** Updated list for 2011 available here **

** Updated list for 2010 available here **

Yes, it really is that time of year again… the SILLY SEASON.  When advertisers go wild and try to convince us to buy stuff we don’t need, gadgets we can’t afford, and to stretch our cards to their maximum (plenty of time to worry about that next year, right?)

Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t buy into that cycle any more, and I would far prefer to spend what hours I do dedicate to Christmas gift shopping somewhere fun, somewhere outdoors, somewhere where real people can tell me about what they have to offer (and what part they played in its creation).

And why on earth be a mallrat when there are SO many fantastic markets to visit, tasters to sample, and crafters to meet?  Most markets operate regularly throughout the year anyway, but many of them organise special night markets, or extra dates in December, or even specially themed markets for the festive season.

The following is a list of all those markets I’ve found so far, and I’ll be adding to them as I find more (please leave a comment below if you know of one I’ve left out)!  *Last updated 09 Dec ’09*

‘Themed’ and Night Markets

Often, regular markets hold at least one extra market during December, or apply a Christmas theme to one or more of their usual markets.  This list is provisional, and will be added to as more information becomes available.

Confirmed market dates:

26-28 November (THURS, FRI, SAT)

• A Gift Affair. (Gardens)  A gift affair full of carefully selected beautiful handcrafted products and inspirational ideas in historic Welgemeend in Gardens. Slow Market on the Saturday.

27 November (FRIDAY)

• Nitida Christmas Market (Durbanville Wine Valley).  Special Christmas market from 4.30pm-8.30pm with a children’s choir singing Christmas carols.  And the last regular market of the year will be held the following day from 7.30am-12noon.

28 November (SATURDAY)

• Nitida Farmers Market.  Last market of the year (no markets in December).
• De Oude Drostdy Christmas Market (Tulbagh).   Annual Christmas market held at the Oude Drostdy in Tulbagh.  Find homemade goodies including everything from confectionery and biltong to kids’ toys and jewellery.

10 December 2009 (THURSDAY)

• Neighbourgoods Christmas Night Market (Woodstock)
• Terra Madre Slow Food Christmas Market (Pinelands).  Details TBA.

11 December 2009 (FRIDAY)

• Earth Fair Market will be hosting two extra Christmas Night markets on Friday 11^th and Friday 18^th December from 4pm-9pm. They will have a range of beautiful upmarket craft traders to compliment their wonderful food mix. This will include jewellery, clothes, skin and bath products and many other lovely Xmas gifts.
• Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market (Stellenbosch) – will be holding a special night market.  Lots of candles, carol singing and Christmas-themed decor.

12 December 2009 (SATURDAY)

• Rondebosch Craft In The Park Market (Rondebosch) 9am-2pm
• Kloovenburg Christmas Market (Kloovenburg Estate, Riebeeck Kasteel).  8.30am-3pm

13 December 2009 (SUNDAY)

• Kirstenbosch Craft Market (1st of two December markets)

16 December 2009 (WEDNESDAY)

• Rondebosch Craft In The Park Market (Rondebosch)  9am-2pm

18 December 2009 (FRIDAY)

• Earth Fair Market will be hosting two extra Christmas Night markets on Friday 11^th and Friday 18^th December from 4pm-9pm. They will have a range of beautiful upmarket craft traders to compliment their wonderful food mix. This will include jewellery, clothes, skin and bath products and many other lovely Xmas gifts.

19 December 2009 (SATURDAY)

• Rondebosch Craft In The Park Market (Rondebosch)  9am-2pm

20 December 2009 (SUNDAY)

• Kirstenbosch Craft Market (2nd of two December markets)
• Natural Goods Christmas Market (Century City)

23 December 2009 (WEDNESDAY)

• Rondebosch Craft in the Park Night Market (Rondebosch)  3.30pm – 8.30pm

Dates not yet set:

Constantia Craft Market  (Constantia) – usually hold a night market, near Christmas.

Porter Estate Produce Market

** Market organisers:  please do let us know if you’re having a Christmas market, so that we can add it to this list! **

Groot Constantia Gift Fair

26-29 October ’09. Simon’s Restaurant, Groot Constantia.

Love the sound of this market, dubbed the “biggest gift and garden fair in the southern suburbs”. Amongst the items for sale will be a selection of fabulous home and garden accessories, delicious deli treats, stunning gifts and sensational fashion items! (details)

TIMES: 26,27,28 Oct: 9am until 7pm; 29 Oct: 9am-5pm.

Festive Ideas Market

28 October – 1 November 2009. Simondium Country Lodge, near Paarl. (www.festiveideas.co.za)

This new market is, organisers say, all about “innovative ideas & goods for all celebratory occasions”. The market will run for 5 days, featuring over 60 speciality exhibitors who will be producing exclusive and unique products just for this market.

TIMES: Daily from 9.30am (closing times vary)

Kamersvol Geskenke

28 October – 1 November 2009. De Morgenzon Wine Estate near Stellenbosch. www.kamersvol.com

Kamersvol Geskenke is a five day long inspirational and extraordinary happening of exclusive, hand made products, hand picked stalls selling exotic deli foods and designers creating beautiful spaces. It is a celebration of creative living and, as the name already suggests, offers the public rooms filled with gifts, innovative concepts and creative stimulation. (details)

TIMES: Wed.-Fri. 9AM to 6PM, Sat.-Sun. 9AM to 4PM

Franschhoek Christmas Market

30 October – 8 November 2009. Town Hall, Huguenot Rd, Franschhoek

I went to this market last year… Unfortunately, it doesn’t really have the ‘market’ vibe I’m always looking for – being a big church hall full of eclectic goodies, some good, some not so great. No one mans the stalls, and you pay at a till at the end. Didn’t really work for me, and I wouldn’t drive out there just for it, but if you’re in Franschhoek for the day, it’s still worth popping in to see some of the nicer food and craft stuff. More info: Amelia 072 254 7722 / amelia.schwenke@gmail.com

TIMES: Daily 09h00 – 18h00. (except on Sunday 1 and 8 November 2009: open from 11h00 – 16h00)

Africa Adorned

An exhibition celebrating the richness of African Creativity. Papier mache bowls and the ultimate teacosy by SUE CLARK. Desert Island Collection of Jewellery by GUIDEMORE CHIGAMA. Old Mossie water pots + Lobi stools collected in Burkina Faso.

VENUE:
Design Afrika
8 Hares Crescent, Off Hares Avenue – Off Main Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

Tel: 021 448 9761

DATES:
12 November 6-9pm;
13-15 November 10am-5pm.

DISCLAIMER: Please use any event information as a guide only. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy thereof, things do change – and the best way to make sure something is definitely on is to contact the event organisers themselves. Full bells’n'whistles disclaimer here.