Experience a Village in Bloom
12-27 September 2026
12-27 September 2026
STANFORD IN BLOOM & CHELSEA FLOWERS IN STANFORD PREPARE FOR THEIR THIRD YEAR.
It’s official! Stanford in Bloom and Chelsea Flowers in Stanford will be back for the 3rd year in a row. Save these dates: 12 – 27 September 2026.
Leon Kluge and the South African team’s Gold and the ‘Best Exhibit in the Great Pavillion’ award-winning display will be recreated in the village of Stanford.
“This year’s display ‘Life After Fire’ showcased the diversity of South African flowers that appear after wildfires in the Cape region. Up to 20 000 stems of Protea cut flowers as well as thousands of burnt Protea branches were arranged to create a post fire landscape where bulbs and orchids from all regions of South Africa were on display. Artist Tristan Woudberg led a team to assemble a sculptural vortex of burnt material, including charred wood and burnt branches sourced from the remnants of the devastating fires which tore through the mountainous areas of the Western Cape last year.
‘Life After Fire’ is one of South Africa’s biggest displays at the RHS Chelsea flower and features a babbling ‘fonteintjie’ or natural stream complete with Disa orchids and carnivorous sundew plants. Other unique plants on display included the miniature star like flowers of Rhodohypoxis which hails from the high elevations of the Drakensberg.”
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE
#StanfordinBloom #ChelseaFlowersinStanford
FULL SCHEDULE
From Leon Kluge’s talk on South Africa’s journey to this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to Live Music, Foodie Demos and more – don’t miss out on this year’s STANFORD IN BLOOM
STANFORD IN BLOOM MARKET
From gifting to goodies, find the tented STANFORD IN BLOOM MARKET on the Village Green along with fab food and drinks vendors.
WORKSHOPS
Get Creative this STANFORD IN BLOOM – we have over 20 fab workshops from a Horticultural Master Class, to showcasing dried flowers in creative designs, to candle making!
KLEIN RIVER CHEESE DEMO KITCHEN
Calling all Foodies! We’ve got a packed schedule of foodie demonstrations and workshops this Stanford in Bloom! Book NOW to avoid dissapointment.
ARTS, MUSIC & CULTURE
From Koos Kombuis to the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra – come and feel the beat at this year’s Stanford in Bloom festival !
STAY, EAT, SHOP & EXPERIENCE
Find Accommodation, Places to Eat, and Lekker Local Businesses to Support during Stanford in Bloom.
WE'RE TURNING UP THE HEAT IN THE KLEIN RIVER CHEESE DEMO KITCHEN
The Klein River Cheese Demo Kitchen returns to Stanford in Bloom with an incredible line up of foodie and chef cooking demonstrations and workshops.
From foodie, author, food stylist and recipe developer, Christine Capendale to demos from Stanfordian restauranteer Madre, and author and foodie, Christine Stevens, to neighbouring Hermanus Chefs, Chef Johan Lamprecht of Brood, Chef Mikey Jonker of The Station, and Chef Bridget Bartleman and our B’Bos friends Chef Adrian Hadlow and renowned sourdough breadmaker, Niel Jonker.
Join Stanford Valley for a special tasting of their Manor House Wine Collection, while Anke Deyzel, co-owner of SkyBar Hermanus and Lemonicious, presents ‘The Fundamentals of a Great Cocktail’. Local distillers, The Jolly Rooster, present a tasting of their signature spirits. Creation Wines will host an immersive ‘Wine & Canapé Pairing Experience with Sensorial Elements’.
Local Hermanus and village foodies also join in the mix – learn how to make an amazing quesidila, or how to fold dim sum dumplings, or join a cheese-making champion and learn how to make your own soft cheese at home with Klein River Cheese. We haven’t forgotten the little ones, with kids’ demos from chocolate french toast with Stanford’s own Nomadic Chef, Dave, to sweet and savoury puff pastry sticks presented by kiddos from a local village school.
We look forward to seeing you in the Klein River Cheese Demo Kitchen.
There is life after fire, and it is magnificent.
FAQs
Is my ticket to Chelsea Flowers in Stanford for a specific time?
You have to select the date that you would like to visit the flower display – your ticket will be a full DAY PASS to the Chelsea exhibit by Leon Kluge. Your ticket will give you access to the flower display for the entirety of the day you have booked for but not to any other events/ talks which are part of Stanford in Bloom.
Will there be talks and do I need separate tickets for them?
Yes for Leon and Tristan’s talks for example, you need to buy a separate Webticket which can be pre-bought on Webtickets or bought on the day in Stanford. There is a combination of paid and free talks throughout Stanford in Bloom / Chelsea Flowers in Stanford. Talks that are free will be clearly labelled as such.
What is the flower display? What am I going to see?
You will see the full sized replica of South Africa’s RHS Chelsea Flower show which won gold and best in show (Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion) in 2026. A selection of artworks from the Grootbos Florilegium will also be displayed, including brand new, never-before-seen artworks, including fire ephemerals( flowers which only bloom after fire).
Can I buy food in the flower building?
There will not be any food vendors in the building, but fortunately there are plenty of restaurants and the Stanford in Bloom market on the village green which will serve and sell food, within walking distance of the Chelsea Flowers Building
Is the display wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Stanford itself is an accessible town and the Chelsea Building has a wheelchair ramp and flat floor surfaces suitable for mobility devices.
For those who might need a seat while viewing the exhibit, there will be seating available inside the building
Is the display wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Stanford itself is an accessible town and the Chelsea Building has a wheelchair ramp and flat floor surfaces suitable for mobility devices.
For those who might need a seat while viewing the exhibit, there will be seating available inside the building
Will I be able to draw cash/ pay with a card?
You can buy tickets at the door with your debit or credit card, or with cash. There are debit and credit card facilities at the flower building and talks. You can draw cash at the Stanford OK or Stanford General Dealer but these might not be in good operation throughout the festival.
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, your furry friends cannot enter the building where Chelsea Flowers in Stanford will take place but there are many dog-friendly restaurants and walks in Stanford which welcome well-behaved dogs.
Won’t the flowers be dead by the 27 September?
No. Fynbos is incredibly long-lasting and the blooms can last at least for 16 days as cut flowers. This is also prime fynbos flowering season which is why the whole event takes place in September. We will replace and refresh the exhibit so the flowers exhibit remains as beautiful on the last day as it is on the first day!
Will there be free access to the flower building for the local community like last year?
Yes, there is free access for children, schools, old-age pensioners, workers, etc at pre-selected times. Free access will be made available only through prior arrangement through the community channels and can be requested by emailing chelsea@grootbos.co.za