Experience these popular, immersive and magical festive markets – tuck into a wide variety of culinary delights, enjoy live music performances and search for the perfect goods to complete your Christmas wish list. Bring the whole family along to enjoy the Christmas vibe and spend the day soaking up the cheerful and merry nature of these markets as the new year approaches.
Festive finds at the Kuier@TheCastle Gift Market
Cape Town’s largest family-friendly market and creative event is returning to the historic Castle of Good Hope, transforming it into the city’s biggest gift market just in time for the holiday season. This special edition, hosted by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) in collaboration with the Castle, invites visitors to celebrate art, culture, and community in a setting that merges Cape Town’s creative spirit with its rich history.
Kuier@TheCastle is the perfect destination for unique, thoughtful gifts this season, featuring local artisans, live music, interactive workshops, and a range of festive-themed activities for all ages. Don’t miss this chance to embrace the giving season at Cape Town’s iconic Castle.
Cost: R30pp (adults) | R15pp (children and pensioners) | FREE entry (children u/7) | Book via Quicket for November. Keep checking their website for updates on the December markets.
When: 30 November, 14 and 15 December from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Castle of Good Hope, Darling St & Buitenkant St, Cape Town
Read more about the event here
Shop the best second-hand gifts at Thrift Fest
Thrift Fest is a monthly market that brings the best thrifting vendors to various areas across the city. The fest has collaborated with The Woodstock Quarter to bring two ultimate thrift experiences to the area this festive season.
Join in supporting local entrepreneurs and traders and bring friends, family, cash and material shopping bags along to find that perfect gift.
The indoor market is small and intimate, with about 30 thrift dealers, small businesses and entrepreneurs showcasing their goods. Expect a sale variety featuring anything second hand, handmade and new.
Cost: Free entry
When: 16 November and 21 December from 9am to 2.30pm
Where: Woodstock Quarter, 187 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town
A Christmas Market with a European twist
Yes! Exclusive Flowers hosts a German-inspired Christmas market for four Saturdays before Christmas weekend at their showroom in Paarden Eiland. The market features original German decorations and delights with a range of vendors.
Guests can access a variety of Christmas gifting ideas and a selection of dried and fresh flowers. The market also offers German Christmas trees and greens, colourful Christmas wreaths, tasty home-made Christmas cookies, nutcrackers and modern and traditional Christmas decorations. Tasty treats such as gingerbread, Stollen bread, German sausages and rolls are also on offer.
Cost: Free entry
When: 30 November, 7, 14 and 21 December 2024 | 9am to 3pm
Where: 33 Section Street, Paarden Eiland Cape Town
The perfect gift awaits at the Fab Ideas Christmas Gift Fair
The Fab Ideas Christmas Gift Fair is a six-day indoor market filled to the brim with gorgeous products and gift ideas. All Items are bar-coded and tills offering credit and debit card facilities ensure a safe and hassle-free shopping experience.
This popular gift fair is a unique, vibrant family-friendly shopping experience, jam-packed with original products made by local businesses. There’s never been a better time to support local creatives, and the fair boasts a selection of 120 exhibitors, carefully selected for their quality creations.
Cost: Free entry
When: 14 to 19 December 2024 | From 8.30am daily with longer shopping hours on 18 December
Where: Sun Valley Primary School, Brigantine Ave, Sun Valley, Cape Town
A unique blend of handcrafted gifts at The Gift Market in Hermanus
The Gift Market offers a diverse selection of products, ranging from handmade crafts and artwork to locally sourced food and beverages. Visitors can explore the stalls and discover one-of-a-kind treasures that make for perfect gifts or personal keepsakes.
One of the highlights of the Gift Market is the emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly products as well. The market prides itself on supporting local artisans and small businesses, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and connect with a wider audience.
The Gift Market also offers a range of entertainment and activities for visitors of all ages. Live music performances, festive decorations, and interactive workshops create a lively and joyful atmosphere. Families can enjoy face painting, storytelling sessions, and even meet Santa Claus himself. Local food vendors also serve up a variety of delicious treats, including gourmet street food, artisanal chocolates, and freshly brewed coffee.
Cost: Free entry
When: 13 to 29 December 2024 | 10am to 6pm daily
Where: Curro Hermanus, 1 Curro Road, Sandbaai, Hermanus
Entertainment and locally made goods at the Capegate Festive Market
The Capegate Festive Market provides the perfect opportunity to browse a wide variety of locally made products by local creators and find gifts of all kinds. The market is held at the Cape Gate Shopping Centre, which transforms into a vibrant and bustling hub of activity.
With its beautifully decorated stalls and lively atmosphere, the Cape Gate Festive Market creates a magical ambience that captures the spirit of the season. In addition to the shopping opportunities, the Cape Gate Festive Market also offers a range of entertainment options.
