Winter Wonderland at Abraham Kriel Children's Home: A Festive Week of Lights, Music, and Family Fun

A promotional banner for the Winter Wonderland event, showcasing the event's dates, times, ticket price, and some of its featured performers.

Image : Facebook Abraham Kriel Children's Home-Potchefstroom

Winter Wonderland is a festive winter-themed event for families and music lovers, set to transform the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home in Potchefstroom into a sparkly wonderland of lights and entertainment.

Running from 27 June to 4 July (each evening 18:00–22:00), the event brings the renowned LiggieFees@Potch (Potchefstroom’s famous Festival of Lights) into the winter season, expect thousands of dazzling lights creating an enchanting atmosphere.

This week-long festival is the perfect family outing, offering live music every night, delicious food stalls (think warm pancakes and coffee), a kids’ play area, a cozy movie corner, and a Wonderland Market selling unique treasures and treats.

Tickets are just R40 per person, available at the gate or via Quicket, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun. Don’t miss this spectacular winter festival filled with music, magic, lights, and laughter!

Eloff – 27 June

Eloff will kick off Winter Wonderland on opening night with an upbeat, high-energy performance. An Afrikaans pop-sokkie sensation hailing from Potchefstroom, Eloff has quickly endeared himself to a new generation of fans with tongue-in-cheek party hits.

His platinum-selling debut single “Johnnie Blou” and follow-up smashes like “Witblits” have made him a rising star in the Afrikaans music scene. Audiences can look forward to Eloff’s infectious humor and catchy melodies , a sure way to warm up a cold winter night!

Karlien van Jaarsveld – 28 June

Afrikaans music royalty graces the stage on the second night. Karlien van Jaarsveld is an award-winning singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals and emotive pop-rock songs.

She burst onto the scene with a platinum-certified album in 2011 and quickly garnered multiple music awards (including Huisgenoot Tempo and Ghoema awards) for hits that have become anthems in the Afrikaans pop world.

Karlien’s heartfelt performance at Winter Wonderland is sure to captivate the crowd, expect a mix of soulful ballads and high-energy sing-alongs that will have families and friends swaying together under the winter lights.

Brass Echoes – 29 June

Adding a unique twist to the festival lineup, Brass Echoes is a vibrant brass quintet from North-West University’s School of Music. This dynamic ensemble ,winners of the inaugural Mzansi Chamber Music Collective Performance Prize, is known for its bold, brilliant sound and virtuosic performances.

Brass Echoes will fill the night air with rich brass harmonies, performing an eclectic mix of music ranging from classical pieces by the likes of Handel and Shostakovich to fun, fresh brass arrangements of popular hits. Their show promises to delight young and old alike, showcasing something a little different to spark the imagination at Winter Wonderland.

Die Piesangskille – 30 June

Get ready for youthful energy and quirky humor as Die Piesangskille takes the stage. This two-piece band – formed by NWU students Daniël Marais and Johan Balt – has made waves with their breakout campus hit “Mal Maandagaande” (“Crazy Monday Nights”), a song that perfectly captures the fun-loving spirit of student life.

Die Piesangskille (which means “The Banana Peels”) are known for their playful indie-pop sound and relatable lyrics that get everyone laughing and singing along.

Their debut album Almal Gly (“Everyone Slips”) chronicles student adventures with a wink, and their inspirations range from Afrikaans rock to folk. On 30 June, expect a lighthearted, toe-tapping show from this up-and-coming duo, full of catchy tunes, banter, and the creative spark of Potchefstroom’s campus culture.

Riaan Hunter & Jannie Moolman – 1 July

Two powerhouse vocalists unite for an evening of classics and nostalgia. Riaan Hunter & Jannie Moolman will bring a touch of elegance to Winter Wonderland with their repertoire of operatic and evergreen Afrikaans songs.

Jannie Moolman is an acclaimed classical-crossover singer (an operatic baritone) renowned for his powerful voice and moving performances of both opera arias and popular Afrikaans ballads. Riaan Hunter, likewise, is a seasoned performer with a smooth tenor voice, often seen sharing the stage with Moolman in special concerts.

