{"id":24334,"date":"2020-12-08T13:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=24334"},"modified":"2025-07-18T15:44:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T14:44:35","slug":"how-christmas-south-africa-celebrated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/how-christmas-south-africa-celebrated\/","title":{"rendered":"How is Christmas celebrated in South Africa?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tired of the cold and snow? Why not spend Christmas in South Africa<\/a>? This beautiful country celebrates their festive season in summer, but you\u2019ll still find all the classic traditions like Christmas trees, pudding and markets. From candlelight carols to outdoor Christmas feasts, here\u2019s how to celebrate a real South African Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas in summer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by lovecapetown (@lovecapetown)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

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It might seem odd to imagine a Christmas without snow, woolly sweaters or hot chocolate but since South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas falls in summer. That means swapping the snow for sunshine, the scarves for swimmers, and the mulled wine for outdoor barbecues! You\u2019ll still get all the Christmas markets, decorations, food and carolers that you\u2019re used to – but you get it with gorgeous weather too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF:<\/strong> Best of South Africa<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor festive fun<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by lovecapetown (@lovecapetown)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

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Since schools and many businesses shut down for the Christmas holidays, many people love to take advantage of the summer weather and get outdoors. South Africa is a stunning country with amazing beaches, hiking, mountains, forests, waterfalls and national parks filled with wildlife, so there are endless opportunities to reconnect with nature during Christmas. Many families like to go camping, spend the day at the beach, or even celebrate the holiday season with a visit to Kruger National Park to spot the Big Five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> 11 bucket list experiences you can only do in South Africa<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by South African Tourism (@meetsouthafrica)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

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Christmas decorations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas tree is a universal symbol of the season and it\u2019s no different in South Africa. You\u2019ll see beautifully decorated Christmas trees in shopping malls, businesses and homes across the country. Families put the presents under the trees, and some children also hang up their stockings for Santa to fill with gifts and goodies. Santa goes by a few names in South Africa, including Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) and Kersvader (Father Christmas) for those who speak Afrikaans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also see plenty of other Christmas decorations like extravagant fairy light displays, glittering baubles, tinsel and fake snow. Head to the shopping malls, and you\u2019ll hear Christmas carols ringing out and see displays where kids can go and sit on Santa\u2019s lap and tell him their Christmas wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering where to go to experience the Christmas magic, head to the centre of Cape Town, like Adderley Street, where you\u2019ll see enchanting lights, night markets and even special decorations like dolphins pulling Santa\u2019s sleigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> 7 new and unique experiences you can now do in South Africa with Trafalgar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by lovecapetown (@lovecapetown)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

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Christmas Eve<\/strong> in South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The festive spirit begins as soon as December arrives in South Africa, and it really amps up on Christmas Eve. You\u2019ll find a magical atmosphere across the country on December 24th, with carol singing, candlelight services and special events. If you\u2019re looking for the best \u2018Carols by Candlelight’ events, check out the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre or Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: <\/strong>Essence of South Africa<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas Day in South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many traditional ways to spend the big day – December 25th – in South Africa. Some people start the morning with a church service, while others get straight to opening their Christmas presents. After the morning of activities, friends and families gather together for a Christmas lunch or dinner, followed by some backyard games like cricket, or a well-earned nap! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas feast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas feast is the highlight of the whole celebration. Many families gather for a traditional meal of roast turkey, duck or beef, or suckling pig with yellow rice, raisins and vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find everything from cold cuts to salads, plus there\u2019s also delicious desserts like the classic Christmas pudding, mince pies, or a traditional dish called Malva Pudding (or Lekker Pudding). Whatever you eat, there\u2019s always plenty of food to go around, and unexpected guests are always warmly welcomed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas lunch is often eaten outside in the beautiful weather. South Africans never miss a chance to have a braai (barbecue), and if the weather is really good, they\u2019ll fire up the coals and bring out the meat. And don\u2019t forget to pull your Christmas crackers and wear the paper crown you find inside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT: <\/strong>The ultimate guide to South African Braai<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"South<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to say Merry Christmas in South Africa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Famed as the \u2018rainbow nation\u2019, South Africa is home to dozens of different cultures and languages, including 11 official languages<\/a>. That means there are many different ways to say Merry Christmas. Some of the most common ways include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Gese\u00ebnde Kersfees’ – Afrikaans
‘UKhisimusi omuhle’ – Zulu
‘Krismesi emnandi’ – Xhosa
‘Le be le keresemese e monate’ – Sotho<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn them all and you\u2019ll get to wish almost everyone a Merry Christmas in South Africa!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you like to spend Christmas in South Africa? Let us know in the comments below\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tired of the cold and snow? Why not spend Christmas in South Africa? This beautiful country celebrates their festive season in summer, but you\u2019ll still find all the classic traditions like Christmas trees, pudding and markets. From candlelight carols to outdoor Christmas feasts, here\u2019s how to celebrate a real South African Christmas. Christmas in summer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":24337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4910],"tags":[20698,20700,20701,20699],"class_list":["post-24334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","tag-christmas-in-south-africa","tag-christmas-markets-south-africa","tag-south-africa-christmas-traditions","tag-south-african-christmas"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow is Christmas celebrated in South Africa?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Candlelight carols, Christmas markets, and outdoor feasts in the sun... 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