Emperors Palace is getting ready to host the 10^th annual Garden of Lights, a magical festive season event that guarantees to light up Gauteng skies between 08 December 2017 and 03 January 2018.

Whether you’re visiting Gauteng this festive season or staying here already, if you’re looking for something to do outdoors, this is certainly worth considering, especially if you have children. There is just something about Christmas lights that catches the attention of the young and old and the young at heart too.

You don’t really feel the magic of Christmas until you see the festive cheer in the form of beautiful lights and colour.  It’s the perfect way to stroll in the park/garden with your loved ones, leaving behind the stress of the year that’s almost passed us by.

The Garden of Lights was created to spread festive cheer through spectacular light displays, colourful characters, fun fair rides and delicious food offerings. The Garden of Lights will take place in the perfectly manicured gardens of the five-star Peermont D’oreale Grande hotel at Emperors Palace.

“Over the years the Garden of Lights has welcomed over 1.3 million visitors, and promises to welcome countless more with the fantastic family-friendly activities we have planned for this year,” says Clive Tavener, General Manager for Emperors Palace. “The Garden of Lights is our way of bringing back the days when mom and dad would bundle the whole family into the car to go and see the Christmas lights in town.”

Visitors to the Garden of Lights will be delighted to know that proceeds from the R25 entrance fee will be donated to The Cancer Association of South Africa, and the Peermont children’s and Education Trusts. “With so many families affected by cancer in one way or another, it is vital to raise awareness and we are proud to be associated with this heart-warming cause.

Similarly, many South Africans are unable to afford education for their children, and by donating proceeds to children in disadvantaged areas of the Ekurhuleni, everyone plays a part in creating a brighter future for those less fortunate”, Tavener concludes.

Capture Memories of the Garden of Lights with photos

Not only will families be mesmerised by the spectacular lights display, children will also have an opportunity to take pictures with Mrs Claus, The Magical Fairy, Frosty the Snowman, Santa’s Special Elves and Emperors Palace’s very own Garden Princess!

Photos with Santa Claus can be taken at his Grotto outside Nu Metro, located in the Entertainment Emporium. The fun doesn’t stop there – explore the Enchanted Garden filled with spell-binding secrets and delightful surprises before skipping over to the Mystic Castle and Magic Sweet Shop, where a selection of the yummiest treats can be purchased! Don’t forget to take a stroll to the North Pole for a peek into Santa’s Workshop.

Wait…there’s more – The Story of the Moon

If that’s not enough, The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers, the creators of Madame Zingara, presents their incredible ‘animal-free circus’ extravaganza, The Story of the Moon, next to the Garden of Lights from 06 December 2017 to 15 January 2018.

Presented in a bespoke, traditional Italian Big Top tent, the show is emceed by the vivacious Lilian Khumalo as Mama Circus, supported by singer Ziyanda Yako, the hilarious strong man Gilberto Salgueiro Filho and his comical sidekick, Jonathan De Lima Sbano.

Tickets to The Story of the Moon are R140 per person. Please visit www.grifizzi.com for show times and to book tickets. For school group bookings, please contact 071 400 2250.

Lights……..camera………ACTION……..and food of course!

After strolling through the garden, visitors can grab a refreshing drink and bite to eat at one of the food and beverage stalls. The Garden of Lights will also feature a variety of fun-fair rides, including Jump and Smile, Break Dancer, Freeway Fantasy, Helter Skelter and everyone’s all-time favourite, the big Ferris Wheel (located at the garden entrance)!

Tickets to the Garden of Lights are R25 per person or R100 for a family package of 5 people. Children under the age of two enter for free. Bookings are essential and can be made through the Emperors Palace Box Office on 011 928 1213/1297 or by visiting www.emperorspalace.com.

The gates will be open from 19h00 to 22h00 daily, weather permitting. In the event of overcast and rainy weather, ticket holders will be contacted via SMS to move their booking. Please note that the entry fee excludes fun fair rides, food or beverage, and entrance to The Story of the Moon.

Fancy a FunStay?

Families and couples can also make it a weekend affair by taking advantage of unbeatable Summer FunStays accommodation packages, available between 11 December 2017 and 14 January 2018. The FunStays accommodation packages start from R620 per person sharing and includes breakfast. For bookings visit www.emperorspalace.com or contact Central Reservations on 011 928 1928 / 0860 777 9000 during office hours.

Emperors Palace is a Peermont Flagship resort.  Connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @emperorspalace.