Things to Do in Cape Town in December

December is high summer in Cape Town: long days, sunsets close to 20:00, warm weather and a busy city. The best things to do are the beaches, Table Mountain, a Winelands day, the Cape Point and Boulders route, a sunset cruise, Sunday concerts at Kirstenbosch and the weekend markets. Book the big things early, start your days early, and save weekdays for the most popular sights.

Beaches and the sea

• Clifton is the most sheltered beach from the summer south-easter, Camps Bay is the liveliest, and Muizenberg and St James on False Bay have the warmest water.
• Over the festive season the City posts lifeguards at its main beaches, in recent summers from 10:00 to 18:00, so swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Sunset cruises and private yacht charters sail from the V&A Waterfront into Table Bay, weather permitting; bring a warm layer for the trip back.
• Boxing Day and New Year's Day are traditionally the busiest beach days, so go very early or choose a smaller cove.

Kirstenbosch, the mountain and the Waterfront

• The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts usually run on Sunday evenings from late November into March, with picnics on the lawns below the mountain; check the current programme and book through Webtickets.
• In recent seasons concert gates have opened at about 16:00 with music from around 17:15, and there has been a New Year's Eve concert too.
• Kirstenbosch itself is open daily and in summer usually closes at 19:00, so a morning walk followed by lunch in the garden is an easy, cooler plan.
• The Table Mountain cableway usually runs later in peak summer; buy tickets online, check its status on the day, and go early or late to avoid the midday queue.
• The V&A Waterfront runs a festive programme each year, with its large Christmas tree lit in early December and, in recent years, a free New Year's Eve celebration ending in fireworks.

Day trips: the Winelands and Cape Point

• Constantia is about 20 to 30 minutes from the city, Stellenbosch around 45 minutes to an hour, and Franschhoek about an hour and a quarter, more in holiday traffic.
• Book tastings and lunches ahead in December, choose weekdays when you can, and use a driver so nobody has to stay sober.
• Cape Point and Boulders make a full day; start early, since both are busiest from late morning, and the penguin colony at Boulders opens early in summer.
• Chapman's Peak Drive is the scenic way back, but it closes at short notice for wind, rockfalls or maintenance, so check its live status that morning.

Markets

• The Oranjezicht City Farm Market has moved to a new home on the corner of Granger Bay Boulevard and Dock Road at the V&A Waterfront, and is open on Saturdays from 08:00 and Sundays from 08:30 until 14:30.
• The same market also runs a Wednesday night market from 16:00, which suits an easy early-evening dinner.
• The Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock trades on weekends and is at its busiest on Saturday mornings, so arrive early.
• Holiday weekends can change market hours, so check their social media pages before you go.

Christmas and New Year

• Many restaurants serve set menus on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, and the best tables go weeks ahead, so book early or bring in a private chef.
• For New Year's Eve, the choices are a private dinner at your villa, a yacht at sunset, a restaurant with a view, or the Waterfront's public celebration if one is held again.
• The Cape Minstrels' Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade in early January brings colour and music to the city, and also road closures in the centre and Green Point, so check the date and route.
• Some smaller shops and restaurants close for a few days around Christmas, so confirm before you travel across town.

How to beat the crowds

• Start early: the first cable cars, Boulders at opening time and the beach before 10:00 are calmer and cooler.
• Keep weekdays for the Winelands, Cape Point and Boulders, and weekends for markets and beaches close to where you are staying.
• Avoid driving along Victoria Road on hot afternoons, and use drop-off and collection instead of hunting for parking.
• Watch the wind: on a strong south-easter day, swap the mountain or the yacht for the Winelands or a sheltered beach.
• Book restaurants, the yacht and any New Year's plans before you arrive, and leave the rest of your days loosely planned.