Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
A Blooming Affair

A Blooming Affair 2024: Roedean School Hosts Their 13th Annual Garden and Craft Market

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Garden Month in Johannesburg this October? A Blooming Affair by Roedean School in Parktown is hosting their annual garden and market day event on Saturday, 5 October 2024 where visitors experience beautiful collections of floral exhibits and food and drink in a relaxed setting. We break down all you need to know about the event below.

A Blooming Affair

What is A Blooming Affair about?

A Blooming Affair is one of the highlights of our spring calendar and launched in 2010. This event celebrates the beauty of nature and the creativity of human hands and inspires crowds with breathtaking floral displays.

A Blooming Affair is hosted at Roedean School, Parktown and forms part of the Gardens of the Golden City initiative which invites the public to explore behind the walls and fences of Joburg’s best-kept gardens while raising funds for various charities.

5 Things to do at A Blooming Affair this year

For one day only, visitors can wander among the stalls, browsing the wares of talented artisans and craftspeople, or simply unwind in the beauty of the gardens. There is something for everyone at A Blooming Affair, from delicious food to bespoke quality goods to stunning displays of flora.

A Blooming Affair

Join for a garden tour with landscaper Heather Mansour

Landscaper Heather Mansour will be hosting a guided Garden Tour at 10am on Saturday. Mansour currently oversees the care of the Roedean gardens and will take guests on a journey of the plants and seasonal blooms at the green pocket.

A Blooming Affair

Browse new plant babies at the rose stall and plant market

The plant market is the perfect pitstop if you’re looking to add more green babies to your house and garden plants. Here you’ll find perennial trays, a gorgeous rose stall, herbs, plant pots and other gardening essentials to create your own green paradise at home. 

A Blooming Affair

Get your fill of food and drink at the Tea Garden

A range of food and drink offers are on the cards including easy eats from the market, afternoon tea and cake in the Tea Garden, or sip on bubbles and tuck into salmon confections at the bar.

A Blooming Affair

A dedicated play space for kids to get crafty

There will be a special supervised section for the little ones along with fun and exciting craft activities to keep them creatively busy.

markets in Johannesburg

Explore fashion, crockery and artisanal goods at the craft market + a book sale

Meet and browse a curated group of makers selling everything from fashion to bespoke quality goods, and much more. Visitors can wander among the stalls, browsing the wares of talented artisans and craftspeople, and revel in the beauty of the gardens. There will also be a bumper book market with good reads on offer.

live music

Live music performances by some of the school’s top talent

Roedean School’s finest talent in music will set the mood with live performances spanning various genres from 10am. On the programme are modern tunes from the Glee Club, both the Junior and Senior Marimbas will deliver joyful African sounds, an interlude with the flute ensemble, and an appearance from the Jazz Band. See the full schedule on Quicket.

More about the Roedean School garden

The featured garden is a stunning cornucopia of colour and delight that intertwines with the school’s 120-year history. Renowned horticulturist Anne Lorentz cultivated the magnificent garden at Roedean for over 35 years. Lorentz’s legacy was carried on by Fiorina and Selwyn Jansen, who developed the gardens for 12 years until 2021. During their tenure, the Jansens expanded on Lorentz’s legacy by adding new plants and features to the garden. 

Martine de la Harpe is the current landscaper who oversees the care of the Roedean gardens. She is committed to maintaining the garden’s beauty and heritage while introducing new elements that reflect the changing times.

Johannesburg

Gardening for a greater cause

At the heart of this year’s event lies the Roedean Academy, a noble cause powered by generous donors. The mission is clear: to extend educational support to scholars hailing from underprivileged schools. Roedean’s commitment has given rise to a world-class, sustainable learning hub tailored for girls from underserved communities.

Through a meaningful partnership with Barnato Park High School, they offer comprehensive tuition in subjects like Mathematics, English, Accounting, and Physical Science, reaching out to as many as 100 girls in Grades 8 to 12.

Roedean Academy’s overarching goal is to nurture the academic growth of talented young girls and pave their way towards a realm of boundless opportunities. Each student is meticulously nurtured and mentored, and while the exact measure of their development may be hard to quantify, the impact is nothing short of inspirational.

Many former students have been graced with full bursaries for tertiary education, while others have pursued careers in education, becoming inspiring teachers.

How to book tickets + need to know before you go

The event is family-friendly and open to all ages. Kids under 5 enter FREE. Limited parking is available at R25 per car, Uber/drop-off is encouraged. All tickets can be booked via Quicket.

This is a cashless event, cards are accepted.

A Blooming Affair is disabled-friendly with most sections of the event accessible by wheelchair. Reserved parking is available with the presentation of a permit and facilities at the venue. No pets are permitted at the event.

Cost: Online – Adults, R120pp. Pensioners and Children under 12, R75pp. Kids under 5 years enter free. Family of 4, R350. Book via Quicket

When: Saturday, 5 October from 9am 
Where: Roedean School, Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg

Website: abloomingaffair.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 647 3203
Facebook:
@ABloomingAffairGardenDay
Instagram: @ABloomingAffairGardenDay

See our guide to the top plant nurseries in Johannesburg

If you liked this article, you may also like:

What's On in Joburg

Join our exclusive newsletter where we carefully curate the best events, activities and experiences and deliver them right to your inbox!