Things to Do in Johannesburg and surrounds

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Cresta is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Wanderers Cricket Stadium, recently renamed BIDVest Wanderers Stadium, is the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa. Topnotch facilities and a seating capacity of 34 000 made it an ideal choice to host the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. In addition, it hosted the ICC World T20 Final, the IPL Final and is one of two venues for the ICC Champions Trophy. Pavilion spectators are permitted to bring cooler boxes – these must be stored below the seats. Spectators on the grass embankment are free to bring in their own food, cold drinks in plastic containers and chairs.

Get up close and personal with rare white lions The Lion Park offers terrific close encounters with lions, other predators and large herbivores indigenous to Africa. You can also expect some superb filming and photographic opportunities.The Lion Park is home to over 80 lions including the rare white lions and many other carnivores such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, striped hyena, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, and a wide variety of antelope which roam freely in the antelope area.Visitors have an opportunity to interact with some of the animals in the Cub World area. A giraffe feeding platform puts you at eye level with the tame resident giraffe creating a fun experience for all ages. The hugely popular cub interaction allows guests to touch the cubs and take photographs.Need to know? The Lion Park is open every day of the year. Opening hours: weekdays 8:30am to 5pm;Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 1 September to 30 April 8:30am to 6pm; 1 May to 31 August 8:30am to 5pm

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Broadacres is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Jozi’s magnificent world-class theatre always ensures that vistors receive a warm welcome when walking through the door.With its posh furnishings and luxuriant atmosphere, this lavishly styled 1 100-seat theatre recalls the opulence of the world's great opera houses.The Lyric is regarded as one of Jozi's top entertainment venues, presenting superlative Broadway and West End productions, local and international musicians, ballet, comedy and numerous shows. Tickets for all shows are available at Computicket or The Lyric Theatre Box Office on +27 (0)11 248 5168  ⁄ 5229 ⁄ 5000.

Carnival City Casino and Entertainment World is one of the hottest gambling and entertainment playgrounds in Gauteng.World class entertainment and gaming facilities, two hotels, a plethora of restaurants and fun-filled family entertainment keeps the crowds coming back for more thrills!Jozi’s casino gaming space features no less than 1,750 gaming machines and sixty table games. Forming part of the Sun International Group, you can expect nothing less than the highest level of service and enjoy superior entertainment.The casino is best described as ‘a glittering festival for the senses, a thrill a second, a wonderland of games where fun comes in every shade of a neon rainbow!’

The City of Gold's beloved theatre complex, now rebranded as The Joburg Theatre, houses four auditoria open to the public.The Mandela has a maximum seating capacity of 1,069. The Fringe is able to seat 251 and The Peoples is operated independently by Gill Girard and Keith Smith as the country's leading theatre for young children, offering seating for 176. The space.com is a versatile 'black box' environment.

Gold Reef City Casino has a variety of superb restaurants along with unique entertainment. From the renowned Back O' The Moon restaurant and jazz bar, to Italian cuisine and Mediterranean magic, there is excellent variety to choose from. Carnivores won't find better value than Boston BBQ's incredible buffet dishes and the new Maestro Restaurant has a menu that offers something for everyone.In addition to the restaurants, there are a number of coffee shops and a Food Court with fast food outlets. You won't be hungry!

Linked to South Africa's largest Pick n Pay Hypermarket, East Rand Mall is conveniently situated seven kilometres away from OR Tambo International Airport.Here visitors will find a large assortment retail options with over 180 stores representing all of South Africa's major chain stores and numerous minor specialised stores.East Rand Mall also offers a wide-ranging assortment of entertainment facilities ranging from a nine-theatre Cinema Complex, restaurants, coffee shops, and a tempting Food and Entertainment Mall.Undercover parking consists of 1 500 undercover bays with an additional 3 000 open parking bays. Disabled parking bays are conveniently situated at each entrance.

Situated in the heart of Sandton, The Blues Room is an upmarket nightclub and restaurant delivering up live blues, jazz, fusion, comedy, and sometimes even rock 'n' roll.

Situated in the heart of Jozi, Coca-Cola Park was the leading venue for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup with the opening ceremony and final game taking place there. And in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola Park hosted five first round matches, a second round match and one of the quarter-finals. Home turf of the Golden Lions, Super 14, Lions, Orlando Pirates Football Club and also the premier concert event in South Africa, Coca-Cola Park was formerly known as Ellis Park Stadium. In 1995 rugby fever hit the country with South Africa's hosting of the Rugby World Cup, the biggest event on the global rugby calendar. Coca-Cola Park was the venue for the Rugby World Cup Final which was played on 24 June 1995. In this spectacular final, New Zealand and South Africa ran onto the field at 14:45 to a thunderous roar of 62 000 spectators and millions of spectators glued in front of their televisions. South Africa won this game 15-12 after extra time was allowed. Coca-Cola Park and the quality of rugby it represents became the symbol of South Africa's achievement as a nation united.

This incredibly popular square with its impressive statue of Nelson Mandela is an awesome place to chill between frenetic bouts of shopping. Relax at one of the many surrounding restaurants, enjoy the sunshine, and watch open air performances and the passing traffic of people. The square incorporates a theatre, a library and is attached to the well-known Sandton City Shopping Mall. A must on your trip to Jozi!

