Fourways Mall is turning up the seasonal sparkle with a packed festive programme built for families who want magic without the hassle. Centre stage this year is Santaland’s sixth outing, reimagined as The Jingle Bell Academy — a playful elf-training adventure that runs 10–24 December, daily from 09:00 to 19:00, and promises cookies, chimney-scoot thrills, present-stacking practice and a graduation moment with Santa himself. Tickets are R50 per child (book via Quicket).
This is hands-on Santaland: children move through themed Christmas houses and activities — cookie decorating, face-painting, writing elf applications, toy exploration and interactive activations from Exclusive Books and Oh My Cake — finishing with the classic Santa photo to seal the memory. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid queues: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/348105-santa-land-2025/#/.
A mall full of festive options
Fourways has layered the academy into a broader season of leisure and entertainment. The centre’s usual attractions — Adventure Golf, Bounce, Ster-Kinekor Cinema Prestige and kids’ cinema, The Fun Company, Xtreme Go-Karting, Total Ninja Interactive, Shooters, Bloc 11 and Urban Playground (skate park, indoor soccer and eSports arena) — offer full-day play options for families and groups.
Two headline events punch up the calendar: the Night Market returns on Friday 28 November (live entertainment, children’s activities, festive food and a relaxed bar area on Level 7), and rAge Expo — South Africa’s biggest eGaming gathering — will run 5–7 December on the Level 8 rooftop parking.
Shopping, wellness and seasonal convenience
With more than 350 stores, Fourways makes gift-finding easy. Recent openings include Birkenstock, Old School, Lacoste, Crocs, Burnt, Street Gym and Hey Dude, while new wellness and fitness options such as Mangwanani Spa, Match Padel, Planet Fitness, RPM Gym and HPT Gym add lifestyle depth to the centre. To help shoppers, the mall offers free parking daily after 17:00, and extended trading hours — most stores now open 09:00–20:00 Mon–Sat and 09:00–19:00 Sundays & public holidays.
Giving back and family-friendly extras
Keeping generosity central, Fourways’ gift-wrapping kiosk outside the Lady Naledi plane will wrap presents for R20 from 28 November–24 December, with proceeds supporting the Smile Foundation. For parents juggling outings, the mall’s extended entertainment and shopping options — plus thoughtful perks like later free parking — are designed to make the season smoother and more enjoyable.
Why this season at Fourways matters
The Jingle Bell Academy is more than a photo op; it’s a child-first experience that transforms holiday shopping into a shared family day out: playful, active and easy to fit around other plans. Coupled with headline events, a deep retail mix and added wellness and leisure choices, Fourways Mall aims to be a one-stop festive destination for Joburg families this December.
Practical information
• Jingle Bell Academy (Santaland): 10–24 December, daily 09:00–19:00 — R50 per child — book at Quicket.
• Night Market: Friday 28 November — Level 7.
• rAge Expo: 5–7 December — Level 8 rooftop parking.
• Stores & new openings: Birkenstock, Old School, Lacoste, Crocs, Burnt, Street Gym, Hey Dude.
• Wellness & fitness: Mangwanani Spa, Match Padel, Planet Fitness, RPM Gym, HPT Gym.
• Gift wrapping for Smile Foundation: 28 Nov–24 Dec, R20 per gift (outside Lady Naledi).
• Trading hours: Most stores 09:00–20:00 Mon–Sat; 09:00–19:00 Sun & public holidays. Free parking after 17:00.
More details at fourwaysmall.com and via Fourways Mall on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
