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Events and fun stuff for families this school holiday

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Wondering what to do with the kids over the school holidays?

Well, we’ve compiled a list of fun and exciting events and activities for the WHOLE family.

Check out this image of all the cool and fun things coming up, dowload it by clicking on the image and share it with your friends and family. Refer to the list below for more information about these events.

In and around Cape Town

Hermanus Whale Festival

Returning with treasure hunts and live music for the kids, a car show for dad and orchid show for mom, the Hermanus Whale Festival returns this year with lots of fun-filled activities for the whole family and whale watching from the shore, of course.

When: This is a 3-day event from 29 September – 1 October.

Where: Hermanus

Time: For specific times for specific shows visit the Hermanus Whale Festival website.

Price: For specific prices for certain shows visit the Hermanus Whale Festival website.

The Cape Town Science Centre Holiday Programme

The Cape Town Science Centre has loads of fun and exciting activities lined up for the kids this holiday, kicking off with The Sky is Not the Limit kids-only sleepover this weekend.

When: 29 – 30 September

Where: 370B Main Rd, Observatory, 7925

Time: 18:30 for 19:00.

Price: R210 for member, R250 for non-members

The Cape Town Science Centre will also be running a cool Let’s Code Holiday Camp for the kids, in which they can learn how to do basic coding by learning how to read and use JavaScript and HTML, and who knows, maybe they could some day go on to create their dream app.

When: 2 – 6 October

Where: 370B Main Rd, Observatory, 7925

Time: 09:30 – 12:30

Price: R450 for member, R550 for non-members

To book, as well as check out the rest of their upcoming daily tours and science shows, visit their website.

Future Park

For the first time ever in South Africa, the Future Park will see children’s drawings come to life before their eyes as this cool and exciting exhibition space uses scanners and sensors in new and innovative ways. Children can, for example, draw and colour fish and water creatures from their extraordinary imaginations, scan them in, and watch as their swim around them in a floor-to-ceiling digital screen.

Sounds amazing, right?

We can’t wait to check it out.

When: 23 September – 31 January

Where: The Watershed, V&A Waterfront

Time: 9:00 – 19:00

Price: R130 for single tickets, R460 for a family package of four, R115 for pensioners, R115 for students and under 18 months are free.

For more information about the event visit the Future Park website. Bookings can be made via Computicket.

TILT

Ever wondered how the seasons work? How about why we have longer sunlight hours in summer? Well, we’ve got the answers for you, or rather, Annie and Max do in their adventure exploring the seasons in a show playing at the Cape Town Planetarium.

When: 23 September – 30 November

Where: 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town 

Time: Show times vary, so check online before making any bookings.

Price: R60 for adults, R30 for children, students and pensioners

For more information about the show and bookings, visit the Iziko website.

The Wizard of Oz

Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto have been swept away by a cyclone landed center stage at the Artscape! This school holidays, you can get the whole family together for The Wizard of Oz as the Oscar-winning score, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and all your favourite characters come together for this delightful interpretation of this classic tale.

When: 16 September – 8 October

Where: Artscape Theatre Complex, D F Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town 

Time: Show times vary and are either 14:00, 19:00 or 19:30, so check online before making any bookings.

Price: R150 – R375

For more information about the show and bookings, visit the Artscape website or book via Computicket.

In and around Gauteng

Disney Magic Concert

Kicking off the holiday with a bang is Disney Magic, a concert featuring the Gauteng Philharmonic and distinguished solo artists such as Marina Botha and Tinus Spies, to bring to life music from the movies we’ve all come to love.

With Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and even tracks for the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we’re sure this will be a wonderful event for the entire family to attend. 

When: 30 September

Where: Mall of Africa, Midrand 

Time: 19:00 (gates are open from 17:00)

Price: Seated: R250 for adults, R100 for children and R30 for children under 2. Casual/Picnic style: R200 for adults, R50 for children and R20 for children under 2.

For more information about the show, check out their Facebook page. And for bookings, visit ticketspace.co.za.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

C. S. Lewis’s classic tale comes to life as the National Children’s Theatre presents The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. This adventure follows four siblings as they enter into the magical world of Narnia to keep their audience captivated and enchanted.

When: 26 September – 15 October

Where: 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 

Time: 10:30 and 14:30 (from Tuesday to Sunday)

Price: Chairs: R120, cushions: R100

For more information about the show visit the National Children’s Theatre website and for bookings call 011 484 1584/5 or email bookings@nctt.org.za.

