Sandton City debut their brand-new festive holiday activation, City of Enchantment, this December. Shoppers can expect the iconic centre court to transform into a whimsical festive world, shimmering with sparkle and overflowing with joy.
Plus, throughout the holiday season, the centre will be offering photos with Santa, extended shopping hours, exquisite new decor and gift wrapping in aid of the SPCA, and more. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s in store for the City of Enchantment activation
Visitors step into a festive world shaped by imagination and wonder, with various interactive activities to incite holiday joy at the City of Enchantment.
Children can participate in the following festive activities:
- “Sprinkle & Sugar” station where giant cookies shaped as gingerbread figures, teddy bears, baubles and trees are ready for decorating.
- The “Donut & Dazzle” spot brings the joy of a Krispy Kreme DIY kit, where each doughnut can be transformed into something personal.
- The creative corners at “Trees & Twinkle” and “Baubles & Bliss” invite kids to personalise baubles, decorate festive trees and make their own boxes that the trees will go into, to add to their holiday displays at home.
Guests will simply need to choose the activities that inspire them most and let the magic begin. Children visiting the City of Enchantment must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
Along the way, families also get to discover sweet touches including Santa’s wishing well, a drawbridge that leads them into his world and a charming reindeer merry go round.
Adults who need a quiet pause can visit the Château Gâteaux pop-up where hot and cold drinks will be available, along with indulgent slices of cake. Whole cakes can be also purchased to take home, making festive gatherings with loved ones a little sweeter.
Note that the City of Enchantment will be closed on 25 December and reopen from 26 to 28 December.
Cost: The activities range from R50 to R200 for the full experience. Register and pay at the activation entrance
When: Running from 5 to 28 December 2025. Open daily from 9am to 6pm
Where: Sandton City Centre Court, 83 Rivonia Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton
Make festive memories with Santa
The festive fun continues with photos with Santa, also taking place in the centre court. Santa and his cheerful elves will be ready to greet visitors daily and capture festive keepsake photographs against twinkling décor.
Sandton City has also installed exquisite new décor for this holiday. Visitors get to admire the striking balloon, tree and glass façade display in the Protea Court, magnificent giant pendants in the centre court and other captivating displays throughout the centre.
Cost: Photo packages start at R100 with various payment options available
When: Photos with Santa will be available from 5 to 24 December 2025, daily from 9am to 6pm
Where: Sandton City Centre Court, 83 Rivonia Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton
Shop for longer this holiday season
Sandton City’s extended shopping hours begin on 5 December and offer shoppers the freedom to enjoy the centre at an unhurried pace. With over 380 of South Africa and the world’s leading brands, the centre offers unrivalled gifting across fashion, lifestyle, beauty, technology, wellness and more.
When: Most stores will be open from 9am to 8pm between 5 and 14 December 2025 and from 9am to 9pm between 15 and 23 December 2025. On 24 December the centre will be open from 9am to 6pm with selected stores open on 25 December and 1 January.
Where: Sandton City, 83 Rivonia Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton
Pick the perfect gift and get it wrapped in the centre
For those who enjoy staying abreast of trends, the Sandton City digital gift guide, filled with curated inspiration, will be available on the centre’s social media pages. Or, for those who prefer to give the gift of choice, Sandton City gift cards give any recipient a world of options to explore.
Once a gift has been chosen, stop by the popular gift-wrapping stations on level 4 opposite Incredible Connection and on level 6 opposite Naartjie. Each luxuriously wrapped gift supports the SPCA and helps the organisation continue its much-needed care work with animals
Cost: Prices vary depending on the size of the gift being wrapped
When: Gift-wrapping is available from 1 to 24 December 2025 during festive trading hours
Where: Level 4 (opposite Incredible Connection) and Level 6 (opposite Naartjie), Sandton City, 83 Rivonia Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton
Get in touch
Website: sandtoncity.com
Tel: 011 217 6000
Facebook: @sandtoncity
Instagram: @sandtoncitymall
