Nothing says spring more than Floriade, and in 2023, this well known flower and entertainment festival returns for its 36th year.
Photography by Raelle Gann Owen
Floriade is Australia’s biggest celebration of spring and for a month from 16 September until 15 October it will transform the capital’s Commonwealth Park into a kaleidoscope of colour.
The theme of this year’s Floriade is Floral Wonderland. Visitors are encouraged to be inquisitive as they see and experience Floriade from a different perspective, escaping for a moment into their own wonderland as they explore the magical charm of over one million carefully curated blooms.
The 2023 Floriade program is bursting at the seams, full of fun-filled activities, extensive displays of flowering bulbs, incredible sculpture and artistic displays, cultural experiences, and live entertainment. Some of the highlights include circus performances, cabaret, and the ever-popular Dogs’ Day Out on Sunday the 15th of October.
Photography by Giu Vicente
“The ever-popular Dogs’ Day Out is on Sunday the 15th of October”
The festival’s popular NightFest will also return this year from 28 September to 1 October. Not only will there be impressive light installations illuminating Commonwealth Park after dark, but an exciting program including comedy shows, pop-up bars and live music.
Photography by Melanie Dretvic
What’s more, Floriade is not just in Commonwealth Park this year, but across the entire capital. Continuing the tradition since 2020, over 300,000 bulbs and annuals have been distributed to 94 community groups to plant in garden beds across all of Canberra’s suburbs.
The day after Floriade comes to a close, visitors are encouraged to take a slice of the festival home with them. Mark Monday 16 October on your calendar and don’t forget to head out for the Great Big Bulb Dig to harvest a bunch of beautiful blooms all for a good cause.
Floriade is a free non-ticketed event. Gates will open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm, with Sensory Hour running from 9:30am to 10:30am. NightFest is a paid ticketed event and runs from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
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