What not to miss at Floriade 2025
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Australia’s biggest celebration of spring is on its way as Floriade celebrates its 38th year in Canberra.
Bringing Commonwealth Park to life with more than one million blooms, the free festival of flowers will be running from Saturday 13 September until Sunday 12 October, transforming the park into a dynamic space of discovery and learning.
Featuring Insta-worthy floral displays, horticultural workshops, live music, a popular market, as well as some of the region’s best food and wine, it’s an unmissable spring event in the capital.
And with plenty to see, there will be something for everyone.
Science and Nature: this year’s theme in action
This year’s theme is Science and Nature, with the stunning garden beds drawing inspiration from the most recognised scientific fields of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology and botany – but it doesn’t stop there. The organisers are also inviting visitors to swap their gardening gloves for lab coats to make the most of the family-friendly hands-on workshops, talks and activities.
From listening to Dr Karl Kruszelnicki talk about all things science to a show on crawly critters with Wildlife Reimagined: Bugs Alive, and even using eDNA to track down weed species, there are plenty of ways to get your hands dirty at Floriade.
Expect to see jazz ensembles, choirs, and community dance groups as you wander through the flowers and make sure to stop at the market stalls to meet food and wine producers behind some of the region’s best products.
Food, drinks and live entertainment
It’s not a day at Floriade without trying the food! The BentSpoke Brewing Beer Garden is back for another year, while wine lovers can enjoy bespoke wine tastings with curated pairings at Contentious Character Urban Winery. Gin always goes down a treat on a spring day, so luckily, the Underground Spirits Gin Garden will have a cocktail High Tea in the gardens.
Hungry for more? Gelato Messina, the Au Lac Food Truck, and Spit Shack are just some of the vendors that will be dishing up delicious food throughout the festival!
What’s on for families
Families will also be spoilt for choice this year, with plenty of activities that kids of all ages will enjoy. Take them along to Gnome Knoll for gnome painting (a must-do Floriade tradition), let them try their hand at a circus workshop or watch them get creative with the Funky Fairy. And don’t miss the family-friendly show Kids Are Stinky – it will have them giggling and gasping in awe with lightning-fast Hula Hooping, daredevil balances, loads of comedy and more.
NightFest is back to light up the night
NightFest will bring the park to life after dark from Thursday 2 until Sunday 5 October, with a vibrant mix of illuminated garden beds, live music, roving performers, market stalls and food vendors.
Highlights of this year’s program include headline performances from two acclaimed Australian artists – Josh Pyke and Ella Hooper – while the Kazador Tent will also return with an adult-only show Kiss Tease Cabaret, featuring popular Australian stand-up comedian Peter Berner as MC.
Mark these events in your calendar
And of course, it’s not Floriade without Dogs’ Day Out or the Great Big Blub Dig – two of the most well-known days on the calendar.
On Sunday 12 October, Floriade will welcome pooches big and small, while on Monday 13 October, you can take home a little piece of the Floriade magic with all funds raised from the Great Big Blub Dig going to charity.
Make sure to check out the full program at floriadeaustralia.com to see what else is happening!
Feature image: Events ACT.
