It’s the first time in my life I’ll spend the festive season in South Africa, and one of the events I’m excited to attend is the 2024 Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. According to my Jozi host, this is an annual must-see event for locals and tourists. It turns the Johannesburg lifestyle destination into a wonderland filled with magical twinkling lights, festive displays, endless shopping, family-friendly activities, and dining experiences.
I’ve spent two festive seasons in the city, and to be specific, Nairobi. I’ll be honest: Both times, I almost hopped on the next bus to my rural hometown to celebrate the season with my family. The city looked deserted, and all the fun places were closed for the season.
But it seems Johannesburg found a solution to keep people looking to celebrate Christmas in the city happy. That brilliant idea is Destination Christmans at Melrose Arch. From what I’ve gathered, the 2024 Edition will be bigger and better, and I can’t wait to see how the following weeks towards Christmas feel in Johannesburg. As always, I’ll keep updating you (our readers) about the events as they unfold.
I took some time and gathered information over the last several weeks I’ve been in South Africa to document this comprehensive guide to help you plan your visit to Melrose Arch’s Destination Christmas 2024.
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The Magic of Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch
Here’s the truth. If you’ve spent Christmas in most cities worldwide, you’ll quickly notice how deserted it gets. Most people travel upcountry to spend time with family. And those behind would rather spend their time holed up in their homes.
But Johannesburg, like many big cities in the world, brings the true spirit of Christmas annually to Melrose Arch. The lifestyle hub in Johannesburg is transformed into a vibrant and enchanting holiday destination that attracts both locals and tourists.
Part of their magical showcase includes dazzling light displays, towering Christmas trees, live entertainment, and festive markets. Over the years, this seasonal transformation has become a huge attraction, making it one of the biggest attractions in Johannesburg.
What’s best, Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch, aims to create a joyous, warm, and immersive atmosphere for visitors of all ages. I’m looking forward to enjoying this time and sharing my experiences with the rest of Africa and the world. Hopefully, more people worldwide can join in on the fun.
Itinerary of Activities at the 2024 Destination Christmas
You can do many things at the 2024 Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch – after all, it’s designed to please all types of people from all walks of life. What to expect in the following weeks to Christmas at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Christmas Light-Up Ceremony
One of the main attractions at Melrose Arch’s Destination Christmas is undoubtedly the breathtaking Christmas lights display, which kicks off with an enticing Christmas Light Switch-On Ceremony.
Every corner of the precinct will be illuminated with twinkling fairy lights, offering the perfect Christmas season backdrop for photos.
To bring in the Christmas mood, Christmas displays will be lit, featuring everything from riding reindeer to gigantic glimmering trees—an epic beginning to kickstart the holiday mood and memories.
Date: November 15th 2024
Time: 7:00 PM onwards
Carols On Piazza: Featuring The Mzanzi Youth Choir
Melrose Arch will bring the Piazza to life with the spectacular sounds from the world-famous Mzanzi Youth Choir. If you haven’t heard their melodic tunes, open a new tab on YouTube and set up one of their playlists. It’s guaranteed that you won’t stop singing along until the beat stops.
They’ll be part of the 2024 Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch, and their performances begin at 6:30 p.m. on November 23rd.
What’s best, this performance isn’t for their own sake; they are doing it for charity to raise funds for the visually impaired. The proceeds from the live performance will be shared between the South African Guide Dogs Association and Cornelle Leach (who suffers from Strangardt’s Dystrophy).
Date: November 23rd 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
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Festive Season Market: Shop For Christmas Gifts
Let’s face it. Shopping for Christmas gifts is quite hard, especially for loved ones. Due to our busy schedules and trying to make a living, we often forget to spend time with our loved ones. Gifts can make up for lost time—not always, but at least they show your loved one that you’ve been thinking of them.
The Christmas market at the Melrose Arch will enhance the already exceptional shopping experience. The Piazza will be open for Christmas shopping daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can browse through the multitude of gifts, Christmas decor, and products.
If you’re shopping with your children, face painters and stilt walkers will be on the premises to keep them busy.
Date: November 26th to 30th
Time: Daily, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Jeppe Pipe Band Live Performance
If you live in Jozi, there’s a good chance you know about the Jeppe Pipe Band. If you enjoy their tunes, then it’s best you know that they’ll also be on the 2024 Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch itinerary.
The band will perform on the high street, and their playlist will be a mix of Christmas carol tunes and traditional pipe band classics we all love. This performance will be free of charge. Still, the band will accept honest donations that can be made to CHOC – donation boxes will be available at the High Street on the day of the performance.
Date: December 13th
Time: 7:00 pm
Santa Meet and Greet
The 2024 Destination Christmas at Melrose Place hasn’t forgotten about children. Let’s be honest: children enjoy Christmas the most, and for most people, the only reason they’ll have their decorations out this year – or enjoy the festivities, is for the children.
Destination Christmas will bring the North Pole to Johannesburg, complete with Santa Claus, Elves, Candy Canes, and holiday music your children will enjoy.
Your kids will also get to see Santa and even greet him. Make sure you carry a Camera for this memorable moment – and a gift too.
Date: December 13th to 15th; 20th to 22th; 27th to 29th
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Treats and Toys
The festive season is a good time to add weight—it’s allowed, and at Melrose Arch, the mood will be about sweets, treats, and toys at the Upper High Street.
Visitors can enjoy all the treats they wish for in the evening. The full menu includes sweet treats, candy floss, cuisine, ice creams, milkshakes, glazed donuts, and gourmet crunchy popcorn. Prepare your taste buds for a magical festive treat in your mouth.
Date: December; 6th to 31st
Time: 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Luxury Shopping and Christmas Gifting
The festive season always means most shops will be closed—but not at Melrose Arch. In fact, the management says their stores will extend their presence during this period and offer an exquisite Christmas festive gifting market in the Upper and Middle Retail Galleria.
Beautiful shopping installations will offer additional gifting options for you and your loved ones. To add to the festive mood in the background, a live pianist will churn tunes from a white grand piano.
Date: December 11th to 23rd
Time: 12. pm to 8:00 pm.
Christmas Themed Marketplace
Nothing brings in the holiday mood like Christmas decorations and lights. To spice up your shopping experience during the festive season, Melrose Arch hosts a special festive-themed market every week in the retail Galleria.
Visitors will have the chance to shop for jewelry, crafts, homeware, clothing, and even organic vegetables.
Date: December 13th to 16th
Time: 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Festive Dining Experience at Melrose Arch
Melrose Arch is a lifestyle Destination in Johannesburg, and one of its main attractions after shopping is its dining experience. There are a variety of fine-dining restaurants to choose from, with seasonal menus and holiday specials to tease your taste buds.
If you’ll be around Johannesburg during this festive season, it could be a great chance for you and your family to check out some of the amazing restaurants at Melrose Arch. Make sure you make the reservations on time – these spots are quite popular during the holidays.
Dining Specials: Throughout December
Restaurants to Checkout: Churchills, Tashas, Tiger’s Milk, Jamie’s Italian.
Ice Skating Rink
Johannesburg might not have the right Christmas weather we’ve all grown to know, but there will be a special treat this holiday season. Melrose Arch will install a temporary outdoor skating rink that will allow visitors to embrace the traditional winter activity in Jozi.
It’ll be a family-friendly activity and a great way to share memories with loved ones—the rink will be accessible to both adults and children.
Date: December 10th to January 2nd 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.