Floriade will bring Commonwealth Park to life once again this spring.
02 June 2026
In brief:
- Floriade returns to Commonwealth Park from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 11 October 2026.
- The theme is ‘Feast of Flowers’.
- Funding in the 2026–27 ACT Budget will expand the event from 2027.
Floriade will return to Commonwealth Park this spring, celebrating the theme ‘Feast of Flowers’.
Preparations are well underway for the festival, which will run from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 11 October 2026.
Commonwealth Park with be a riot of colour and texture, with more than a million blooms to enjoy.
Garden beds will draw inspiration from seasonal produce, and the rituals of harvesting and feasting.
A key event on Canberra’s calendar, Floriade remains a major attraction for locals and visitors alike.
Festival favourites
Beyond the flowers, Floriade boasts a vibrant program for all ages. There will be:
- food and wine workshops
- live music
- cultural performances
- market stalls
- family-friendly activities.
All the festival’s most popular events will be back, too.
NightFest will return from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 4 October.
Commonwealth Park will stay open after dark for four nights of illuminated gardens and entertainment.
On the festival’s final day, pooches big and small will be part of the fun at the much-loved Dogs’ Day Out.
The Great Big Bulb Dig will take place the next day, supporting the local community through funds raised for YWCA.
Floriade Community and Floriade About Town
Floriade will once again extend across the city through Floriade Community and Floriade About Town.
Hundreds of thousands of flowers will be planted in 85 locations through Floriade Community. These include schools, sporting clubs, community groups and local organisations across the ACT.
Local businesses will also take part in Floriade About Town. Many will offer themed experiences and promotions throughout the festival.
Lanyon Homestead will again host a satellite program in its unique heritage setting.
Economic benefits
Floriade delivers tangible benefits for jobs, tourism and the broader Canberra economy.
More than 500,000 people attended the festival in 2025, many from interstate.
This filled hotels, supported local venues and created opportunities for small businesses.
Expanded hours in 2027 and 2028
From next year, visitors will have more opportunity to enjoy Floriade.
Funding over two years in the 2026–27 ACT Budget expand the event from 2027.
The funding allocated in this year’s Budget will also support Events ACT to plan for the 2027 expansion.
The festival will open one day earlier. It will also extend its operating hours by approximately two hours each day, to align with daylight savings time.
The change coincides with Floriade’s 40th anniversary next year.
It will ensure people have the option to stay longer and enjoy the gardens.
Expanded hours also support more creative twilight and after-dark events.
Find out more
More details on the 2026 program will be made available on the official Floriade website.
Visit floriadeaustralia.com for program updates and travel information.
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