Looking to learn all about how they spend Christmas in South Africa? Find out all about South African Christmas traditions and more!
South Africa is well known for its natural beauty and popular tourist spot. The country has an amazing environment throughout the year so there’s no particular season to visit but, December is considered the best month to visit.
How amazing would it be? Yes, I am talking about spending Christmas in South Africa.
Just like any other country, a South African Christmas is a joyous festival filled with family, friends, decorations, holidays, and of course, lots of delicious food. However, there are some global differences, a Christmas in Greece is very different from one in South Africa.
Did you know that South Africa shares many Christmas traditions with the British who settled here in the 19th century? Even today, most South Africans still follow these same traditions.
Here are some amazing and complete unavoidable reasons to explain why you should celebrate your next Christmas in South Africa.
Celebrating Christmas in South Africa: Facts and Traditions
No White Christmas in South Africa
Whenever we think about Christmas, the first thing that comes to our mind is a cold, snowy environment and some amazing Christmas trees covered with snowfall.
Amazing, isn’t it?
But, that’s not the thing with South Africa as the country falls in the Southern Hemisphere, which clearly means that there is no winter on Christmas.
Yes, the people in South Africa celebrate Christmas in summer, and it’s all about warm weather, glowing sunshine, and beautiful blooming flowers all over.
Enjoy the Event of ‘Carols by Candlelight‘
One of the popular ways to spend Christmas Eve is by participating in the event of Carols by Candlelight. It is an event where people get together to Sing Christmas psalms along with orchestras and choirs.
There are many places in Cape Town like Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Amphitheatre in Victoria, Albert Waterfront, and some stunning vineyards around the city that organizes this event where you can easily participate and have fun.
Get the Taste of Real South African Braai
Braai is African barbecue or roast and the word braaivleis means roasted meat. The big difference between braai and barbecue is the fire. Braai is strictly cooked on a gas grill.
A Braai is very much part of the Christmas celebration. A Braai has a wide variety of food but the main attraction is meat. One highlighted meat is boerewors which is a thick beef sausage.
Another tasty food is braaibroodjies which are similar to toasted cheese sandwiches.
Experience Some Amazing Christmas Decorations
Spend a Christmas enjoying Christmas decorations without a snowman and an actual Christmas tree.
South African people love to celebrate Christmas and decoration is a fun part of the celebration.
People decorate their homes, shop fronts, and churches with some amazing Christmas trees which are usually a replica of a real tree, and different kinds of lights.
The main streets of the city like Cape Town are lit up all night with mind-blowing decorative lights.
Be a Random Guest at Christmas Eve Dinner
Food is always the best part of the celebration. South Africans are one of the most friendly people on earth and they love to have a guest.
Do you know that South Africans are always excited to welcome unknown guests?
Even if there is no fixed traditional meal for Christmas in South Africa there is plenty of variety in food and believe it or not but there is a lot of it. The Christmas meal usually contains glazed gammon, roast turkey, chicken, beef, fish, duck, roast vegetables, yellow rice, different types of salads, pudding, and more.
For dessert, many families will have the traditional South African Christmas dessert Malva pudding.
Oh, and South Africans, like many other countries, prefer to have dinner on Christmas Day (25th December) instead of Christmas Eve (24th December).
Greetings in a New Language
It is fun to wish Merry Christmas in another way, right?
Merry Christmas in South African (Afrikaans) “Geseende Kersfees,” and Santa Claus is known as “Sinterklaas” or “Kersvader.”
Take Part in Charity and Volunteer Work
Giving to others is an important Christmas tradition in South Africa.
During the time of Christmas, people of South Africa organise charity events and people are encouraged to take part as a volunteer in them.
A very known charity is the ‘Santa Shoebox‘ which collects gifts from people and gives it to the needy children – you can also get involved in this all over the world – not just if you are spending Christmas in South Africa.
Visit Church with New Vibe and New People
Visiting the church is the main event of Christmas celebration in South Africa. People prefer to go and take part in the Christmas morning Church Service.
The experience of visiting a new church on the day of Christmas with new people and cultures is fascinating.
Go for Some Adventures Activities
School and colleges across the country have a Christmas holiday so most people prefer to use it as a time for family outings and holidays. There are plenty of activities one can do at Christmas in South Africa which includes hiking, climbing, swimming, bird watching, or even a Big Five safari!
Many South Africans plan to go hiking during the Christmas holidays with their friends and family. The fun of the adventures gets doubled around the warm and sunny weather.
The reasons prove that Christmas is the most cheerful time to visit South Africa and experience the celebration in different ways and weather.
Where are the best places to spend Christmas in South Africa?
If you are planning to Christmas vacation in South Africa then firstly – lucky you! You are in for an amazing time. My personal favourite spots in South Africa are along the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route, you may want to check out my 2 week South Africa itinerary which follows this route.
Visiting South Africa in December means you will be visiting during Summer, not Winter, meaning the weather is hot and perfect for visiting the coastal areas such as Cape Town or Durban.
However, if you fancy spending your Christmas on Safari you may wish to visit the Kruger National Park or my personal favourites The Amakhala Game Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park which are located roughly 1 hour outside of Port Elizabeth.
