Minister Barr: Celebrating spring and the arts in the Capital at Floriade 2024
- Written by ACT Government
Released 12/09/2024
Floriade, Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring, officially welcomes visitors to Canberra’s Commonwealth Park this weekend from Saturday 14 September to Sunday 13 October 2024.
Floriade attracts close to half a million local, national and international visitors each year. A key feature on Canberra’s tourism events calendar, Floriade provides a boost to small businesses and the economy overall.
In its 37th year, Floriade’s theme this year is Art in Bloom, transforming Commonwealth Park into a colourful canvas with flowerbed designs drawing inspiration from art forms. Visitors can wander through artistic floral displays, sculptures and representations of architecture, literature, music, cinema, and theatre. The Floriade experience brings the arts to life through live entertainment, workshops, and activities.
Floriade community flower beds are also spreading colour across the city with over 300,000 bulbs and annuals. Visitors can head to the satellite site at Lanyon Homestead where you can stroll through the garden’s floral displays and including a flower bed inspired by the work of artist Sidney Nolan in keeping with this year’s theme.
There will be many special events during Floriade. On Tuesday 17 September, Floriade will welcome home our Olympians and Paralympians on Stage 88 from 12.30pm to 1pm giving the public the opportunity to meet athletes for photos and autographs.
On Saturday 28 September, garden lovers can catch Australia’s favourite gardener, Costa Georgiadis, who will share his love of nature and gardening.
Floriade will host the Opening Ceremony for Australia’s Transplant Games on Wednesday 6 October with a procession of 300 athletes participating in the Games through the park to Stage 88, come along and show your support.
There is always plenty of fun for the whole family. The Kazador tent will host several shows across the month. Enjoy acrobatics, juggling, unicycling and comedy at Circus Extravaganza from Saturday 28 September to Sunday 13 October. The hilarious Dr Hubble’s Bubble show is a must for young visitors from Saturday 14 to Tuesday 17 September. Some Kind of Magic’s Kiki and Pascal will perform a magical blend of comedy and illusion from Wednesday 18 September through to Sunday 13 October.
Floriade never disappoints when it comes to food and drink with delicious options available from a range of local and interstate vendors, wineries and breweries for visitors to enjoy.
From Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October 2024 NightFest 2024 will feature an exciting program of after dark entertainment and horticultural illuminations from 6.30pm to 10.30pm each evening.
The Kazador tent will offer adults-only entertainment during NightFest, with Kiss Bang Cabaret combining risqué comedy, circus, burlesque and cabaret. You can purchase a combined ticket for entry with your NightFest tickets online.
Bring your pups to the park on the last day of Floriade, Sunday 13 October, for Dogs’ Day Out, an annual family favourite.
Then on Monday, 14 October the Great Big Bulb Dig invites visitors to take a piece of Floriade home while supporting local charities.
Entry to Floriade is free, and the gates are open from 9.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday, 14 September and then daily till 13 October. For more information visit floriadeaustralia.com
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
