Celebrating its 37th year, Floriade will return to Commonwealth Park from 14 September to 13 October. With this year’s theme of Art in Bloom, one million beautiful flowers will transform Canberra into a vibrant canvas of colour and creativity. As always, the program will offer art exhibitions, entertainment, music, food and drinks, horticultural and artistic workshops, market traders, recreational activities, and more! Floriade’s after-dark entertainment and illuminations, NightFest, will also return for four nights from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October.

If you’re deciding when or where to spend your time at Floriade and around Canberra during the festival, we’ve rounded up the must-see highlights and what’s new.

Find Floyd’s Family Competition

The hunt is on to find Floriade’s beloved garden gnome Floyd’s family. Each year, everyone is invited to participate in the city-wide search for the 37 small gnomes. Running for four weeks from Tuesday 27 August to Friday 20 September, if you find all of Floyd’s family members you will be entered into the grand prize draw where you could win a range of goodies including:

  • $500 Canberra Centre Gift Card
  • 3 Course Dinner for two at Agostinis
  • Bottle of Underground Spirits Gin
  • Canberra Centre Hamper
  • Two Tickets to Kiss Bang Cabaret

Find out how to play and get the clues here.

Floriade About Town

Getting involved in the spring celebrations, Canberra venues across the hospitality and tourism industries are spreading the magic of Floriade with vibrant experiences during the festival period. Enjoy flower workshops and market delights at Haig Park Markets, a free Floriade dessert at Inka, a Pialligo Estate spring high tea, floral latte art at Highroad, a Floriade cocktail at Midnight Bar, and more. Find out all the venues that are participating here.

Food and Drink

As usual, Floriade will have a number of food trucks and dining experiences to enjoy as you wander through the festival. Making their Canberra debut, Italian sandwich food truck, Papi Deli, will be serving a selection of focaccia sandwiches including picnic packs. Tapping into Netflix’s Bridgerton regency romance, Underground Spirits will also be returning with a themed gin garden, dining dome experience and a Floriade collab gin. Other fan favourites will also be returning including Occasioni by Agostinis, BentSpoke’s beer garden, and Grease Monkey. Read the full list of vendors here.

The Great Big Bulb Dig

Take a little piece of Floriade magic this year by taking part in The Great Big Bulb Dig. Held once the festival comes to an end on Monday 14 October, dig a bag (or numerous) of blooms to take home. To gain access, visitors must purchase a dig bag from a selection of stalls during Floriade or at the gate on the day of the dig, with all funds raised going to two charities selected by Floriade’s presenting partner, Synergy Group. Get all the information you’ll need to participate here.

Dogs’ Day Out

On Sunday 13 October, Floriade will once again welcome pooches big and small to enjoy the blooms with Dogs’ Day Out. There will be a range of dog-specific retail vendors as well as dog-friendly programming on stage and throughout the park. Get all the information here.

For more to do in Canberra, visit our entertainment page.