THE EAST COAST RADIO HOUSE + GARDEN SHOW 2026

Thank you KZN for coming out in tens of thousands to support local! A R263 million injection into the local economy. Durban really is the Warmest Place to Be!

What a week in Durban! From the country’s top horse racing event – the Hollywoodbets Durban July – to the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2026, Durban was undoubtedly the warmest place to be in Kwazulu-Natal, with Show attendance numbers shooting up to 66,300, 2 percent up on last year! Visitors from around the province and beyond, flocked east to Dream, Create and Live, at this year’s legendary annual Show for everything house, garden and…entertainment! Families arrived for breakfast, some stayed for lunch, others came for supper, picking their favourite brand of eats, drinks and live music from round the globe. It was the ONLY place to be.

Photo by Stuart Queripel.

Tens of thousands streamed through the Show doors to enjoy favourite established brands and discover new ones…and there was plenty NEW. This year’s Show put the spotlight on interactivity and activations…whether it was the remarkable part AI, part human, Dolly and her Trolley and stilt walkers, or long-legged ladies flying the House of Red’s flags, there was something to grab the attention round every corner. School holidays meant children rule, and the Show didn’t disappoint! Loads of interactive games and characters like Nintendo’s Mario and Luigi, fun activities like (really) giant inflatables, fun arts and crafts opportunities, and a host of favourite eats, treats and sweets.  

Mario and Luigi at Nintendo. Photo by Stuart Queripel.

As always, the East Coast Radio House and Garden Show has a resounding impact on the economy of Durban. New Show Director Lara Bezuidenhout spelt it out: “The Show generated around R263 million though travel, accommodation, restaurants and tourism – that’s a substantial figure to add to the local economy, as well as the hundreds of jobs created, from electricians and artisans, to stand builders and cleaners.” She added, “One of the things we’re most proud of, is the great exposure we’re able to give small businesses. Both new and upcoming as well as established businesses are offered a substantial platform to reach tens of thousands of new clients, and build long lasting relationships through the Show. “

Small business owners Lulu and Keith Rodericks of LuluBee showcased their products for the third consecutive year. Decorated mindfully with handmade wreaths, dried flowers and freshly picked herbs daily, their delightful stand was an eyecatcher: “Our soap flew off the stand, so much so we had to restock three times. The Show is also excellent for driving traffic to our permanent market outlets, with a visible spike in sales there too.” 

Solly Suleiman’s Highlight RSA interiors focussed on concealed storage in a bold, stylish walk-in closet. He was thrilled with the attention his products received, and with well over 30 000 views on each of his Tiktok and Instagram accounts, visitors were seeking him out. “We’ve had designers and stockists wanting to collaborate with us, built up some great relationships, and have appointments lined up from the minute the Show closes.”

Standholders applauded this year’s massive uptick in activations such as the Braaiboss competition smoking hot at the Khakibush magazine stand, the House of Red’s fashion and beauty master classes, and the great interactivity of Domestos, who took the award for Best Interactive Experience. Food lovers reserved their spots as their favourite chef showed them exactly how it’s done at the Hirsch Kitchen, while online shoppers learnt about Takealot’s new relationship – Takealot Now and Mr D - as well as discovering Takealot’s very own brands.

Hirch’s Demo Kitchen. Photo by Stuart Queripel.

Much of Hirsch’s merchandise drew gasps, as fridge doors became full entertainment centres, hands-free electronic window washers effortlessly cleaned massive sheets of glass, and yesterday’s Sodastreams became tomorrow’s sexy “Must Have” item! “Today’s consumer wants to know what’s in the food he’s buying…so to make sure, he makes it himself. Health is a real driver of appliance purchases,” says Richard Hirsch. Ice cream machines were flying off their shelves; so were juicers.

Competitions and prizes topped previous years, with delighted winners announced live on East Coast Radio throughout this past weekend. From international travel prizes to oodles of local holidays, cool camping gear to the latest braais, over three hundred thousand rands worth of goodies and gadabouts was handed to lucky Showgoers.

Photo by Stuart Queripel.

