Floriade, Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring, officially opens its gates to visitors in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park from tomorrow and runs through to Sunday, 15 October 2023.
Commonwealth Park will come alive with Floriade’s impressive program of entertainment featuring local and interstate performers, including themed circus performances and cabaret in the Floriade Wonderland Spiegeltent.
There is plenty of fun for the whole family with roving performers and children’s favourites the Gecko Gang, as well as fun activities in Floriade’s Sprout Zone.
Floriade’s theme this year is Floral Wonderland and the creative displays of over a million colourful blooms will delight visitors.
“Floriade is recognised Australia’s largest celebration of spring and attracts close to half a million visitors with nearly 50% coming from interstate or overseas, providing a boost to Canberra’s economy and building the city’s reputation as a global tourist destination,” Assistant Minister for Economic Development Tara Cheyne said.
“This year once again, Floriade has spread out into community flower beds throughout Canberra, in what has become a new spring tradition, with over 300,000 bulbs and annuals filling the suburbs with colour and vibrancy.
“There is also a Floriade satellite site at Lanyon Homestead, offering a display of beautiful blooms and events to enjoy at one of Canberra’s most significant heritage places.
“I encourage you to let your imagination take you to your own wonderland as you take in the spectacular floral displays in Commonwealth Park.”
As expected, there will be a rich variety of delicious food and drinks available from a range of local and interstate vendors, wineries, including Underground Spirits and BentSpoke Brewing, for visitors to enjoy at Floriade.
Agostinis are back this year as well, bringing delicious Italian for a sit down meal or a takeaway snack as you wander through the park.
Floriade 2023 welcomes much loved television personality, international award winning Australian designer and environmentalist Jamie Durie. He will join us at Stage 88 on Sunday, 17 September on Stage 88 from 12.30pm to 1.30pm share his love of all things gardens, design and sustainability. Jamie will also meet and greet Floriade visitors in the Floriade Wonderland Spiegeltent between 10.00am and 11.00am, and again from 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
NightFest 2023 features an exciting program of after dark entertainment, lighting installations and horticultural illuminations from 6.30pm to 10.30pm each evening over four nights from 28 September to 1 October 2023.
This year music legends Vika & Linda will be performing on Stage 88 on Sunday, 1 October from 8pm.
Dogs’ Day Out, an annual highlight of the program, invites visitors and their furry friends for a fun final day of Floriade on Sunday, 15 October.
Visitors will once again be welcomed to take a piece of Floriade home supporting local charities on the Great Big Bulb Dig, on Monday, 16 October.
Entry to Floriade is free, and the gates are open from 9.30am to 5.30pm tomorrow and then daily till 15 October. Tickets for NightFest are available on the Floriade website.
