2017 guide to Christmas markets in and around East London
We’re all about keeping it local here in East London and the Christmas period is the perfect time to show your support. So this year, why not visit the Christmas markets happening in and around the city? As well as picking up some completely original and unique gifts, you are contributing towards a very happy and festive season for the local artisans who put so much work into their products.
It’s quite simply the best way to do Christmas! Read on to find out more…
11th November
The East London SPCA is the place to be for all the cool cats at hot dogs this festive season! Enjoy a Xmas Market held in conjunction with their Open Day and Annual Gardens of East London Show. Browse food and craft stalls while listening to live music, fun activities for the little ones and the chance to interact with the animals as you stroll through the kennels. Held on the 11th and 12th November from 9am onwards.
Craft stalls, live music, snake shows, mashee golf and Santa are just a few of the things you can enjoy at Python Park’s Christmas in the Park on 11th November. Open between 10am and 4pm, this is an event the whole family can enjoy.
18th November
The Hope Christmas Fair will be held in Edge Road in Beacon Bay… browse beautiful and unique gifts for that someone special!
25th November
King’s Mall in Gonubie will be holding its monthly Arts & Crafts Market on the 25th November plus special Christmas Market bonanzas which will run from the 2nd-3rd, 9th-10th and 16th-17th December. A wide variety of handmade arts and crafts will be on offer so pay them a visit, browse a while and support the local community!
A Gift Market & Tea Garden will be held at Vincent Methodist Church from 9.30am onwards. In addition to picking up fresh produce and delicious eats, you can shop for Christmas with jewellery and other beautiful gifts.
26th November
Tea in the Trees will be holding its stunning craft markets on 26th November plus each Sunday in December – 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (sing along to some Christmas carols on this date too!) & 31st, from 9am until 2pm. The perfect opportunity to stroll around the stalls where local traders sell their Christmas wares and this family friendly spot is the perfect place to take the kids with a jungle gym, sandpit and forest walks all on offer too.
Head to the Old Selbornian Club for the Bunkers Market and find yourself some wonderfully unique gifts. It’s going to be lovely with plenty of stalls and super shopping ideas for the whole family. Open from 9am to 2pm, you won’t want to miss it! Further Bunkers Market dates in December are as follows: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st.
The This & That Market is a monthly affair held in the heart of East London at Nutting Hall in Stirling. Offering crafts, food, fashion, homeware/lifestyle, kiddies entertainment and so much more, this is a perfect place to browse for those unique Christmas gifts! Open from 9am to 2pm (R5 entry fee).
At the Kidd’s Beach Community Market you can find absolutely delicious food and artisan stalls selling handmade gifts, clothing, jewellery, crochet toys, home decor, wooden items and so much more. Held at the Kidd’s Beach Bowling Club, from 9am to 2pm.
The Collondale Community Market Day is open from 10.30am onwards and is a wonderful opportunity to browse the many stalls in search of unique Christmas gifts. Held on the open field of the main road of Collondale.
1st December
The market area of Maren Oppi-Plaas Farmer’s Market will be adorned with beautiful Christmas lights and music from 1st to 24th December, week days 7pm to 9pm. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during this period you can also enjoy light meals from the Maren Coffee Bar, plus braai packs and fires will also be available. Situated on the N6 towards Stutterheim.
2nd December
Bring the whole family and meander through the stalls at Stutterheim Farmer’s, Craft & Art Market, located at the Eagles Ridge Country Hotel at the foot of the Amatola mountains. Stall holders offer unique and interesting products and there are plenty activities for the kids including pony rides, archery and a play area. Open from 9am till 2pm.
Besides their traditional arts, crafts, hand and homemade food, there will be live entertainment, wine tasting and a beer garden, kiddies play area, animal farm yard, and a Christmas wish tree at Maren Oppi-Plaas Farmer’s Market. Open from 9am to 3pm.
From 2pm onwards you can enjoy wonderful German Christmas treats at the German Christmas Market, 50 Park Avenue.
Take along some donations for the animals and enjoy Christmas at the Zoo. Plenty of beautiful stalls to browse too. From 9am onwards.