For Bezuidenhout, “The energy throughout the Show has been outstanding. It was especially encouraging to see so many new exhibitors joining us this year, alongside our long-standing supporters, creating a fresh and dynamic experience for visitors. Thank you KZN for coming out in droves to support everybody’s favourite house and garden show. Wait ‘til you see what we have planned for next year!”

THE ART OF WELLNESS - WELL, WELL, WELL

Wellness isn’t the same as health or absence of illness. Wellness is the active, conscious and continuous pursuit of an optimum quality of life. It’s about mindful lifestyle choices

This year’s East Coast Radio House + Garden Show (27 June to 5 July) has embraced the heightened awareness around the importance of wellness. It’s a global phenomenon, and visitors to the Show will find numerous stands focussed on holistic health products and concepts, including everything from the future of sleep technology, to what bees can do for you.  

The benefits of a good night’s sleep are indisputable. Sleep is essential to how your body recovers, resets, and prepares for the day ahead.  For decades, consumers have bought beds based on how they feel: firm, medium or plush. But those are not support systems, they’re descriptions about the feel of the bed. At the heart of a good night’s sleep, is great support.

Feel is how you fall asleep. Support is how you wake up.

Durban-based sleep innovators Lylax and Serta are challenging conventional thinking, and changing the way we buy beds. For over four decades, Kiran Sales, manufactures of Lylax and Serta, have been engineering sleep systems designed around one simple principle: better support creates better sleep. That philosophy has led to the development of Best of Both technology, an internationally patented sleep system developed here at home, in South Africa. Combining advanced pocket spring comfort with the proven support of Miracoil technology, Best of Both delivers precisely what it promises: the best of both worlds. Developed in South Africa, celebrated globally, they’re changing the conversation from Feel First to Support First. The Future of Sleep is better support. 

And listen to this. Heard about South Africa's first MPE Smart Lounge Chair?  It combines innovative technology with exceptional comfort, at the touch of a button via the AI Smart Bed App or remote control. You can choose from six intelligent comfort modes, namely including Leisure, Relax, Yoga, Stretch, Deep Relaxation, and Flat Position. And wait for it – the chair has Zero-Gravity positioning and a head and foot vibration massage system with three intensity levels and a timer. What’s not to love?

Whether it’s reiki or a sports massage, treatments are as much a part of wellness as what you eat. Relaxation is important, and what could be more wonderful for body and soul than a quality massage chair at home? Talk to Electro Medics at the Show.

Walk, run, climb or swim? Keeping fit is a key component of wellness, not only for the body, but for the mind and mood too. Innumerable studies show how a simple walk a day not only lifts spirits, but reduces blood pressure, increases longevity, and a host of other positives. If getting out there is more difficult for you, think home gym…which means of course, no excuses. Take a look at the Speediance range at the Show…from the Gym Monster 2, the Velonix Training Bike AI, to the Body Analyser and more.

Nutritional choices are a significant part of the quest for wellness, and the Show has a good range of natural health products, and easy ways to add them into smoothies, dips and more. Hunt down Melbro Wholesale’s speedy, good-looking and top quality Nutribullet Blenders & Accessories – so easy to use, they soon become an integral part of the good life at home.

Inside and out, wellness is just as much about feeling good as looking good. Whether it’s courtesy of nature’s hard workers, the bees, in the Lulubee brand of Skin Health Products or Salt of the Earth’s range of natural products including collagen, Himalayan salt and lamps, magnesium oil, colloidal silver, castor oil, honey, and peanut butter.

Wellness is a mindset, and no matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s never too late - or too early - to set your sights on well-being. The secret is to explore until you find the exercise, relaxation and so on, that work for you. Then make sure you instil those values in your family – it’s the secret to living your best life.

Good to Know

Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre

Parking: Secure Parking available at Centrum opposite DEC /Workshop / ICC

Dates: 27 June to 5 July 2026

Show times: Daily 10am – 9pm. Sundays 10am – 8pm

Tickets available from Quicket.

THE GREAT KZN OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

Go outside, breathe, and feel the difference. You’ll have all the feels at the 2026 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show.  From contemporary outdoor lighting to custom braai firepits, decking to camping trailers, the Show has gone All Out!

