FAQs
About the Event
Floriade typically takes place from mid-September to mid-October. In 2025, the dates are Saturday 13 September to Sunday 12 October 2025.
The Floriade gates will open at 9:30am and close at 5:30pm.
The theme for Floriade 2025 is “Science and Nature”, transforming Commonwealth Park into a dynamic space of discovery and learning. The garden bed designs will draw inspiration from the most recognised scientific fields of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology and botany, embodying the excitement and adventure of experimentation and pursuit of new ideas.
Floriade is held in Commonwealth Park located on Regatta Place, Parkes, Canberra.
Floriade is free to enter and does not require registration. There are some paid events included in the Floriade program. Look out for ‘Book Tickets’ specified on the applicable event pages and linked to ticketing websites for purchase.
NightFest
NightFest will be held from Thursday 2 October to Sunday 5 October 2025.
Nightfest gates will open from 6:30pm till 10:30pm.
Tickets for NightFest are available online through Universe, the only authorised ticket seller for the event. Tickets purchased from any other provider are purchased at the customer’s own risk and may not be valid for entry.
No. NightFest tickets are non-refundable.
Tickets are eligible for a date change one week prior to the start of your event, subject to availability. You can do this through the Manage Order option in your purchase confirmation email from Universe.
The event wil go ahead in wet weather, but may be cancelled in the event of severe weather.
In the event of a cancellation due to severe weather ticketholders will be offered to transfer their ticket to another night subject to availability. Where it is not possible to transfer a ticket from a cancelled event, ticketholders will be offered a refund.
We encourage purchasing online early to avoid disappointment of missing out, ticket sales for each evening will be available online up until 10pm each evening of NightFest unless sold out. Tickets will also be available to purchase from the box office on site from 4:30pm – 10pm each evening until sold out.
The Kazador will host 2 sessions of 18+ variety show ‘Kiss Tease Cabaret’ each evening of NightFest. Tickets to Kiss Tease Cabaret are purchased via Universe as a package with your NightFest entry ticket.
Concession tickets can be bought with a valid Pensioner Card, Government Issued Seniors Card, Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card, or Full Time Student Card.
Yes, you can! However, we do ask that patrons respect others around them by placing chairs to the back or sides of grassed viewing areas so they do not obstruct the view of others who may be sitting on picnic blankets at ground level. Please also be aware that the NightFest program offers multiple performances and entertainment on stages around the park, rather than a central stage.
No, sorry, there are no pass outs for NightFest. If there are any exceptional circumstances they will be managed on a case-by-case basis.
Getting to, in and around Floriade
Information on public transport and parking is available on our Getting to Floriade page.
Pickup & Set Down
There will be restricted drop off/pickup spaces outside the Floriade Main Gate on Regatta Place in front of the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, to enable coaches to drop off and pick up.
Vehicles will be required to turn off Barrine Drive onto Regatta Place.
Signage will be positioned to guide vehicles and designate the drop off/pick up area. A Traffic Controller will also be positioned at the intersection of Regatta Point and the designated thoroughfare parking bay to communicate the process to vehicles.
Set-down and pick-up is permitted at Regatta Point however coach and bus parking in this location is prohibited.
Bus/Coach Parking
During the event, the Regatta Point bus and coach parking area will not be available for the use.
Due to construction works, no coach and bus parking is available at Acton Park carpark, West Basin.
After dropping off passengers, buses and coaches can seek parking at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in bays 11 and 12; however, availability may be limited due to other scheduled activity in the area.
Further information on availability will be confirmed, so please check back for more information.
The entrance to the coach parking at the AIS is on Braybrooke Street which can be accessed either via Battye Street or Ginninderra Drive. The AIS has a café onsite, as well as public restroom facilities, which is located within the visitors’ centre.
Alternatively, you can try the below coach bays which have limited first come-first served parking.
- Mall Road West, behind Questacon | 7-8 spaces
- Lennox Crossing, National Museum of Australia | 3-4 spaces
- Akuna Street, adjacent to Glebe Park | 3-4 spaces
- Alinga Street, behind the Novotel | 3 spaces
- Museum of Australian Democracy, King George Terrace | 5-6 spaces
Accessibility
Floriade is Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring and is committed to reducing barriers and delivering an event that is accessible and inclusive.
We would like your visit to Floriade to be an enjoyable experience. Floriade is accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and strollers, and will offer the following services:
– Accessible parking
– Front gate drop off zone for mobility impaired or aged visitors
– Accessible toilets
– Mobility services for hiring out walking frames, wheelchairs and mobility scooters for use on site
– Sensory Hour from 9:30am until 10:30am weekdays (not including public holidays)
Please note that display marquees and markets in Floriade are either at ground level, or marquees are fixed with accessible ramps.
Paths are wide enough to accommodate pedestrians, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and strollers.
Be aware there are some loose gravel pathways and there may be water on pathways after rain.
Find out more on our Accessibility page.
Accessible public parking is available adjacent to the Regatta Point entrance (access off Commonwealth Ave). Parking is limited and vehicles must display an authorised disability parking permit.
Please go to the Accessibility page to find out more about accessible parking options.
Yes, Floriade welcomes you to bring a wheelchair, mobility scooter or stroller.
Floriade is accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and strollers. Display marquees and markets in Floriade are either at ground level, or marquees are fixed with accessible ramps. Accessible toilet facilities are also available across the event site. Paths are wide enough to accommodate pedestrians, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and strollers. Be aware there are some loose gravel pathways and there may be water on pathways after rain.
A limited number of wheelchairs, walking frames, electric mobility scooters and strollers will be available for hire. For mobility hire and booking enquiries, please email scooters@netspeed.com.au or send a text message to 0403 242 584.
Please go to the Accessibility page to find out more about mobility options.
