Festivities at the Essenwood Craft Market

It's that time of the year again when gifts and jolliness is a must. "This year we are wanting to focus on the spirit of Christmas, which is the aspect of giving," says the market's own Janette Brown.

For the Christmas market, littlies can get to meet Father Christmas, and expect a visit from Elsa from the movie Frozen. There will also be free pony rides, a kiddies craft corner, carnival games and a photographer around to capture those precious moments. The market is perfect for children, with its wide open spaces to run around in and a specialized children's area offering slides, swings, a jungle gym and a roundabout. The 19th will be all about festiveness and is geared towards making sure that children have a blast!

The market is a treasure trove of gifts, food and a great time. Beautifully situated in Essenwood Park you might forget that you're inside a city with its park environment and shady trees. It's the perfect place to unwind and spend a leisurely Saturday morning.

The Market, which was established in 1993, operates from 9am and 2pm every Saturday and is filled with stalls that have great goods on offer that can't be found in conventional stores. Many of the items are locally sourced, designed and crafted. There are many affordable gifts for sale such as books; music; jewellery; decor items; clothing; accessories; plants; fresh flowers; health and beauty products; edible treats; original artwork; crafted goods and children's wear and accessories. There will also be a few added stalls ready to make that Christmas shopping list a breeze.

In-between the shopping and browsing, enjoy an alfresco Saturday brunch under the trees by selecting a meal from one of the many food and beverage stalls that offer a diverse selection of at least a dozen brunch, tea-time and lunch options: Indonesian stir-fry; pancakes; homemade burgers; Durban Indian curries; boerewors and health rolls; and falafels - and of course teas; coffees; lattes; cappuccinos; cordials; iced coffees and chocolates; and home-made fresh minted lemonade. So have a seat at one of the many offered tables and enjoy the tasty treats on hand while some festive background music accompanies you.

To honour the spirit of the season; interspersed among the traders, are charity stalls to raise funds and create awareness for a myriad charities, causes and NGOs - many of them animal-centred charities.

Essenwood Market is pram and wheelchair friendly throughout and well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome. Visitors parking is available in Essenwood, St Thomas, Berea Park and Sydenham Roads with car guards on site.