Outdoors is in, and KZN loves to get out there. Whether it’s in your own garden, or bundu bashing over dirt roads, it clears your head and heart. This year’s Show brings you a vast range of quality patio and garden enhancements, camping trailers and twinkling garden lights, a myriad gadgets and goodies to enhance your outdoor experience. Beyond merchandise, there’s a great line-up of wonderful interactions with those heroes who protect our wildlife all the way through to those who’re out to prove their braai skills are better than yours. 

Is your patio a little tired and dated? Does your townhouse garden need embellishment? Looking for the perfect camping tracks or trailers? Investing in your lifestyle is worth every cent!

Nothing brings magic to an outdoor area like garden lights, and the Inta-Stellar Group is showing off their three core string light ranges. Upgraded with new features, they’re the answer to everybody’s “I want outdoor lights I don’t have to worry about.” Call it ‘a true set-it-and-forget-it’ solution for the outdoor entertainer.

Nothing drags down an outdoor area than lacklustre grass. Make a beeline for the Sixbar Irrigation and Lawn Specialists who focus on creating and maintaining exceptional outdoor spaces…without putting your water bill on the boil. They help you manage water efficiently, with professionally designed irrigation systems, through to back up water solutions and landscaping, too. Water management expertise meets practical outdoor lifestyle improvements. Talk to them. 

Fancy a chilly ice bath, a steamy sauna or bubbly spa on your patio? Of course you do. Porta Spa manufactures locally, installs and services them…for over 30 years. Durable outdoors or in, with a reputation for the most economical products in the industry, you’ll be happy with their seven year warranty. Come dip your toe in the water.

Looks like wood, feels like wood…but none of the upkeep? Come see, touch and walk on the premium Composite Wood at Best Deck’s stand. They import, supply and install a fully co-ordinated range of products – with sample boards in every colour and grain - including decking, wall cladding, balustrades, gates, pergolas and shade screens. They use a UV-stabilised blend of bamboo, recycled wood fibres and recycled HDPE plastic, specifically to suit South African conditions. With guarantees ranging from 10 to 25 years depending on the product, that decking will be around for the next generation.

Guess who’s cooking with gas? Builders is, with some real hotties from ALVA outdoor appliances. A firm family favourite is Alva’s Cibo Stainless-Steel Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven with a 30cm Pizza Stone, and the Alva Mojave 4 Burner Drop-In BBQ Gas Braai which integrates seamlessly into an outdoor kitchen – it’s a stainless-steel built-in unit designed for precision grilling, searing, and indirect cooking. Pair it with the superb Tramontina Churrasco 15-Piece Braai Set, the Ultimate Master Braai Kit designed for prep and serving. And to shed a little light on proceedings, Alva’s Split Pole Patio Gas Heater in stainless steel is a bright idea for nightlife outdoors.

Over cutting your lawn? Art Grass has you covered…in premium artificial grass. It’s the ultimate low-maintenance, versatile and long-term value solution that withstands our climate and water challenges. Artificial greenery and decorative plant walls are becoming increasingly popular, so have a look at Art Grass…it may be the right solution for you.

Outdoor fanatics, unite! The wildly interactive Khakibush magazine stand will be the hottest hub for everything out there, from wonderful custom braai firepits to wildlife experts, extraordinary vehicles and exceptional camping trailers. Follow the aromas…it’s Khakibush’s BraaiBoss Challenge, and for both Saturdays of the Show, you’ll watch the best braaiers in KZN having a preliminary braai-off for the title of supreme BraaiBoss! Entertainment is going up in smoke! It’s going to be highly interactive, so come and enjoy the best of the KZN outdoor lifestyle…and you could win over R100 000 worth of prizes.

With Father’s Day just around the corner - giving a ticket to someone special may just be the answer for a gift for him. Come on out to this year’s East Coast Radio House + Garden Show, and see what’s missing from your KZN outdoor lifestyle toolkit. It’s sure to be at the Show.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show takes place from June 27 to July 5 at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

Tickets are available online via quicket.co.za or housegardenshow.co.za or at the entrance on the day.