Floriade is located on a four-hectare site. The circuit around Floriade is approximately 1.6km and contains some loose granite pathways. We recommend you wear sensible footwear and take all necessary precautions to prevent injury to yourself or those in your party.
A limited number of wheelchairs, walking frames, electric mobility scooters and strollers will be available for hire on site from the Mobility Marquee.
The Floriade train will also be in operation and is a lovely way to see and move around the site.
Yes. Sensory Hour will be on between 9:30am till 10:30am on weekdays (not including public holidays).
During this hour, there will be limited amplified sounds and stage performances to create a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, offering a sensory friendly experience at Floriade for individuals with sensory processing challenges.
The Floriade gates will open at 9:30am and close at 5:30pm.
Our Community and Nursing Home Bus Tours for Floriade 2025 are now booked out. If you wish to join our waitlist for any cancelled slots, please email events@act.gov.au.
General Information
Due to liquor licencing restrictions, only alcohol purchased from one of the licenced traders can be consumed at the event.
You can bring your own food and drink to Floriade and NightFest, but there are also a range of food and drink options available for purchase from our range of food vendors.
If you purchase closed bottles of alcohol from one of the retail vendors on site it is not for consumption on site and should be taken home.
This year there will be a range of food and drink vendors on site offering a wide variety of food and plenty of seating. You do not need to make a booking.
In the interest of health and public safety, no dogs or any animals (other than assistance/companion animals as per Assistance animals – City Services) are permitted to enter Floriade or Floriade Nightfest.
All other dogs will be permitted at Floriade only on Sunday 12 October 2025 for Dogs’ Day Out. Conditions apply.
Floriade, Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Floriade is a family friendly event and is smoke-free and vape-free within its boundaries at Commonwealth Park.
We kindly ask that you respect other patrons and refrain from smoking or vaping in the Floriade site.
All lost property handed in will be registered and remain at the Information Marquee during the day. Please present to the Information Marquee to see if your lost property has been handed in or to register your name and contact details along with details of your lost item for the team to contact you if handed in.
Until 10 November 2025 you can enquire about lost property by emailing events@act.gov.au. Any items not claimed by 10 November 2025 will be donated to charity or disposed of.
Yes, we will have a dedicated room for baby/infant care which will include the below:
1. Change table
2. Low sofa style seating and stools for breast/bottle feeding
3. Microwaves to heat/sterilise equipment
4. Accessible toilets located nearby
All accessible toilets within Floriade also include a baby change table.
Giant Ferris Wheel $12 per person / $45 for 4 people
Trackless Train $7 per person
Fantasy Cups $7 per person
Nostalgic Carousel $7 per person
Flying Elephants $7 per person
Super Slide $10 for 3 Slides
Laughing Clowns $6 per game or 3 games for $15
Catch a Duck $6 per duck, 3 ducks for $12 or 7 ducks for $25
Amusement rides can be paid for by card.
Yes, CCTV and anonymous biometrics are used in this area to monitor the Security, crowd numbers, mood and flow of all patrons, staff, and for the enforcement of law and conditions of entry.
Our Privacy Policy can be found here or call 132281 for more information.
At this time, there is no designated prayer room. However, we understand the importance of prayer and are committed to helping attendees find suitable quiet spaces.
As stated above, there is no designated prayer room at this time. However, we respect women’s privacy concern and committed to helping attendees find a suitable space though we cannot guarantee at this stage.
While there is no formal prayer area, our team has identified several quiet, low-traffic locations around the venue that may be suitable for prayer. These include:
- Top of Rhododendron Gardens
- Behind native garden beds behind Garden bed 11, near Gnome Knoll
Please ask a staff member or visit the Info Desk for directions to these areas, please not fully wheelchair accessible.
These spaces are selected for their relative privacy and quietness. While they are not dedicated prayer rooms, we strive to ensure they are clean and respectful environments. If you need assistance, our staff are happy to help.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own prayer mat. If you need help locating a clean surface, please speak with a member of the event team.
Yes. Attendees can use the venue’s water refill stations for access to clean running water, you will need to bring a water carrying device to take the water away. If you need help locating the nearest facility, please ask a staff member or visit the Info Desk.
Canberra Mosque (Yarralumla) is approximately 4km from the Floriade grounds, that’s approximately 10-minute drive depending on traffic situation. Address: 130 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, ACT 2600.
Other Events at Floriade
Yes there will be a bulb dig on Monday 13 October. The information on The Great Big Bulb Dig can be found on the Bulb Dig page.
Yes Dogs’ Day Out will be held on Sunday 12 October. More details available here.
Yes you may bring other pets to Dogs’ Day Out but for the safety of your pet and other attendees they must be restrained or in suitable cages/carry boxes. Please note that you bring your pet at your own risk.
Floriade Community
Floriade Community was introduced in 2021 following the success of Floriade: Reimagined in 2020, which saw more than 90 community groups plant bulbs and annuals to help create a tulip trail through Canberra’s suburbs.
This year 300,000 bulbs and annuals will be made available to schools, community groups and organisations as part of Floriade Community to spread the joy and colour of Floriade throughout Canberra in 2025.
Yes, please go to the Floriade Community page to see the Tulip Trail map for the locations of the Floriade Community plantings.
Get Involved
If you are interested in becoming a Floriade volunteer, please sign up to the mailing list via our volunteers page, and we will contact you when applications open.
Applications for food vendor and market stallholders for 2025 have closed.
You can register for our mailing list for the most up to date information regarding future opportunities.
If you are a professional performing artist or group and would like to be considered for the 2025 program, please email your details through to us at entertainment@act.gov.au.
Applications for school and community performance groups are closed for 2025.
If you can’t find your answer please email us events@act.gov.au.
Sponsors
