Floriade 2025: Australia’s Biggest Flower Festival Returns to Canberra

Each spring, Australia bursts into colour, and nowhere does it quite like Canberra. Floriade, the country’s biggest celebration of flowers, returns in 2025

With over one million bulbs and annuals blooming beneath the Canberra sky, the event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and offers far more than just pretty petals. 

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What is Floriade?

Floriade is Australia’s largest and most celebrated spring festival, held every year in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park. Originally launched in 1988 as part of the country’s Bicentenary celebrations, it has grown into a month-long event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Australia and beyond.

But it is also much more than a flower show; it’s a vibrant cultural festival that blends horticulture with art, live entertainment, workshops, food markets, and family-friendly activities.

This year’s theme: Science and nature

For 2025, Floriade adopts the theme “Science and Nature”, inviting visitors to explore the fascinating connections between the natural world and scientific discovery. 

Garden beds and floral installations are designed around concepts from biology, physics, astronomy, and botany, featuring imaginative displays such as a DNA helix formed from tulips and planetary arrangements blossoming in native blooms. 

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Practical information at a glance

Floriade 2025 runs from 13 September to 12 October, open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm in Canberra’s picturesque Commonwealth Park. Entry to the festival grounds is free, although select special events like NightFest require tickets.

The venue is easily accessible by public transport, with dedicated drop-off points available. The festival is designed to be inclusive, offering wide, wheelchair-friendly pathways, baby-changing facilities, sensory-friendly hours, and mobility assistance services.

Must-do activities

Floriade 2025 offers a full calendar of activities designed to engage visitors of all ages and interests.

Floral displays and garden art

Stroll through the park’s themed garden beds, each meticulously arranged to bring the theme to life. These living artworks provide fantastic photo opportunities and a unique chance to appreciate both horticultural skill and scientific creativity.

Live entertainment

Each day is packed with live music, dance, and cultural performances on various stages around the park. Roving entertainers add bursts of surprise and delight throughout the festival grounds.

Markets and food stalls

Enjoy a wide selection of local food vendors, pop-up cafés, and licensed garden bars. Whether it’s a freshly brewed coffee or a tasting platter paired with craft beer, there’s something for every palate.

Family-friendly fun

Floriade is perfect for families, with carnival rides, scavenger hunts, craft zones, and a floral-themed Ferris wheel offering panoramic views. 

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Must-see events

NightFest (2–5 October)

For a special few days, Floriade transforms into a glowing wonderland at night. NightFest is a ticketed event featuring light shows, DJ sets, illuminated art installations, and late-night bars, creating a magical atmosphere not to be missed.

Windows to the World (11 October)

This cultural showcase brings together Canberra’s embassies for a day of international music, dance, food and crafts, offering visitors a global journey within the festival. This event comes in anticipation of the larger Windows to the World event happening the next weekend.

Dogs’ Day Out (12 October)

Pet lovers rejoice! Bring your canine companions to enjoy dog-friendly activities, pet stalls, and fun competitions on this special day dedicated to man’s best friend.

The Great Big Bulb Dig (13 October)

Close out the festival by taking home your own tulip bulbs. Visitors can purchase bags and dig bulbs themselves, supporting local schools and charities through this community-driven initiative.

Make it a floral road trip: Grafton Jacaranda festival

As a bonus, extend your springtime flower journey with a visit to Grafton, New South Wales, home to Australia’s longest-running floral festival: the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, held from 24 October to 2 November 2025.

This charming riverside town turns a vivid shade of purple as around 2,000 jacaranda trees burst into bloom. The festival features parades, street fairs, vintage car shows, a Jacaranda Queen coronation, and an eclectic mix of events including Drag Queen bingo and First Nations celebrations. 

Visitor Tips

• Arrive early to enjoy cooler temperatures and avoid the busiest periods.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as paths include gravel and grass surfaces.
• Take advantage of public transport options as parking can be limited during peak days.
• Don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and camera, as there will be plenty to capture!
• Check the festival website for sensory-friendly hours and accessibility services if needed.

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A spring celebration you won’t forget

Floriade 2025 offers a spectacular blend of horticultural artistry, scientific wonder, and festive fun in the heart of Australia’s capital. 

Paired with the purple splendour of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, it’s a springtime itinerary full of colour, culture, and community spirit. This is a floral journey not to be missed!