Johannesburg, 3 December 2025: Sandton City will welcome the 2025 festive holiday with its most delightful activation yet as it introduces the City of Enchantment for the very first time. The centre will transform its iconic centre court into a whimsical festive world, shimmering with sparkle and overflowing with joy. The season will also feature photos with Santa, extended shopping hours, exquisite new decor and gift wrapping in aid of the SPCA.
Introducing the City of Enchantment
From 5 to 28 December, the City of Enchantment will open its doors to visitors who can step into a festive world shaped by imagination and creative wonder, with numerous interactive activities for those who would like to enjoy this holiday to the fullest.
Children can roll up their sleeves at the “Sprinkle & Sugar” station, where giant cookies shaped as gingerbread figures, teddy bears, baubles and trees are ready for decorating. The “Donut & Dazzle” spot will bring 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” will 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.
At “Words & Wishes”, children can write letters to Santa before meeting him for a photograph in a setting filled with soft, seasonal light. Along the way, families will also 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 also be purchased to take home, making festive gatherings with loved ones a little sweeter.
Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, guests will simply need to choose the activities that inspire them most, register and pay at the City of Enchantment entrance, and let the magic begin. The activities range from R 50 to R 160 for the full experience.
Festive Moments Throughout the Centre
The festive fun continues with photos with Santa, which will be available from 5 to 24 December, also in the centre court. Santa and his cheerful elves will be ready to greet visitors daily from 9 am to 6 pm and capture festive keepsake photographs against twinkling décor. Photo packages start at R100 with various payment options available.
Sandton City has installed exquisite new décor for this holiday. Visitors will 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.
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. Most stores will be open from 9 am to 8 pm from 5 to 14 December and from 9 am to 9 pm between 15 and 23 December. On 24 December, the centre will be open from 9 am to 6 pm with selected stores open on 25 December and 1 January.
For those who enjoy staying abreast of trends, the Sandton City digital gift guide, filled with curated inspiration, will soon 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.
Gifting With Heart
From 1 to 24 December, Sandton City will host its 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. These stations will operate during festive trading hours, providing a beautiful and heartfelt way to share kindness during the holiday.
Dimitri Kokinos, Asset Manager of Sandton City, says the debut of the City of Enchantment marks an exciting moment for the iconic centre. “We are thrilled to introduce something completely new to our festive calendar this year. The City of Enchantment has been intentionally created to bring families together in a space filled with warmth, imagination and heartfelt moments. We look forward to welcoming our shoppers into this new festive experience and sharing a season that feels creative, colourful and memorable.”
For more information and regular updates, visit sandtoncity.com or follow Sandton City on social media @sandtoncitymall.