This will put a spring in your step – seven things to look forward to when the season changes
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With September only a month away and warmer weather on the horizon, we’re officially counting down the days until spring is here.
Why? Because it’s been a long and cold winter and the prospect of sunny days, blooming flowers and temperatures above 15 degrees makes us more excited than a new restaurant opening.
From music festivals to a botanical-themed food and a spirits festival, here are seven events in Canberra to look forward to this spring.
Floriade
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It’s not spring in Canberra until our flower festival hits full bloom, and with over one million flowers transforming Commonwealth Park, we have high expectations for Floriade’s 37th year.
With the theme Art in Bloom, this year will see the park come alive with art exhibitions, live entertainment, music, food and drink, workshops, and so much more. As always, there will be plenty of spring-y activities for the whole family to enjoy as you marvel at beautiful blooms and soak in the spring weather.
Saturday 4 September until Sunday 3 October, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm |
Commonwealth Park, Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes | More information here.
Botanica Spirit and Food Festival
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After launching in 2023 to bring us a botanical-themed spirits and food festival, Botanica is back for another year. Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, attendees are once again invited to join one of the immersive three-hour sessions (four hours on Sunday), as the Eucalypt Lawn is transformed into a botanical feast for the senses.
It’s a unique opportunity to experience a curated variety of Australian spirits, delicious food, live entertainment, and botanically-inspired markets! Crisp G&T in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, anyone?
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, 10 am – 1 pm |Eucalypt Lawn, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | More information here.
The Times Music Festival
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Missing your music festival fix? The Times Festival is here to make you feel like you’re on the dancefloor in Meche circa 2012.
Taking over the iconic building that formerly housed The Canberra Times, on Saturday 14 September The Times Festival will take over what once was the large outdoor car park to host a huge array of homegrown names, from Sneaky Sound System to Bag Raiders, Havana Brown and KLP. Expect a big dose of nostalgic songs and good vibes.
Saturday 14 September, 12 pm | 7 Pirie Place, Fyshwick | More information here.
Nightfest
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You can’t talk about spring without mentioning Floriade’s dark side. Returning for another year with a new and exciting program packed with entertainment, this nighttime event is always a seasonal highlight.
From Thursday 3 until Saturday 6 October, across four nights you can see Commonwealth Park illuminated with vibrant colours, enjoy an amazing program of live music, watch cabaret in the Kazador Tent, and eat some amazing food.
Thursday 3 until Saturday 6 October, 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm |
Commonwealth Park, Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes | More information here.
Stonefest
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Calling all music lovers, Canberra’s beloved University of Canberra music festival is back for spring.
Featuring a packed line-up of amazing Australian artists, this event dates back to 1971, making it an iconic, and beloved staple of the local community. Don’t miss Aria Award-winning TEENAGE DADS and MAY-A, alongside the beats of DJ Mansionair, Great Gable, the Sydney-based all-woman rock band The Buoys, and more.
Saturday 19 October, 3.30 pm – 11.30 pm | University of Canberra, 1 Kirinari Street, Bruce | More information here.
Canberra Springout Pride Festival
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A month-long pride festival that celebrates Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ community in all its fabulous diversity? Say no more.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this year Canberra’s annual SpringOUT festival will showcase a diverse array of more than 50 events – and the best part is a lot of them are free or low cost. From a night of laughter at the Queer Comedy Collective to Pride history tours with She Shapes History, there’s plenty to put a spring into your step.
Saturday 2 November until Sunday 1 December | Various locations | More information here.
Canberra Spirits Festival
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They had us at vodka paired with a caviar bump. It might be months away, but this event already looks like the perfect way to salute the end of spring and ring in summer.
Taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November, the Canberra Spirits Festival is a unique opportunity to try some of Australia’s best spirits – from whisky to tequila. With over 200 spirits on show and over 40 distillers to meet, it’s time to get into the spirit of things with a three-hour tasting.
Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November | University of Canberra, UC Refectory, Building 1, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce | More information here.
Feature image courtesy of Events ACT.