Live music performances, festive carolers, and even visits from Santa Claus himself add to the festive atmosphere. Families can enjoy activities such as face painting, balloon twisting, and kids can even enjoy rides on a merry-go-round.
This market is one of three festive markets organised by Cape Crafts. The other two include the Edgemead Christmas market, the largest and longest running of the Cape Craft markets, and the Tyger Valley Festive Market. All three markets take place from the end of November to the end of December each year.
Cost: Free entry
When: 22 November to 24 December 2024
Where: Cnr. Okavango Rd &, De Bron Rd, Cape Town
Traditional Christmas shopping at the Stellenbosch Kersmark
The Stellenbosch Christmas Market aka the Stellenbosch Kersmark is an annual festive market held in Stellenbosch in late November.
The market runs for 10 Glorious days featuring top Quality Art and Handwork from 211 stalls of sought after artists and craftsmen, as well as a cosy restaurant and a wide variety of excellent baked foods and confections.
Bring the family and friends along for a festive adventure and expect to be delighted by the variety and high standard of craft, art, and delicious homemade foods.
Cost: Free entry
When: 27 November to 7 December 2024
Where: Martinson Rd, Uniepark, Stellenbosch
A vibrant world of ceramics at the Rondebosch Potters Market
The Rondebosch Potters Market is a popular market held twice a year at Rondebosch Park (March and November). Ceramics SA Western Cape has been running this bi-annual event for over 45 years, giving its members a chance to come out of their studios to sell their ceramics and share their knowledge of the amazing material that is clay.
With delicious food and refreshments, the market is great fun to visit, and visitors get to enjoy the wide range of ceramics that potters, ceramicists, sculptors, entrepreneurs and community project members are producing.
Cost: Free entry
When: 23 November 2024
Where: Rondebosch Park, Campground Rd & Sandown Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Three days of festive shopping at the Franschhoek Village Christmas Market
Every year, the Franschhoek Village Market hosts a special two-day Christmas Market where locals and hundreds of holiday makers spend a day under the historic oak trees located in the old church gardens.
You can enjoy affordable artisan foods paired with the best wines from the Franschhoek surroundings and shop for some handcrafted goods. With over 100 hand-picked traders, expect unique arts and crafts, vintage clothing, antiques and a remarkable variety of delicatessens, fresh produce, craft beer, and coffee amongst many other treats to make your festive season.
The high-quality goods are traded in the town centre, providing a market space for producers, traders and buyers.
Cost: Free entry
When: 14 and 15 December 2024 | 9am to 3pm
Where: 29 Huguenot St, Franschhoek
A charming festive atmosphere at the Blaauwklippen Twilight Gift Market
The Blaauwklippen Twilight Christmas Market is an annual event that takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Blaauwklippen Wine Estate. Visitors can expect a wide variety of stalls offering an array of products, including handmade crafts, artisanal food and beverages, and unique gifts. From locally produced wines and cheeses to handcrafted jewellery and clothing, and many more offerings.
Come and enjoy live music performances, creating a joyful ambiance that adds to the festive spirit. Families can also look forward to activities for children, such as face painting and Santa’s grotto, making it a perfect outing for the whole family.
Cost: Free
When: TBC (normally takes place for a few days in December before Christmas)
Where: Blaauwklippen, Strand Road, R44 Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
Find some Christmas inspiration at the Baxter Gift Fair
The Gift Fair is a lifestyle event full of inspirational ideas and hand-picked innovative products.
Shop gorgeous homeware ranges, stunning fashion and accessory items, and indulge in a delicious deli section, live music and gorgeous must-have gifts provided by a gathering of passionate creators and business owners showcasing the best of local. On the Friday, guests get to stay later for late night trading and a food and wine garden.
Stop by and sample superb food and drink, soak up the magical atmosphere, let the children have a ball in the kiddies play area and enjoy a sensational shopping experience with friends and family.
Cost: R30pp (over 18s)
When: 30 October to 3 November 2024 | Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun from 9am to 5pm | Fri, 9am to 9pm
Where: Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Festive shopping and dining at the vibrant Blue Bird Market
The Blue Bird Market in Muizenberg is a vibrant and bustling market that showcases the best of local talent, creativity, and community spirit. Located in the heart of Muizenberg, this market has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking for a unique shopping and dining experience.
The market is held every Thursday and Friday evening, transforming the Blue Bird Garage into a lively hub of activity. With its industrial-chic setting, the market offers a trendy and relaxed atmosphere that appeals to people of all ages, with a kids’ area for the young ones and a speakeasy for the adults to spoil themselves with goblets of gin and tonics, cocktails and some fancy shooters.
Visitors can expect a diverse range of stalls, featuring everything from handmade crafts and clothing to artisanal food and beverages.
Cost: Free entry
When: Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 10pm
Where: 39 Albertyn Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town
Any more festive markets we should add to this list? Let us know!
