Great places to shop, listen, learn

FOR those about to paint the town red this month, here are a few cool local markets to visit for those last-minute Christmas gifts and necessities.

Shoppers, gamers, music lovers, families and friends have to get to My Cape Town Market’s Company’s Garden to scout through 150 stalls with loads to see.

Take a break between shopping and enjoy performances from Locnville, Jimmy Nevis and other stars.

Watch Cape Town’s top dance crews battle it out in the My Cape Town Moves competition.

E-Sport Zone makes its first appearance and caters for gaming enthusiasts.

The City’s mayoral committee member for economic growth, James Vos, said: “Remember, when you’re having a good time at the market, you are also supporting local traders and our economy.”

Market days are December 16–20 from 3pm to 10pm at The Company’s Garden in the Cape Town CBD.

Badrunisha Shadrick, vice-chairperson of the Muizenberg Flea Market, said they welcome warm summer days which help business boom.

“We also encourage traders to make use of more spaces available on the market to enhance their businesses as January and February is a very quiet time on the market.”

Here are more fun and entertaining markets to visit over the festive season:

South Market is a festive and exciting December market held once a year in the Southern Suburbs. Find affordable gems in their handmade local gifts, arts and crafts. Find a gift for a loved one, friend or teacher.

Choose from a variety of small to large gifts, home decor, delicious treats, children’s toys and more.

With more than 200 small businesses, crafters and artists, the market always offers interesting and new items with more than 4 600 products for you to see, smell and touch. We’ve heard they stock the best handmade crafts, with a wide selection from ceramics, soap and jewellery to art.

Pop some tasty delights in your basket as a Christmas treat or gift. Sample and buy spices, meats, sauces, cheeses, fudge, sweets and more.

Where: The Cape Academy, Firgrove Way, Constantia

When: December 16–23 from 9am to 7pm during the week and 9am to 4pm on weekends.

Visit the Franschhoek Village Christmas Market for their threeday Christmas-inspired market in the heart of Franschhoek.

There are a number of original and quality stalls to choose special gifts from, including decorations, treats, cocktails and foods.

Bring your fur baby along but keep them on a leash, please. There will be a large dedicated children’s play area and some foot-tapping music all through the festive vibes.

Where: 29 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek

When: December 16–17 from 9am to 4pm.

Join festive revellers at the Enchanted Kitchen at Makers Landing this summer holiday for a magical kitchen experience.

The Makers Landing Mini Makers Food Education Programme is aimed at kids 5 to 11 years old and teens 12 to 16. Empowering tomorrow’s food innovators, enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs in a fun and safe environment. Kids learn, make and play while exploring the kitchen and meeting new friends.

The organisers cover a range of new and exciting topics, and teach the children to make one savoury and one sweet item to take home with them or enjoy for lunch.

These cooking and baking classes aim to evoke creativity and a new love for food, creating healthy relationships with food and having a fun and exciting experience. Tickets cost R350 via Quicket.

The two-hour programme includes the following:

◆ Arrival and fruit snack.

◆ Theory lesson: Kitchen basics and tour.

◆ Practical cooking and baking lesson.

◆ Recipe sheets.

Where: Makers Landing, V&A Waterfront

When: December 16 to January 14.

| Supplied MARKET Day in Cape Town.