If you’re looking for something to get you and your loved ones in the Christmas spirit, visit Melrose Arch this weekend to enjoy Christmas carols, ballet, festive lights and meet Santa Claus.
Melrose Arch is hosting a free Christmas carols concert by the renowned conductor Richard Cock at The Piazza at 6.30pm on 7 December featuring tenor Siyabonga Maqungo and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.
Ballet enthusiasts can enjoy items from the Johannesburg School of Arts’ dance department who will perform scenes from Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, among others.
While the performances are free, guests are encouraged to donate money to the Smile Foundation, which is Melrose Arch’s selected charity. The Smile Foundation is a South African NGO that assists children with any type of treatable facial abnormality, such as cleft palate and lip, burn victims and Moebius syndrome, to receive corrective plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Melrose Arch will also host a number of children’s festivities from 10 to16 December between 9am and 4pm. Carnival-style activities, games, a face painter, trampoline bungee and Thomas the Tank Engine tables and toys will keep little ones busy on the Piazza, while bumper cars on the square will provide many thrills.
The Young Rebel Recording Studio in the upper-level Galleria will host young singers who can take part in karaoke and record songs to take home. Children can be dropped off for an hour or two at the studio where they will be guided through all aspects of making music from start to finish with some of South Africa’s top musicians.
Santa Claus is also coming to town between 10 and 16 December from 6.30pm and 8pm where children can have their photos taken with him.
Details: www.melrosearch.co.za
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