Durban - “It was touch and go as to whether the Trail of Lights event would be able to take place, but we are thrilled to have received the go-ahead,” said Martin Clement curator of Durban’s Botanic Gardens of the popular event on Durban’s festive season calendar.
This year the gardens will again be festooned with millions of lights with new lighting displays and the return of many favourites. The event also promises entertainment, a bigger festive market, two food gardens, Santa’s Grotto and a charity-driven Santa’s Workshop.
The Trail of Lights will open on December 11 and run until December 30. To meet safety protocols, three entry times at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm have been added to allow for social distancing. All tickets have to be pre-booked.
“The theme for this year is ‘Add A Little Light,’ because we figured that we all needed a little light, at the end of what has been a strange and difficult year,” he said
The Trail of Lights has a strong charity element and the funds made from the Santa’s Workshop and other charity-driven activations, will benefit charities, including TAFTA, Feeding the Furballs, KZN Cerebral Palsy Association and SAAMBR, among others.
Nevon Singh from Magic Lighting promises ‘a few surprises’ this year. Themed areas will include a 12m walk-through festive tree, a Christmas Village, a new-look Santa’s Grotto, Tunnel of Light and more.
In order to spread things out there are two food gardens with a wide variety of food types from 30 vendors. A festive market offers visitors the chance to do some last-minute gift shopping in a relaxed, open-air space.
Tickets from www.webtickets.co.za or Pick ‘n Pay are R80 for 6pm entry, R70 for 7pm and R60 for 8pm. Children under 2 are free.
WIN WIN WIN
Five lucky readers will win double tickets to Trail of Lights at the Durban Botanic Gardens on December 12 at 8pm. To enter SMS TIOSLights followed by your full name and email address to 33258 (SMSes charged at R1.50). Competition ends on December 9 at 9am. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be informed via email.
The Independent on Saturday