After a long break from blogging I’m back. The silence and down-time happened while our website was being revamped – take a look at the new ‘cleaner’ look and feel. Thank you Simon and Sharon at S2Websolutions. . We love the more friendly navigation through the site And, thanks to a wonderfully generous brother, I skived off to Europe and the UK for a 5 week cultural orgy of museums, architecture, music and theatre. The Liz at Lancaster team was amazing while I was away, earning heaps of praise and positive feedback from guests. I stayed in touch with guests to give local knowledge of things to do and see in Jozi. One group wanted information on local markets particularly, and as they were here over the weekend, they were spoilt for choice. The information was clearly useful for them so I have added to it in this blog below.
Weekly Markets
The Bryanston Organic Market has been going for 38 years now and it really is Johannesburg’s original outdoor market. As its name suggests – everything is organic – delicious food to eat at crude wooden tables and benches, there are also goodies to take home as well as wonderful clothes all made from natural fabric. Unlike some other markets it is not very big so is not overwhelming. In warm weather they have moonlight markets on a Tuesday evening closest to the full moon, as well as evening markets in the lead up to Christmas. And if you miss out on the market on a Thursday, it is also open Saturdays 9 – 3pm 40. You can find them at Culross Road Bryanston.
The Saturday market in Braamfontien has a very different feel. In the heart of the student area, right next to Wits, it attracts a much younger crowd. The Playground at 73 Juta Street replaces the Covid Lockdown casualty of Neighbourgoods Market. The force behind this new venture (open 29th Jan 2022) is Adam Levy, who also started Neighbourgoods, and who has brought together a team of specialists to “curate every aspect of the experience – combining food, art, design, fashion, and music”. Whilst in Braamies, it’s worth taking the opportunity to see what’s on at the many art galleries in Juta street as well as at Wits Art Museum [WAM] over the road on the corner of Jan Smuts Ave.
In 2020 the Fourways Farmers market moved from its namesake to a new venue in the Modderfontein Nature Reserve next to a hiking and bike trail. Open every Saturday and Sunday from 9-6 pm, there’s an open-air food market with more than 100 vendors, a beer garden, the “longest bar in South Africa”, lots of different seating options and picnic areas many of which look across the dam to the open veldt of the Reserve , and a kid’s playground and entertainment area. It’s a wonderful family weekend escape from the jostle and grit of urban living or the bland sameness of enclosed Malls.
What used to be called the Rosebank Rooftop Market is now the Rosebank Sunday Market and it’s a fabulous place to browse, eat, drink and relax. It is better laid out than before – more spacious and with the different sections well sign-posted – from the Food Court to African Curios to a Vintage section where there’s lots of vinyl on offer as well as bric-a-brac and second hand trinkets. Visitors to Joburg can get some great African curios, clothing and accessories. There’s live music and some wonderful buskers. Entrance is free every Sunday, from 9am – 4pm at Rosebank Mall, 20 Baker St, Rosebank. Visit their Facebook page to keep up-to-date with the latest news and information. If you are not able to visit on a Sunday try the Rosebank African Art and Craft Market open daily in the Rosebank Mall.
Monthly Markets
First Sunday
When it first opened in 2017 I visited the newly revamped Victoria Yards. Victoria Yards was a dilapidated light industrial complex in Lorentzville, originally housing the New York Steam Laundry. Brian Green of 44 Stanley fame, saw the potential for a communal artisanal space as well as a food farm and entertainment space. There is a monthly First Sunday Market market every first Sunday. There are tours of the designers’ and artists’ studios the most well-known being James Delaney (of The Wilds fame)
Second Saturday
The Field Market holds markets on the second Saturday of every month. There is the usual foodie fare of deli stalls and gourmet food as well as local and handmade products (no imported products are allowed). It is child friendly with a play area and paid activities like horse rides and ceramic painting. The November and December market days will be Christmas markets.
First Sunday
South Africa’s longest running monthly Antique & Collectables fair and one of the biggest of its kind which has 40 to 50 top dealers exhibiting every first Sunday of the month from 10- 4 , inside the mall behind the statue of Nelson Mandela. There’s a range of items –vintage jewelry and accessories , ornaments, furniture, silver, glassware, collective memorabilia and unusual quirky little treasures.
Seasonal Markets
The Linden Market is a 2 day quarterly outdoor market held at the Emmarentia Botanical Gardens in Johannesburg. Gates open from 9 am – 4:30 pm on both days. It’s a great place for gift shopping with some unusual offereings that are not widely found. But, it is very extensive with loud music so can be a bit daunting if you want a quiet stroll!! The markets are held in March, June, September, and December. The remaining 2 markets in 2024 are:
- Spring Edition 31 Aug – 1 Sept 2024
- Festive Edition 30 Nov – 1 Dec 2024
Secure parking is available at Roosevelt High School at R20 per car. Dogs are welcome (on-leash). Tickets R50pp (available online and at the gate).
And finally there are always loads of Christmas Markets which are advertised nearer the time. A few of these are:
- Glenshiel in Westcliff, which is keeps itself very exclusive so public information is quite difficult to access
- the Parkview Christmas market at the George Hay Park which is always great fun and raises money for charity. They also raise money for charity at an annual Potjiekos competition in July with lots of good cheer and friendly banter.
These are only the largest markets. Jozi is full of local pop-up neighbourhood markets which sell home-made food and deliciousnesses, homemade crafts, second-hand books, bric-a-brac and trinkets, so be sure to ask a local in the know for more specific information.