Something about the incessant jingling of carols, rabid shoppers and overhead neon lights makes malls uninhabitable at this time of year. The calm of local Christmas markets, on the other hand, where you support local crafters, buy local food for your table and get to meet the people who make your food and gifts, is a completely different experience…
We’ve handpicked 20 Christmas markets around the country:
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN GAUTENG
Transoranje Christmas Market (Pretoria Accommodation)
Over 270 exhibitors at this festive market that includes a tea garden, demonstrations on beads, table decorations, gift decorating, pavlovas, mosaic making and more, and an art competition thrown in for good measure.
Date: 22 November – 1 December 2013
See more info here
Parkview’s Christmas Market (Jo’burg)
Enjoy food stalls, gifts, kiddies’ entertainment, arts and crafts, prizes, live music and more at George Hay Park.
Date: 29 November – 1 December 2013
See more info here
Nickel Xmas Market (Pretoria)
A fairly large market, the over 300 exhibitors have only handmade items for sale. The market is part of a job creation project for unemployed women and youth, much of the proceeds go to the project.
Date: 29 November – 16 December 2013
See more info here
Kamers vol Geskenke (Irene)
Not to be missed, the popular Stellenbosch market makes its way to Irene where a collection of handpicked, beautifully crafted arts and crafts that make perfect gifts are there to bag for Christmas – stationery, ceramics, jewellery, décor, clothing, kitchen things and food.
Date: 3 December – 8 December 2013
Time: 09h00 – 18h00
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE NORTH WEST
Rainhill Farm Christmas Market (Rustenburg)
A range of crafters sell handmade and homemade goods, dotted down the picturesque bluegum lane, which is also closed to traffic for the day. Farm yard activities for the young, and the chapel and labyrinth are open for contemplation.
Date: 7 December and 21 December 2013
See more info here
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN KWAZULU-NATAL
Christmas Country Fair (Ballito)
This is the 61st Country Fair held just outside Ballito with over 70 stall holders selling handcrafted products ranging from pottery, décor, christmas cakes and puddings, to clothing and more. Funds go to charity.
Date: 6 and 7 November 2013
See more info here
Shongweni Farmers’ Christmas Market (Gillitts)
This very popular farmers’ market does itself proud over Christmas with a range of handmade crafts and Christmas décor. Find a range of gifts easily.
Date: 16 December 2013
Time: 09h00 – 16h00
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Kamers vol Geskenke (Stellenbosch)
Don’t miss one of the most creative gatherings of arts and crafts around, whilst you browse rooms filled with innovative ideas. The team is renowned for sourcing fresh products.
Date: 5 November to 10 November 2013
Time: 09h00 – 18h00
The Constantia Gift Fair
A lifestyle event full of handpicked innovative products, this is another of the Cape Town staples for must-have gifts. Anything from jewellery through ceramics, garden accessories and deli items, food and drink. There is a kiddies’ play area.
Date: 6 November – 10 November 2013
Time: 09h00 – 18h00
Durbanville Gift Fair
Add wine, an array of foods and a series of inspiring and creative gifts all in one place together, and you have yet another successful recipe for a Christmas Market, this time on D’Aria Wine Estate in Durbanville
Date: 14 November to 17 November 2013
Slowfood Christmas Candlelight market (Stellenbosch)
A Cape Town and surrounds staple, this weekly market pulls out all the stops for Christmas, providing a market by candlelight (complete with carol singing) that is a great place to nab an organic turkey and stock up on food, boutique gifts and clothing.
Date: 6 December and 7 December 2013
Time: 18h00 – 22h00
Kloovenburg Christmas Market Day (Riebeek Kasteel)
This annual wine, olive and Christmas market is worth penning into your diary as a trip out to this little town is always a pleasure.
Date: 14 December 2013
Time: 09h30 – 15h00
Fab Ideas Christmas Gift Fair (Kommetjie)
Four days of rustic, seaside village style Christmas with this ‘one stop’ Christmas gift fair that includes décor, jewellery, clothing, crafts and deli treats. All items are barcoded to make shopping easy. Anticipate live performances and kiddies’ entertainment. Take your credit card.
Date: 13 December to 16 December 2013
Time: most of the day
Blaauwklippen Vineyards Family market & Christmas Fair (Stellenbosch)
Festive shopping whilst on a wine farm appeal to you? The Blaauwklippen vineyards Family Market has an array of jewellery, clothes and other lifestyle products plus a gift wrap station, live music and food stalls.
Date: 17 December – 22 December 2013
Time: various
Earth Fair Christmas Market (Tokai)
Still all about the food, but this weekly market will have guest Christmas traders throughout the month of December. Look out for lovely craft every Wednesday. And you get to have dinner whilst you’re at it.
Dates: still to be confirmed
Time: 15h00 – 21h00
Franschhoek Christmas Market
Now in its 8th year, this market draws crafters from all over the Western Cape so that you’ll find anything from chocolates to garden furniture on offer. There is a tea garden, credit card facilities, and profits go to the Anna Foundation.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE EASTERN CAPE
Gonubie Christmas Fair (East London)
Set on Gonubie’s sports field, this fair promises gifts, accessories, delicious eats, fashion items, outdoor goodies, furniture and a whole lot more (including a beer tent).
Date: 13 December 2013 – 16 December 2013
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE FREE STATE
Cherry Festival (Ficksburg)
Not a Christmas market, but who can pass up the opportunity? And cherry products (cherry mampoer?) work well for Christmas.
Date: 21 November – 23 November 2013
Eunice Christmas Market (Bloemfontein)
With only a couple of days left of this spectacular annual end of year event, get to the Eunice high school hall as soon as you can.
Date: 25 October – 2 November 2013
Time: 10am – 7pm daily
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN MPUMALANGA
Christmas Crafters’ Market (Graskop)
Expect patchwork, knitting, crochet, bed and table linen, artworks, jewellery, clothing, plants, flowers and collectables as well as food stalls; a ‘Graskop Bakes’ competition, various craft workshops, and a tea garden. Look out for Graskop’s Christmas Fair over the December long weekend (13 – 16 December).
Date: 30 November – 1 December 2013
Please let us know in the comments below which is your favourite Christmas Market in South Africa!
