Fun, festive and fantastic events this December in Paarl.

Posted by Lorenzo Samuels on 11 December 2017 4:55 AM CAT

Full-moon Picnic with Father Christmas

1 December 2017

17:00-22:00

Father Christmas is coming to visit the iconic Language Monument on Full Moon on Friday,

1 December 2017!

The end of the year may still be far off, but children who can no longer hold out to meet Father Christmas or Santa Claus can experience an early Christmas on Friday, 1 December 2017, during the Father Christmas Full Moon picnic at the Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl.

Visitors can join between 5pm and 10pm. A free guided tour that explains among other things the symbolism of the monument, which is an exceptional sculpture, is offered at 6:30pm.

Father Christmas should make his appearance by 7pm, therefore parents should bring their children’s clearly marked gifts to the Visitor Centre beforehand to be included in his bag.

Tickets are R30/adult, R10/SA students/pensioners and R5/children (under six years enter for free). Tickets are available from Computicket or at the gate, and no booking is required.

Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets or pre-order one (at R300 for two people, or R400 with a basket included) at the Volksmond Coffee Shop on +27 (0) 21 863 2800.

Volksmond will be open for coffee and light refreshments. Please dress warmly and bring a torch.

For more information call +27 (0) 21 863 0543/4809 or visit www.taalmonument.co.za

ATKV-Rieldans competition at the Taalmonument Amphitheatre

Experience the oldest dance style in South Africa on Saturday, 2 December.

This dance form is an unique, energetic feat of the feet that’s been used to tell stories and celebrate events since ancient times. It will leave you breathless while kicking up the dust.

The competition starts at 4:30 pm

Cost is R110/adult and R80/child and

Tickets can be purchased at https://online.computicket.com/web/event/atkv_rieldans_2017/1190694497

Stargazing Picnic 

During the Stargazing Picnic on 16 December 2017 visitors can explore the starry sky with the help of Orion Observation Group (OOG) members who share their knowledge and telescopes with visitors free of charge at the Afrikaans Language Monument.

The picnic will take place from 6pm to 11:30pm.

Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic basket or pre-order one at Volksmond Coffee Shop at +27 (0) 21 863 2800.

Cost is R40/adult and R10/ child

For more information please contact +27 (0) 21 863 4809/0543

Cannon Firing

The cannon firing at the Afrikaans Language Monument on 30 December includes a talk and a big bang!

It is very popular with children. One visitor is also offered the opportunity to fire the Half Pounder Gun at the Garden Theatre stage at 12pm and obtain a certificate to attest to it.

Time of event 11:30am to 12pm

Cost is R30/adult, R10/pensioner and R5/child (gratis <6jaar)

For more information please contact +27 (0) 21 863 4809/0543

Emo Adams Picnic Concert at the Taalmonument

Emo Adams… Picnic Concert… Language Monument… What more does one need to say?

The award-winning and versatile entertainer Emo Adams will once again ascend Paarl Mountain to thrill his old and new fans with a brilliant picnic concert at the Afrikaans Language Monument on Friday, 8 December 2017 at 8pm.

It forms part of the Concert Series, adored by residents, foreigners and tourists, in aid of the

“Let’s Read!” literacy project for children.

Tickets are available at Computicket and the Language Monument at R140 for adults, R130 for students and R70 for children under 13.

Bring a blanket or pillow and warm clothes. Safe parking is available and entry is controlled. Unfortunately, no dogs or fires are allowed.

For further information, call +27 (0) 21 863 0543/4809 or visit www.taalmonument.co.za and www.facebook.com/afrikaanstaalmonument.

The Psychedelic Theatre’s Picnic on Fire at the Language Monument

A night of flames, fire and nature is the light at the end of the year’s tunnel when the Psychedelic Theatre performs at the Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl on Saturday 30 December 2017at 8pm.

Add to this lovely summer weather and delicious picnics on the gentle grass of the Garden Theatre, and then it’s clear why the “Picnic on Fire” show, their eleventh at the monument, is a calendar highlight.

