What To Do in South Africa During Christmas [2024]

Christmas is a great time to visit South Africa if you’re a fan of the holidays and the sun. Unlike many places, it doesn’t snow during the holidays here, leaving you with tons of unique ways to celebrate the season.

If you’re planning on spending your Christmas in South Africa, here’s a fun list of things to do and places to visit in South Africa during Christmas.

1. Catch the Festive Lights event

One thing you don’t want to miss is the Festive Lights event in South Africa. This event symbolises community unity and celebrates the start of the incoming holiday season.

The event showcases a setup of Christmas-themed lights, decorations, and displays that evoke the spirit of the festive season. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment and music performances while marvelling at the display of colourful bright lights.

Pro tip:
We suggest bringing a camera with you as these lighting events usually attract huge crowds, which makes for some great street photography opportunities.

2. Decorate a Christmas tree

One tradition you wouldn’t want to miss is adorning a Christmas tree, a cherished and eagerly anticipated activity in South Africa. This custom is loved by many, as it signifies the joyful essence of the holidays, while also being a fun activity to partake in.

Christmas occurs during the summer in South Africa, so the decorations chosen often reflect the vibrant and diverse cultural influences of the country. You can enjoy using traditional ornaments or unique crafts to decorate your own Christmas tree.

Pro tip:
If you’re seeking affordable and distinctive Christmas decorations to enhance your tree, we recommend buying some at the local Christmas Market. These places offer a wide variety of decorations with unique and eye-catching designs at good prices.

3. Spend a Christmas outdoors

Another popular way to celebrate Christmas in South Africa is by spending the holiday exploring the great outdoors. It’s one of the most popular and iconic ways people have been celebrating the holiday for the past years, as locals love outdoor activities.

You can choose to go hiking up a huge mountain, explore some botanical gardens, or visit nature reserves with family and friends. One of the most popular ways to spend Christmas outdoors is by camping along the Garden Route and exploring the forests.

Pro tip:
One essential item to bring when spending time outdoors is a safety kit. South Africa boasts numerous fantastic nature spots, many of which feature rocky and challenging terrain that may lead to significant injuries.

4. Celebrate Christmas at the beach

In South Africa, Christmas often involves coastal celebrations where people take advantage of the splendid summer climate. Beach festivities provide a wonderful chance for families to unite, indulge in picnics, and enjoy refreshing swims in the ocean.

These occasions are typically adorned with charming Christmas decorations, fostering a festive ambiance that everyone can appreciate and enjoy. Celebrating Christmas festivities with sandy shores beneath your feet is a must-try South African tradition.

Pro tip:
One of the highlights of celebrating Christmas at the beach is the opportunity to join in beach volleyball matches. These games are abundant on South African beaches, particularly during the Christmas season.

5. Attend Carols by Candlelight

Carols by Candlelight is a cherished Christmas tradition in South Africa, where families visit outdoor venues nationwide to sing along to festive songs. These events often showcase impressive orchestras or choirs, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.

A notable highlight occurs when the sun sets, and candles are lit, casting a soft glow that illuminates the faces of friends and family members. This creates a profound sense of unity and togetherness during these events.

Pro tip:
Given that these events often occur in green spaces and parks, we recommend bringing a picnic when attending Carols by Candlelight. You can enjoy listening to Christmas Carols while enjoying some delicious food with friends or family.

6. Snag Christmas shopping discounts

Shopping is a popular activity during the holidays in SA because of the season’s huge discounts.

You’ll find lots of malls having tons of sales during Christmas, putting items like food, clothes, and even toys and tools on discount shelves. Also, with South Africa’s plethora of malls and outlets, you can really go all out and shop until you drop.

Pro tip:
If you’re looking to make your purchases even cheaper, make sure to take advantage of a loyalty program or coupon if you have one. Some stores actually accept special discounts that can be added to an item that is already on sale.

7. Celebrate the season at a braai

During Christmas in South Africa, families and friends unite for a traditional Braai, an Afrikaans term for barbecue. For decades enjoying grilled meat and other dishes around a grill at a braai has become the South African way to have a joyful celebration.

What’s great about Christmas braais is that you are more than welcome to join one hosted by a complete stranger. This is because braai symbolises a sense of community and unity, aligning perfectly with the concept of Christmas as the season of giving!

Pro tip:
If you’re attending a Christmas braai set out in the open, we suggest bringing some mosquito repellent with you. The heat of the Christmas season increases mosquitoes’ metabolism, making them more active during the holidays.

8. Try volunteer work

Volunteer activities during the Christmas season are viewed as a meaningful way to embrace the holiday spirit in South Africa. This activity reflects the principles of generosity and community that characterise the essence of Christmas.

Whether you’re supporting soup kitchens, contributing to gift drives, or assisting the elderly, the essence of Christmas in South Africa lies in helping those in need.

Pro tip:
Ensure you learn a few local phrases and familiarise yourself with the language in the area you plan to visit. Not every South African may be fluent in English or multiple languages, so knowing the local language will make communication easier.

9. Go shopping at a Christmas market

If you’re looking for a place to shop for niche items and cute seasonal crafts, we suggest visiting a Christmas market around South Africa. It’s one of the best things about the season and also a fun activity that will keep you busy and entertained for hours.

These lively markets showcase a variety of handmade ornaments, decorations, and gifts that capture the holiday spirit. Here, you can also shop for unique items, ranging from local crafts and food to globally inspired wares and trinkets.

Pro tip:
While visiting a Christmas market, make sure to try Koeksisters, a sweet traditional South African deep-fried pastry that’s commonly sold at these festive events.

10. Watch a movie at an outdoor cinema

One of the must-try activities for any movie enthusiast visiting South Africa for the holidays is enjoying a movie marathon at an outdoor cinema.

You’ll find outdoor cinemas all over the country during December, each with its own lineup of the latest movies and some classics. The best part is that they also feature season-appropriate movies to truly evoke the Christmas spirit.

Pro tip:
If you’re attending a public movie screening, be sure to bring along some snacks and drinks. These venues may have limited or expensive food services, so bringing your own food can save you tons of money and make your movie experience better.

11. Attend Midnight Mass

Midnight Mass is a crucial part of the South African Christmas celebration, as it draws in millions of attendees to church services every year. The midnight service is special, as it symbolises the birth of Jesus Christ and marks the start of Christmas Day celebrations.

The atmosphere at Midnight Mass is warm and filled with a sense of reverence, as people pray and celebrate the Mass. Likewise, there’s a feeling of joy and unity as individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to honour the spirit of Christmas.

Pro tip:
One essential item to always bring with you when attending Midnight Mass is a jacket. Despite taking place during the South African summer, churches – especially at night – are known to get really cold.

12. Enjoy a sports game

Engaging in outdoor sports and games is a fundamental aspect of Christmas celebrations in South Africa. The pleasant summer weather and ample sunshine make it effortless for South Africans to partake in outdoor pursuits during the holiday season.

Friends and families gather to enjoy a delightful Christmas lunch or dinner, followed by friendly competition through games like backyard cricket, soccer, volleyball, or frisbee. Beyond providing entertainment, these activities forge lasting memories for families.

Pro tip:
Before joining Christmas sports matches with your family, be sure to apply sunblock. Given that Christmas takes place during summer in South Africa, the chances of getting sunburn and excessive exposure to harmful UV rays are higher.