Reasons to stay in Joburg this December
JOHANNESBURG – Joburg need not be a dreary place during the festive season. Here are five ideas to get you out of the house.
December traditionally sees a mass exodus of Joburgers to the coast, but for those who decide to stay behind in the City of Gold, there’s a treasure trove of activities waiting to be discovered.
This short list should give you a pretty good idea of the kind of fun you can have in Johannesburg this festive season.
Goodman Gallery is one of the most distinguished and longest-standing international contemporary art galleries in South Africa. Established in Johannesburg in 1966, the gallery works with well-established artists and up and coming mavericks alike.
It is situated in Rosebank, making it accessible from all directions of Joburg. They have fantastic exhibitions, international and local showings and a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere.
Subscribe to their email notifications for upcoming exhibitions, or go check their website and social media pages.
Upcoming events: In Context: Africans in America, 17 November to 17 January next year.
South Africans love their beer, so taking a tour of the SAB World of Beer in Newtown will be on most Joburgers’ to do lists. And once you’ve indulged, you’ll quickly discover why it has twice been named the number one tourist attraction in South Africa. This intriguing, entertaining and interactive journey explores the rich history of beer, uncovering the important role it has played culturally, socially and economically across space and time.
From tastings, beer pairing to courses on how to throw beer-themed parties, the SAB World of Beer has it all.
Johannesburg has more to offer than it’s concrete exterior might suggest, and the Melville Koppies Reserve is a great example of the diverse range of activities this vibrant city has to offer.
Melville Koppies is a Johannesburg City Heritage Site, and is the last conserved remnant of Johannesburg’s ridges as they were before the discovery of gold in 1886 – and its geology goes back three billion years.
Within the past 1 000 years, Iron Age immigrants arrived and remains of their kraal walls can be found on the northern slopes. In 1963 an iron-smelting furnace was excavated and can still be seen today.
There are regular hikes in the reserve, and it’s a great way to see Johannesburg from a different perspective. Perfect for active families.
The Montecasino Bird Gardens, located in Fourways just north of Johannesburg, is home to a magnificent array of animal life and is the perfect day activity for families who enjoy nature.
The walk-through aviary boasts more than 60 species of birds, and the gardens are home to endangered species such as grey-crowned cranes, red-fronted macaws, vinaceous amazons and Buffon’s macaws.
Visitors can enjoy an enthralling Flight of Fantasy bird show in the Tuscan amphitheatre, which showcases a fantastic display of unrestrained flight. The 30-minute show takes place twice a day Monday to Friday (11am and 3pm), and three times a day over weekends and on public holidays (11am, 1pm and 3pm).
The Montecasino Bird Gardens is also home to a wide range of other creatures such as frogs, scorpions and spiders, as well as small mammals such as sloths, lemurs and meerkats.
The gardens will be hosting a special holiday calendar for those in the mood for a taste of the wild:
Maboneng is at the heart of the urban revitalisation of the Johannesburg CBD district, and with its roots in art, Maboneng has evolved into a collaborative hub of culture, business and lifestyle that has something to offer most curious travellers.
A creative take on history, architecture, art and nature, as well as a place for people to proudly call home, Maboneng is the epicentre of the Joburg inner-city renaissance.
From bio-scopes to the trendiest in eateries, Maboneng should be on every Joburgers to do list.
To see what’s happening in the trendiest part of town, visit their events page here: www.mabonengprecinct.com/events-page or check it out on social media.
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