By Rama Gaind.
DISPLAY: Multi-coloured array of tulips at Floriade.
This year is like no other, but nothing says spring is in Canberra like Floriade – even though it has been reconceived in 2020. The event, from 12 September-11 October, has moved from its traditional home in Commonwealth Park to bloom, instead, across Canberra city and its suburbs.
Featuring floral plantings by the Floriade horticulture team and over 90 Canberra community groups, this year’s festival allows the community to enjoy spring blooms every day. One million bulbs and annuals will create a tulip trail through the ACT.
This year, flower fans will enjoy Floriade: Reimagined by following the tulip trail and participating in a vibrant mix of virtual and in-person experiences.
FUN: Families can enjoy Floriade 2020.
During Floriade’s 33-year history the festival has transformed into Australia’s biggest celebration of spring with approximately 500,000 guests annually. The 2020 festival not only marks flowers blooming to life after their winter hibernation, but also celebrates the community spirit and resilience that Canberrans have displayed during recent challenging times. This year’s festival allows the community to connect safely while public health restrictions are in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
See and do
Head to the marketplace and browse goodies galore. Enjoy the taste and style of Canberra’s spring celebration delivered straight to your door with the virtual marketplace, which showcases 80 of the favourite traders, as well as, some new ones.
Stock up on Australian designed products, gardening delights and spring-inspired eats.
Floriade Life features workshops, talks and fitness classes to help keep your gardens green and minds inspired. Stock up on Australian designed products, gardening delights and spring-inspired eats at the virtual marketplace that showcases some favourite Floriade traders and foodies.
VISION: Poppies in bloom.
Young Floriade fans can learn about sustainability and the environment, search for gnomes hidden throughout Canberra and uncover new worlds with Floriade Sprouts.
With over 130 sites planted, head to the interactive map to explore locations near you.
This year Floriade’s dark side, NightFest, has been transformed into Canberra’s biggest NightFeast. For one night only, Canberrans will enjoy a feast with a delectable difference as restaurants and eateries across the capital dish up bespoke, spring-inspired eats.
You can join in the territory-wide feast by booking a meal at a participating eatery or ordering an at-home NightFest experience on Friday, 2 October 2020. Foodies will be treated to food and wine under the stars from The Pop Inn, ice-cream that tastes like the essence of spring from the creative minds at Frugii, seasonal flavours from Poacher’s Pantry and much more.
Spring meals
FLASHBACK: Crowds and the floral feast as seen in past years at Floriade.
NightFeast wouldn’t be complete without those treats it’s famous for – entertainment and lights. If you’re one of the lucky ones ordering meals straight to your front door, then enjoy dinner and a show with fun-sized NightFest activities. Try your hand at making one of the festival’s signature lanterns and enjoy a curated Spotify playlist featuring artists from past festival to bring a taste of NightFest into your home.
Why not go local to show your support. By backing one local business, you are helping many including local producers, their suppliers and regional growers.
A reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to follow health advice and do what we can to ensure we keep ourselves, and the community, safe. Floriade fans are asked to avoid large crowds, keep 1.5m apart whenever possible, maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, stay home if unwell and get tested if any COVID-19 symptoms are experienced.
Enjoy, stay well – and be safe.
DETAILS BOX
Floriade 2020 in Canberra
12 September-11 October
https://visitcanberra.com.au/events/56b23aea266140594567dbbe/floriade-reimagined
