The countdown has already begun to the festive season and plans are being made for some year-end fun. This year, it’s all happening on the KZN South Coast with holiday festivals, markets, and more on the cards. The KZN South Coast is ‘Destination… summer!’
“We are anticipating a great festive season this year to continue last year’s top tourist numbers,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “The KZN South Coast has retained its position of having the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches in the province, making this the ideal seaside destination this summer. Beyond the beaches, world-class dive sites, hinterland and heritage experiences, we will also have a number of planned events to keep everyone entertained.”
2023 Festive Season Events
Let’s Go Camping
Date: 17 to 18 November
Location: Meet at Hibiscus Mall
Contact: Monate Outdoor Activities 073 092 9818
Cost: R600 per person
Details: Enjoy this family fun adventure which includes transport, a one-night stay, hiking into caves, a suspension bridge, outdoor game, and security.
Natural Farming Course
Date: 17 to 20 November
Location: Secret Sithela, Munster
Contact: Jeanne-Louise on 083 430 1258, Lafras on 072 624 8870, info@secretsithela.co.za.
Cost: R3200 per person
Details: Secret Sithela is hosting an introductory, four-day course on perma-culture which will be a hands-on experience of sustainable farming and gardening. The course will include soil building and amending, seed germination, organic solutions, land contouring, water harvesting, composting, worm farming, vegetable gardens, and food forests. Limited accommodation is available.
Diwali Celebrations
Date: 18 November
Location: Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino
Details: Join in the fun with a weekend Diwali celebration starting with Magic co to Maltos at 1pm, The Big Bhangra at 8pm (cost is R150 per person), and a free fireworks display at 9pm.
Bendigo Conservation Group AGM
Date: 19 November
Time: 2 pm
Location: Leka’s at Southport.
Details: Everyone is welcome to attend the Bendigo Conservation Group AGM where Debra Robbins will talk on Conscious Conservation.
Night Market
Dates: 24 November, 22 and 29 December, 26 January
Location: Serenity Hills, Margate
Details: The popular Night Market sells high-quality goods, international cuisine, wine, craft gin and beer, with the best in live entertainment. The children’s activity section keeps the young ones entertained with a variety of interactive games. The market is pet-friendly, with 24-hour security, and is fully operational throughout load shedding or if it rains. This is the ideal space to do some Christmas shopping!
Chilla Nathi Festival
Date: 25 November
Location: St Michael’s on Sea, Margate
Contact: 083 382 8822 or chillanathicookout@gmail.com
Cost: Early bird tickets are R50 or R80 normal price, available from Webtickets or Pick n Pay stores.
Details: Chilla Nathi Festival is the ultimate family outdoor experience. There will be good food, fashion, art, wine and craft beer mixed with good music and good people!
Dance World Cup Celebration
Date: 26 November
Times: 12pm and 6pm
Location: Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino
Cost: R200
Details: Watch some of the best dancing talent in the country at this incredible celebration.
The Beat Goes On
Date: 25 November
Times: 2pm and 7pm
Location: Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino
Cost: R150
Details: Get ready to groove and move at ‘The Beat Goes On’ presented by Elvira Venter Dance School.
Emily Around the World Dance Show
Dates: 1 and 2 December
Time: 7pm
Location: Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino
Cost: R150
Details: Enjoy some spectacular dance performances with this around the world movement spectacle.
Matric Breakaway at Lake Eland
Dates: 5 to 7 December
Location: Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge
Contact: 039 687 0395 or reservations@lakeeland.co.za
Details: This is a matrics-only, three-night celebration. There is self-catering, shared accommodation with a hop-on, hop-off Lake Eland bus, zipline tour, and more! The first night is DJ Club Night, followed by a Bonfire, Bring and Braai, with the final night a Rave Evening. There are 4 packages to choose from.
Tweni Summer Festival
Date: 9 December
Location: The Spot
Details: Don’t miss out on the hottest summer festival which will include a surf session, live bands, and even a potjie competition.
Let’s GO Summer Beach Festival
Dates: 14 December to 14 January
Locations: Uvongo, St Michael’s, Ramsgate, Margate, Scottburgh, Hibberdene, and Marina beaches
Contact: michael@one-way.co.za
Programme Information: www.one-way.co.za
Details: There will be non-stop fun and games as the annual beach festival gets underway on the KZN South Coast. These family-friendly activations will take place daily at various venues, all free of charge. Check the latest programme information on the website as details may change.
Oribi Gorge Farmers Market
Dates: 15 to 17 December
Times: 8am to 6pm
Location: Lake Eland Game Reserve
Contact: 039 687 0395 or reservations@lakeeland.co.za
Details: Get all your Christmas shopping done at the popular Oribi Gorge Farmers Market! With almost 4000 visitors last year, organisers are expecting great things for this year’s event.
Gas Live
Date: 16 December
Location: Dezzi Raceway, Port Shepstone
Contact: Lorna Thomson 072 507 8773
Cost: R150 per person, R100 for pensioners, children U12 free. Bookings through Webtickets.
Details: This is an automotive festival like no other! Celebrate South African automotive heritage with the team that brought the Gas Motorshow. For the first time in South Africa, Dezzi Raceway will be hosting drag racing, gymkhana, circuit racing, spinning, drifting dyno, sound-off, park-off, show ‘n shine, low limbo, and exhibitions.
Community Market
Date: 16 December
Location: Southport Beach
This will be a festive, family-friendly market with entertainment for young and old. The event will culminate in the popular Carol’s by Candlelight from 7pm onwards.
Schweppe’s Wild Coast Gin Festival
Date: 16 December
Time: From 12pm until late
Location: Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino
Cost: R220
Details: Save the date to embark on a gin-tastic adventure at the inaugural Schweppes Wild Coast Gin Festival, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Wild Coast Sun’s endless summer beach resort.
Karou Charou Madhir Comedy Show
Date: 16 December
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino
Cost: from R150
Details: Karou Charou returns to the stage with his brand-new comedy show – Certified Madhir! Music, song, dance, magic, comedy … it’s an on-stage comedy riot not to be missed.
Scottburgh Mardi Gras
Date: 17 December
Times: 9am to 5pm
Location: Scott Street, Scottburgh
Contact: Lorna Thomson on 072 507 8773
Details: This Lions Club fundraiser will include a float parade, quality stalls, a display court, great food, a beer garden, beauty competitions, a kids’ zone, and a Christmas eggnog fun run.
With 11 quality golf courses found throughout the KZN South Coast, the ‘Golf Coast’ remains a favourite destination for both leisure and MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] destination! The subtropical climate and diverse natural landscape also set the scene for the ultimate in agri-tourism and extreme adventure.
Uncover all the adventure on the KZN South Coast by downloading the ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app, visiting the website, checking out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! Don’t miss out on the action by following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn.
Night Market @ Uvongo
Date: 20 December
Times: 4pm to 10pm
Location: Cnr Smuts Avenue & Marine Drive, Margate
Contact: Dubretha 083 600 0962
Details: Everyone is welcome to join in at this open flea market.