Beneath African Skies

Another exciting and wonderful production to see is Beneath African Skies which will show a collective of African stories for kids. These stories will explore legends of people turning into animals, the mystical world of fairies and many many more.

When: 9 September – 8 October

Where: Johannesburg Theatre Complex, Corner Loveday and Hoofd Streets, Braamfontein

Time: Show times vary and are either 10:030 or 14:30, so check online before making any bookings.

Price: R142

For more information and bookings, visit the Joburg Theatre website or book via webtickets.

Honeydew A-maize-ing mazes

Ever wanted to get lost in a giant maze? What about a maze made of maize?

Well, you’re in luck!

And no, we’re not kidding!

Honeydew a-maize-ing mazes is located in Boland street where the family can come out for some fun making their way through the giant maze and end off their exploring by roaming smaller mazes and completing a few fun puzzles.

When: Weekends

Where: Boland Street (Off Beyers Naude), Honeydew

Time: Open from 10:00 – 17:00

Price: R150 for adults and R100 for kids

For more information and bookings, visit the Honeydew mazes website.

Transformers Animatronics

Check out a phenomenal display of sculptures, statues and animated Transformers as Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron make their way to Centurion Mall for an incredible exhibition.

When: 20 June – 15 October

Where: Centurion Mall, 1267 Heuwel Road, Centurion, Pretoria 

Time: Open from 10:00 – 19:00 (Tuesday to Sunday)

Price: R135 for adults, R95 for children and kids under 4 have a free pass. Family packages are also available and range from R240 – R410.

For more information visit the Transformers Animatronics website and book via webtickets.

In and around Durban

Holiday Express Train Trips

All aboard The Holiday Express!

This weekend the Durban Metro Station will take you on a trip to Shongweni on Saturday or Scottburgh on Sunday, with stops and breathtaking waterfall views along the way.

When: 30 September – 1 October

Where: Durban Metro Station, Umgeni Road 

Time: The Shongweni train ride kicks off at 7:00 and the Scottburgh trip at 9:00.

Price: R250 for adults, R200 for children and pensioners and kids under 2 ride free. There is also a family package at R800 for two adults and two children under 12.

For more information visit The Holiday Express website or book via quicket.

The Lions River Railway

For a more lowkey yet equalling fun train adventure this weekend, check out the Lions River Railway miniature steam train running at Piggly Wiggly. 

Piggly Wiggly is an award-winning coffee shop and pizza place, hosting the miniature steam train for kids, combined with markets, putt-putt, candle dipping and sand-art.

When: 30 September – 1 October

Where: 1 Dargle Road, Lion's River, Howick 

Time: 9:30 – 16:30

Price: R30, but dogs ride free, of course.

For more information check out the Lions River Railway Facebook page.

Splash: The Water Circus

Combining circus acts and synchronised swimming is Splash: The Water Circus, will see a variety of phenomenal performers put on an incredible show in a 12 meter pool over the next few weeks. Surrounded by fountains, laser lighting and adorned in spectacular costumes, adults and kids will be amazed at the variety of acts presented in this new and exciting way.

When: 21 September – 21 October

Where: The Big Top, Natal Command, Battery Beach Road (Opp SunCoast Casino) 

Time: Show times vary and can be checked online.

Price: R100 – R375

For more information visit the Splash: The Water Circus website or book via Computicket.

Wet Rock Indoor Water Park

Running from Friday to Sunday every week, is the Waterfall Indoor Water Park for kids and teens. You can choose from 1 to 3 hour sessions, or even half day morning and afternoon sessions for a fun-filled day for your younger kids and the always exciting last-Friday-of-the-month Teen Friday.

When: Fridays – Sundays, but during school holidays they’ll be open from Monday – Sunday.

Where: Chestnut Grove Industrial Estate, 122 Brackenhill Road, Waterfall 

Time: Fridays 10:00 – 18:00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 9:00 -17:00, and Teen Fridays are from 18:00 – 22:00.

Price: Check the website for all ticket prices.

Bookings aren’t necessary and for more information visit the Wet Rock adventures website.

Port Natal Maritime Museum

Take the kids to explore the floating quay-side exhibits, open daily, aboard three ships. 

When: Monday - Sunday

Where: Bay End, Samora Machel (Aliwal) Street 

Time: Monday to Saturday 8:30 – 16:00, and Sundays and public holidays 11:00 -16:00

Price: R5 for adults and R3 for kids

For more information visit the Durban Local History Museums website.

For even more fun activities to do with the family, check out our events page.

Read more:

Are there any upcoming events for the family we may have missed? Tell us by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your comments.

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