- Garden Town Stellenbosch returns for a weeklong celebration of nature and community
- This year’s theme, Common Ground, aims to foster community connection and a shared love of gardening while painting the town Viva Magenta
Garden Town Stellenbosch, one of the country’s most prominent garden lifestyle celebrations, is set to return from 27 October to 5 November 2023. This year’s edition promises to be a remarkable milestone for South Africa’s beloved village of Oaks, offering a fusion of vibrant botanical displays, insightful workshops, engaging talks, and unique garden tours.
Under the theme “Common Ground,” Garden Town Stellenbosch seeks to celebrate the universal love of gardening and to foster a stronger, more connected community. The festival will explore the shared passion for gardening and the deep sense of belonging it creates among individuals from diverse backgrounds.
“Supporting communities and nurturing relationships around the shared love of gardening and our beautiful outdoors not only cultivates vibrant landscapes but also fosters connections that can blossom into lifelong bonds” says Gesie van Deventer, Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch. “It reminds us that our roots are intertwined with those around us, and just like a tiny seed grows into a flourishing plant, cultivating determination and nurturing dreams can lead to success in life, where each effort contributes to a thriving environment for all.”
Jeanneret Momberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch, also expresses her excitement for the upcoming event, saying, “Garden Town Stellenbosch is more than just a festival; it’s an embodiment of our collective love for gardening and our commitment to building strong, interconnected communities. With this year’s theme of ‘Common Ground,’ we aim to highlight the universal appeal of gardening while emphasising the importance of shared spaces that bring people together.”
Attendees will be able to experience the magic of Garden Town Stellenbosch, with vibrant swatches of Viva Magenta, the Pantone Colour of the Year 2023. They can immerse themselves in a world painted in the captivating shades of this vivid colour, as the town transforms into a living canvas of creativity and inspiration – don your best magenta outfit and join the Flower Parade on 31 October.
The event’s epicentre, the Stellenbosch Town Hall, will host an Inner Eden – a botanical-inspired art exhibition curated by the Voice Collective, a bespoke curated range of art and products echoing the voice of hope. PJ Olivier Art Centre will showcase an exhibition of learners’ artwork themed “Bursting into Flower.” Adding to the floral splendour, the Western Cape Association of Flower Arrangers will present the Viva Magenta Floral Art Show from 1 to 5 November. The Town Hall will also host the STS Floral Night Run on 1 November and Rosé Soiree on 4 November.
What sets Garden Town Stellenbosch apart is its de-centralised format, encompassing workshops, talks, and tours across various locations. The event offers exclusive opportunities to explore private and home gardens on 27 and 28 October and again on 3 and 4 November. This unique experience allows visitors to witness a diverse spectrum of gardens, from expansive farm landscapes to compact housing project green spaces. Also, on show are 11 open or public gardens throughout the celebration.
The ‘Weekend Passport,’ priced at R200, grants unrestricted access to the showcased gardens throughout the respective weekends.
Participation in Garden Town Stellenbosch is not limited to garden enthusiasts. The festival invites local restaurants to offer garden and plant-inspired menu items, complemented by creative window displays and outdoor decorations. Additionally, visitors can enjoy rosé-themed promotions and activations, as well as accommodation offers. So, it’s easy to stay over and fully embrace this annual celebration of gardens and the great outdoors.
The programme lineup of workshops, talks, and tours is set to be a highlight. Attendees can indulge in a range of experiences, including the Babylonstoren Specials Collection tour by Ernst van Jaarsveld, a Drawing Workshop by Diane Harper using natural paint hosted by Dylan Lewis, Gelli Plate monoprinting with Hermien van der Merwe, Spier’s Fabulous Fungi & Food Experience, Grow your Own Microgreens workshop at Lanzerac, and more.
Nature enthusiasts can enjoy Hazendal Garden Walks, Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden Guided Tours, Nature and Wine Walks with plant expert Cobus Smit, or a Sunset Walk at Glenelly followed by dinner at The Vine Bistro. The Garden Town Wrap-Up MTB ride for Renosterveld, hosted at Jordan Wine Farm, is a fitting finale.
The comprehensive programme for Garden Town Stellenbosch is available on gardentown.visitstellenbosch.org from today.
About Garden Town Stellenbosch
Garden Town Stellenbosch is an annual garden lifestyle showcase that celebrates the beauty of gardening and fosters community connections. Through a range of activities, Garden Town Stellenbosch promotes sustainability, supports local businesses, and creates opportunities for people to learn from each other. To learn more, visit gardentown.visitstellenbosch.org.
About Visit Stellenbosch
Visit Stellenbosch is the Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) unifying all Stellenbosch tourism stakeholders under one umbrella with the objective of growing the tourism and experience economy in Stellenbosch for the benefit of all communities. The mission of Visit Stellenbosch is to inspire visitors to stay longer, do more and visit again. In doing this we strive to unlock tourism potential, enhance our national and international image, and create more opportunities for our communities to thrive.