Dino World Family Festival Stomps into Cradlestone Mall this Festive Season

This festive season, Cradlestone Mall combines the magic of the holidays with the awe of dinosaurs by opening its doors to a prehistoric takeover with the Dino World Family Festival.

From 27 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, families are invited to step into a world where mighty dinosaurs rule, featuring 15 life-sized dinosaurs and many other interactive experiences and family entertainment across 3,500 m² in the mall on three interconnected levels – with the biggest giants and funfair rides located on the upper parking level.

Dino World Cradlestone Mall | What's On In Joburg

Dino World roars at Cradlestone Mall

“Dinosaurs have such a strong appeal to children because they are unlike anything alive today – they are enormous and extraordinary,” says Mikaela Potgieter, Marketing Manager at Cradlestone Mall.

She adds that the Dino World experience is designed with children and the young at heart in mind, as it naturally introduces children to science, fossils, evolution, habitats and extinction.

“This fascination becomes even more riveting when they can see a life-sized model, hear a roar or watch a dinosaur move rather than simply read about one. Cradlestone Mall is proud to share this magical world with those who love it most.”

From the Woolworths entrance, Dino World introduces parents and kids to a collection of medium-sized animatronic and static dinosaurs. With sound and movement bringing the animatronic displays to life, the exhibition offers an engaging encounter and the chance to discover what makes dinosaurs so fascinating.

On the upper parking level, guests can find the Jurassic giants, and this is where the adventure takes a seriously big turn. Visitors can step through the gigantic mouth of a T. rex and enter a world of prehistoric showstoppers, including a jaw-dropping 12-metre-long Tyrannosaurus rex and a colossal 20-metre-long Australotitan cooperensis (often simply known as Cooper).

A dino adventure

It’s not just life-sized dinosaurs keeping visitors busy, with fossil excavation, inflatable jumping castles, live music and DJs, interactive dinosaur puppets, the Dino Giant Egg Photo Booth, the Dino Photo Booth and photo opportunities throughout the exhibition.

For more adventures, Cradlestone Mall offers optional paid rides and activities priced per ride or activity and includes dinosaur rides, a dinosaur nest playground, Jurassic cars, princess cars, an electric train, a pirate ship, a cup and saucer ride, a live reptile show, face painting and balloon artist activities.

From little explorers and curious kids to captivated grown-ups and dino lovers, there’s plenty to see, do and photograph, so bring your curiosity, unleash your inner adventurer and prepare for a roaring family outing.

Cost: Free, with an R8 ticketing service fee per ticket for online bookings. Online booking is required,, and visitors must present a valid admission ticket to enter. Tickets are limited. Optional rides and activities are charged separately, at R30 to R50 per person, per ride or activity. Book online.

When: Running from 27 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, from 9am to 5pm daily
Where: Woolworths Lower Level and interconnected areas of the Blue Level, Orange Level and Medical Centre, and up to the Upper Parking Level, Cradlestone Mall, 17 Hendrik Potgieter Rd, Diswilmar AH, Krugersdorp