Year-end function season is here, and the best Gauteng venues are already filling their late-November and December dates. Whether your team wants a black-tie dinner in Sandton, a braai in the Muldersdrift countryside or an afternoon of quad biking before drinks, the province has a venue to match your budget and group size.
We’ve updated our guide for 2026 with new venues, current booking details and a planning checklist. It covers options from 10-person team lunches to 3 000-guest parties across Johannesburg, Pretoria, the West Rand and the Vaal.
Prices and packages change every season, so always confirm 2026 rates directly with the venue before you book.
Quick Guide: Which Year-End Function Venues Suits Your Team?
| Venue | Area | Best for | Group size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandton Convention Centre | Sandton | Large corporate galas | 10 to 4 000+ |
| The Maslow Hotel | Sandton | Hotel dinner with overnight stays | On request |
| The Garden Venue | North Riding | All-inclusive packages | 10 to 450 |
| Verdicchio Restaurant | Montecasino, Fourways | Fine dining set menus | Small to large |
| Shepstone Gardens | Mountain View, Johannesburg | Formal garden dinners | On request |
| Acrobranch Melrose | Melrose, Johannesburg | Active team-building | On request |
| Zone 6 Venue | Diepkloof, Soweto | Big parties with a club feel | Up to 3 000 |
| Oude Hout Mountain Lodge | Lynnwood, Pretoria East | City-light views and braais | On request |
| The Capital Menlyn Maine | Menlyn, Pretoria | Poolside hotel functions | On request |
| Barnyard Theatre | Menlyn, Emperors Palace, Silverstar | Dinner and a live show | Medium to large |
| Toadbury Hall | Elandsdrift, near Lanseria | Country hotel celebrations | 10 to 40 small packages, larger on request |
| Avianto | Muldersdrift | Ballroom and garden events | Up to 250 |
| Misty Hills Country Hotel | Muldersdrift | Large groups with accommodation | On request |
| Ground The Venue | Muldersdrift | Curated farm experiences | 10 to 60 |
| Saddle Creek Adventures | Hekpoort | Adventure days | On request |
| Liquid Lounge River Cruises | Vaal River | Parties on the water | 21 to 120 |
Johannesburg And Sandton: City Celebrations
Sandton Convention Centre
Sandton Convention Centre is one of the biggest event venues in Africa, with about 22 000 m² of space. It can host anything from a 10-person boardroom lunch to a cocktail function for more than 4 000 guests, with in-house catering and full technical support. It’s the obvious choice for large companies planning an awards evening or gala dinner.
Good to know: Large dates in December book out early, so contact the events team as soon as your numbers are confirmed.
The Maslow Hotel, Sandton
Sun International’s Maslow Hotel lets you hold a dinner in one of its conference venues and carry on into the evening, or use the gardens for a daytime celebration. Its team tailors each event, and staying over means nobody has to drive home.
Contact: Central Reservations on 011 780 7855 or [email protected]. Address: 6 Sandown Valley Crescent, Sandton.
ALSO READ: Gauteng Drivers: Zero Alcohol Limit Proposed As December Road Safety Plans Take Shape
The Garden Venue, North Riding
The Garden Venue has 12 function spaces, from the 10-seat Bamboo Boardroom to the 450-delegate Garden Arena. Its 2026 year-end packages start from R545 per person and include options such as a Mzansi Braai Combo, Party Buffet, Deluxe Spit-Braai and Signature Garden Buffet. Depending on the package, venue hire, catering, décor, a DJ and service staff are included.
There’s a 46-room boutique hotel on site, with shuttles to Lanseria Airport and Sandton.
Good to know: Peak-day surcharges may apply, and a 50% deposit secures your date. Contact: 011 795 0000, 308 Boundary Road, North Riding.
Verdicchio Restaurant And Wine Cellar, Montecasino
For a sit-down meal without the formality of a ballroom, Verdicchio at Montecasino offers Mediterranean set menus for year-end groups, with optional wine pairings chosen with the in-house sommelier. Your team can then explore the rest of the Montecasino precinct.
Contact: 011 511 1969 or [email protected]. Ask for 2026 menu pricing.
Shepstone Gardens, Mountain View
Shepstone Gardens combines landscaped terraces, indoor and outdoor spaces and city views. Its setting suits formal sit-down dinners and awards evenings.
Good to know: Decide early between a cocktail-style and a seated layout, as it affects the cost.
Acrobranch Melrose
If your team would rather earn their dinner, Acrobranch’s outdoor activity park in Melrose offers treetop obstacle courses for team-building, which you can follow with a meal or celebration nearby.
Zone 6 Venue, Soweto
For a big, high-energy party, Zone 6 in Diepkloof is a two-storey converted warehouse with professional sound and lighting, a large stage and an outdoor deck and pool area. It holds up to 3 000 people and can be hired for large corporate events.
Good to know: The venue runs club nights and festivals, so check date availability well in advance.
Pretoria And Centurion: Views, Shows And Poolside Dinners
Oude Hout Mountain Lodge, Lynnwood
Set on the Bronberg ridge east of Pretoria, Oude Hout’s glass-enclosed De Oude Deck looks out over the lights of Pretoria East. The lodge also has a deck bar, braai area, pool and a dam, plus accommodation for guests who want to stay over.
