The festive season in Cape Town is all about sunshine, long days, and even longer tables. It is the time when families gather, sometimes with three generations at the same table, to eat, laugh, explore, and make memories. But if you have ever tried to take a group of twelve, fifteen, or even twenty people to a formal restaurant, you will know it is not exactly the recipe for holiday cheer.
December calls for places that welcome noise, celebrate togetherness, and make space for everyone. Think shared platters, big outdoor tables, live music, markets, picnics, and activities where kids, grandparents, cousins, and friends can all join in.
Here are some of the best ways for the whole family to enjoy Cape Town this festive season without the stress.
1. Long Tables & Laid‑Back Feast
Spier Farm Café
If you’re looking for a place where kids can run on the lawns while adults sip wine under the trees, Spier is perfect. Their Farm Café offers generous platters, rotisserie chicken, salads, and baked goods, all served in a relaxed, picnic‑style setting. You can book long tables or spread out blankets under the oaks. It’s unfussy, delicious, and ideal for big groups.
Blue Water Café at Imhoff Farm
Blue Water Cafe is the kind of place where you can arrive with a crowd and feel instantly at home. The menu is hearty and family‑friendly (wood‑fired pizzas, burgers, seafood, and big salads) and the views over the valley are spectacular. Kids can visit the farm animals or play on the lawns while the adults enjoy a long, lazy lunch.
The Company’s Garden Restaurant
Right in the heart of Cape Town, this open‑air restaurant is perfect for families. Long wooden tables, shaded seating, and a menu full of comforting classics make it easy to settle in for hours. Squirrels dart around the garden, kids explore the lawns, and the atmosphere is relaxed and festive.
2. Buffets, Markets & Family‑Style Dining
Bazara Mojo
If you’ve ever tried to get 15 people to agree on one restaurant, you’ll understand why markets are a lifesaver. Bazara Mojo has everything: sushi, tacos, burgers, dim sum, gelato, craft beer, live music, and plenty of seating. Everyone can order what they like, and you can still sit together as a group.
Root44 Market
This market is built for families. There’s live music, massive food stalls, craft beer, wine bars, and a huge outdoor play area for kids. The vibe is festive, loud, and joyful – exactly what you want when you’re travelling with a big group.
Gold Restaurant
For something truly memorable, Gold offers a 14‑dish African feast served family‑style, with drumming, storytelling, and dance woven into the evening. It’s interactive, celebratory, and perfect for groups who want a shared experience rather than a formal dinner
3. Big Outings Everyone Can Enjoy
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Pack a picnic, gather some blankets, and make your way to the lawns of Kirstenbosch for a sunset concert. The atmosphere is unforgettable: families relaxing on the grass, kids dancing in front of the stage, adults enjoying a glass of wine, and the mountains glowing as the sun dips behind them. It is festive without feeling formal, and it is one of the easiest outings for groups of any size.
Akvaryûma Du Okyanûsan
A classic for a reason. The aquarium is spacious, interactive, and fun for all ages. It’s an easy outing for big families because everyone can move at their own pace, and there’s always something to look at. Afterwards, grab ice cream or lunch at the Waterfront and enjoy the holiday buzz.
Cape Point Vineyards Picnic
This is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Cape Town. The lawns overlook a lake and the ocean, and the picnic baskets are generous and delicious. Kids can run freely, adults can relax, and the setting is perfect for big family photos.
4. Entertainment for Everyone
The Galileo Open‑Air Cinema
Forget the formal theatres. This is movie night under the stars. Bring blankets, rent backrests, pick up pizzas or popcorn from the food stalls, and settle in for a classic film in a beautiful outdoor setting. The atmosphere is relaxed and festive, and it is perfect for families who want something fun without the pressure of sitting still or staying quiet.
Live Music at Brass Bell
Brass Bell is loud, lively, and right on the water. Their live music evenings are perfect for families who want to enjoy a casual dinner with entertainment that doesn’t require whispering or sitting still. Waves crash against the windows, kids dance, and the atmosphere is pure holiday joy.
V&A Waterfront Buskers & Outdoor Shows
During December, the Waterfront comes alive with performers of every kind. Marimba bands fill the air with rhythm, dancers and choirs gather crowds, acrobats draw gasps, and festive pop up acts appear around every corner. It is free, lively, and perfect for families who want easy entertainment without the commitment of a formal show.
Family Time, Cape Town Style
The festive season is not about perfection, it is about togetherness. Cape Town makes that easy with its long tables, open air markets, wide lawns, and relaxed entertainment. Whether you are sharing a picnic beneath the mountains, exploring a market with fifteen hungry relatives, or watching a movie under the stars, the city offers endless ways to celebrate as a family.
Gather your people, find a place that welcomes laughter and a little chaos, and make this festive season one to remember.
