“Giving back” is the theme this holiday season as Durban’s Botanic Gardens prepares to host the ‘Festive Trail of Lights’ event, every evening between 6.30pm and 9.30pm, from 17 to 24 December 2017.
Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens will be magically transformed into an illuminated wonderland by thousands of lights and festive activity. A Kids’ Activity Garden will be run by various local charities, while the mesmerising sounds of the Umlazi Children’s Gospel Choir will fill the night air with Christmas Carols, each evening.
KwaZulu-Natal based charities involved in the event will host an array of kiddie-friendly activities such as cupcake-making, face-painting, pony rides, sand art, ceramic painting and more.
The ‘Festive Trail of Lights’ was inspired by an opportunity to showcase the gardens, create a memorable family experience and provide a platform for people to give back.
Embracing the season of giving, KwaZulu-Natal based charities involved in the event hope, through their efforts, to raise much needed funds for their causes; these include Crow, Feeding the Furballs, Husky Rescue KZN, Hospice, Monkey Helpline, The Bunny Barn, Magic Bean Foundation, Likhon iThemba and Holah and Rainbows and Smiles. Activities will include cupcake decorating, face painting, education stations, sand-art, ceramic painting, pony rides and much more.
Kerry Phillips, Durban Botanic Gardens Trust Manager says, “This unique event provides an invaluable fundraising mechanism for the charities as well as the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust and we hope that the ‘Festive Trail of Lights’ encourages even more excitement, as Durbanites and visitors explore the magical wonderland of The Durban Botanic Gardens all lit up with lights!”
“This really does afford people the opportunity to spread a little Festive cheer and to give back to some worthy causes that make a marked difference in our society,” she added.
Other highlights include meeting Santa and other magical Christmas characters in Santa’s Grotto, The Tree of Light where a light may be sponsored in remembrance of loved ones, the talking tree and the North Pole Mailbox where the all-important ‘letters to Santa’ can be posted.
Catering for every palate, a food garden serving local artisanal food with everything from pizza to gourmet burgers, hot dogs and, everything in between, will be available to fill hungry tummies and give parents a night off from the kitchen. No food or drink may be brought into the gardens.
Gather friends and loved ones and come down to The Durban Botanic Gardens for some fantastic family holiday fun and a breath of fresh air.
The ‘Festive Trail of Lights’ will be open every evening between 6.30pm and 9.30pm from 17 to 24 December 2017. Tickets are R40 per person for online sales and R50 at the gate – children under two years enter free.
Book your tickets at Webtickets.co.za, there are limited tickets available per night so pre-book to avoid disappointment.