There’s a constant hustle and bustle this year for Spring Day in Johannesburg, intensified by all-round fair weather. As we head into the new season, our lineup of events and experiences all offer endless possibilities for adrenaline seekers, lazy bones and everyone in between.
Pack a picnic basket for parks and gardens in Joburg
There’s a beautiful range of botanical gardens and parks in Johannesburg to explore regardless of the season. Joburg is known as a city of art lovers, a buzzy nightlife, and popular neighbourhood locals, but sometimes you want a little break from all the noise and to fill your lungs with fresh air and your eyes with the sight of some gorgeous greenery. When you’re craving a little Mother Nature, head to one of these lush urban oases.
See our full guide to gardens and parks here
Take the entire family to support little vendors at the Fourways Mall Kids Market
The Fourways Mall Kids Market offers a special opportunity for kids to launch their creative ideas and sell their products or services to enthusiastic shoppers. And in a broader sense, the concept helps to build on their confidence, financial literacy, and networking skills.
This family-friendly market forms part of the Fourways Mall Monthly Market. Here you’ll find artisanal, homemade and customised gifting, yummy treats to nibble on while you browse, and much more.
Cost: Free entrance
When: Saturday, 31 August from 11am to 3pm
Where: Fourways Mall Centre Court, 11 Ruby Cl, Witkoppen, Sandton
Click here to read more and register your little one as a vendor!
Sunday lunch with live music and all the works
You’ll need to reserve your space in advance for Sunday lunch at The Avenue in Kempton Park. The signature restaurant at Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre O.R. Tambo serves a buffet experience curated by Executive Chef Johan van Rooyen and his team on the first Sunday of each month.
When the sun is out and the air is warm, head to the poolside for relaxation with friends and family, or in cooler weather head indoors to the warm restaurant space and be serenaded by a soulful saxophone to set the mood for the evening and the new week ahead. The experience includes a welcoming drink, your choice from a selection of Sunday lunch mains and desserts through a fresh lens, all served buffet style.
Cost: R295pp, includes a welcome drink, main course and dessert served buffet-style. Book online via email [email protected] or call 011 100 4436
When: Every First Sunday of the month, from 12pm to 3pm
Where: Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre O.R. Tambo, 3rd Ave, Bredell AH, Kempton Park
Outdoor wellness and dance with Secret Sunrise JHB
Secret Sunrise JHB hosts another fun community session to help ring in Spring Day in Johannesburg. Celebrate the changing of the seasons in Sandton on Sunday, 1 September.
To mark the start of Spring, participants are given headsets and are guided by facilitators through an experience that incorporates meditation and dance. All ages, genders, and fitness levels are welcome and attendees are urged to bring along water.
Cost: Adults, R125pp, Kids R80. Book via Quicket
When: Sunday, 1 September from 8.30am to 9.30am
Where: Design Quarter Shopping Centre, William Nicol Dr &, Leslie Ave, Magaliessig, Sandton
Learn all about Cap Classiques at this guided food and wine pairing
The Cape Wine Academy is hosting a Cap Classique First Star Course at Indaba Hotel. Wine lovers can join this first-level experience hosted by a Cape Wine Master. Just a few hours and lots of bubbles will leave you feeling inspired to discover, to share and to live with Cap Classique style.
The experience starts with a guided journey into Cap Classique, how it’s made, what makes it unique and how best to cellar, serve and match it with food for ultimate enjoyment
Guests can then taste 10 different Cap Classiques in all sorts of ways that will blow your mind and 4 styles of Cap Classique with a perfect food pairing.
Cost: R850pp, including a food and wine pairing. Book online
When: Saturday, 31 August from 10am to 1pm
Where: Indaba Hotel, William Nicol Drive, Pieter Wenning Road Johannesburg, Fourways, Sandton
The Linden Market is back with a Spring edition
The Linden Market is a quarterly community market that prides itself in being a lucrative platform for makers, designers, musicians and entrepreneurs. The market has over 160 stalls selling locally made products. It showcases artists and musicians and is set in the Botanical Gardens of Emmarentia.
Guests can enjoy various activities or share market food and craft drinks while supporting local makers. Products range from ceramics and handmade clothing to stationery and skincare products. The market also has entertainment for children alongside dedicated play areas.
Cost: From R50pp | Free (u/12s), book via The Linden Market
When: Saturday, 31 August and Sunday, 1 September from 9am to 4.30pm
Where: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Olifants Rd, Emmarentia, Randburg
Japanese street food and family-friendly feels at the Almond Blossom Festival
The Field Berry Farm out in Walkerville is opening its almond orchard for Joburg to walk through the beautiful spring blooms. The festival runs over two weekends and gives guests the chance to try a 1.5km walk through the blossoming almond trees.
Afterwards, head to the food stalls and treat yourself to a range of Japanese-inspired street food. Visitors can discover Japanese poetry and artwork at seven different stations. The goal for children is to find all seven stations and stamp the unique icons on the map at each station.
No walk-ins will be accommodated, and tickets must be booked online and in advance.
At the farm stall, The Field Berry Farm sell a range of delicious baked goods as well as homemade raspberry products such as raspberry jam, craft beer, and frozen yoghurt.
Cost: Entrance fee is R55pp for adults, and R45pp for kids, and kids under 2yrs enter free. Tickets must be booked online via thefieldberryfarm.com
When: Saturday, 31 August and Sunday, 1 September from 9am to 3pm
Where: The Field Berry Farm, De Deur, 1876, Walkerville
A Spring Day Sparkling Wine special at the Victoria Yards Market
On the First Sunday of every month, Victoria Yards hosts a vibey market event with loads of fun things to do, from food to drinks and dancefloor grooving. This weekend, they are taking things up a notch with their Spring Sparkling Wine tasting, giving you access to some of the amazing Methode Cap Classiques made in South Africa and curated Proseccos.
