Family friendly things to do in Canberra: Floriade 2024

It's fair to say that spring hasn't sprung in Canberra until the official opening of Floriade. Well, get your hats and your Zyrtec ready, because Floriade will be swinging open its gates on the 14th of September, and we can hardly wait.

If you're looking for family-friendly things to do in Canberra, Floriade takes the cake. It's free, it's got food, it's fun and it's got flowers (over one million, to be precise). Here's the run down of Floriade 2024 in Canberra for families and kids.

What is Floriade?

If you've somehow managed to never hear of Floriade, here's the details you need. Floriade is Australia's biggest celebration of spring, where over one million beautiful flowers (mainly tulips) are planted throughout Canberra's Commonwealth Park in artistic displays. As well as flowers, there's food & drink stalls, workshops, entertainment, a kids corner (with ferris wheel, games and rides) exhibitions, performances, market stalls, and so much more.

What will I find at Floriade in 2024?

Commonwealth Park

Entry to Floriade is free, and the gates are open from 9.30am – 5.30pm daily. This year's theme is Art in Bloom, and you can expect to see garden beds representing literature, architecture, psychedelia, abstract, theatre, and much more. There's a stellar line up of family-friendly activities this year at Floriade. The exhibition highlights for families & kids include:

• The Beanies - The Big Beanie Boogie is an energetic, interactive concert designed to have Mini Beanies up on their feet and dancing the day away

• Gnome Knoll (the beloved tradition of painting your own gnome for display at Floriade)

• The Reflection Gallery - a large-scale interactive installation that invites participants to draw and write on brightly coloured mirror shapes

• Warehouse Circus (including a fire spectacular!)

• Costa Georgiadis - a session run by Australia's favourite gardener, with the chance to meet the man himself in meet and greet sessions

• CJ Shaw All Sorts Kids Show - a musical act that delivers playful, humorous songs that resonate with kids everyday experiences

• Floriade Fairies - the lovely Chameleon Collective inclusive dance company will be roaming Floriade throughout the festival

• Teen Painting Workshop - learn to paint flowers on French arches paper using oil paints with artist and educator Naomi Zouwer

• Circus Extravaganza - a whirlwind of acrobatics, unicycling, juggling, hula-hoops, and comedy (paid ticketed event)

• Dr Hubble's Bubble Show - Join Dr. Hubble on a hilarious and slightly educational journey into the magical world of bubbles (paid ticketed event)

NightFest

Of course, Floriade isn't just restricted to daylight hours. The popular NightFest, Floriade's late night floral celebration, sees Commonwealth Park illuminated with vibrant colours and plenty of entertainment. Enjoy an amazing program of live music on two stages, captivating cabaret in the Kazador Tent, roving entertainment, market stalls and fantastic food and drinks. NightFest is on from the 3rd - 6th of October.

The Tulip Trail

The Tulip Trail is back in 2024, helping to expand Floriade's signature blooms beyond Commonwealth Park and into the suburbs of Canberra. Ninety six community groups have received a share of 300,000 bulbs and annuals. These vibrant additions contribute to this year’s Tulip Trail, bringing a burst of colour to Canberra’s suburbs and town centres. A copy of the trail map can be downloaded from the Floriade website. If you're looking for even more family friendly things to do in Canberra, get the family together and join in and discover all the bursts of colour across Canberra .

Lanyon Homestead

The beauty of Floriade doesn’t end at the gates of Commonwealth Park, this year you can again enjoy the beauty of Floriade within the picturesque grounds of Lanyon Homestead. Stroll through the gardens to admire a variety of floral displays, including a garden bed inspired by the work of Sidney Nolan. Enjoy guided tours, engaging events, and a selection of food and drink options at this charming historic homestead.

Dog's Day Out

On the last day of Floriade (13th of October), pooches big and small (plus their humans) are welcome at the Dogs’ Day Out. With a range of dog-specific retail vendors and dog-friendly programming on stage and throughout the park, Floriade invites our furry friends to enjoy a day among the blooms.

The Great Big Bulb Dig

If you want to take a little piece of Floriade home with you, make sure you join in this year's Big Bulb Dig. After the final day of Floriade (Monday the 14th of October), locals are invited to take part in digging up bulbs from the Floriade gardens and taking them home to plant. To gain access to the Bulb Dig, visitors must purchase a Floriade Art in Bloom Great Big Bulb Dig bag during the Floriade festival (available from various stalls throughout Floriade, including the Floriade Shop). On the day, fill your bag with as many bulbs as you can. All funds raised from the Great Big Bulb Dig go to the two charities (Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation).

How do I find Floriade?

Floriade is located at Canberra's Commonwealth Park, right near Canberra City and the National Triangle. There is parking available in some locations around the city and National Triangle, however parking fills up fast and is often paid parking. Public transport runs throughout all of these areas every 15 minutes or so. Check the Transport Canberra website for bus schedules.

Alternatively, you can leave the car at home and arrive in style on the Floriade Ferry! The service will run every weekend and public holiday as well as during the school holidays from Monday 30 September to Friday 11 October and during NightFest. The ferry is accessible and can be utilised by patrons with wheelchairs and prams. Dogs will also be permitted on-board for Dog’s Day Out on Sunday 13 October 2024. For more information and to book your spot, head to the LoveBoats website.

Is Floriade pram-friendly?

Floriade is mostly pram-friendly. There is a gravel track throughout most of the event. There are some grassed areas (near Stage 88, where most of the main entertainment acts perform) which could be a little harder to navigate with a pram.

Want more info?

For more information on Floriade 2024, including the daily program guide and NightFest tickets, visit their website.