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, 3 October 2026 where visitors experience beautiful collections of floral exhibits and food and drink in a relaxed setting.
What is A Blooming Affair about?
A Blooming Affair is one of the highlights of our spring calendar and was 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.
Join for a garden tour with landscaper Heather Mansour
Landscaper Heather Mansour will be hosting a complimentary guided garden tour at 10am on Saturday. Mansour currently oversees the care of the Roedean gardens and will take guests on a journey through the plants and seasonal blooms at the green pocket.
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.
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 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.
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.
Experience the Roedean Art Fair whilst you’re at it!
This year, A Blooming Affair is running alongside the Roedean Art Fair, where guests can enjoy creative spaces, view art installations of students’ work, discover new artists, experience art talks and more.
The Roedean Art Fair 2026 aims to highlight the importance of creativity and creative spaces that reflect the school and the world.
Cost: From R50pp per day; from R130pp for a weekend pass; from R25pp for kids aged 6 to 12; from R350pp for the cocktail evening on Thursday, 1 October. Book via Book tickets for Roedean Art Fair 2026
When: Thursday, 1 October 2026 from 10am to 3pm (opening cocktail event from 5.30pm to 9pm. Friday, 2 October 2026 from 10am to 9pm. Saturday, 3 October 2026 from 9am to 8pm
Where: Roedean School (SA) – Gymnasium, 35 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg
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.
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.
Heather Mansour, the owner of Styleview Gardens, is the current landscaper, overseeing the care of the Roedean gardens.
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 are 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 6 enter free. All tickets can be booked.
This is a cashless event; cards are accepted. Note that on-campus parking package tickets are also available at R200pp (includes parking and one admission) or R300 for two including parking.
A Blooming Affair is disabled-friendly, with most sections of the event accessible by wheelchair. No pets are permitted at the event.
Cost: From R120pp; R75pp (pensioners and kids 6 to 12); R350 family combo (two adults + two kids); from R25pp (raffle entry). Book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 3 October 2026 from 9am to 4pm
Where: Roedean School, Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg
Website: abloomingaffair.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 647 3203
Facebook: @ABloomingAffairGardenDay
Instagram: @ABloomingAffairGardenDay
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