3rd December
A trip to Kidd’s Beach is always worth it, especially when the Avalon Craft & Country Market is on! Take the family for a day out and visit this market with a wide variety of stalls including clothing, vintage and deli foods. Open from 9am till 2pm. If you miss this event however, there will be a further two markets on the 17th and 23rd December… no excuses, see you there!
6th December
For something different and very special, head to Carols With the Cows at Rockclyffe Dairy Farm in Cove Rock. Entry is free to this family-friendly event so take along your picnic blankets and candles and enjoy a reindeer hunt, tractor rides, angels on patrol and carol singing. The fun starts at 6pm.
9th December
The Acacia Tree Nursery School hosts its annual Moonlight Market, this year at the beautiful Tea in the Trees. Enjoy Tom’s Circus and a magical craft market, Christmas craft activities, storytelling, carol singing, delicious delights and lots, and LOTS of fun. From 4pm to 9pm.
15th December
Tea in the Trees hosts its annual Tunes in the Trees on the 15th December. With music from DJ Rise, The Harare Collective, Boxer, Kathy Raven and the So Be It Union, this is an event not to be missed!
This year’s Fine & Fabulous Festive Market is held at PineCreek Restaurant & Farmstall and is a fun family event with shopping, eats, drinks and treats, music plus a visit from Father Christmas! From 5pm till 8pm.
16th December
Between 9am and 2pm you can browse locally made produce surrounded by indigenous trees on the banks of the Inchara River a Yellowwood Forest Campsite in Morgan Bay. When you want to take a break from your shopping, the Tree Pot tea garden and bar are always open for delicious meals and home bakes and the products from the pizza oven are not to be missed. And you can’t make it out to Yellowwood on 16th, there will be another opportunity when they hold further markets on 23rd and 28th December.
The peaceful haven that is Kidd’s Beach certainly comes alive during the holiday season and every year they hold a lovely market on the Village Green. Attracting both holiday makers and locals alike, this is a vibrant event not to be missed.
The Ann Bryant Art, Food & Craft Market will take place from 16th – 20th December in the beautiful gardens of the Gallery with live entertainment and music throughout the days. There will also be night markets held on 17th, 19th and 20th. Enjoy awesome food and shop for crafts and Christmas gifts during these four days. The kids can also enjoy fun activities and there will be plenty of space to picnic so take the whole family and have an awesome time.
17th December
Sing along to Carols on the Lawn (hosted by Glen Eden Church) at Murambi Rose Cafe and browse the food and craft stalls at your leisure. It’s going to be a beautiful event!
20th December
The Village Green in Chintsa East is where you can browse and shop for some unique gifts on 20th December. Always a fabulous market!
The Morgan Bay Hotel Christmas Market is always a delight and this year promises to be no different! Enjoy the absolutely beautiful surroundings while browsing unique stalls.
21st December
2Swans on the Schafli Road will be holding their Christmas Market on 21st December. This awesome event will have a variety of stalls to browse, all in the most beautiful environment!
22nd December
Enjoy a fun Christmas Night Market at Thistlewoods browsing beautiful stalls, meeting Santa and much, much more! Open from 3pm to 10pm.
23rd December
A special Christmas Evening Market will be held at Maren Oppi-Plaas from 12pm till late with carols by candlelight, a nativity play presented by a children’s home and Santa will be handing out Wish Tree gifts (if you would like your child(ren) to receive a gift from Santa, please take it along with you!). There will also be Christmas karaoke and entertainment by Warren Forbes.
29th December
Well Christmas Day may have come and gone but that doesn’t mean the festivities have to come to an end! Stay in the Christmas spirit with this special Family Day at OppiePlaas Haga Haga… with a craft fair, magic show for the kids, live music, outdoor cooking competition, comedy and live entertainment from Peter Mitchell, it’s an event you won’t want to miss! The fun starts at 11am!
January 2018
If you are celebrating Christmas late or would simply like to browse the markets once things have quietened down a little, please note that the Yellowwood Forest market will also be open on the 2nd January.
And all that remains is to wish you a very Merry Christmas and prosperous 2018. Happy shopping!!