Floriade What’s On Guide

Spring has burst into bloom in the national capital and with it comes the much-anticipated return of Floriade. This year Floriade returns bigger and better and Canberra Centre is proud to be the Major Partner.

Floriade celebrates its 36th year in 2023, and for 30 days across September and October, Commonwealth Park across the capital, comes alive with beauty, colour and vibrancy.

 

The theme this year is Floral Wonderland, and visitors will enjoy a vibrant display of over a million blooms. Experience a diverse program of entertainment, cultural celebrations, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market traders, artistic displays and more as Floriade celebrates all things flowers, food and gardens. Floriade has something for everyone! With so much to see, eat and explore at this year’s festival we’ve curated a guide to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.  

 

Floriade 2023

Get your creative side blooming in wine masterclasses, roaming entertainment performances, enjoy acoustic notes amongst the blooms, or simply explore the beautiful garden beds. 

Commonwealth Park will be open for Floriade from 16th September to 15th October. Entry to Floriade is free, non-ticketed event with gates open from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily.  

 

Enjoy The City to Floriade Festival Shuttle Service

Operating daily from Saturday 16 September running throughout the festival, the courtesy City to Floriade Festival Shuttle will take Canberra Centre customers direct to the heart of Floriade. Allowing visitors to park at Canberra Centre and skip the parking hassles at the event. The shuttle stop is located on Petrie St, outside of Pharmacy on Petrie, with regular buses running to Floriade:

 

F1 – City Shuttle

Regular Service – 16^th September – 15^th October

First shuttle will leave stop A at 9:30am, last shuttle will leave Stop D at 5:30pm

Monday-Friday – approx 40 min loop (1 x bus)

Saturday – Sunday and Public Holiday – approx 20 min loop (2 x buses)

Nightfest extended service: 28^th Sep-1^st October

First shuttle will leave stop A at 6pm, last shuttle will leave stop D at 10:45pm (Approx 20 min loops)

 

 

Discover A Mesmerising Glass Installation

Canberra Centre has partnered with Canberra Glassworks to commission visual glass artist Hannah Gason to create a Floriade aligned original artwork piece.

Hannaah is a talented Canberra-based artist who has created "Twelve Hours of Daylight", a visually stunning piece designed as a celebration of colours and flowers translated into an extraordinary art form that will mesmerize visitors with its interplay of glass, light and artistic expression.

This artwork will be displayed on the Glass Floor on Level 1, from September 15th, where you'll be grab a photo of the beautiful installation, which will change appearance depending on the time of day and light. Whilst visiting the display don't miss entering the competition where you can guess the number of intricate blades of grass for their chance to win a $500 Canberra Centre Voucher. Scan the QR code located on the Glass Floor to enter to win. Find out more HERE. 

 

 

Discover Engaging Children's Workshops

If your little ones enjoy arts and craft, they'll love attending the Children's Workshops set to run across the school holidays. This series of Children's Workshops will run mid-week across Floriade in partnership with Glassworks. These free workshops will include a Kaleidoscopes and a Cellophane Windows workshop, with bookings required, find out more HERE. 

 

Secure Tickets To NightFest

NightFest offers attendees a unique experience to indulge the senses. Come and unwind with chilled out sounds and a glass of wine on Thursday 28th September and Sunday 1st October, from 6.30 – 10.30pm.

 

 

With a full program of entertainment lined up for you to unwind & invigorate, NightFest has your weekend plans sorted. Enjoy the park illuminated with colour and filled with captivating entertainment, stalls and fantastic food. Secure your tickets HERE.

 

 

Learn Expert Cooking Tips 

If you're a foodie, or interested in improving your cooking skills, there are two cooking demonstrations by talented chefs you won't want to miss at Floriade! 

Internationally renowned, award-winning Sushi Chef Shaun Presland from Canberra Centre’s pan-Asian dining precinct Tiger Lane. Shaun is is one of just a handful of gaiijin that have been enthusiastically welcomed into the world of Japanese cuisine and has had a resounding effect on the Japanese dining scene across Australia and beyond. On 6th October at 1pm Shaun will be running a sushi demonstration where Shaun, a Sushi Sharman, demystifies the art of sushi making with a demonstration using the finest and freshest seafood available. will   This is an opportunity not to be missed. Find out more HERE. 

A local chef of legendary status, Gerald Ong, head chef of Tiger Lane’s renowned Chinese restaurant Mrs Wang Gerald hails from the culinary diverse city state of Singapore and has honed his culinary skills at some of Australia and Asia’s most esteemed kitchens. On 29th September at 1pm, Gerald will be demonstrating how to make everyone’s favourite duck pancakes from start to finish. This includes step by step instructions on how to prepare, stuff, blanch and roast a duck the authentically Chinese way, before revealing his secrets on how to create a delicious duck pancake. Find out more HERE.

 

Enjoy the City to Floriade Walking Trail

Guiding you to Floriade and back with a spring in your step! The City Walking Trail is an accessible route bringing this festival of flowers right into the heart of the City Centre, with a beautiful trail of potted blooms. The trail will take you approximately 15mins and is 1.5kms long. For the map of the trail see HERE. 

 

 

Shop Floral Inspired Fashion, Beauty & Homewares

Across Canberra the landscape is bursting into bloom with gorgeous spring flowers in time for Floriade. With the change of season bringing renewal what better way to celebrate this revitalising energy of a fresh season than by embracing the latest spring fashion and homewares. We’ve rounded up our favourite floral inspired fashion, beauty and homewares purchases HERE.

 

Don’t Miss Dog’s Day Out

This event is for the four-legged family members! Dogs’ Day Out is Floriade’s annual highlight of the program, a special day when visitors can bring their furry friends along to Floriade and frolic amongst the flowers. Dogs’ Day Out will be held on the final day of Floriade, Sunday 15th October. Find out more HERE.

 

The Great Big Bulb Dig

Floriade lovers will be able to take home a little piece of the magic this year when they take part in The Great Big Bulb Dig.

The Bulb Dig will be held on Monday 16 October from 10.30am-6 pm, the day after Floriade closes its gates for 2023.

Buy your Great Big Bulb Dig bag (or bags!) from the Floriade Shop or the CRVC shop on site at Floriade during the event. Your bag is your entry ticket to the Bulb Dig. All funds raised from the sale of the bags go to the two charities selected by our presenting partner, Synergy Group. This year Bulb Dig bag sales will support Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.

Find Out More HERE.

 

Visiting from outside Canberra

Don’t live in Canberra? Floriade is the perfect time to plan a visit, whether it’s for a day trip or a weekend away.  To plan your trip to Canberra and experience Floriade CLICK HERE