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There is something rather special about being invited through the garden gate of a stranger.
On 17 and 18 October 2026, from 10am to 5pm, 16 private residential gardens across Noordhoek will open their gates to the public for the 12th annual Noordhoek Open Gardens – offering visitors the chance to discover beautiful, uniquely personal spaces while supporting a cause that lies at the heart of the Noordhoek community.
Every garden reflects the personality and style of its owners, with hidden corners and unexpected delights waiting to be discovered. A map and brochure will guide visitors between the gardens, allowing them to drive between locations and create their own garden-hopping adventure.
But this much-loved annual event is about far more than gardens.
All proceeds from Noordhoek Open Gardens are donated to On the Verge, the community-led greening and gardening project that has been caring for Noordhoek for more than 15 years.
On the Verge creates and maintains roadside gardens, plants trees, clears invasive vegetation and maintains pathways and greenbelts for the community to enjoy. Importantly, its work also creates regular employment, training and skills-development opportunities for the men who work in its gardens.
“On the Verge is about so much more than keeping Noordhoek beautiful,” says Kathy Fish, spokesperson for On the Verge. “It is about caring for the spaces that belong to all of us, while creating meaningful employment and opportunities within our community.”
With the cost of plants, equipment and maintenance continuing to rise, fundraising has become increasingly important. Open Gardens is one of On the Verge’s key annual fundraisers, helping ensure the organisation can continue its work throughout the valley.
The organisation also runs its volunteer “Mad Hackers Society”, which meets monthly to tackle invasive alien vegetation in the surrounding mountains, alongside other fundraising initiatives during the year.
Tickets will be available for purchase before the event, with tickets also available at the gardens on the day. Local Scouts and Girl Guides will assist with ticket sales over the weekend.
For garden lovers, it is a chance to find inspiration. For families and friends, it is an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful weekend outdoors. And for Noordhoek, it is another wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together.
Because ultimately, Noordhoek Open Gardens is about more than opening garden gates.
It is about opening hearts, supporting neighbours and keeping Noordhoek green, beautiful and welcoming – one garden, one verge and one community at a time.
To book your ticket visit https://www.quicket.co.za/events/395794-noordhoek-open-gardens-2026#/