All you need to know about Floriade 2025: The ultimate cheat sheet
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It’s back for its 38th year! All you need to know about Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring.
Haven’t heard of Floriade?
I would imagine that most of you have at least heard of Floriade, but just in case you didn’t know, Floriade has been running for 38 years and is Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, with live music, market stalls, and most importantly, flowers!
Ever since the first Floriade, the great people behind it have been arranging these flowers into garden bed designs based on the theme. And this year, you’ll need to bring along your lab coat and goggles, because the theme is science and nature!
When is Floriade
From Saturday 13 September to Sunday 12 October, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm every day – you’ve got a full month to visit. But don’t just hop in any old time!
Floriade has many special events which only run for one day, including a talk from Dr Karl Kruszenlnicki (4 October), the Windows to the World multicultural celebration (11 October), the Dogs’ Day Out (12 October), and The Great Big Bulb Dig if you want to pick up some flowers (13 October), so pick the day you want to go carefully. The program will give you all the information you need.
There is also Nightfest, the music, and plays to consider as well! It might be worth going multiple days just so you can see everything.
What’s on at Floriade?
First time going to Floriade? Here is what you can expect.
Flowers. Obviously. But saying flowers is understating it. There are over one million flowers planted in intricate displays and planter boxes, all in much better condition than my five tulips at home. No wonder Tim Howard, the head gardener, says it takes 18 months every year to plan for the next Floriade.
Live music is probably the second thing people think of when you say Floriade. Of course, Stage 88 is the main one, a giant stage in a great central position, but there are a few other stages dotted around Floriade with live music from smaller bands, as well as the occasional performance.
Check out the program to see who’s performing.
How about the food?
Now, food may not be the first thing you think of when you think of a festival, but what is a festival without food? A festival, but everyone’s hungry. Not very fun.
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!
Tell me about NightFest
NightFest is, funnily enough, held at night. From 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm to be exact. With more music and stalls, but also special events, such as lantern making and the Fire Spectacular, it is a must-see.
Just keep in mind, you need to book it, and it only runs for four days, from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 October, so you’ve got to be quick! Want to know more? Click here
How do I get to Floriade?
Getting to Floriade can take a bit of walking. There is parking, but you need to get up pretty early to get one. Your best option is to park somewhere in the city centre. From there, walk across the Parkes Way footbridge and you’ll be in Floriade. Alternatively you can park somewhere in the national triangle. It’s a slightly longer walk (20 to 30 mins), but if you are a southsider, it might be worth it. Public transport is always a good option.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the city interchange/Alinga Street to the footbridge. They also have dedicated shuttle buses running.
If you want to arrive in style, they have ferries running on the weekends from Kingston Foreshore and Queen Elizabeth Terrace across Lake Burley Griffin to the Floriade Ferry Gate.
If you have no idea what you are doing, there are signs around Canberra pointing you in the direction of Floriade. Alternatively, my advice is to follow the horde of people. They are probably heading to Floriade.
If you’re still not sure, you can check out Floriade’s website here.
What’s the cost?
In terms of pricing, Floriade is pretty cheap. That is to say, free. Though keep in mind that unlike the rest of the festival, you do need to buy tickets for NightFest.
Children under five are free, but staying up till 10:30 might be a bit past their bed time. Also, if you want to get some of your own flowers from Floriade, you will need to buy a special bag for entry.
Floriade outside of Floriade?
Enjoying Floriade so much you don’t want to leave? Here are a few ways to experience Floriade outside of Floriade.
The Find Floyd’s Family competition is a lot of fun. 38 of Floyd’s family members – large pink gnomes – have been scattered around Canberra. Find them all to go into the running for prizes such as Canberra Centre gift cards, hampers, and tickets to Floriade events, such as plays, and tickets for NightFest. Just keep in mind, the event ends on 27 September, so you might want to recruit some friends and family if you want to find them all!
Bored with Floriade? Seems hard to believe, but if you are, Lanyon Homestead is a secondary site for Floriade. Brand new events and flowers are there for you.
There are also one hundred sites across Canberra that have been growing tulips and other flowers on behalf of Floriade – you’ve probably seen a few of them around.
Finally, loads of places around Canberra have been getting into the spirit of Floriade with Floriade About Town – organised special events, food, and many other attractions.
During Floriade is one of the best times to be in Canberra. We hope you enjoy it!
