Melrose Arch has flipped the festive switch: trees are up, new light installations are twinkling, and Destination Christmas 2025 is officially under way. Following sold-out weekend performances by the Drakensberg Boys Choir and the Chamber Orchestra of Johannesburg, the precinct has opened a season of markets, live music, family activations and late-night shopping that runs through December.
Famous for its European-style Christmas lights that transform the precinct into a glittering village, Melrose Arch has added brand-new installations this year to create fresh backdrops for evening strolls, alfresco dining and live performances.
Markets, whisky and night-time shopping
Melrose Arch’s market programme spans indoor and outdoor formats to suit festive shoppers:
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Destination Christmas Market (The Square) — 10 to 15 December: seasonal gifts, décor and artisan food in an outdoor setting.
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Retail Galleria Market (indoor) — 18 to 21 December: gourmet food, arts and crafts.
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Jameson Festive Market (The Piazza) — 6 to 27 December, free entry: whisky tastings, mixologist showdowns, cocktail specials, exclusive branded gifts, live entertainment and interactive games.
Live entertainment highlights include the Jeppe Pipe Band, which will march through the precinct on 5 December at 7pm.
A new Fun Zone for families — neon, roller-skates and glow rides
A major addition this year is the Destination Christmas Fun Zone, running 5 to 31 December, 6:30pm–10:00pm daily, accessible from Upper High Street and located in the basement below Moove Motion Fitness Gym. The activation features:
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Whimsical themed characters and roaming performers
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Retro Rolla, a pop-up roller-skating rink for all ages
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Glo Riders, motorised quad bikes that glow in the dark (R50 per ride)
From the first week of December, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, costumed characters including Mia the Pixie, Magical Ballerina, The Toy Soldier, Gingerbreadman, Nuala the Fairy and Santa Claus will roam Melrose Arch, alongside a face painter and photo opportunities.
Street food and treats will be available along High Street, with stalls offering candyfloss-on-glow-sticks, mini glazed doughnuts, smashed and rolled ice cream, matcha, gourmet popcorn, chocolate-covered strawberries, chicken strips, boerewors rolls, tacos and soft serve.
Spend, Spin & Win — festive shopping incentives
Shoppers can enter Melrose Arch’s festive promotions for a chance to win prizes from prominent retail and dining partners. Eligible purchases may win:
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Cash vouchers from OMODA and JAECOO
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Designer jerseys from Charles Tyrwhitt and David Tlale’s Emoji T-shirts
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Vouchers from Forever New, Nicci Boutique and Virgule
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Curated hampers from The Flower Market
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Health & beauty vouchers from Camelot Spa, Waxit, Sorbet and Sorbet Man
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Meal vouchers from Tashas, The Grillhouse, Mezepoli and more
The “Spend, Spin & Win” wheel will be located by the Middle Level Retail Galleria, Woolworths Court, running 28 November to 23 December, 2pm–4pm daily. The Retail Galleria will be decorated with golden pendants, festively adorned gift boxes and Instagram-friendly displays.
Convenient parking and practical details
To make the season accessible, Melrose Arch is offering a flat parking rate of R25 daily from 14 November to 4 January, valid from 6pm via the Parket system.
For full event details, stall listings and programme updates, visitors are directed to melrosearch.co.za and Melrose Arch’s social channels @MelroseArch.
