There is something quite extraordinary about Johannesburg in mid-October. Almost overnight, the city’s streets, parks and neighbourhoods turn purple as thousands of jacaranda trees come into bloom, transforming one of the world’s largest human-made urban forests into one of South Africa’s most spectacular seasonal sights.
This October 2026, Johannesburg In Your Pocket once again calls attention to, and invites you to celebrate the return of jacaranda season with its annual #JacarandaInYourPocket event series and photography competition, inviting Joburgers and visitors to rediscover the city through a programme of curated experiences.
Taking place throughout the second half of October, the programme offers six experiences across five different event formats, from a specially curated rooftop tour aboard Johannesburg’s famous Red Bus and a photographic walk through Rosebank with an expert photographer to a heritage walk in Westcliff and morning high tea experience at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff. For those who prefer to explore on foot or two wheels, there are also free community running and cycling events.
The events bring together photographers, hospitality destinations, a local tour operator and community sporting groups, each offering a different perspective on Johannesburg’s remarkable urban forest.
Six ways to see Johannesburg in bloom
Sunday, 18 October: Annual Jacaranda Run with Tyrone Harriers
The programme gets off to an energetic start with the annual Jacaranda Route Run, hosted with the Tyrone Harriers Running Group. Starting at 06:00 from Croft & Co in Parkview, runners can choose between 14km and 21km routes through some of Johannesburg’s most picturesque jacaranda-lined streets.
The run is free and open to all levels. Registration is required.
Saturday, 24 October: Jacaranda Red Bus Rooftop Tour
For those who prefer to take in the scenery from above, Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Kennedy Tembo of MicroAdventure Tours have curated a special three-hour hop-on hop-off journey aboard the city’s famous Red Bus.
Beginning at Alto234 at The Leonardo in Sandton with Champagne and canapés, the tour travels through the purple-lined streets of Parkwood, Saxonwold, Melrose and Houghton, stopping at Munro Drive for its celebrated views across the jacaranda canopy. Expect photo opportunities galore. The experience concludes with rooftop views and chef’s-choice appetisers at 54 on Bath in Rosebank.
The tour runs from 14:00 to 17:00, costs R970 per person and is limited to 50 guests.
Sunday, 25 October: Four Seasons Purple Bloom Walk and High Tea
One of Johannesburg’s most celebrated heritage neighbourhoods provides the setting for a particularly elegant jacaranda experience.
Hosted in partnership with Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, the morning begins with tea or coffee before Kennedy Tembo leads guests on a guided heritage walk through Westcliff’s leafy streets, past historic homes and up the famous Westcliff stairs. On returning to the hotel, guests will enjoy a specially curated Jacaranda Tea created by Executive Pastry Chef Nathan Jacobs, whose imaginative pastries take their inspiration from the city’s purple blooms.
With the hotel perched high above Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, the experience combines history, architecture, spectacular views and seasonal dining. Guest will also receive as special gift bag from Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff to take home as a memento of the day.
The experience costs R1,500 per person, with a maximum of 40 participants per day.
Sunday, 25 October: Jacaranda Social Ride
Johannesburg In Your Pocket joins forces with Banditz Bicycle Club and Girls on Bikes for a relaxed social cycle through Rosebank, Melrose and Illovo.
Starting from Hyde Hotel in Rosebank, participants will gather from 08:30 for a 09:15 departure, following a 15km route along some of the city’s most beautiful tree-lined roads.
The ride is free, open to cyclists of all levels and expected to take between 90 minutes and two hours. Registration is required, and bicycles can be hired for R250 for those without their own.
Saturday, 31 October: Purple Photography Walk
The programme concludes with a guided photography walk led by photographer Claire Appleyard, offering participants the opportunity to capture the jacarandas through a more creative lens.
Beginning at The Firestation in Rosebank at 15:00, the walk explores the streets and parks of Rosebank and Parkwood, with Appleyard sharing practical advice on composition, lighting and photographing the city’s purple canopy.
A stop at Epicure by Chef Coco for appetisers is followed by a visit to the rooftop at Workshop17 The Firestation, where participants can watch the late-afternoon light settle over the Johannesburg skyline.
The experience costs R550 per person and is limited to 30 participants. Cameras of all kinds are welcome, and guests will receive a short photography guide ahead of the event.
A city worth celebrating
Beyond the beauty of the blossoms, #JacarandaInYourPocket is an invitation to experience Johannesburg differently. Its jacaranda-lined streets connect some of the city’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, heritage buildings, public spaces and hospitality destinations, offering opportunities to explore places that residents may pass every day without stopping to appreciate.
The annual event series also celebrates the people and businesses that make Johannesburg such an interesting city to explore, bringing together local guides, hospitality partners, photographers and community groups around a shared appreciation of the city.
Capture the purple
The events form part of Johannesburg In Your Pocket’s annual #JacarandaInYourPocket photography competition, which encourages residents and visitors to share their photographs of the city in bloom.
Participants can submit their photographs via Instagram, with competition details, prizes and terms and conditions available through Johannesburg In Your Pocket’s social media channels or click here.
Bookings and information
All events take place during October 2026, with limited capacity for the paid experiences. The Jacaranda Run and Social Ride are free, but registration is required.
Bookings and registration are available through Quicket.
For event updates, and photography competition information, follow @johannesburginyourpocket on Instagram.
