PLACES TO HANG OUT
Elizabeth Sleith gives a rundown of all the places of interest that are ideal for a family outing over the festive season
1 THE PARKVIEW CHARITY CHRISTMAS MARKET
If you haven’t made it over the weekend, today is the final day of this market, taking place at George Hay Park. Adult offerings include a gin bar, a beer tent and a champagne and oyster bar, while the children’s zone will have jumping castles, a train, craft activities and more. All proceeds go to the Nicarela Charity. Lurgan Road, Parkview. December 1, 10am-4pm. R50 for adults, kids under 12 free. Find their page on Facebook.
2 THE LINDEN MARKET CHRISTMAS EDITION
Also today, the Linden Market Carols in the Garden takes place between 1pm and 2pm. Includes a great line-up of artists from the likes of Rubber Duc, Georgetown Band, Jack and June to Brother Brother. R30 for adults, children under 12 free. See thelindenmarket.com.
3 THE ANN VAN DYK CHEETAH CENTRE
Take an early morning drive out to Brits and visit the cheetahs and wild dogs and other small mammals who call the centre home. See dewildt.co.za/tours.
4 GO TO THE PANTO
Jack and the Beanstalk is veteran theatre producer Janice Honeyman’s annual pantomime extravaganza. At Joburg Theatre, November 2 to December 22. R115 - R395. See
joburgtheatre.com.
5 EXPERIENCE HISTORY
The Reality Check exhibition is an animated virtual-reality experience about Walter Sisulu, based on the sound recordings of the Rivonia Trial. Apartheid Museum, now until March 2020. R100 for adults. See apartheidmuseum.org.
6 STEAM TRAIN TO IRENE
Beat the traffic and travel on the Reefsteamers’ train from Joburg to the village market at Irene on December 7 and 14. The train departs from Gautrain’s Rhodesfield station at 10am, returning at around 3pm. The iron horse on both trains will be “Susan”, who turned 100 this year but can gallop as fast as she did back in 1919. A family ticket for two adults and two kids over four costs R1,045. See reefsteamers.com.
7 KAMERS/MAKERS PRETORIA
The Kamers/Makers market is all about quality, ethical home-made and locally crafted products from fashion to a to food. December 3 to 8. Cornwall Hill College, Irene ( R70 online, R100 at the entrance). While you’re in the area, also ma time to visit the Smuts House Museum, Jan Smuts’ old home. Se
http://kamersvol.com and smutshouse.co.za.
8 COOKING FOR KIDS
Discovery Vitality is running a Frozen 2-themed holiday cooking camp for kids aged eight to 12. The course takes place at the Healthy Food Studio in Joburg. It’s a pilot proje
which, if successful, will be rolled out to other cities as well. 1 Discovery Place, Sandton. December 1 and 10, R195 per person. See healthyfoodstudio.co.za.
9 BUNGEE JUMP OFF THE ORLANDO TOWERS
The colourful murals of the Orlando Towers in Soweto form the backdrop for this 100m bungee jump. A suspension bridge linking the two towers is where the jump happens, giving you incredible views of Jozi. R550 per person. See https://sowetotowers.co.za/bungee-jump.
10 JAGUAR LAND ROVER FESTIVE XL EXPERIENCE
Land Rover is offering night drives on the Kingsley Holgate Trail from December 9-15. Kids can test their off-road driving skills in one-quarter-sized electricpowered Defenders. Tickets are R1,000 and include the night drive and a family dinner for up to five people at TLC On the Track restaurant. See
landrover.co.za/experience/experiencejohannesburg.html.