Aweh! Find out what’s popping in Durban this weekend

Wondering what to do in Durban this weekend? Worry not because Caxton has got you covered. From an array of Christmas lights, to playing in the snow, good food, good music, and much, much more, Durban is definitely the place to be this weekend.

Trail of Lights – from December 2, 2022 until January 2, 2023

The Trail of Lights is back for its sixth season, bigger and better than before.

Held at the Durban Botanic Gardens from December 2, 2022 until January 2, 2023, the illuminated trail winds its way with the brightest and merriest lighting displays, festive scenes, magical characters, artisanal food gardens, a festive market, plus so much more.

Festooned with thousands of lights, the awe-inspiring lighting displays are buzzing with live entertainment, Santa’s Grotto, magical festive characters, charity-hosted Santa’s Workshop, KZN’s brightest Christmas tree, a special Secret Garden of Lights concealed within the trail, all new horticultural displays and two fabulous food gardens.

Priding itself on igniting family traditions over the festive season, the event affords attendees magic and the opportunity to make new memories within Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden!

Good to Know:
The Trail of Lights takes place from December 2, 2022, to January 2, 2022, excluding Christmas Day, which will be from 18:00 – 21:30. It will be on the following days:
December 2 – 4
December 2 – 11
December 14 – 24
December 26 – 30
January 1 – 2
Limited tickets will be available at the door. Children two years and under enter for free.
Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za or Pick ’n Pay at the following prices:
18:00 entry is R80 per person / 19:00 entry is R75 per person / 20:00 entry is R70 per person

Snow wonderland – all year round

Ever dreamt of building a snowman or making your very own snow angel? Then the Snow Wonderland is the place for you to be this December. Fit for the entire family, Snow Wonderland boasts adrenaline-pumping snow slopes, a snow play area, and a snow target wall where you can put your throwing skills to the test.

Located at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, this ultimate Wintertainment lets you experience an all-year-round Snow Wonderland. Each session runs for a period of 45 minutes and costs R105 for a full-access ticket, or you can opt for a discounted spectators’ ticket.

Good to Know:
Spectators will not be allowed on the snow slope slides or in the snow play area.
Children under one year are free. No refunds.
For more information, visit https://snowwonderland.co.za/home/.

Christmas extravaganza

Give back this Christmas by heading to the Christmas Extravaganza, hosted by the Phoenix Animal Care and Treatment (PACT) on Saturday, December 10.

The event, a fundraiser for the non-profit organisation (NPO), will be hosted at the North Durban Lions Club. It starts at 09:00 and runs all the way until after sundown with a movie night and picnic.

PACT helps provide a better quality of life for homeless, neglected and abused animals in the Phoenix area.

The organisation’s extravaganza will have a flea market, food stalls, prizes to be won, a dog adoption corner, as well as a movie and picnic night.

Good to Know:
Venue: North Durban Lions Club, 29 Uitsig Road, Durban North
Date: Saturday, December 10
Times: The flea market runs from 09:00 to 17:00; the doggy adoption is between 10:00 and 14:00, while the movie and picnic evening begins at 19:00.

For more information, contact 073 005 4275 or email pact4068@gmail.com.

Joy to the World – Sunday, December 11

A concert of light classical and Christmas music featuring the sensational soprano Nozuko Teto will take place on Sunday, December 11 at 15:00 in the Durban Jewish Centre.
Nozuko will be joined on stage by Dorh Mfayela (soprano) and by the accomplished pianist Ilse Myburgh. The audience can expect familiar classical pieces as well as favourite Christmas carols to which they can sing along.
Nozuko Teto hails from a small town in the Eastern Cape. After a highly successful career singing in international opera theatres, she has returned to her homeland to wow local audiences with her sensational soprano voice. Ilse Myburgh is a professional pianist and accompanist as well as an enthusiastic music educator. She is highly skilled in Performing Arts, Music Performance, Music Education and Entertainment.

Good to Know:
Venue: Durban Jewish Centre – 44 KE Masinga Road.
Date and time: Sunday, December 11 at 15:00.
Tickets will be available at the door: Members R120, non-members R140 and students R50.
Online booking at Webtickets.
For more information, contact friendsofmusic@webmail.co.za or phone Keith at 071 505 1021.

Litchi Harvest – from December 10 to December 31

If you are a lover of fresh litchi, then head out to KZN’s premier litchi-picking event to pick and eat the freshest, juiciest, sweetest litchis straight from the tree.

Boasting beautiful orchards, the event caters for the entire family, with food and refreshment stalls to tantalise your taste buds, and tractor and trailer rides for the kids.

Attendees can buy freshly picked litchi bunches, 2kg bags of litchis or 20kg crates of them.

Good to Know:
Venue: Litchi Harvest, Road P228, Umhlali, Ballito, KZN
Dates and times: 08:00 to 15:00 daily, 08:00 to 12 noon on Dec 24 and 31, closed Dec 25.
For more information, contact 071 276 9959.