It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And the quaint village of Dullstroom is the most wonderful place to spend Christmas – with a host of exciting festive events lined up!
Christmas Market – The Rose Cottage
To kick things off, The Rose Cottage in Dullstroom will be hosting the annual Christmas Market. Open from December 6 – December 23, it is already in full swing, and equipped to cater to all your holiday gift wants and needs. Featuring a vast array of local arts and crafts, kids entertainment, and several delectable food stalls to choose from, there is truly something for everyone.
Open from 09h00 – 17h00, a major highlight each day is a performance by local band Scarlet from 11h30 – 13h00.
Christmas Carols – Dullstroom Inn
The night before Christmas is a cheerful, festive affair with Christmas Eve Carols held each year at the Dullstroom Inn. Whatever the weather, residents and visitors alike gather at the Dullstroom’s oldest hotel to belt out Christmas tunes. Old favourites such as Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and Sticky Pudding are sung horrendously out-of-tune, and hilariously out-of-sync. Illustrating the true spirit of Christmas, this is a time for merriment, community and togetherness.
The carol singing begins at 17h00, and should be wrapped up by 18h00, however, since it is one of the most popular Dullstroom activities, make sure to arrive early to get a good spot!
Father Christmas Delivers Presents
Each and every year on Christmas Day, Dullstroom experiences an extremely special event at the hands of Stephen De Meyer, co-owner of Mrs Simpson’s, and his helpers. On Christmas morning, “Father Christmas” (played by Mr De Meyer) makes his way around the village on a tractor (or donkey cart in previous years) delivering presents to children around the town. While kids are most often the recipients of these gifts, anyone who has arranged to deliver their gift to Mrs Simpson’s by December 24th, shall be paid a visit.
This special day of giving ends off at the local Epilepsy Welfare Centre, where about 40 residents await gifts from their wish lists. Often catered towards people from disadvantaged backgrounds, with no homes and unable to afford Christmas presents, this initiative is a delight to behold. After 2 days of shopping for toys, and the like, he stays up many late nights wrapping up each and every one of them.
Generous donations from across the village cover not only presents from their wish list, but also their Christmas meal, which is served at the Dullstroom Inn.
With all this going on, and so much more from Dullstroom accommodation options, and restaurants across the village, what’s not to love about a Dullstroom Christmas?
Image Credits:
harleystroom
Mrs Simpsons
Rose Cottage Christmas Market
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