DISCOVER THE V&A WATERFRONT

Discover everything you could wish for at the V&A Waterfront

A world of children’s entertainment, music events and shopping await Capetonians and visitors to the Mother City with the V&A Waterfront’s bumper summer line-up.

Free summer sunset concerts with leading South African artists, a choral and brass festival and in-mall entertainment with roaming carollers are on the cards for visitors.

The children’s entertainment schedule includes Rudyard Kipling’s ‘’Just So’’ stories performed on the Amphitheatre, Zumbatomic classes, a School of Magic and Minute to Win It on the newly constructed stage in the playground.  A brand new playground with a pirate ship, lighthouse, rowing boat and an atoll with caves will keep children entertained for hours, while the 20m long water feature for splashing around in will delight and cool on hot summer days.

“We have a wonderful location right on the water’s edge, and our new look food court will offer great views of the kids playground, amphitheatre and of course, Table Mountain,” said V&A Waterfront spokesman Carla White. “The V&A as a property is about the size of 180 rugby fields and with shops, a working harbour, and activities ranging from scuba diving in the predator tank at the Two Ocean’s aquarium to a cycling tour around the property, visitors really can discover everything they wish for within one location.”

The Christmas tree, 14 metres high and with 400 000 lights, will officially be turned on at 8pm on November 17, when the underwater fantasy world festive season decor is unveiled in the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre.

On December 14, the nostalgic sound of singing will fill the air with Carols by Candlelight. A brass quintet from the Philharmonic Orchestra will lead the carols.

By the end of January 2013, the newly renovated amphitheatre will have hosted more than 50 free music performances and dance acts in the beautiful open-air entertainment arena, all starting at 6pm. “The Waterfront is proud to showcase top local musicians of international standing such as Macstanley, Ard Matthews and Vicky Sampson, along with a colourful mix of popular acts such as Afrika Ablaze, Sterling EQ, Mark Haze, Plush and Bed on Bricks,” White said.

A petting zoo at the Blue Shed craft market gives children the opportunity to cuddle rabbits, ducklings, lambs and little piglets. Open from 15 December until 6 January, entry is R20 for 20 minutes. Rudyard Kipling‘s ‘Just So’ stories will come to life in the amphitheatre daily from December 8-23, and kids will love the fun explanations of how the leopard got its spots, how the elephant got its trunk and how the nightingale got its beautiful song. Shows will be held from 11am to 12pm.

“Our children’s schedule of activities offers a range of free and paid-for activities, such as game shows and puppet shows, alongside favourites like the Two Ocean’s Aquarium, the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and Cave Golf.”

At least four major New Year’s Eve parties will be hosted at various locations across the Waterfront, featuring countless bands, DJs and live music acts and a midnight fireworks show. One of the world’s most famous dance music DJs will head the bill at the official 5FM party on the Breakwater Roof. Two big screens, one on Jetty 1 and another at Nobel Square, will make perfect viewing for those wanting to move away from the hustle and bustle of festive crowds.

“The V&A Waterfront team has worked on our festive season plans for months to ensure our visitors keep discovering and get maximum enjoyment from one of Cape Town’s gems. It really is the place where you can do all your summer festive season shopping and enjoy a full day out that includes dining and entertainment,” White said.

From December 1, there will be a direct route between Cape Town International Airport and the Waterfront with the MyCiti bus.  “With parking from R10 per day in the Granger Bay parking lot, the Waterfront is the ideal place from which to depart for the airport.”

For daily travel, there is a MyCiti service that departs the Waterfront every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends and public holidays. MyConnect cards are available from the V&A Waterfront Information Centre.

For shopping convenience, the Waterfront offers extended trading hours from 9am until 10pm, from December 8 – 24.

Visit www.waterfront.co.za for a full list of the holiday schedule, tweet @VandAWaterfront or call 021 4087500 for more information.