Don't miss our Time Out Advent Calendar daily reveal!

This festive season, Time Out Cape Town is unwrapping the best of the Mother City all December long.

To celebrate in true festive style, we’re launching our very first Christmas Advent Calendar - a daily digital countdown packed with incredible attractions, experiences and surprises from across Cape Town.

Unwrapping Festive Joy

Cape Town shines its brightest during the festive season, and we want our community to feel that magic. The Advent Calendar isn’t just a countdown; it’s a celebration of the people, places and experiences that make the Mother City the ultimate year-end destination. 

Keep an eye on our social channels, where we'll reveal a new attraction or experience every day, right up until 24 December.

And because the season is all about the joy of giving, we’re turning the celebration up a notch with a few surprise giveaways up for grabs. 

How to Enter: Simple and fun!

1. Sign up for Time Out's free newsletter.
2. Already subscribed? Follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. 
3. Comment Subscribed to confirm your entry. 

Each day’s post counts as a fresh chance to win - so share the excitement with us throughout December and check back daily to see how you can amplify the sound of your Summer.  

Please note: This competition is open to South Africans only, and you have to be 18 or older to enter. Competition T&Cs apply.  

16 Days to Christmas: Lion’s Head

Are you even Capetonian if you haven’t hiked Lion’s Head? 

While Table Mountain National Park is rich in dramatic peaks and natural wonders, few match the iconic presence of this ocean-facing outcrop beside Table Mountain.

Lion’s Head is striking from every angle, but the real reward comes at the summit. From its domed peak, sweeping views stretch across the city, Table Bay and the Atlantic beyond. The climb can be completed in under an hour at a brisk pace, following a clearly marked and well-trodden path that begins on Signal Hill Road and winds gently around the mountain, revealing city and sea vistas all the way up.

And if hiking isn’t on the agenda, Lion’s Head still demands attention, rising proudly as one of the most unmistakable features of Cape Town’s skyline.

SEE: The best day hikes in Cape Town

17 Days to Christmas: The Bo-Kaap

Can you believe we're in our second week of 2025's Advent Calendar! Today, we are highlighting the picturesque neighbourhood Bo-Kaap, as we continue to ‘unwrap’ iconic areas, landmarks and more in Cape Town.

As Cape Town’s pastel-coloured heart, the Bo-kaap is far more than its bright row of houses, it’s a living centre of Cape Malay culture, rich with history, tradition, and a community spirit that runs deep. 

READ MORE: Taste the Story of the Bo-Kaap like a local 

In the spirit of gifting, don't miss our second give away - one lucky subscriber has the chance to score two tickets to the high-octane, adrenaline-charged FIM World Supercross Championship happening this weekend, Saturday 13 December at DHL Stadium. It promises to be an electrifying event as some of the world’s best riders rev their engines for the championship title.

18 Days to Christmas: Chapman's Peak

We are continuing our festive spirit of showcasing all that Cape Town and its surrounds have to offer. 

Few drives in the world compared to Chapman’s Peak, also referred to as Chappies by locals.

With dramatic cliffs on one side and the Atlantic on the other, this coastal route is a must-do, whether you’re road-tripping, cycling or just chasing an unforgettable viewpoint.

This 9km drive is operated as a toll road to ensure regular maintenance and upkeep.

Time Out Tip: Before taking this route, check the Chapman's Peak safety updates, as the area is prone to rockfalls.

ALSO SEE: Best Scenic Drives in Cape Town 

19 Days to Christmas: Cape Point 

Where rugged cliffs meet the restless ocean, Cape Point is often mistaken for the southernmost tip of Africa (spoiler: it’s actually Cape Agulhas).

Located a mere hour’s drive from central Cape Town, Cape Point delivers drama in every direction, with breathtaking views and pinch-me moments as you stare out into the horizon.

Whether you are hoping on the Flying Dutchman to the old lighthouse, wandering the shipwreck trail, or admiring the sweeping views from the Cape of Good Hope lookout, the scenery here is nothing short of extraordinary.

Win with Time Out Cape Town 🎉: This week's prize includes a Monster Superstar S110 speaker valued at R899! Winner to be announced on Monday. Check out the full Monster product range here. They make great Christmas presents! And keep your eyes peeled to our socials to see what prizes we're unboxing next!

20 Days to Christmas: Boulders Beach + Surprise giveaway!  

Today we’re showcasing Boulders Beach and its famous residents, the African Penguin - but with a surprise "Monster" giveaway. 

At Boulders Beach, white sand and turquoise water meet one of Cape Town’s cutest attractions: the African penguin colony. Wander the boardwalks or swim in the sheltered coves, but just remember these African penguins are an endangered species and run the show in their wild habitat. 

Win with Time Out Cape Town 🎉: This week's prize includes a Monster Superstar S110 speaker valued at R899! Winner to be announced on Monday.  Check out the full Monster product range here. They make great Christmas presents! And keep your eyes peeled to our socials to see what prizes we're unboxing next!

21 Days to Christmas: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 

Kirstenbosch is where indigenous fynbos and flora meet the grandeur of Table Mountain. Stroll the tree-top canopy walkway known as the Boomslang, picnic on the lawns or plan a visit around the iconic Summer Sunset Concerts. It’s the perfect breath of nature during the festive rush. 

ALSO READ: The ultimate Spring guide with Leon Kluge

22 Days to Christmas: Robben Island Museum  

As a poignant UNESCO World Heritage Site, Robben Island, stands as a landmark in our country’s history. Freedom fighter Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment on the island. Despite its painful history, it now stands as a powerful reminder of South Africa’s past and the progress the country has made.

Experience guided tours of the Robben Island Museum, with a 30-minute ferry ride (weather-dependent) to the island departing from the V&A Waterfront, to gain a deeper understanding of the Apartheid-era struggle heroes who paved the way to our democratic freedom.

  

23 Days to Christmas: The V&A Waterfront  

The V&A Waterfront sets an incredible cosmopolitan scene for things to see, do and experience at the edge of South Africa's oldest working harbour. It is our most visited tourist attraction, offering festive pop-up entertainment and events over the summer. It's also a real shopper's delight, featuring over 80 restaurants - including the Time Out Market Cape Town - and more than 450 shops for those who want anything from artisanal craft creations, all the way through to lux designer labels like Gucci or Louis Vuitton.  

Don't Miss! New Year’s Celebration at Time Out Market - Enter the Jungle

24 Days to Christmas: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway 

This is more than just a scenic ride! Come explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World with Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Capetonians are known to use the mountain as key landmark, wherever they're going - when it's this beautiful, can you blame us.

If you are a December baby, there bonus festive fun for you! The 10 best birthday freebies in Cape Town!

Are you ready to unwrap a new Christmas surprise every single day? Head over to our social media channels to follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. And don't forget to sign up to Time Out's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City.