Looking for Festive Season Jobs in December 2025? Here’s a full guide on where to find temporary holiday work in South Africa, including retail, events, hospitality, delivery, and online opportunities.

🎄 Introduction: The December Job Boom in South Africa

Every year, December becomes the busiest hiring month for temporary, part-time, and festive season work across South Africa. From shopping centres to restaurants, events, delivery services, and holiday destinations, thousands of employers urgently hire extra staff to manage peak traffic.

For students, job seekers, and anyone who needs quick income before 2026, festive season jobs offer flexible opportunities, no major experience requirements, and fast hiring.

This guide from GoIntern.co.za breaks down exactly where to find December temporary work in 2025 — with actionable tips, company lists, and the best places to apply.

🎁 Top Industries Hiring Festive Season Workers in December 2025

These sectors traditionally hire the most temporary staff during the holidays.

1. Retail Stores (The Biggest Festive Season Employer)

Almost every big retail chain hires extra workers for:

Cashiers
Floor assistants
Shelf packers
Stockroom staff
Customer service
Gift wrapping staff

Where to find retail festive jobs:

Woolworths
Pick n Pay
Checkers & Shoprite
Spar
Game & Makro
Mr Price
Ackermans
Foschini Group
Cotton On

Why it’s ideal:

No experience required
Higher December pay
Fast hiring

Expected pay:
R32 – R50 per hour

2. Shopping Malls & Holiday Trading Hours Jobs

Malls experience massive foot traffic and hire for:

Gift wrapping
Mall event staff
Security assistants
Customer service desks
Parking marshals

Where to apply:

Mall of Africa
Sandton City
Gateway
Canal Walk
Menlyn
Eastgate
V&A Waterfront

Most malls post these jobs on their websites or job boards inside the mall.

3. Restaurants, Hotels & Hospitality

December is peak tourism season, meaning hotels and restaurants hire aggressively.

Roles include:

Waiters
Runners
Host/hostess
Bartenders
Baristas
Kitchen assistants

Where to find these jobs:

Spur
Nando’s
KFC
McDonald’s
Steers
Wimpy
Hotels (Tsogo Sun, City Lodge, Marriott, Radisson)
Resorts & beachfront restaurants

Why it’s great:

High tips
Night shifts available
Perfect for students

Expected pay:
R25 – R45 per hour + tips

4. Events, Markets & Festivals

December has hundreds of events, including:

Concerts
Sports events
Christmas markets
New Year’s Eve festivals
Beach events
Pop-up vendor stalls

Roles include:

Registration staff
Ticket scanners
Ushers
Vendor assistants
Stage setup crew
Security support

Expected pay:
R500 – R1 500 per event

5. Delivery & Courier Jobs (Very High Demand in December)

Online shopping spikes during the festive season.

Platforms hiring temporary drivers or walkers:

Mr D
Uber Eats
Pick n Pay ASAP
Checkers Sixty60
Courier companies for gift deliveries

Role examples:

Bike/scooter delivery
Packaging assistants
Sorters & scanners

Expected pay:
R4 000 – R10 000+ (depending on hours)

6. Warehouse & Logistics Jobs

Retailers need help moving stock during the busy season.

Common roles:

Packers
Stock controllers
Scanners
Loading assistants
Dispatch clerks

Companies that hire:

Takealot
Superbalist
PEP distribution
Mr Price distribution
Courier warehouses

7. Promotions & Brand Ambassador Jobs

December is huge for promotional campaigns.

Roles include:

Sampling staff
In-store promotions
Mall activations
Roadshows

Brands that hire:

Red Bull
Coca-Cola
MTN & Vodacom
Cosmetic brands
Clothing launches

Pay:
R400 – R1 000 per day

8. Babysitting & Holiday Childcare Jobs

Parents need childminders during holiday activities, especially December events and shopping.

Requirements:

Good with kids
Responsible
First aid (bonus but not required)

Pay:
R80 – R120 per hour
or
R300 – R600 per day

9. Lifeguard & Beach Jobs (Coastal Cities)

Popular in:

Durban
Cape Town
Gqeberha
East London

Roles include:

Assistant lifeguards
Beach security
Beach cleaners
Holiday safety patrols

Pay:
R100 – R180 per hour

10. Online & Remote December Jobs (Work From Home)

These options allow flexible holiday work:

✔ Data entry

✔ Virtual assistant

✔ Online tutoring

✔ Social media posting

✔ Freelance design or writing

Pay:
R80 – R200 per hour depending on skill

🎯 Best Places to Apply for December Temporary Work

Here is where to actively look:

1. GoIntern.co.za

Your best source for festive season jobs, student work, and December hiring updates.

2. Company Career Websites

Most retailers post festive hiring here.

Examples:
✔ Woolworths careers
✔ Mr Price careers
✔ Pick n Pay jobs
✔ Shoprite Group careers
✔ Dis-Chem jobs

3. Malls & Shopping Centre Websites

Search for:
“Centre Management Jobs” or “Festive Season Jobs”

4. Job Platforms

Indeed
CareerJunction
PNet
JobMail

(Many temporary jobs are posted here in November–December.)

5. Social Media Groups

Facebook job groups
WhatsApp Community job groups
TikTok job announcements

These are extremely active around December.

6. Walk-In Applications

Retailers LOVE walk-in applicants in December.

Best times:

Weekdays before 1PM
First week of December

Bring:

CV
Copy of ID
Friendly attitude

Tips to Get Hired Fast in December 2025

1. Apply NOW

Retailers and restaurants hire early December — don’t wait until the 20th.

2. Make your CV simple & clear

Contact info
Availability
Customer service skills
School achievements

3. Be available for:

Weekends
Public holidays
Evening shifts

4. Dress neatly when applying in person

First impressions matter.

5. Check your email & WhatsApp daily

Most festive jobs contact you quickly.

Final Thoughts

December 2025 is the best month to find temporary work in South Africa. Retail stores, delivery platforms, events, malls, hotels, and restaurants urgently need extra staff — and thousands of students get hired each year.

Use GoIntern.co.za to stay updated with the latest festive season vacancies, application guides, and part-time job listings.

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