What is Floriade in Canberra?
Floriade is Australia's biggest celebration of spring, a flower festival held in Canberra each September and October. It features displays of hundreds of thousands of tulips and other blooms, along with entertainment and food.
The festival began in 1988 to celebrate Canberra's 75th birthday and Australia's bicentenary. It was such a success that it became an annual event.
The main festival site is Commonwealth Park, beside Lake Burley Griffin. Flower beds are planted in themed designs, with tulips, pansies, daffodils and other spring flowers.
Festival activities
Floriade includes live music, workshops, garden talks, food stalls and children's activities. Entry to the main festival is free.
In the evening, special events such as NightFest have offered light displays and entertainment. Gardeners can also buy bulbs after the festival, and many Canberrans plant them in their own gardens.
Floriade attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, making it one of Canberra's most important tourism events. It also showcases the city's reputation as the bush capital, surrounded by parks and gardens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was reimagined with flower displays spread around the suburbs.