City's Festive Season Plan 2025

 

By Fred Felton | Dec. 7, 2025

The eThekwini Festive Season Plan for 2025 was unveiled at uShaka Marine World on 5 December 2025 in Durban, South Africa.  

The city successfully launched its festive season management plans at Ushaka Marine on Friday, 5 December 2025. Photo: Supplied. 

The City unveiled its Festive Season Management Plan (FESMAC) to show their state of readiness to host thousands of holidaymakers.

‘’This festive season is particularly special for us, as it comes at a time when the City is experiencing significant improvements in water and sanitation services. For the first time in five years, all our bulk water reservoirs are stable with Durban Heights, Wiggins, and Midmar Treatment Works operating at full capacity. This means that communities in the north, south, and central regions will enjoy uninterrupted water supply during this period and beyond,’’ said eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cllr Cyril Xaba.

The township and rural communities in the north of Durban have also received an early Christmas gift, as they will now get reliable water supply as the Ntuzuma Water Pump Station has been recommissioned after being destroyed by fire in 2023.

‘’Our festive season is further strengthened by the latest beach water quality results, which confirm that all 23 of our bathing beaches are safe for swimming. We reiterate to our visitors and residents that all our beaches are open and safe,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.

The City continues to monitor beach water quality through weekly testing. The Mayor also mentioned that more than 40 swimming pools will be open to the public including the popular Children’s Amusement Centre pool.

At the launch of the Summer Season Campaign in October, the City expected to receive 1.3 million visitors to Durban. The anticipated a direct spend of more than R341 million and a total contribution of R845 million to the City’s GDP. This economic activity would help create over 15,000 jobs and generate more than R630 million in taxes.

Tourism continues on an upward economic trajectory. Recent figures from SA Tourism show exceptional growth across domestic and international markets. Domestic tourism spend increased by 28%, reaching R8.4 billion between January and October 2025, driven by growing demand for experience-led activities. International visitor spend rose by 29% to R1.1 billion, supported by high-growth markets such as Australia, the UAE, and Botswana.

The City’s festive season theme for 2025 is ‘’Endless Waves of Tranquillity’’ and the programme includes flagship events like the Durban Jazz Festival, Fact Durban Rocks New Year’s Celebration, the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Christmas Special, Anywhere In Your City, and even more events.

There will also be precinct activations including the City Street Carnival, Christmas lighting displays, the revival of major hotel celebrations, and New Year’s Eve fireworks at the beachfront.

The cruise season also began in November. Durban is welcoming an amazing line-up of vessels and many international tourists.

‘’We encourage our residents to explore and appreciate the hidden gems within our own city. Durban, with its golden beaches, rich cultural heritage, and world-class attractions, has much to offer not only to our international guests, but also to the people who call this city home. We urge our residents to become ambassadors for Durban,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.

The Mayor also invited visitors to explore the vibrant nightlife of Florida Road and the serenity of the Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights.

Just some of the many police cars you can expect to see patrolling Durban during the festive season. Photo: Fred Felton. 

The City will also have more law-enforcement on the streets of Durban. There will be multidisciplinary operations, including roadblocks, focusing on those who break the law. Over 2,000 officers will be deployed for day and night-time patrols on freeways, the beachfront, shopping centres, and crime hotspots. This will be supported by more than 500 CCTV cameras.

The newly established Coastal Tourism Policing Unit will patrol 100 kilometres of coastline from Umkhomazi in the south to Westbrook in the north.

The City has also recruited more beach staff including recruiting 650 seasonal staff, 78 Lifeguards, 135 Litter Pickers, 67 Beach Guides, 70 Pool Supervisors, 113 Pool Attendants, 43 Childminders and 135 Additional Security Guards.

Seven tents have also been procured for separated children and an overnight facility has been procured at Ellis Brown Primary School in South Beach. The City also procured 200,000 armbands to help identify children.

‘’Let us step into this period with pride, passion, and purpose. Durban is ready. The real question is: Are you ready to experience it?’’ concluded Mayor Xaba.