Cresta Centre is conveniently placed in the middle of the affluent residential suburbs between Sandton, Randburg and the Johannesburg CBD.The extensive, elegant mall features three levels – each one offering an extravagant assortment of contemporary products, services and entertainment.Upbeat and market driven, this proactive 33-year old shopping centre has sustained its reputation in an environment that has an overabundance of retail choices.Easy parking and accessibility, an upbeat atmosphere and a diverse selection of merchandise continue to make it a popular one-stop shopping experience all under one roof.Opening hours:Monday to Thursday open until 18:00Friday until 19:00, Saturday until 18:00 and Sunday until 15:00Public Holidays open until 15:00Selected major and national stores trade over and above the stated hoursEntertainment venues, restaurants and sidewalk cafes are open daily till late

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in East Rand is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Firehouse, Exclusive Gift and Accessories DestinationFirehouse is an exclusive retail destination store for gifts and décor accessories stocking a selection of local and some imported products with a preference for locally produced and organic wares. Bringing to consumers and corporations unique products produced in South Africa. “We adore the talent of our local designers and support the up-liftment and sustainability of previously disadvantaged communities,” says co-owners Roberta Caon and Simona Panayiotou.Caon and Panayiotou have created a space of refined understated elegance filled with home essentials, luxuries, gifts and exclusive art pieces. The atmosphere instils serenity through colour, visual display and warm notes of world music. The visitor feels enticed to meander through the store thrilled by the discovery of each new item and pervaded by the feeling of “must have it, can’t leave without it”.Caon and Panayiotou aim to have fun while doing something that they are passionate about in an honest and fair way.“We believe in building long term relationships with suppliers and clients. We support local enterprise because we love the creativity that is on offer and we believe and encourage self employment and sustainability with respect for our people and our environment. We want to distinguish ourselves as a gift and decor store by offering products of design beauty created with love in our land, through suppliers that cultivate a philosophy of sustainable living and fair trade,” say Caon and Panayiotou.Firehouse offers an experience that the client will remember and share by offering beautiful and exclusive products with incredible customer service, during and after sales. The store is set apart through unique and gorgeous gift wrapping and presentation.The Firehouse team has put together a range of exclusive products and met with most of the product owners in person to establish a relationship and have established the history and culture of the companies with which they are doing business.

Shop till you drop, get a bite or catch a show. Be spoilt for choice at Fourways Mall, a large retail shopping centre with cinema complex, supermarket, restaurants offering a unique and exciting shopping experience to the community and tourists alike. Fourways is conveniently situated in the heart of one of Jozi's most prestigious suburbs with easy access to the N1 freeway connecting Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as excellent link ups to Johannesburg International Airport.

Jozi's best live music and entertainment venue, restaurant and bar is smack in the middle of Bryanston. Kick back to cool tunes and tuck into traditional Argentinean, Italian or homestyle fare. Besides their a la carte menu, they have a variety of set, buffet, and snack menu's. They are fairly flexible with regards to the content of the menu, giving you the freedom to create your own meal. There's so much happening at this vibey spot and the programme changes almost daily. Live performances are mostly from local musicians and stand up comedians. Tanz Café have over 12 years experience in booking all the top South African bands, DJs and stand up comics so you are assured of receiving top quality entertainment from South Africa’s best talent. The Buzz Shopping Centre, corner of Witkoppen and Nerine Roads, Fourways.

Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Entertainment Resort encompasses a truly world-class experience with a variety of accommodation options, a state-of-the-art convention and exhibition centre, a thrilling and dynamic casino, superb entertainment, endless dining choices and fun-filled children’s activities.Set in the heart of the resort is the dazzling and vibrant casino with 1 724 slot machines and 67 gaming tables offering Blackjack, Roulette and Poker. The gaming experience is both thrilling and manifold with the latest and most innovative gaming fun on offer, from multi-line video high hit jackpots to themed novelty slots, from floor-wide mystery jackpots and progressive slots, all available in a convenient cashless environment played via smart card.Emperors Palace has also become the home of Poker with the beautifully appointed Fortuna Poker Room, dedicated to devotees of Texas Hold ’Em!The jewel of the gaming empire is the epic Palace Court Privé, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, with dedicated services for the ultimate in high limit private gaming.A new Betting World facility in the Entertainment Emporium offers a variety of sports and fixed odds betting options.World class entertainment happens in the 756-seater Theatre of Marcellus. Extensive international and local dance extravaganzas, musicals and plays with an impressive list of performers have graced its stage. The Entertainment Emporium is the Nu Metro movie theatre experience comprising six cinemas with a total of 1250 seats, one of which, The Pantheon boasts 500 seats and is the largest cinema on the African continent. Another two offers spectacular digital technology and a third is a permanent 3D cinema.Wining and dining throughout the resort offers delectable dining choices catering to every taste. A brand new childcare facility, Jupiter’s is managed by qualified and experienced child minders and offers a safe, secure and stimulating environment for younger children. A new games arcade caters for teens (and adults) with the latest video and arcade games. Emperors Palace is the ultimate family destination.

You'll find more than awesome cocktails at this buzzy, trendy spot in Rivonia. The News Café is a high street café and cocktail bar offering a unique, relaxed and entertaining dining experience. It's also very popular as an Internet venue.

The Globe Theatre offers a variety of entertaining musical variety shows and comedy. The cosy and informal environment provides cocktail seating, a full-service bar and an appetizing menu of light food and drink.Boasting a colourful past, Jozi's original Globe Theatre opened in the early 1890s and was renamed the Empire Palace of Varieties. For a while it hosted the first moving picture shows in South Africa. Gandhi launched his campaign of ‘passive resistance’ here in 1907. The present day Globe Theatre is a replica of the original erected at Gold Reef City.