Markets
Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market: Spend time with family (pets included) and friends outdoors. Traders sell everything from fresh produce and deli food to arts and crafts. Walk the short nature trail or have a zipline adventure. Open rain or shine, and wheelchair accessible. Phillip Taylor on the main stage at 10am today, The Mediators tomorrow. From 7am to 1pm on December 21 & 22 and December 28 & 29.
Musgrave Market: Head to Berea Park for food, music, arts and crafts, clothing, accessories, confectionery, baked goods, books, toys, plants and second-hand items. From 9am to 2pm.
Glenwood Street Market: Community market at 106 Bulwer Road, 8am to 2pm. WhatsApp 061 663 9430.
Buzz Market: Community market at 38 Pitlochry Road, Westville, 9am to 2pm.
Ballito Farmers Market: More than 150 traders offer fresh farm produce, cut flowers and a nursery, retail, fashion, kids’ entertainment, art, hobbies, crafted goods and lifestyle products. R103 at Umhlali. 7am to 2pm.
Harlequins Flea Market: Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm. New vendors welcome. Christmas market on December 21. WhatsApp 083 595 7033 or email [email protected]
Rotary Uvongo Flea Market: Crafts, toys, bead work, wire work, clothing and food every Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm and Sunday 9am to 2pm, opposite Douglas Mitchell Sports Grounds. Call 082 829 0059.
Golden Hours Market: (tomorrow) Family-friendly market at Golden Hours School, 10am to 2pm. Live music and food stalls. Call 083 262 3693.
Macnut Farm, Assagay: (tomorrow) Fresh produce market for locals, 11am to 2pm. Sunday lunch, drinks and bar. Call 031 765 2572 or 074 603 0000.
uMhlanga Farmers Market: Autumn Drive, Prestondale, every Wednesday from 8am to noon. Call Ethel at 060 303 3957.
SHOWS
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: (today and tomorrow) KickstArt’s rollicking family panto Puss in Boots opened this week and runs until January 12. Set on an enchanted Caribbean Island, the show features sumptuous sets, colourful costumes, song, dance and jokes a-plenty. Starring the ‘fur-midable’ Rory Booth in the title role. Show times vary between 11am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, please check on webtickets. Tickets R160-R270.
Durban ICC: (today and tomorrow) The Young Performers Project presents "Elf: The Musical JR". Based on the film, this enchanting production follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, as he embarks on a heart-warming journey to find his real father in New York City. Featuring catchy songs, vibrant choreography, and a delightful blend of humour. Until December 29 at 11am and 2pm. Tickets R250-R300 from webtickets.
Rhumbelow Theatre, Northlands: (today and tomorrow) Date Night is a hilarious musical comedy cabaret from Durban's favourite comedic couple, Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert. Until December 30 at 7.30pm, December 31 at 8.30pm where the show will include dance music till 1am. Bring food picnic baskets. Tickets R180 to R220 from webtickets.
Rhumbelow, Umbilo: (today and tomorrow) Join Dawn Selby and Barry Thomson as they celebrate 36 years of playing music together in a fun, foot tapping holiday show. The duo will perform popular hits from their past shows, in addition to new songs. December 21 and 23-24 at 7.30pm, December 22 at 2pm. Tickets from webtickets.
iZulu Theatre, Sibaya: (today) Stand-up comedian Carvin H Goldstone performs his new one-man comedy show, “My New Debt Order”, on December 21 at 8pm and December 22 at 2pm. He humorously explores the experience of welcoming a new baby in his 40s, which he playfully refers to as his "new debit order." Also at Tropical Nights Theatre, Wild Coast Sun, on December 26 & 27 at 8pm. Tickets R200 from webtickets.
Tropical Nights Theatre, Wild Coast Sun: A Christmas Comedy Special with Bash with Tash. December 24 & 25 at 8pm. Tickets R200 from ticketpro.
MUSIC
ICC: The Durban Jazz Festival is an outdoor and indoor festival celebrating jazz and afro soul. The main Jazz stage is in the ICC courtyard, while indoors is the Soul Stage. December 26 from 4pm. Tickets from R295 from webtickets.
Covenant Fellowship International Church: Christmas with Ladysmith Black Mambaso. Dance the night away with the Grammy Award winning group as they serenade us with their harmonic voices alongside Ayanda Ntanzi, Prophet Nomusa Dhlomo, Soweto Central Chorus and the CFCI Choir. December 23 at 7pm. Tickets R 250 from webtickets.
Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg: The Umgungundlovu Music Festival features some of SA's biggest headliners in Piano, Gqom, Hip Hop, House, Maskandi. December 27 from 11am. Tickets R200 from webtickets.
Rhumbelow, Durban: The Stone Unbroken introduces Good Trouble, a band formed by Andrew Miller, a respected local music teacher, with talented guitarists Andre Adkins and Connor Jensen, bassist Lucian Young, and drummer Matthew David in their Tribute to The Rolling Stones. December 27 & 28 at 7.30pm, December 29 at 2pm. Tickets R200 from webtickets.
FILM
Rhumbelow Theatre, Durban: (today) The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to cinemas for the festive season. Enjoy Peter Wright’s magical production of The Nutcracker, created for The Royal Ballet in 1984 and much loved all over the world. December 21, 23 & 24 at 2pm. Tickets R175 from 082 499 8636, email [email protected] or Webtickets.
ART
KZNSA Gallery: BUZZART the annual Christmas Fair is in full swing and runs until January 12. It features art, homeware, textiles, fashion and accessories, jewellery, local art books, stationery and cosmetics, plus a huge range of Christmas decor and stocking fillers – all produced in KZN or Southern Africa by independent makers.
The Gallery, Ballito: New exhibition Unwrapped, opened this week and runs until February 2. Featuring a wide variety of prominent local artists.
OUTDOORS
Amblers Hiking Club: (tomorrow) At 2pm hike Giba Gorge from the main gate at 1 Stockville Road. We hike two waterfalls and the cascade to an early dinner at Gibaland. Call David at 072 615 0559.
Recycles Group: Welcome to meet at 9am on Tuesdays at the Mini Town car park on North Beach for a safe and casual approx 20km ride on the promenade. Call Ian on 083 675 2125
Mountain Biking Rides: Saturdays at 6am, meet at Dura Cycles, Uvongo. Call 039 315 7359.
EVENTS
Umgeni Steam Railway: (today and tomorrow) Old Faithful Maureen is back on track for an amble through the 1000 Hills from Inchanga Station to Botha’s Hill. No card facilities or ATMS, so bring cash. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Spaces limited, so book seats at www.umgenisteamrailway.com
Durban Botanic Gardens: (today and tomorrow) Welcome to the Trail of Lights, a magical celebration designed to transport you into a wonderland filled with enchanting decorations, sparkling lights, live entertainment, good food and festive cheer. Until January 3 at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm. Tickets R50-R90 from webtickets.
Send your event details to [email protected] by the Tuesday before publication.