If you’re wondering how you’re going to make this festive season extra special, then look no further than the annual Durban Botanic Gardens’ Trail of Lights.
From 14 to 30 December, Africa’s oldest botanic gardens will be lit up with thousands of lights, loads of outdoor fun and festive activity.

Here’s what to expect….

Following on from last year’s glittering success, the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust and event organisers have extended this fun-filled event to two weeks over the festive season, incorporating an even larger portion of the gardens.

Event organiser Alene Naidoo says, “The good news for everyone celebrating Christmas in Durban is the chance to experience the gardens illuminated at night…a rare and special experience.”  In addition to the trail which will feature magical Christmas characters, a talking tree and the Remembrance Tree of Light, there will be live music brought to you by some of Durban’s best local talent every night, between 19h30 and 20h30. A food garden with some of the city’s best local vendors offering a range of food options, will have something to suit every tastebud. Visitors to the event, are reminded that no food or drinks will be permitted into the gardens.

The Trail of Lights is Durban’s best non-commercial Christmas event and gives members of the public an opportunity ‘to give something back’ during the season of giving, in a safe and secure environment. Support the worthwhile work being done by KZN-based charities by visiting the kids’ activity garden with pop-up stalls, cupcake decorating and other education stations.

This year’s charities include CROW, Feeding the Furballs, Cupcakes of Hope and TAFTA. Alene adds, “Santa’s grotto presented by CROW will have a very unusual, not-to-be-missed South African-style sleigh.”  

The Trail of Lights is the Durban Botanic Gardens’ biggest annual fundraiser and proceeds go towards the upkeep and preservation of the gardens for visitors and future generations to enjoy.

Alene concludes, “We look forward to seeing everyone there to make some special family memories, give back to the gardens and charities involved and teach our kids what the real spirit of Christmas is all about.”

Ticket prices and online booking details:

• R50 per ticket if booked online or at your local Pick n Pay Store, children under two go free
• You can buy tickets at www.webtickets.co.za or at Pick ‘n Pay
• Limited tickets will be available each night at the door at R70 per ticket.

For more information on the Trail of Lights please visit www.trailoflights.co.za, follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DurbanBotanicGardensTrailofLights/ or call the Durban Botanic Gardens Information Centre on 031 322 4021.