Floriade lights up in Canberra
Pop Culture icons take over Floriade
Australia’s premier flower festival, Floriade takes over Commonwealth Park in Canberra from 15 September – 14 October 2018.
This year, Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson are set to star alongside the likes of Grug and Where’s Wally as this year’s Floriade takes visitors on a trip down memory lane through the theme of Pop Culture.
Floriade’s focus on delivering an exciting, diverse, innovative program has ensured this year’s line-up is nothing short of blooming wonderful! Visitors can tantalise their tastebuds and sample the best produce from Canberra and the surrounding region, keep the kids entertained throughout the school holiday period for free at KidzKlub or spend Sunday afternoons picnicking at Jazz in the Park with some very special guests including the uber-talented Emma Pask. For the aspiring or avid green thumbs, one of the many workshops on offer at The Greenhouse interactive venue is sure to please.
Featuring a jam-packed program drawing inspiration from this year’s theme, Pop Culture, festival-goers will be treated to an exciting array of retro-inspired flowerbeds showcasing some of the 20th Century’s most iconic figures in music, film, literature and social media. With something for everyone, people can expect Marilyn Monroe and Ken Done inspired creations alongside beds dedicated to Grug, the Rubik’s Cube and what’s sure to be a crowd favourite, Where’s Wally.
Back due to popular demand, NightFest, Floriade’s ticketed after-dark experience, returns for five nights, from Wednesday 26 September until Sunday 30 September. Commonwealth Park will come to life after dark with illuminated flowerbeds, a line-up of local and drink food stalls, nightly entertainment and dazzling lighting installations making NightFest an absolute must in 2018. On the Wednesday night, grab some popcorn and a blanket as Stage 88 transforms into an open-air cinema, while Thursday and Friday nights see musicians hit the stage as the music flows through the flowerbeds including Caiti Baker, Bowie Unzipped featuring Jeff Duff and Kate Miller-Heidke. Then, get your dance moves ready for Saturday’s Party NightFest, as the Park switches to party mode with Cell Block 69. Cap off the weekend with a night of laughs as MA15+ Comedy NightFest returns with Arj Barker, Akmal Saleh, The Stevenson Experience, Chris Ryan and Matt Okine.
Floriade wraps up on Sunday 14 October with the always popular Dogs’ Day Out, featuring a superhero dress up Pop Culture theme. All pups, big and small, are invited to soak up the sunshine and explore Floriade with special pup-friendly activities and entertainment throughout the day. Dress up with your pup to go in the draw to win the Best Dressed Award.
Beyond the gates of Floriade visitors can continue to experience one good thing after another in Canberra.
With a stellar food and wine scene, a multitude of museums and galleries and endless natural attractions just waiting to be explored, discover why the capital was named among Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2018. Don’t miss Rome: City and Empire at the National Museum of Australia and Heath Ledger: A life in pictures at the National Film and Sound Archive, or get back to nature with the Wildfest® Pop Up Wilderness Family Camp at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
For further information: www.floriadeaustralia.com