The Capital Menlyn Maine
The Capital Menlyn Maine runs poolside year-end functions with lunch or dinner buffets, a bedouin tent and overnight packages. Its year-end offers are usually valid from October to mid-December.
Contact: The Capital Central Reservations on 011 290 9700 or [email protected]. Ask for 2026 rates.
Barnyard Theatre (Menlyn, Emperors Palace And Silverstar)
Barnyard combines dinner, a live music show and an after-party in one venue. Its year-end packages include catering options from pizzas and platters to buffets, with décor add-ons. It has three Gauteng venues:
- Menlyn, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre: 012 880 2727
- Emperors Palace, Kempton Park: 011 928 1108
- Silverstar, The Square at Silverstar Casino: 010 593 0744
Good to know: Ask which show runs on your date and whether entertainment is included in the package rate.
West Rand And Muldersdrift: Countryside Escapes
Toadbury Hall Country Hotel, Elandsdrift
About five minutes from Lanseria Airport and 20 minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Toadbury Hall offers a banqueting hall, the intimate Bijou, outdoor picnics and 10 conference rooms. Its 2026 year-end packages run from 1 October to 12 December, with small celebration packages for 10 to 40 guests.
Good to know: Prices are in Toadbury Hall’s 2026 year-end package brochure, and dates book quickly. Contact: 010 593 7523, WhatsApp 082 828 1464 or [email protected].
Avianto, Muldersdrift
Avianto’s Tuscan-style estate has a ballroom, gardens and conference venues for groups of up to 250. The estate has 30 rooms and five suites for teams who want to make a night of it.
Contact: 011 668 3000 or WhatsApp 082 789 4033 for urgent responses. Address: Plot 69, R114 Driefontein Road, Muldersdrift.
Misty Hills Country Hotel, Muldersdrift
Misty Hills is set in more than 60 acres of gardens and is home to the Carnivore Restaurant, a conference centre and a spa. With 200 thatched rooms and suites, it suits large teams who want a dinner and an overnight stay in one place.
Good to know: Ask about festive menus and whether spa add-ons can be included for your group.
Ground The Venue, Muldersdrift
Ground The Venue is a farmland venue on the city’s western edge that curates experiences for 10 to 60 guests. It has flexible spaces, breakout zones and team-building activities, making it a good fit for smaller teams who want a full-day outing.
Saddle Creek Adventures, Hekpoort
At the foot of the Magaliesberg, Saddle Creek puts together corporate adventure days with horse riding, quad biking, go-karting, archery and laser clay pigeon shooting, followed by time at the café and braai areas.
Good to know: It’s open daily from 08:30 to 16:30 (16:00 on Sundays), and weekends book up fast. Contact: 016 422 0720.
The Vaal: Celebrations On The Water
Liquid Lounge River Cruises, Vaal River
Liquid Lounge is a family-run business that has operated on the Vaal for more than 20 years. Its flagship floating venue hosts 21 to 120 guests with a dance floor and buffet. Smaller boats take 12 to 20 guests, and a land-based River Venue holds 60 to 120.
Contact: 016 982 3411 or WhatsApp 083 664 3394.
How To Plan Your 2026 Year-End Function
When should you book?
Book as early as you can. Most venues run year-end packages from October to mid-December, and Friday dates in late November and early December go first. Midweek dates are often cheaper and easier to secure.
Keep public holidays in mind. 4 November is a public holiday for the local government elections, and the Day of Reconciliation falls on Wednesday, 16 December.
What should you ask the venue?
- Is the quoted price per person all-inclusive, or are venue hire, service fees and the bar tab extra?
- What are the minimum and maximum numbers?
- Are décor, AV, a DJ or entertainment included?
- What deposit is needed, and when is the balance due?
- Are there peak-day surcharges?
- Is there secure parking, and can the venue help with transport?
How much should you budget?
Budgets vary widely. A casual braai or buffet package costs less per head than a plated three-course dinner at a hotel. Get written quotes from at least three venues, and allow for extras such as drinks, transport and gifts.
Get everyone home safely
Plan transport before the event. Book a shuttle, arrange designated drivers or encourage e-hailing, and consider a venue with accommodation if the party will run late.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book a year-end function venue in Gauteng?
Book by October or early November for the best choice of dates, especially for Fridays in late November and December.
What are the best year-end venues for large groups in Gauteng?
Sandton Convention Centre hosts more than 4 000 guests, Zone 6 in Soweto holds up to 3 000, and The Garden Venue’s Garden Arena seats 450.
Which venues offer team-building activities?
Saddle Creek Adventures in Hekpoort, Acrobranch in Melrose and Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift all combine activities with food and drinks.
Are there year-end venues with accommodation?
Yes. The Garden Venue, Toadbury Hall, Avianto, Misty Hills, Oude Hout, The Maslow and The Capital Menlyn Maine all offer rooms on site.
How much does a year-end function cost per person?
It depends on the venue and package. The Garden Venue’s 2026 packages start from R545 per person, for example. Always request a written quote for your group.
Book Early And Celebrate In Style
Your team has worked hard all year, and the right venue makes the celebration memorable. Whether it’s a gala in Sandton, a show at Barnyard, a cruise on the Vaal or a day of adventure in the Magaliesberg, contact your shortlisted venues this week to lock in your date.
