George Garden & Lifestyle Expo - A three-day celebration of plants, design and community

George, Western Cape — 26 - 28 September 2025 — The Garden Route’s newest festival of plants, craft and practical green living opens this September when the inaugural George Garden & Lifestyle Expo transforms the Garden Route Botanical Garden into a three-day celebration of immersive show gardens, rare-plant displays, hands-on learning and family-friendly entertainment.

Running 26–28 September 2025, the Expo brings together nurseries and growers, a curated marketplace of makers, practical masterclasses, free expert talks, children’s activities and local music — all designed to inspire better living, learning and outdoor activities, gardening and stronger local connections.

“Everything starts with an idea, and everything grows from community,” said Lizl van Rooyen, Event Manager. “This Expo is a local festival with regional reach: an opportunity for people to discover our distinctive plant life, learn useful skills they can apply at home, and support the growers and makers who nurture the Garden Route.”

What’s on
Across three days visitors can expect a lively mix of inspiration, learning and celebration:

• Immersive Show Gardens & Landscaping Competition — Designer mini-gardens showcasing regional planting palettes, low-water techniques and creative reuse; visitors vote for the People’s Choice winner.
• Nursery Exhibition — Meet growers exhibiting clivia hybrids, fynbos, proteas and sculptural succulents.
• Workshops & Masterclasses — Exciting practical, bookable sessions led by leading practitioners (fees apply; book in advance). Highlights include Biodome Terrarium, Fynbos Essential Oils, Indigenous Tincture-Making and Land Art.
• Free Pavilion Talks & Guided Walks — Expert discussions on conservation, seed saving, vegetable gardening and more; daily guided garden walks (dog-friendly).
• Kids Zone & Youth Market — Botanical drawing competitions, terrarium labs, scavenger hunts and a Youth Entrepreneurs market (ages 9–17). Kids under 13 attend free.
• Music & Lifestyle — Local bands in the garden, morning yoga, artisan food and drink, and a series of lifestyle activations.

Weekend programme highlights (selection)

• Friday, 26 September — Clivia judging and medal ceremony; Biodome Terrarium with Lizl van Rooyen (R850); Wild Fermented Soda with Cecily Pohl (R750); Birds of Prey presentation; seed saving and organic vegetable talks.
• Saturday, 27 September — Yoga in the Garden; Chinese Penjing workshop; Interspecific Clivia Breeding; Fynbos Essential Oils (Love Wild, R750); Indigenous Tincture-Making (R450); Clivia Collectors Auction.
• Sunday, 28 September — Closing ceremony and Landscape Awards with Nikki Jackman Joy; Land Art Workshop with Janet Botes (R230); live music and the closing of the Clivia Show.

The full programme and workshop booking links are live at www.georgeexpo.co.za. Workshops are ticketed separately and have limited capacity.

Tickets & offers

• Day Pass: R100
• Weekend Pass (3 days): R250
• Kids under 13: FREE

Tickets and workshop bookings are available now at www.georgeexpo.co.za. Members of the Garden Route Botanical Gardens may claim an exclusive R20 discount — please contact the Gardens for details.

Opportunities for business & community partners
Vendor and sponsorship spaces are limited. A tiered programme offers visibility and tailored activations for organisations of all sizes. Interested vendors, workshop leaders and sponsors should enquire promptly via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Media accreditation
Members of the press are invited to apply for accreditation and complimentary press access. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a press pack and high-resolution imagery. Complimentary media and VIP passes may be requested.

Practical information

• Venue: Garden Route Botanical Garden (George)
• Parking: On-site parking available; follow volunteer directions on arrival.
• Accessibility: Mostly level paths; contact us for assistance.
• Visitor note: Daily workshops are ticketed separately; free talks, live music, guided walks and Kid Zone activities are included with your pass.

About George Garden & Lifestyle Expo
The George Garden & Lifestyle Expo is a three-day festival celebrating plant diversity, sustainable ideas and community enterprise in the Garden Route. Hosted at the Garden Route Botanical Garden, the Expo curates show gardens, education and family programming that inspire homeowners, growers and designers to create greener, more resilient landscapes.

For media enquiries, interviews or high-res assets: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tickets & programme: www.georgeexpo.co.za