Floriade NightFest 2012

In 2012, Commonwealth Park came alive after-dark when Floriade NightFest returned for five magical nights from Wednesday 26 September to Sunday 30 September. Each evening featured a variety of bands and stand-up comedy by popular acts all programmed to different themes including Chill out Wednesday,  Latino Thursday, Supper Club Friday, Party Night Saturday and Family Night on Sunday. Visitors wandered through the night markets, as the sun went down,  chilled out to hip tunes from a great line-up of DJs while sipping cocktails in the Butterfly Lounge, and learned something new at the Gourmet Garden and ActewAGL Look ‘n’ Learn Marquee.
 

Captivating lighting

Floriade transformed into an illuminated wonderland as the vibrant colour of the stunning new lighting designs bathed the garden beds, pond waters and soaring trees in Commonwealth Park after dark. Designed and created by world-class creative lighting designers Mandylights, NightFest 2012 definitely delivered surprising and enchanting lighting installations.
 

Spring into it

An epic DJ line-up took it to the floor throughout Floriade NightFest with everything from Jeremy Joshua’s fun loving house to smooth Ashley Feraude playing with a soulful touch. Hybrid modern /electro/acoustic sounds from Leigh Wood and the energetic urban Latino sounds of Alex Carder drowned the dancefloor. Visitors experienced the musical palette of  Rafa Chango (Rafael Florez) that spans dub reggae, Latin cumbia, afrobeat and beyond. EMI's SheCanDJ competition finalist Rachel Andrews and Matt Aitchison (AKA Favourite Son), and Jem Natividad (Jemist) all made an appearance.
 

Laughing the night away

Everybody's favourite felt-faced raconteur visited Floriade to cast his acerbic, ping-pong ball gaze on Commonwealth Park! Appearing in festivals all over the world alongside his skinny compadre Sammy J, Randy has been married, divorced, arrested, kidnapped and thrown from a moving hovercraft. After three and a half years as the occasionally sober children's entertainer, he settled on a career in comedy.  
 

Roving entertainment

The Cirquaholics are an ensemble of circus artists who perform visually stunning night shows using brilliantly glowing equipment. They lit up the NightFest sky with the latest in LED lit multi-coloured juggling technology and bedazzled the crowds with their electrifying tricks including juggling, staff spinning, hula hoops, diabolo and poi.

Tickets for NightFest 2013 will go on sale in early August 2013. Stay tuned here for more information.
 

Opening Hours and things to see and do

NightFest opens at 6.30pm and closes at 10.30pm from Wednesday September 25 – Sunday September 29.

If you’re looking for something to do and a bite to eat in between Floriade closing times and NightFest opening times (5.00pm – 6.30pm weekdays, and 5.30pm – 6.30pm weekends) here are some options:

The Deck restaurant at Regatta Point (a short 1 minute walk from Floriade) will be open Wednesday - Friday 5.00pm – 6.30pm serving coffee and cakes.

The National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point will be open 5.00pm – 6.30pm Wednesday - Friday. They have exhibitions and free tea and coffee for Floriade visitors.