The Linden Market returns to the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia for its much-loved Winter Edition on the weekend of 30 and 31 May 2026. This popular pet-friendly market weaves together everything locals have come to love about one of the city’s favourite seasonal outings. From handcrafted fashion and vintage finds to gourmet food stalls, live music and creative workshops, the market has built a strong reputation for celebrating local talent and independent makers in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Whether you’re coming for the food, the fashion, the music or simply the vibe, here are 10 things to keep an eye out for at this year’s Winter Edition:
1. Explore over 150 local makers and stalls
With more than 150 local makers and independent labels setting up shop for the weekend, The Linden Market places strong emphasis on supporting small businesses, ethical production and handcrafted goods.
Visitors can browse everything from ceramics, jewellery and home décor to slow fashion, skincare products, accessories, stationery and art prints. One of the joys of the market is meeting the people behind the products and hearing the stories behind their work.
2. Go hungry for a fabulous array of food stalls
One of the biggest draws at The Linden Market is the food offering, which spans everything from indulgent comfort meals and loaded street food to lighter artisanal bites and sweet treats. The market has become known for a strong mix of independent food traders, making it one of the best places to casually graze your way through an afternoon.
Expect gourmet burgers, freshly baked pastries, wood-fired dishes, loaded fries, sweet treats and warming winter flavours perfect for the colder weather. There’s also plenty for vegetarians, snack lovers and adventurous eaters wanting to try something new.
3. Creative Workshops for hands-on fun
The Linden Market isn’t only about browsing stalls. Visitors can also take part in a range of interactive workshops that encourage people to get creative themselves. These sessions add an experiential element to the weekend and are ideal for anyone wanting to try something different.
Workshops range from tufting and clay sessions to craft activities and DIY-style experiences designed for beginners and hobbyists alike. It’s a chance to make something with your own hands while supporting local creatives sharing their skills.
4. Vintage Shopping and Thrift Finds
The thrifting and pre-loved fashion section continues to grow in popularity with every edition of the market. It’s one of the best places to browse for unique fashion pieces, vintage jackets, accessories and hidden gems you won’t easily find in malls. Many of the traders focus on sustainability, upcycling and curated second-hand fashion, making the experience feel more personal and environmentally conscious.
5. Deli treats at The Tea Garden
The Tea Garden has become one of the quieter little gems of the market experience. It offers a slightly slower and more relaxed atmosphere where visitors can settle in with a coffee, pastry or baked treat away from the buzz of the main pathways.
Think flaky pastries, cakes, homemade bakes and comforting warm drinks served beneath the trees. It’s the kind of space where people end up lingering far longer than expected while catching up with friends or simply soaking in the winter sunshine.
6. Date-a-Dog encounters with CLAW
One of the most heartwarming parts of The Linden Market is the Date-a-Dog initiative hosted with CLAW. The activation allows visitors to meet rescue dogs currently looking for loving homes while helping raise awareness around animal welfare and adoption.
Even if you’re not ready to adopt, spending time with the dogs has become a favourite experience for many marketgoers. It adds a genuine sense of community and purpose to the event while giving rescue animals valuable social interaction and visibility.
7. The Art Café Experience
The Art Café brings a playful and social energy to the market on the weekend. Equal parts creative escape and laid-back hangout, it gives visitors a chance to slow down and enjoy a more mindful activity between shopping and eating.
Guests can paint, sip drinks and create their own artworks in a casual environment that feels welcoming even if you don’t consider yourself artistic. It’s one of the market’s more relaxed attractions and perfect for friend groups, couples or anyone wanting a softer pace to the day.
8. The OnePlan Pet Selfie Booth
The market’s pet-friendly atmosphere remains one of its standout features. The OnePlan Pet Selfie Booth adds a fun touch for visitors wanting to capture memories with their furry companions while spending the day outdoors.
Dogs are welcome throughout the market provided they remain on leads, and water stations are available around the venue. The selfie booth has become a favourite stop for pet owners wanting to document their market adventures together.
9. Live Entertainment and Music
The soundtrack to The Linden Market is just as important as the stalls themselves. Throughout the weekend, local musicians and performers bring a vibrant atmosphere to the gardens, helping shape the relaxed social energy the market is known for.
The live entertainment ranges from acoustic performances and upbeat local acts to easy-going background music that complements the outdoor setting. It’s the sort of environment where strangers end up dancing together on the lawns while food and drinks circulate freely.
10. Family-Friendly Kids Activities
The Linden Market has built a reputation as one of Johannesburg’s more family-friendly weekend events. Beyond the shopping and food, there are plenty of activities specifically designed to keep younger visitors entertained throughout the day.
Creative play areas, arts and crafts activities and interactive workshops give children space to engage and explore while parents enjoy the rest of the market at a slower pace. It helps make the experience feel genuinely welcoming for all ages.
The story behind The Linden Market
What started as a smaller community market in Linden has steadily grown into one of Johannesburg’s best-loved seasonal markets. Founded in 2015 as a platform for local makers, designers, food vendors and creative entrepreneurs, The Linden Market was created around the idea of encouraging people to “swap malls for markets” and support local businesses.
Originally hosted in Linden itself, the market eventually outgrew the suburb and relocated to the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam precinct, where it now hosts four major editions every year. The move allowed the event to expand significantly while still maintaining its community-driven spirit.
Today, the market attracts thousands of visitors each season and has become known for its mix of artisanal shopping, food culture, live entertainment and family-friendly experiences set against one of Johannesburg’s most beautiful green spaces.
Need to know before you go
Cost: R70pp, book via Quicket. Kids under 12 enter free. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate
When: Saturday, 30 May and Sunday, 31 May, from 9am to 4:30pm
Where: The Botanical Garden, 45 Thomas Bowler St, Franklin Roosevelt Park, Randburg
Website: thelindenmarket.com
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 079 509 6446
Instagram: @thelindenmarket
Facebook: @thelindenmarket
