Centre offers a creative and eco-conscious holiday activity for kids. Using recycled materials, children are guided to create festive artwork while learning about sustainability and waste reduction in a fun, accessible way.

Where: Key West Shopping Centre, Krugersdorp
When: Until 24 December, 10am to 3pm
Cost: Free

Circus, Theatre And Live Performances

Circus Galassia Presents Zaylon

Circus Galassia debuts its brand-new festive production, Zaylon, under the iconic big top in Sandton. The story follows Zi, a visitor from a distant planet discovering the courage, creativity and imagination behind human circus performance.

The show features local and international circus talent, including the Globe of Steel motorbike act and the Flying Valdarrama trapeze troupe from South America. Expect colour, energy and festive spectacle that appeals to both kids and adults.

Where: Sandown High School, Sandton
When: 19 December to 12 January
Cost: R180 to R390

Cape Ballet Africa Presents The Nutcracker

This festive classic returns to Johannesburg with choreography by Maina Gielgud and striking set designs by Michael Mitchell. The Nutcracker remains a December highlight for ballet lovers and families seeking a traditional holiday experience.

Where: Teatro at Montecasino
When: Until 28 December
Cost: R220 to R690

Janice Honeyman’s Pinocchio Panto

Now in its 38th year, Janice Honeyman’s annual pantomime is a cornerstone of Joburg’s festive theatre scene. Pinocchio blends humour, spectacle and heart, delivering a feel-good show that resonates across generations.

Where: Mandela Theatre, Joburg Theatre
When: Until 24 December
Cost: R160 to R380

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR.

Peoples Theatre’s end-of-year production brings the beloved DreamWorks film to the stage, following Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria on their unexpected journey from New York to Madagascar.

Where: Peoples Theatre, Joburg Theatre
When: Until 24 December
Cost: R175

Gatsby – A Cirque Extravaganza

Gatsby – A Cirque Extravaganza offers an immersive blend of circus, dance and theatre inspired by the Roaring Twenties. Aerialists, contortionists and dancers recreate the glamour and excess of Gatsby’s world in a visually striking production.

Where: The Cirk, Cresta
When: Until 31 January
Cost: R180 to R320

Culture, Science And Thoughtful Experiences

Visit The Wits Sterkfontein Caves

The world-renowned Sterkfontein Caves reopened earlier this year under Wits University management. Guided tours explore ancient fossils and human evolution, offering a meaningful outing that connects Joburgers to humanity’s deep past.

Where: Sterkfontein Caves, Kromdraai Road
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm
Cost: From R100

Cosmic Collisions At Wits Digital Dome

Narrated by Robert Redford, Cosmic Collisions explores the powerful forces that shape our universe, from planetary impacts to the formation of stars and life on Earth. Best suited to teens and adults.

Where: Wits Digital Dome, Braamfontein
When: Friday, 19 December at 2pm
Cost: From R40

Our Wandering Continents At Wits Origins Centre

Artist Marcela Cabutti’s exhibition reimagines continents as bodies in slow motion, drawing on geological archives and the shared history of Africa and South America.

Where: Origins Centre, Wits University
When: Until 15 February
Cost: From R30

Universum. Mensch. Intelligenz At Goethe-Institut

An interactive STEM exhibition inspired by Sci-Bono, showcasing research themes such as the universe, the brain, human history and artificial intelligence through hands-on displays.

Where: Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
When: Until 11 March
Cost: Free

Food, Film And Festive Indulgence

Le Petit Chef: In The Footsteps Of Marco Polo

This internationally acclaimed dining experience combines 3D projection, live performance and a six-course meal. Guests follow the journey of the “smallest chef in the world” across continents, making this a standout festive splurge.

Where: Blueberry Hill Hotel
When: 18 to 21 December
Cost: From R1395

Christmas Karma In Cinemas

Christmas Karma offers a musical retelling of A Christmas Carol set in modern London. The film blends festive cheer with themes of kindness, transformation and social awareness, making it a thoughtful family cinema option.

Where: Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas
When: Now showing

Wellness And Reflection

Online Meditation For World Peace With Daaji

Join a global guided meditation session led by Daaji, aiming to unite over a million people worldwide in a shared moment of calm and reflection.

Where: Online
When: Sunday, 21 December at 4pm
Cost: Free

Why This Weekend Matters In Joburg

This weekend captures Johannesburg at its most generous and expressive. It is a city balancing festive joy with creativity, culture and reflection, just days before Christmas.

Whether you are chasing lights, theatre, kids’ fun or quiet moments, this is one of the best weekends of the year to experience Joburg at its festive peak.

{Source:Whats On In Joburg}

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