MBABANE – Gin gardens 2026 is shaping up to be more than a music event, with organisers creating a premium lifestyle experience locally.
Gin gardens brings together premium beverages, food, music, culture and social experiences.
Taking place on October 3, 2026 at Sharma House, Ezulwini, Gin Gardens is expected to welcome more than 1,500 guests for a carefully curated daytime experience. The event is organised by So Fresh, in partnership with Shelela Gin, Schweppes and Polished Events.
At the centre of the experience is an entertainment programme that brings together some of the region’s most exciting performers. South African and international acts include Sino Msolo, Nia Pearl, Touchline and Dusse Wavy, giving the event a diverse musical offering that moves across soulful sounds, live performance and hip-hop.
The international offering will be complemented by a strong Eswatini homegrown line-up, featuring artists and DJs such as Velemseni, DJ Tap, MBO and other local talent still to be announced.
The combination is intentional, creating a platform where established international performers share the stage with some of Eswatini’s leading creative talent.
The organisers have also confirmed Mdura Dlamini as one of the official Masters of Ceremony, bringing his humour, crowd interaction and energetic personality to the event. According to organiser Welile Mthethwa, the wider vision is to create an event that reflects the evolving tastes of Eswatini’s audience. “Our ambition has always been to establish Gin Gardens as Eswatini’s premier premium lifestyle event, bringing together world-class entertainment, hospitality, style, food and premium beverages in an environment that reflects the evolving tastes of today’s audience,” said Mthethwa.
While music is a major attraction, premium gin remains at the heart of Gin Gardens. However, the event will offer a wide range of beverages to suit different tastes. The beverage experience will showcase both local and international gin brands, with Eswatini brands such as Explorers Gin and Imbali Gin. This will give guests an opportunity to discover different gin expressions while experiencing the event’s broader food, entertainment and hospitality offering.
The event is designed to feel like a complete daytime lifestyle destination rather than a conventional concert, with food, a beer garden and carefully curated social spaces forming part of the experience. Art will complete another important pillar of Gin Gardens through a partnership with Phillz Art.
Guests will experience live painting as part of the event, bringing a creative and interactive dimension to the experience. Art will also feature among the prizes for lucky VIP guests, with giveaways planned as part of the exclusive VIP experience.
With more artists, brand partnerships and exclusive activations still to be revealed, Gin Gardens 2026 is steadily building towards a premium experience where international talent, local culture, gin, food, art, style and a variety of beverages come together in one setting.
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