Floriade is a spectacular floral display held from mid September to mid October every year in Commonwealth Park in Canberra. Over one million bulbs and annuals are used each year and Floriade is the largest event of this kind in the southern hemisphere. The name 'Floriade' comes from the latin word Floriat, meaning 'to design with flowers'.

 

It is well worth a visit as there is much more to see than just flowers, although the flowers are truly magnificent. Floriade is also a festive celebration with music, street artists, entertainment and activities. There are cultural celebrations, displays and demonstrations, gardening products, arts, crafts stalls and produce and childrens activities. This year there is also a Floriade NightFest for five nights from 24 September to 28 September with outdoor film screenings, night markets, local gourmet food and wine and roving entertainers.

 

Commonwealth Park is on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, only a 5 minute walk from Canberra’s city centre. Floriade transforms the area into a tapestry of colour and the tapestry changes throughout the month, as different flowers bloom at different times. At the start of Floriade the open bulbs are the early bloomers including daffodils, narcissus and hyacinths with their heavenly scent. A couple of weeks later many of these have faded but there are brightly coloured ranunculus and delightful tulips in all colours and shapes. There are also brightly coloured annuals including pansies, polyanthus and poppies.

 

Floriade began in 1988 as part of Canberra’s bicentennial celebrations and it was so successful that it became an annual event. The flower beds are carefully planned with a different design each year. The unique theme determines the layout, type and colour of the flowers and even the entertainment that accompanies the festival. Weekends are the busiest times as most Canberra locals will visit the event at least twice.

 

Admission to Floriade is free, and this year the twenty-first staging of the event will run from Saturday 13 September to Sunday 12 October. You’ll find lots of other things to do in the National Capital including visiting Parliament House, the War Memorial and the National Gallery, but everyone should visit the spectacle of Floriade at least once.