Christmas in Cape Town

Interesting facts and tips for celebrating Christmas in South Africa

If you want to know what to do over the Christmas holidays in Cape Town and what will be open and what not, you will find many answers to the most frequent asked questions here.

In my special pages about Christmas in Cape Town you will find interesting facts and tips for this Christmas season 2009 in the Mother City.

The festive season in Cape Town

Christmas is celebrated in Cape Town on the 25th of December and is a public holiday like in many parts of the world, the following day, Boxing Day, is a public holiday too.

Like in many parts of the world the Christmas season or Advent is celebrated with visits to family and friends over the festive season, Christmas parties and Christmas dinners and naturally the Christians will celebrate Christmas Day with Christmas mass at church, visits to friends and families homes and gift giving.

Christmas Shopping and what's open on Christmas

Most of the shops in Cape Town will be closed on the 25th, but will reopen on the 26th of December, Day of Goodwill, which is a public holiday in South Africa too.

It is still possible to do some grocery shopping, however the opening hours will be slightly shorter, Woolworths for example will be open from 9.00h till 17.00h on Christmas Day.

And as everywhere in the world you will notice the usual mad run and rush the days before Christmas at Cape Town's shopping centers.

But there is more to Christmas than joining the shopping crowds in the wonderfully decorated shopping malls here like here in Table View with a beautiful nativity scene.

There are the numerous little Christmas markets in the Mother City which you could visit with your family and friends, meet the friendly locals and enjoy the great atmosphere at the Cape Town markets.

And there is another special treat for you when you are in Cape Town. Plan to go to one of the wonderful outdoors Carols by Candlelight Concerts in Cape Town when you stay in the Mother City. Listening to splendid orchestras or choirs as well as singing along popular festive tunes while overlooking the stunning beaches, the lush winelands or enjoying the calmness of a church will set you in the festive mood at once.

Christmas Tree, Christmas Lights and Sparkling Fun

Christmas trees can be bought at many street vendors, who will sell you a local pine tree with long, long needles, like you will notice in the photo of our tree from last year.

They look somehow funny, quite bare even when decorated and you need to be careful not to overload these thin branches;)

Many main streets, like Adderly Street in the Cape Town City Center, are illuminated beautifully at night with Christmas lights and decorations and even some house owners decorate their homes with fairy lights for the season.

However not many gardens and houses are as much treated for Christmas in Cape Town with lights and ornaments as you will know from places overseas. But several roads leading into town will have Christmas Lights switched on at night, like the R27 through Milnerton.

Adderly Street in the city center has got pretty christmas lights and the V&A Waterfront treats its customers with a huge fun park - entrance fees apply -, free concerts at the amphitheatre and at the Clocktower there is even a Ferris Wheel to have a good look over the harbour and the lovely city.

Most of the Cape Town attractions are open on Christmas Day for visitors, so you will be able to visit the museums at the Company Gardens and the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront.

Ever enjoyed Christmas on the beach?

This picture is from December 26th, Boxing Day 2007. Not to bad, isn't it?

You will be surprised how many people you will meet these days. Even the most quiet beaches will be populated with people, well more than other days, as you can see on my picture above;).

So find a nice spot where you can enjoy your Christmas with a little picnic and relax in the sunshine and listen to the waves...

But do not take alcohol to the beach as it is an offence to take your alcoholic drink to the beach.

Looking for the best Cape Town beach to go to?

Check out my favorite beaches or see which Blue Flag beaches won awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award in 2009.

Christmas celebrations

Most of the Mother City's christians belong to Dutch Reformed churches, Apostolic churches and Pentecostal or charismatic churches, Anglican, Methodist or Catholic churches (last census from 2001).

Many of Cape Town’s Christians visit the churches either on the 24th for a midnight mass or on the 25th with special celebrations for Christmas in Cape Town.

Most of the Capetonian christians are very religious and these holidays are celebrated with lots of joy and sharing.

Invited to a Christmas Party?

So should you be invited to a Christmas party, you can dress casually and lightly as the temperatures usually are hot at this time of the year. Check for the Cape Town weather here.
Often you are even asked to bring your swimwear as many locals have got their own pool in the garden. So bring a little gift like good wine, nice chocolates or flowers.

Christmas in Cape Town is a wonderful cheerful time as Capetonians are known to be happy and relaxed and you will be very welcome to share in the joy.

Have a Very Merry Christmas and all the Best for the New Year 2010

Regina