Weekend Escapes
Text & images by Vicky Brown & Anna van Duren
The Annual Garden Show
5–6 Sep 2026
Parklands Business Venue,
Borrowdale, Harare
Every September, Harare’s gardening community comes together for one of the city’s best-loved lifestyle events. The Annual Garden Show celebrates gardening, sustainability, outdoor living and local creativity, bringing together gardeners, landscapers, nurseries, designers, home enthusiasts, food vendors and artisans in a vibrant outdoor setting.
This year’s show promises more than 100 exhibitors, including 15 new landscapers, magnificent ceramic pots, fabulous local and imported fresh flowers and even 1,000-year-old ready-to-plant olive trees. Visitors can also explore garden inspiration displays, outdoor décor, artisan products and landscaping showcases while enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere, a food court featuring local producers and a growing collection of home and lifestyle exhibitors.
A long-standing fixture on Harare’s events calendar, the Annual Garden Show continues to celebrate green spaces, horticulture and the local businesses helping shape Zimbabwe’s outdoor lifestyle.
The Old Stables Market
Every Saturday
Old Stables Market,
Borrowdale Racecourse, Harare
For those looking to experience Harare like a local, the Old Stables Market has become one of the city’s favourite Saturday destinations. Located near Borrowdale Racecourse, the weekly market combines artisan shopping, fresh produce, speciality foods and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere that attracts both residents and visitors.
Around 120 stalls showcase handmade crafts, locally produced gifts, gourmet food, plants, homeware and fresh produce, while five to seven rotating pop-up traders ensure every visit offers something new. More than just a market, Old Stables has grown into a vibrant community gathering place where local entrepreneurs, artists and food producers come together to celebrate Zimbabwean creativity.
Whether you’re searching for a unique gift, enjoying breakfast with friends or simply soaking up the atmosphere, the Old Stables Market offers an authentic weekend experience that captures the spirit of Harare.