Where to celebrate Christmas this year

Christmas is less than a month away. Let’s just give that time to sink in. And after the year we’ve had, not many of us are feeling up for the task of cooking and hosting a lavish Christmas lunch or dinner. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to. There are many places all across the country that are hosting various forms of Christmas celebrations. So, all you have to do is show up!

Here are some places to consider if you are looking to have someone else wine and dine you this festive season. 

For those in Johannesburg

For those in Johannesburg, the new kid on the block, Radisson RED Rosebank, is hosting a family table buffet for R665 per person. The menu includes black mussels tossed in a white wine sauce, prawn with avocado and roasted tomato cheesecake, steamed coconut-infused rice, Mediterranean vegetables and feta crumbs wrapped in phyllo pastry, slow-cooked beef rib pulled off the bone with fine beans and a trio roast platter consisting of honey glazed gammon, roast leg of lamb and stuffed roast turkey on a bed of mashed potatoes with, apple, mint and cranberry sauces. And, of course, a selection of sweet treats. Its sister hotels, Radisson Blu Gautrain and Radisson Blu Sandton are hosting Christmas lunch and dinner events too. 

Details: Radisson RED Rosebank, on 010-023-3580, Radisson Blu Sandton, 011-245-8000, Radisson Blu Gautrain, 011-286-1000.

Sanctuary Mandela will also be hosting special Christmas meals this year. Cooked up by Nelson Mandela’s former chef, this year’s menu is expected to include some of the former president’s favourite festive meals. 

Details: 010-035-0368, info@sanctuarymandela.com

For those in Durban

You can enjoy a lavish Christmas Eve dinner and a Christmas Day lunch at The Grill Room at the Oyster Box Hotel. Christmas Eve dinner is R2 600 per person (no children under 12 years allowed). Here, guests can enjoy a six-course menu and live entertainment. On Christmas Day, there is a lunch served on the Ocean Terrace and in the Grill Room. All guests receive a welcome drink on arrival and will be entertained by live music. The cost of Christmas day lunch is R2 600 per person and R1 900 for children under the age of 12. 

Details: 031-514-5000. 

For those in Cape Town

Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront which sits right on the water’s edge in Cape Town has a lot up its sleeve for Christmas. Everything from the decor to the food has been planned with a fynbos theme in mind. There is a Christmas Eve dinner (R845 per person), a Christmas day lunch (R1 150 per person) and a Christmas night dinner R1 005 per person). Children under 12 receive a 50 per cent discount, while those under the age of five are hosted at no charge. The cost includes a welcome drink, live entertainment and a three-course buffet feast. Foods vary depending on the day, but guests can expect delicious starters, delectable main meals and tasty desserts for Christmas Day lunch and dinner includes a spekboom salad, rooibos smoked salmon, black mussels, a wide selection of vegetables and so much more. For mains, there is a selection of delicious Christmas meats including fynbos-smoked pork loin, roast chicken, roast beef and so much more to feast on. To end it off, there’s a dessert table with a wide selection of sweet treats, including vegan caramel pots, fynbos Christmas cake and assorted trifles. 

Details: 021-441-3000, festive.bookings@radissonblu.com

For those in the Kruger Park

If you are in the Kruger National Park this Christmas and you’re wondering where to eat and be merry come December 25th, the Kruger Station has you covered. The precinct will be decked out in stunning Christmas decor to put everyone in a festive mood, while 3638 Restaurant will serve all kinds of Christmas delights. The menu includes options of starters, mains and a dessert. The starters are grilled honey halloumi mini tacos or an ostrich carpaccio Asian salad. For mains, there’s the option of maple-chilli gammon steak with various sides or a turkey, mushroom and sage stuffing pizza. Dessert is a delicious Christmas pudding and pear strudel. 

Details: 013-591-6000.