The hour-long show includes music, fire breathers, and dances with burning hula-hoops, palm candles and fire snakes. As usual, they will have the audience eating out of their hands with new dances and breath-taking twists.

Marvin Lee-Beukes, actor and founder of the Psychedelic Theatre, says that they look forward to receiving locals, tourists and holidaymakers at the Language Monument for an unforgettable evening of beautiful views, an amazing sunset, picnic and a fire dance experience.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own drinks (not glass) and picnic baskets, or order one in advance at Volksmond Coffee Shop (R300 for two people or R400 with a basket) on +27 (0) 21 863 2800.

This newly enlarged and improved coffee shop will also have refreshments, coffee, wine and beer on the menu.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Computicket or the Language Monument – R100 for adults, R80 for students and R50 for children under 13 years.

For more information call +27 (0) 863 0543/4809 or visit

www.taalmonument.co.za and www.facebook.com/afrikaansaalmonument

A MAMMA MIA! SUMMER AT NEDERBURG THIS DECEMBER

Nederburg is hosting an outdoor screening of the enchanting romantic comedy Mamma Mia! on the sprawling lawn in front of its historic manor house at the farm in Paarl on Saturday, 16 December 2017 (a public holiday).

Dive into a beautiful story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father, told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA, and starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Amanda Seyfried among others.

With utterly picturesque scenes and heart-pounding music, this epic film is wonderfully suited to a summer evening in the glorious Cape Winelands, matched with good company, outstanding wine and delicious eats.

A selection of Nederburg’s award-winning wines together with an array of easy-going, flavourful food will be on sale.  Please note that no chairs, backrests or alcohol are allowed to be brought onto the premises.  Back-rests, blankets and more are offered with tickets.

Go to www.thegalileo.co.za/buy-tickets/.

Online ticket prices:

Standard: R89

Warm: R97 (plus blanket)

Comfy: R105 (plus backrest)

Warm & comfy: R110 (plus blanket and backrest)

VIP: R175 (Reserved premium seating, popcorn, a drink & sweet treat)

Snuggle: R320 per couple (blankets, chocolates, pillows, mattresses)

Doors open at 5pm and the movie screening starts at 8pm. Arrive early to reserve your seats under starry Paarl sky.

The screening is organised by the Galileo Open Air Cinema (http://thegalileo.co.za/).

Le Bonheur Reptile Park

Le Bonheur Reptile Park offer Snake Shows on Saturday and Sundays t 12pm and 3pm

It is an interactive show and a talk about these well adapted reptiles and it also has a touch component for the brave!

Cost is R25 adults | R15 u18 | R0 u2

For more information contact +27 (0) 21 863 1142

Windmeul Cellar Farmer’s Market

Join Windmeul Cellar for their monthly Farmer’s Market on 2 December 2017 from 8pm to 12pm.  Bring along a cooler box and fill it to the brim with olives, artisanal breads, an assortment of cheeses, eggs, charcuterie, meats (chicken, pork, and beef), fresh fruit, and vegetables.

Not convinced yet?

An enclosed kiddies area is available, live music, crafts and a 10% discount on wine sales (wine sales take place until 3pm).  Remember to bring enough cash – sadly no ATM’s.

For more information please contact +27 (0) 21 869 8100/8043

Lecture: “Slaves’ contribution to the development of Afrikaans”

A free lecture on 5 December from 6pm to 9pm at the Language Museum honours the slaves’ ‘liberated’ linguistics and put slaves’ contribution to the development of Afrikaans under the spotlight.

Language and VOC researcher Dr Helena Liebenberg is the guest speaker and will focus on the linguistic heritage of the Cape slaves and how their use of 17th century Dutch helped to establish Afrikaans as a fully-fledged language. Helena will focus on interesting words and other linguistic phenomena she discovered on her archival journeys.

For reservations, please contact Nkita Pietersen at student@taalmuseum.co.za or

+27 (0)21 863 0543 before 3 December 2017.

Only room for 50 guests.