This festive season marks the fifth year that visitors to the V&A Waterfront will get to encounter the highly novel Joy from Africa to the World festive experience. Visitors will notice bright pops of colour, bold patterns, a colourful Cape Wheel and even a moving cable car among the festive decorations which adorn the precinct, along with a whole host of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.Â
Activities will take place at Battery Park, the Silo District, Makers Landing, the Amphitheatre and Centre Court. Visitors young and old can look forward to being entertained by local artists, enjoy a Christmas theatre production, grab a photo with Santa, and usher in the new year with a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration.Â
Silo Concerts
Date        First Friday of every month from January to March 2024
Venue       Silo DistrictÂ
Time        19h00 to 20h00
Silo Concerts are back to entertain visitors with a wide range of performances that will have you tapping your feet and swaying to the music all night long. Established in 2018, the concerts quickly gained in popularity and soon became a fixture on the annual events calendar. Visitors to the V&A can look forward to seeing artists such as Matthew Mole in January and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in February.Â
Take the Stage presented by MTN
Date        15, 22 and 29 December 2023Â
Venue       Amphitheatre Â
Time        18h00 to 19h00
The V&A Waterfront Take the Stage Series is a platform for emerging South African musicians and musical ensembles and is back again this summer. What better way to enjoy the warm outdoors than with free, live music concerts. These take place throughout December from 18h00 at the Amphitheatre. The artist line-up for December includes Stone Ngandu, Daniel Baron, and Claire Phillips.
The full line-up of performers is available on www.waterfront.co.zaÂ
Mini Makers Cooking Classes
Date        16 December 2023 to 14 January 2024
Venue       Makers Landing
Time        14h00
Tickets       Mini Makers (Age 5yrs to 11years): R350 – LinkÂ
            Mini Makers (Age 12 to 16years): R350 – LinkÂ
Makers Landing runs a food education programme for kids between five and 11 years old and teenagers between 12 and 16 years old. The programme aims to empower tomorrow’s food innovators, enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs in a fun and safe environment. Kids make and play in a fun environment while exploring the kitchen and meeting new friends. The Summer Edition starts on Saturday, 16 December 2023 and runs until Sunday, 14 January 2024.
Friday Night Jazz
Date        8, 15, 22 and 29 December 2023
Venue       Maker LandingÂ
Time        18h00 to 20h00
Friday Night Jazz at Makers Landing continues this festive – which will be taking place on 15, 22 and 29 December 2023. Jazz music is an integral part of social gatherings in South Africa, particularly in urban areas like Cape Town. Visitors will experience a vibrant, intimate atmosphere that brings people together through live music and food, resulting in an enjoyable multi-sensory experience. The line-up of artists includes Vernon Castle Band on the 8th, Wandile Mbambeni & Tankiso Mamabolo on the 15th, N2 featuring Carmen Exclusive on 22nd and Micaela Kleinsmith & Hunter Rose on the 29th.
New Year's Eve Celebration
Date        31 December 2023
Venue       Jetty 1
Time        15h00 to 00h00
Join us as we usher in the New Year with the V&A Waterfront’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. The festivities commence at 15h00, featuring artists performing on a specially-constructed stage by the water, to keep the audience entertained as the countdown to the New Year begins. You can look forward to an exceptional line-up of artists, including Tarryn Lamb, Just Jinger, Sun El Musician, Black Ties, Mandisi Dyantyis, The Rivertones, Seth Grey, and The Ploemies. The night will culminate in a five-minute firework display that will light up the sky as midnight arrives.
Act quickly, as many of our charters, restaurants, and hotels are rapidly filling up. Secure your spot by making reservations soon to ensure a fantastic night out and to ring in the new year.
Naledi’s Festive Dream – a theatre production
Date        16 to 23 December 2023Â
Venue       A purpose-built theatre at the Amphitheatre Â
Time        12h00, 13h30 and 15h00
Tickets R100 general admission
            R75 for a family deal of fourÂ
            https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1535425367Â
Naledi’s Festive Dream is a theatrical Christmas production created especially for our vibrant city, and played out in a purpose-built theatre that takes over the Waterfront’s Amphitheatre for an eight-day run. Immersive and captivating, this venue offers a joyous experience for young and old, from the minute one enters through the doors.
Naledi has a wonderful dream about the North Pole. She dreams about the naughty elf that was sitting on her shelf, the dapper Nutcrackers, spinning snowflakes, Santa’s spirited hip-hop elves, and dancing candy canes. It’s a merry Christmas with all these famous names.
When Naledi awakens in her bed, her wild, whacky wish has become a wonderful reality! Santa’s friends have joined her in a festive celebration in her beautiful city, and she gets to show them what Joy from Africa is all about.
Directed by Lee Rath, the energetic festive show is a joyous experience for young and old, filled with music, dancing, rhythms and rhymes. Naledi’s Festive Dream is a 40-minute dreamscape of family enjoyment, performed three times a day, between 16-23 December.Â
Jazzathon 2024
Date        Friday, 12 January to Sunday, 14 January 2023
Venue       V&A AmphitheatreÂ
Time        12h00 to 20h00
Known as the People’s Festival, the Cape Town Jazzathon is back on the V&A Amphitheatre stage from 12 to 14 January 2024. From 12h00 to 20h00, music lovers and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of artists and bands as they showcase their finest talents.