In need of Christmas spirit? Affordable places to go this December

December is here, but the finances to enjoy the season to the fullest may not have come on time for many. Here are some places you can experience the festive spirit without feeling the pinch of spending too much.  

Although the decorations have been up for a while, the start of December officially means that Christmas is here.

In South Africa, 1 December also marks the beginning of a season known only to us as Dezemba.

Attitudes become more relaxed, and so do dress codes.

In Johannesburg, the roads become less congested, while our coastal counterparts have to contend with having more people around than they are used to. 

This year's festive season comes at a difficult time for many who will have to watch their finances more vigilantly. 

We've compiled a list of places where you can exoerience the festive spirit without feeling the pinch of spending too much. 

1. The Pongrácz Tree at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

The V&A Waterfront’s Silo District is set to sparkle with the spectacular addition of an interactive Pongrácz Christmas tree, inviting everyone to celebrate “Festive, Your Way” until 10 January 2024.

Visitors can share in the festive spirit by visiting the tree, and on selected weekends in December, they can see their special messages to family and friends light up.

Standing tall at 8.5 meters, this tree takes the distinctive form of the Pongrácz bottle, adorned with cascading golden baubles and a colossal star-shaped stopper. At the heart of the star, a cutting-edge outdoor laser –currently a one-of-a-kind feature in South Africa – will light up the night for several hundred meters.

Around the bottle-shaped structure, custom-made LED lights spiralling from the base to the star topper will create a dazzling spectacle, painting the tree in a myriad of colours at different intervals.

On selected days, visitors can transmit personalised messages to family and friends in real time on the tree. Embracing the festive ambience, the tree serves as a backdrop for Instagram-worthy moments. A spacious deck surrounding the tree provides an ideal spot for capturing photographs.

Visitors will not be charged to view and interact with the tree. 

2. Hyde Park Corner pop-up drive-in, Johannesburg

It's "lights, camera, rooftop" during the first weekend of December at Hyde Park Corner's pop-up drive-in. 

Hyde Park Corner has transformed its Woolworths rooftop parking lot into the ultimate outdoor cinema experience with a rooftop drive-in.

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"Forget the plot – it’s all about the experience under the stars!"

Hyde Park Corner invites you to bring friends and family for a night of wholesome fun under the stars at a price tag of R300 per car (ticket price is per vehicle). 

Tickets are available online via Quicket.

3. Victoria Yards - Johannesburg

Billed as a vibrant ecosystem that prioritises social development and business growth, Victoria Yards is an artisanal space where visitors can quench their thirst for visual arts and sumptuous food while helping support local businesses. 

The venue hosts a popular monthly First Sundays event featuring a beautiful market and live music.

4. Mind Games Escape Room, Durban

Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes in this immersive experience that will see you solving puzzles, deciphering secret messages, and triggering hidden mechanisms, all while developing a stronger bond with your loved ones.

Although the silly season is viewed as a time to relax and check out, this is the perfect way to keep your wits sharp while having fun and trying something new. 

Budget around R250 per person for two people, but you could pay less when booking for larger groups up to six. An escape room is not suitable for children under the age of eight.

5. Melrose Arch, Johannesburg

Each December, the Melrose Arch precinct puts on a dazzling display of Christmas lights, bringing festive cheer to all who visit. 

Those who come for the lights and Christmas carols can stay for family entertainment, the cheerful Christmas market and some retail therapy.

Other Johannesburg locations with Christmas lights include the Festival Of Lights at the Johannesburg Zoo, open from 19:00 to 22:00 every Thursday to Sunday. Tickets to this event cost R175 per person and R75 per child aged between 3 to 12 years. Children under three years of age enter for free, and it is R100 per pensioner.

The Christmas Village at Emperors Palace features three different areas to explore, namely Snow Town, The Village Square, and the Tunnel of Lights and Winter Wonderland, where guests can enjoy a brightly lit stroll through the beautiful light display featuring fairies, elves, gnomes, goblins, and reindeer peeking out from their fantasy forest.

The village will be available to view between 1 December 2023 and 2 January 2024 from 16:00 to 20:00 in 90-minute slots. Tickets are available at Computicket and they cost R60 per person. Children from 3 to 12 years pay R30, and pensioners pay R50 per person. 

Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park and Time Square Casino in Pretoria will also have light displays worth visiting.

Information supplied by Angelfish PR, Jigsaw PR and Tribeca PR.