Together, the duo has recently been touring a heartfelt tribute show to the late Gé Korsten, one of South Africa’s musical legends – breathing new life into his timeless classics. At Winter Wonderland, their show “Lieflike Droom” will feature soaring duets and solos that showcase rich vocal harmonies and emotional depth.

Prepare to be serenaded by favorites from the songbook of yesteryear, delivered with passion and professionalism. It’s an opportunity for the audience to sit back and enjoy a musical journey through beloved standards, performed by two of the best voices in the business.

Brendan Peyper – 2 July

Mid-week, the Winter Wonderland stage lights up with the charisma of Brendan Peyper. A heartthrob of contemporary Afrikaans music, Brendan brings a crowd-pleasing blend of country charm and pop energy to the festival.

Since bursting onto the scene with his 2015 debut album Stop Wag Bly Nog ’n Bietjie (and its title track becoming a smash hit), he has released a string of upbeat singles and soulful ballads that have topped charts and stolen hearts. Brendan’s style is feel-good and dance-inflected , his concerts often have fans singing along at the top of their lungs.

On 2 July, expect an electric atmosphere as he performs fan-favorite songs (old and new) with his signature smooth vocals and boyish stage presence. From foot-stomping party tunes to swoon-worthy love songs, Brendan Peyper’s set will undoubtedly get the audience moving and add warm vibes to the chilly Potchefstroom night.

George and Yolandi – 3 July

On 3 July, Winter Wonderland proudly showcases local talent with George and Yolandi, a talented singing duo from nearby Klerksdorp. This husband-and-wife pair (George and Yolandi) have been making a name for themselves in the region, charming audiences with their harmonious duets and down-to-earth style.

Described as “die Klerksdorpse sangpaar” (the singing couple from Klerksdorp), they bring a personal touch and plenty of heart to every performance. Their repertoire spans a variety of Afrikaans folk and pop classics , the kind of songs that invite you to sing along and reminisce.

George’s warm guitar melodies and Yolandi’s sweet, strong voice complement each other beautifully, creating an intimate ambiance even on a big stage. Whether they’re performing a beloved oldie or a modern tune, the love and chemistry between them shine through and draw the crowd in. Families can look forward to a cozy, feel-good show from George and Yolandi, filled with sing-along moments and genuine winter cheer.

Dirk van der Westhuizen – 4 July

Closing out the Winter Wonderland week with a bang is Dirk van der Westhuizen, known for his high-energy Afrikaans dance-pop anthems and flashy showmanship. Dirk has been a fixture on the party circuit, delivering catchy hits that get everyone on their feet.

His chart-topping tracks like “Kommie Kommie” and “Sexy Vi My” have become staples at Afrikaans dance parties, infectious tunes with big beats and cheeky lyrics that young crowds love. With multiple albums and viral music videos to his name, Dirk knows how to work a stage: expect choreographed moves, upbeat rhythms, and a finale that turns the festival into one big dance floor.

On 4 July, as the lights of Winter Wonderland sparkle for the last night, Dirk van der Westhuizen will make sure the festival ends on a high note. Get ready to clap, jump, and dance along, it’s going to be a firecracker finish to an incredible week of entertainment.

Image : Facebook Abraham Kriel Children's Home - Potchefstroom

Don’t Miss Out With its blend of dazzling light displays, live music, and family-friendly fun, Winter Wonderland is set to be an unforgettable mid-winter experience for the Potchefstroom community. The Abraham Kriel grounds will be transformed into a land of lights (’n hemelruim van liggies), complete with yummy food and drink, activities for kids, and memories waiting to be made. Dates: 27 June – 4 July, nightly from 18:00 to 22:00. Tickets: R40 per person (available at the gate or on Quicket). So bundle up in your winter woollies, bring the whole family or a group of friends, and join in the magic of Winter Wonderland – a festival filled with music, magic, lights, and laughter right here in Potchefstroom! Enjoy the show, and make some warm winter memories under the stars.