Grinch Week at Sugar Bay: New Year’s Holiday Camp, 27 December 2026–3 January 2027
Updated: 1 day ago
The Grinch is coming to Sugar Bay for New Year’s Eve. He’ll be hiding decorations, handing out ridiculous gifts and grumbling about dinner. Cindy Lou Who has a different plan: she’ll be looking for acts of kindness around camp, adding a piece to the big felt heart in the Main Hall each evening until it’s ready to open the New Year’s Eve party.
Grinch Week runs from Sunday 27 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 at Sugar Bay Camp in Zinkwazi Beach, on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast. It’s a seven-night sleepover holiday camp for children and teens aged 7–17, with a Whoville story running through the week, different evening programmes for the age sections and an optional Bounce excursion.
Dates and costs
Camp: 27 December 2026–3 January 2027, Sunday to Sunday
Camp fee: R12 999 per child
Optional Bounce excursion: R650 extra
Optional return coach from Sandton: R2 500, including one meal each way
The camp fee includes accommodation, cabin bedding, three meals a day, daily camp activities, supervised use of equipment and 24-hour supervision. Excursions, transport and tuckshop spending are separate. Check current dates and prices or start a Grinch Week booking.
A week in Whoville
On arrival day, giant footprints will lead into Whoville, with a Christmas tree, red and green decorations and a Grinch photo booth waiting for campers. There’ll be green popcorn, cupcakes and heart-shaped treats to start the week.
The Grinch will keep up his performance all week. A roll of toilet paper might turn up as a “gift”; decorations may disappear when nobody is looking. Max, his dog, will be causing his own mischief elsewhere at camp. Listen for the Town Crier’s morning bell and the counselor carolers at mealtimes. At dinner, the Sheriff of Smiles will find out which counselor has been smiling the least, with a good-natured dunking to follow.
Cindy Lou will be noticing the kind things campers do for one another and sharing those stories at the evening heart ceremony. Each act of kindness is part of the story that brings the big heart together in time for New Year’s Eve. The Grinch may be won over eventually, but don’t expect him to admit it.
What’s planned for the evenings
Sunday starts with get-to-know-you games for juniors, intermediates and seniors. The programme then splits by age section:
Monday 28 December: juniors and intermediates make Christmas crackers and take on The Grinch-Off. Seniors have A Minute to Grinch It!
Tuesday 29 December: juniors have their optional Bounce excursion and a campfire. Intermediates have the Fa-Who-Raze fashion show, with its “mean or kind” theme, while seniors play Quizmas.
Wednesday 30 December: juniors play How the Grinch Stole the Loot. Intermediates and seniors have their optional Bounce excursion and a campfire.
Thursday 31 December: juniors have You’ve Got a Minute to Grinch It, intermediates step into Whoville Wonderland and seniors have karaoke before the whole-camp New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Friday 1 January: juniors and intermediates have a pool party, while seniors gather for a beach bonfire.
Saturday 2 January: everyone comes together for the final campfire before heading home on Sunday.
Advanced Campers have a separate evening programme, including a meet-and-greet, pool party, S’mores and Chill, and Movie and Munch. A braai and Prouds, a local pizza place, are also on their Friday programme. Ask the bookings team about the Advanced Camper arrangements when booking.
Sugar Bay’s free-choice programme offers more than 100 activities, so there is plenty to do between Whoville’s appearances. Campers can choose interests such as surfing, BMX, climbing, arts and crafts, dance or team sports, subject to the programme, conditions and each activity’s age and ability requirements.
Fun at Sugar Bay.
New Year’s Eve at camp
Thursday evening starts with themed snacks, supper and green mint ice cream with red sprinkles. The age sections have their own evening activities before Cindy Lou adds the final piece to the heart and opens the party room.
Then it’s time for the carnival, with games, small sweet rewards and a savoury food stand to keep campers going. The fire show leads into the countdown to midnight, when everyone welcomes 2027 together in Whoville. There are still two more days of camp ahead before Sunday’s departure.
Explore the other December/January camps
For the full season, including Afro Beats Week (3–10 January 2027), see our camp dates and prices.
Booking Grinch Week
Choose the optional Bounce excursion when arranging your child’s booking, and confirm any transport you need with the team.
If this is your child’s first stay, our first-time parent guide explains how camp works. The parent FAQ covers cabin life, supervision and keeping in touch, and the packing guide will help you prepare together. Tell the team about dietary requirements before booking so they can confirm the arrangements for your child.
Book Grinch Week and select 27 December 2026–3 January 2027. For help with the booking or travel arrangements, WhatsApp Sugar Bay on 082 525 9503 or call 032 485 3778.
Programme details, dates and prices are subject to change. Confirm your chosen arrangements with the bookings team.