Cost: R120pp, tickets must be purchased at the entrance
When: Sunday, 1 September from 10am to 4:30pm
Where: Victoria Yards, 16 Viljoen Street, Lorentzenville, Johannesburg
Read more about the event here
KAMERS is taking over Steyn City
True to the KAMERS/Makers way, they’re bringing dozens of brand new Makers to Joburg, with dozens of brand-new, first-time artisans on show. You can look forward to some amazing new talents in fashion, food, wellness, jewellery, décor and much more.
There will also be food stalls, cute bars for G&Ts and other drinks, and lots more. The event is not pet-friendly, but dogs must be leashed. And although tickets are available at the door, it’s best to book online if you want to ditch the queue.
Cost: R80pp online via Quicket or R100 at the door and include a free KM shopping bag
When: Running from 31 August to 1 September. Daily, from 9am to 5pm
Where: Steyn City, Upper Piazza, 211 Central Ln, Riverglen, Midrand
Enjoy wine, art and music at the Henley WAM Festival
Stop by the two-day Henley WAM (Wine, Arts and Music) Festival event and enjoy a wine showcase and tasting, quality music, and beautiful art.
Each attendee receives a complementary Henley WAM Festival wine glass, included in the ticket price. The ticket is valid for one person to use on both Saturday and Sunday and cannot be transferred to another person. Each ticket entitles the holder to one wine glass for the entire weekend and one tasting card per person for the weekend.
Cost: From R150pp to R170pp. Book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 31 August and Sunday, 1 September | Saturday from 9am to 5pm | Sunday from 9am to 2pm
Where: Henley on Klip, Meyerton
Play classic carnival games at the Funtasia Vintage Carnival
The Funtasia Vintage Carnival invites you to experience the thrill of escape rooms, the charm of carnival games, the suspense of bingo, the wit of quizzes, the hilarity of comedy, and the magic of music, all in one space. There is also a chance to show off your creativity and compete for the title of carnival couture champion.
Cost: R50pp to R350pp. Book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 31 August from 9am to 5pm
Where: Picolinos, 42 Witkoppen Rd, Fourways, Sandton
Welcome spring with a Gin and Jazz brunch
Lieu De Grace welcomes you to celebrate the start of a new season with a special jazz brunch experience at their scenic venue. Guests get to unwind and enjoy the inviting ambience of the chic warehouse venue, savour the culinary delights of a hearty brunch buffet, and sip on a craft gin cocktail. All while listening to mood-setting vibrant live jazz by André J Fischer, a singer and trumpeter known to set the perfect party atmosphere.
Each adult ticket includes one craft gin or beer, a brunch buffet, and entertainment.
Cost: Adults, R295pp | Kids u/12, R150pp | Book via Quicket
When: Sunday, 1 September from 11am to 2pm
Where: Lieu De Grace Venue, 172B College Rd, Krugersdorp
Indulge in a chef-curated wine and food experience with ‘Back to Thy Heritage’ Fine Dining
Join Chef Kagiso as he hosts his ‘Back to Thy Heritage’ fine dining experience, inviting foodies and wine enthusiasts for a mouthwatering three-course lunch with wine pairing. The afternoon starts with welcome drinks and each course is perfectly paired with a delightful wine from Siwela Wines and introduced in detail by the chef.
Cost: R550pp. Book via Quicket
When: Sunday, 1 September from 12pm to 4.30pm
Where: The Cooking Studio, 31 Church St, Johannesburg North, Randburg
Find vintage treasures at the Sandton Antique Fair
Visit the Antique Fair at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton and find all things treasured, vintage, and indie, or grab the opportunity to hunt down that perfect bespoke or bygone-era piece of your dreams.
One of the most popular vintage markets in Johannesburg, the antique fair brings together over 70 of Johannesburg’s serious collectors and vintage purveyors, offering vintage collector pieces, stylish preloved gems such as authentic Louis Vuitton handbags, millinery creations, as well as quirky bits and pieces, jewellery and fashion.
Cost: Free entry
When: Sunday, 1 September 2024 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Nelson Mandela Square, Rivonia Road and 5th Street, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg
Read more about the market here
Shop valuable vintage at The Antique Fair at Brooklyn Mall
Vintage collectors and enthusiasts are invited to explore a massive line of precious finds at this monthly market. With up to 20 of Gauteng’s most prominent antique dealers displaying thousands of rare pieces to view and purchase, you can shop everything from vintage designer fashion, jewellery and accessories, to antique interior fixtures and Art Deco furniture.
Cost: Free entry
When: Saturday, 31 August 2024 from 9am to 3pm
Where: The Atrium at Brooklyn Mall, Corner of Veale Street and, Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria
Read more about the market here
Stop by Market @TheSheds, Pretoria’s hippest inner-city market
Hosted at the trendy, multi-space precinct development of 012central, the vibe at Market @TheSheds has a laid-back African urban feel to it that visitors will absolutely revel in. Stop by and have access to 60+ food, drink and craft vendors, 7 live bands and performers, pop-up art exhibitions, creative activations and an open stage where local artists create a laid-back, acoustic, jazzy atmosphere.
Kids, Vespa riders and cyclists enter free.
Cost: R50pp before 2pm, and R100pp thereafter
When: Saturday, 31 August from 11am to 6pm
Where: 012 Central, Helen Joseph Street, Pretoria Central, Pretoria
