STARRY NIGHTS

For a double dose of stargazing this season, get to an outdoor movie night

DURBAN

Santa needs to find a Mrs Clause in The SantaClause2, the film chosen for the annual Music at the Lake Christmas edition in the Durban Botanical Gardens (shown above), which also features a market and live music by Subway Run. 3 December, R90 adults, R40 kids. webtickets.co.za The new Curiocity Hostel, in the Rivertown Triangle, has an outdoor cinema. Call to find out what’s on. 031-286-0025

GARDEN ROUTE

Tela Grande (‘big screen’ in Portuguese) is a new open-air cinema launching this summer, based in Mossel Bay and Hartenbos but with plans to travel along the coast. The programme has yet to be announced, but expect everything from the classics to animated favourites. telagrandecinema.com

JOBURG

The Bioscope in Maboneng may have rooftop screenings at private venues. Keep an eye on the website, thebioscope.co.za

PORT ELIZABETH

The Roof Garden Bar’s Black Filmmakers Festival is on the first Thursday of every month (1 December, 5 January). Details on Facebook.

CAPE TOWN

The Wavescape Surf Film Festival’s annual Clifton Beach screening is on 3 December. It’s free, so get your spot early. The festival (until 11 December) is not only for surfers but anyone who loves the ocean. wavescapefestival.com Perennial favourite LoveActually, a British romcom featuring nine intertwined Christmassy stories, screens on 12 December at The Pink Flamingo (inset above) on the roof of the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town (and on 23 December at Meerendal Estate, as part of the Galileo season, see box right). Counteracting the syrup on 19 December is The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton’s fantastical tale of Halloweentown’s king trying to take over Christmastown. From R110 pp, including a gourmet picnic. granddaddy.co.za The icy wonderland of Frozen, based on the story of the Snow Queen, screens in Jack Muller Park, Tygerberg’s hidden gem, on 10 December – plus there’ll be food trucks (and chairs and blankets to hire). R55 pp, quicket. co.za. For 2017’s movies, see gtp.org.za.

STELLENBOSCH

Another animated fairy tale, Tangled (based on Rapunzel), is one of the options at the Outdoor Picnic & Movie Nights at Spier Wine Estate. It’s showing on 17 December. Stock your basket from the deli or splash out on a gourmet picnic (R500 for two). Other films at Spier take a decidedly romantic turn, including that most glorious love story, OutofAfrica, on 7 January. R100 adults, R70 kids. spier.co.za