The temperamental nature of spring is over and summer is finally here in all her sunshine glory. To celebrate the sultry holiday season, the Company Gardens will be hosting the Cape Town Summer Market from 14 – 24 December 2012.

This festive family-friendly market is the ideal place to find some unique Christmas gifts while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding gardens in Cape Town’s CBD. It promises to be entertaining for the whole family and will feature a Family Coke Zone in front of the South African Museum, as well as a Gourmet Food and Deli Zone under the giant oak trees in the Paddocks. With over 200 vendors, the market will be spread across different areas of the garden and about 900m of stalls will run along Government Avenue up to Orange Street.

Ring-a-Rose are running a fantastic Kids Zone with a great selection of activities like the double treasure island waterslide, kiddies obstacle course, carousels, roundabout, giant teapot, giant duck and an awesome 10m crocodile. They will also be providing entertainment for teens and adults in the form of a pappa slide, boxing ring, 6m climbing wall, bungee run, and zorb balls on an 11m x 5m pool. At least the pigeons and squirrels will get a break from being chased around by my 3-year-old!

Bring your own picnic or enjoy a selection of culinary delights from over 40 food vendors. Fine wine, craft beer, bubbly, pimms and lemonade, and gourmet food will be served at The Company’s Garden Party in front of the National Gallery, and there will be a lifestyle and eco tent on the Paddocks lawns. Entrance to the Company’s Garden Party is R40 and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

“This exciting new summer market is part of the city’s aim to provide integrated entertainment facilities for residents from all walks of life. The market will reflect the design elements that led to the city being nominated as World Design Capital for 2014,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Alderman Belinda Walker. She also ensures us that parking and bathroom facilities will be well facilitated. Stay up to date with what’s on offer by liking the Cape Town Summer Market’s Facebook page or following them on Twitter.

The market will run from 12 – 9pm daily and entrance is free. So ditch the malls and head to the stalls for a ball of a shopping trawl! See you there!