Floriade 2026: Your guide to this year's festival
Canberra’s iconic spring festival, Floriade, is back this September and October, running for four weeks from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 11 October 2026 in Commonwealth Park - as well as around the city! I’ve picked out some highlights:
This year’s theme: 🌷 Feast of Flowers
This year’s theme is Feast of Flowers, drawing inspiration from seasonal harvests, local produce and rituals of gathering, cooking and eating together. The 12 main garden bed designs feature food-inspired scenes including a blooming BBQ, a giant floral version of the iconic Australian Women's Weekly Duck Cake, fairy bread and even a charcuterie platter.
Alongside the flowers is a program of foodie-themed activities, demonstrations and workshops.
What to do at Floriade this year
These are just some of the highlights - check the Floriade website for the full program.
🧑🍳 Canberra chefs on show
Floriade will be showcasing the talents of Canberra’s chefs. Tristan Rebbettes from Lunetta, Malcolm Hanslow from Such and Such and Pilot, Clement Chauvin from Les Bistronomes, and Will Moyle from Lunetta Trattoria will be presenting live cooking demonstrations. These are free, but you must book a spot online. Details here.
🫖 Underground Spirits Gin Garden
The gin garden is back this year with the pretty teapot cocktails and high tea. L'épi is baking the high tea treats, including some specially designed to be dunked into the cocktails. And as an extra treat, there are edible cocktails - think fancy jello shots you can pick up and eat. Bookings for the high tea are now open. Details here.
🔦 NightFest
Tim Finn, Christine Anu, Busby Marou, Pacific Avenue and The Temper Trap are headlining the nighttime festival. It runs from 1-4 October, with roving entertainers, illuminated garden beds and sculptures. Details here.
🍅 Kitchen garden
Majura Valley Farm will maintain a working kitchen garden at Floriade, planted with spring vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. There are also a couple of workshops at the kitchen garden, including growing flowers from seed and arranging seasonal flowers. Plus you can pick up a free tomato seedling to get growing. Details here.
🛥️ The Floriade Ferry
The Floriade Ferry service returns in 2026. Skip the parking and arrive directly at Floriade by water. The ferry service, operated by Love Boats, runs from the Kingston Foreshore to Regatta Point Jetty, with a return service in the afternoon.
You can also book a longer sightseeing cruise. The 1.5-hour cruise departs from Regatta Point Jetty and takes in the sights of Canberra. Details here.
📚 Stephanie Alexander: The Cook’s Companion
My parents had a copy of The Cook’s Companion and there’s a good chance your household had one too! Stephanie Alexander’s beloved recipe book is Australia’s kitchen ‘bible’. Join Stephanie Alexander to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the book in conversation with Canberra food writer Lucy Ridge, author of Fed Up. Details here.
🐶 Dogs’ Day Out
On the final day of Floriade, dogs are allowed in for the always-popular Dogs’ Day Out. There will be dedicated dog-friendly activities and market stalls with dog treats, accessories and more. Details here.
The Great Big Bulb Dig
Each year, after Floriade ends, the public is invited to take home a piece of the festival. The day after Floriade closes is the Great Big Bulb Dig - purchase a bag (it’s your ticket), bring your garden tools and dig up the bulbs. All proceeds from bag sales go to YWCA Canberra’s YHomes Housing program. Details here.