Step Into the Festive Season with the One&Only Cape Town

Enjoy a luxurious festive experience at the One&Only Cape Town this December, with a variety of exciting events for couples, families and more. Stay up to date on the website for a full list of festive events at the hotel.

Make all reservations via [email protected].

Activities & Experiences

Tree Lighting

The festive season at One&Only Cape Town starts with a tranquil Tree Lighting Ceremony, where guests enjoy cocktails beneath a classic lit-up Christmas tree. Children can meet Santa Claus and enjoy live acts, while adults try street food, local tapas, and signature cocktails on the Vista Deck.

Cost: R695 per adult | R395 per child.
When: Thursday, 10 December 2026 | 4pm – 8pm

Waddle’s Workshop

One&Only Cape Town’s festive mascot, Waddles the Penguin, is back in the hotel to spread Christmas cheer. This time, he’s hosting a special Santa’s Workshop, transforming the KidsOnly space into a whimsical space. Kids join Waddles in merry preparations, with elf hats and imagination at the ready, including crafting keepsakes and thrilling treasure hunts through the resort.

Cost: Complimentary for resort residents
When: 21 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 | 10am – 6pm

Culinary Classes

Resort residents can also sharpen up their skills in the kitchen with special cooking classes available throughout the holiday season. From decorating cupcakes and baking cookies to making a pizza, the hands-on event is perfect for families to spend festive time creating something together, guided by One&Only’s chefs.

Cost: Complimentary for resort residents
When: 21 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 | 1pm – 2pm

Sunset Cocktails

The hotel’s Vista Deck offers incredible views of the Cape sunset, with staff serving refreshing cocktails that reflect summer flavours. Available each evening, Sunset Cocktails gives adult guests a chance to take a break from responsibilities and enjoy a quintessentially Cape Town experience.

Cost: Complimentary for resort residents
When: 21 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 | 5pm – 8pm

Mindful Escape

This dynamic experience at the One&Only Cape Town offers residents an opportunity to spend the holiday season relaxing, refreshing, and revitalising. Each day is different, with a mix of gentle yoga in the Fitness Centre and energising runs on the waterfront, led by skilled fitness instructors.

Cost: Complimentary for resort residents
When: 21 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 | 7am – 7.45am

Festive Feasts

Christmas Dinner at ROOI

Those wanting to celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with an exclusive grill room dinner can book a table at ROOI for authentic South African dining set to soulful Cape Jazz.

The starters include kudu bresaola, aged beef tartare, and Belnori goat’s cheese, while the mains are classic ROOI staples reimagined for the festive season: fired wagyu sirloin (with oyster mushroom casserole), apricot-stuffed turkey, charred line fish (with Saldanha mussel chowder and kataifi), and roast cauliflower for plant-based diners.

For dessert, guests choose between rooibos brûlée with buchu ice cream, Cape lemon cheesecake, and a date & mixed nut crumble.

Cost: R2250 per adult (excluding beverages) | R1150 per child (5–12 years)
When: Thursday & Friday, 24 & 25 December 2026 | 6pm – 11pm

Christmas Day Lunch at ROOI

The main attraction of One&Only Cape Town’s Christmas cuisine experiences is undoubtedly the lunch offering at ROOI.

Guests start the afternoon by picking from a selection of home-baked breads and artisanal spreads, salads, preserves, cold meats, and smoked seafood. Other Christmas staples are present: pork chipolatas wrapped in bacon, rooibos & chilli roasted gammon, butternut & cinnamon fritters, and camembert & walnut tartlets.

The plated mains come hot from the kitchen, including walnut-stuffed turkey ballotine, masala-dusted kingklip, cauliflower steak, and ROOI beef fillet (with truffle mushroom casserole). The menu also caters to guests with a sweet tooth, featuring Christmas trifle, candy canes, festive cookies, coconut marshmallows, sticky toffee pudding, Black Forest yule logs, and many more.

Cost: R2995 per adult (excluding beverages) | R1750 per child (5–12 years)
When: Friday, 25 December 2026 | 12.30pm – 3.30pm

Christmas Omakase at Nobu

Diners seeking an even more exclusive experience to truly celebrate the holidays can book a table at Nobu for its special Christmas Omakase, mixing Japanese cuisine with Peruvian flair for a unique South African dinner at the One&Only Cape Town.

Nobu’s professional chefs serve a multi-course dinner, complete with beef tartare, chu-toro tataki, scallop & mint ceviche, Chilean sea bass, Wagyu beef tenderloin, shiso pavlova, and a selection of delicate Nobu sushi.

Cost: R3850 per person (excluding beverages)
When: 25 – 27 December 2026 | 6pm – 11pm

New Year’s Celebrations

New Year’s Eve at ROOI

Toast the end of 2026 with a gourmet dinner at ROOI Grillroom. The menu includes a five-course feast of many ROOI favourites, from Saldanha Bay oysters and dry-aged duck breast to pipe-smoked line fish and lamb shake potjiekos.

Cost: R7200 per person (excluding beverages)
When: Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 6pm – 11pm

New Year’s Eve at Nobu

Those drawn to Nobu’s Japanese-Peruvian flair can book either an à la carte or omakase experience on the last day of 2026, with a menu including oyster yuzu ponzu, o-toro tataki, Chilean sea bass champagne miso, Wagyu rib-eye, sushi selections, and yuzu pineapple handmade mochi.

With limited seats and a premium dining experience, it is the most exclusive offering of the One&Only Cape Town’s festive season.

Cost: R13,500 per person (excluding beverages)
When: Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 6pm – 11pm

Diners at either Nobu or ROOI on New Year’s Eve are invited to join the special party celebration at Vista Bar & Lounge, bringing in the new year with music, drinks, and laughs at the One&Only Cape Town.

New Year’s Lunch

Finally, those wanting to start off 2027 on a luxurious note can book a seat at Nobu’s laid-back New Year’s lunch. The experience features signature cocktails, summery beats from a live DJ, and seriously gourmet dishes, served either à la carte or omakase-style.

When: 1 – 3 January 2027 | 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Find out more about the One&Only Cape Town

Make all reservations via [email protected]. Those interested in staying at the One&Only Cape Town can look into room and suite availability on the website.

Where: One&Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront