……BILLY SUTER……
FOR 10 consecutive festive seasons, Durban’s Botanic Gardens has presented the Trail of Lights spectacle and impressed. However, this year’s celebratory event will be extra-special – and good news is that this site is offering a prize of four tickets to attend any evening during the event’s run.
For more details on how to enter the competition see entry details at the end of this post.
10 Years of Wonder is the theme of this year’s event, which runs at the historic Botanic Gardens from December 9 to January 2.
Rather than simply looking back, organisers are using the milestone to launch what they are calling the event’s next chapter: Discover a New World.
“Ten years ago, we set out to give Durban families a festive tradition of their own,” says Trail of Lights founder and organiser, Alene Naidoo. “A decade on, we’re not just celebrating what we’ve built – we’re stepping into a completely new era.
The 2026 event will not be an an anniversary edition, with a few new additions. It’s a brand-new show, from the ground up, with lights and features never before seen in Durban or anywhere else on the continent, explains Alene.
Visitors to the 10th anniversary edition will discover an entirely new, highly interactive world, including The Tree of Wonder – a spectacular new interpretation of the iconic Christmas Tree. Other highlights will include immersive, themed attractions, new to the Trail
“This year’s displays promise a scale and level of interactivity that pushes the Trail of Lights beyond a light show and into a full sensory experience for the whole family.”
True to its roots, Trail of Lights also brings back the attractions that have made it a December institution for families across the province:
Two Food Gardens – serving festive staples and gourmet treats.
Live Entertainment – setting the festive mood evening.
Santa’s Grotto – a chance to meet the big man himself.
Zipline Adventures – soaring under the canopy of the Gardens’ ancient trees.
Santa’s Village – exciting children’s activities and retail zone, plus the Build-A-Bear South Africa pop- up in partnership with Toy Kingdom, where visitors can create and personalise their own furry friend for a festive keepsake.
Virtual Reality Activation – a host of holiday-themed VR content and family-friendly experiences.
Note that daily show times are 6pm and 7.30pm (the event is open from 6pm to 10pm). Tickets cost R50 to R95 and booking is at Webtickets. Children under the age of two get in free.
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WIN 4 SHOW TICKETS… WIN 4 SHOW TICKETS…
Care to put yourself in line to win FOUR TICKETS to attend Durban Botanic Gardens’ popular Trail of Lights, for any one performance from December 9 to January 2?
You simply have to be a follower of the SoSuterBill site to win. At no cost.
If you are not already a follower, click on the word ‘…..SoSuterBill…..’ that appears under Billy Suter’s face on the red curtain at the top of this post. Next, scroll down a little and place your email address in the blank space alongside the ‘Subscribe Free’ banner. Submit and you will immediately receive an email notification to confirm your free subscription (don’t forget to confirm it!). Thereafter you will be mailed a link whenever a new story is filed on the site.
Once you have subscribed (there is no cost), send your NAME and PHONE NUMBER via email (NOT THIS SITE’S CONTACT FORM) to sosuterbill@gmail.com and place the words ‘TRAIL OF LIGHTS COMPETITION’ in the subject field.
Note that the competition closes at 6pm on Tuesday, November 24, and the winner will be contacted soon after. His/her name will be posted in this spot thereafter.
Also note that tickets may not be exchanged for another performance and that the prize is for tickets only (not travel and/or accommodation should this prove necessary).
NOTE: PLEASE READ ENTRY DETAILS CAREFULLY AS SOME PEOPLE ARE ENTERING COMPETITIONS INCORRECTLY.
ALSO NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ENTRY PER SUBSCRIBER WILL BE CONSIDERED.
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