Feel the flower power as Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers unveils its 75th anniversary program
Who knows what bounty spring will bring? Well, if you head into Toowoomba it’s near guaranteed to bring a cornucopia of enchanting flora, enlivening family fun and an enriching run of local food and drink. That’s right – the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is returning this September for another year of fabulous floriferous festivities. Celebrating 75 years, the festival has packed more than 77 efflorescent events into four petal-filled weeks from September 13 to October 7. Read on to uncover this year’s program …
Ringing in 75 years, making it the longest-running floral event of its kind in Australia, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers celebrates history, horticulture and all things spring with its 2024 theme – It’s A Party. Punters can partake in an abundant agenda of 83 events and activations across the Garden City, which will be adorned with more than 40 million petals across its parks and public spaces.
The 2024 program includes returning favourites like the Grand Central Floral Parade (Saturday September 21), the Teddy Bears’ Picnic (expanded into a four-day kids’ event by Thrive on Arts from September 26–29), Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank and the ever-popular Talking Pubs guided walking tour. It also adds some new blossoms to its bonnet such as Bricks in Bloom, a floral LEGO expo, fabulous Hanging Baskets at Cobb+Co Museum and Symphony Under the Stars on Friday October 4, bringing the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici. Take a stroll through tribute art exhibitions and trails, make a pit-stop at the Carnival of Trains or keep it cool at the Spring Jazz Festival.
For those eager for eats, the hugely popular Festival of Food and Wine will take place in Queens Park from September 13–15. There’s also #trEATS (Toowoomba Region EATS), the regional food trail that sees local cafes, restaurants and bars put together signature springtime dishes inspired by Toowoomba’s most famous event. This year a record number of floral-inspired treats are expected, affordably priced between $10–$20 and available for only four weeks, so you better limber up and don your stretchiest pants for a rollercoaster of gastronomical good times.
In honour of its Diamond Jubilee, marking 75 years since the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is displaying a Carnival Queen Exhibition – celebrating all of the enthroned dendritic dames from reigning monarch Breanna McCarthy to inaugural queen Fay Clayden (nee Ryan). The Toowoomba City Library is also putting together a dedicated display of Carnival Memorabilia, and calling on anyone with treasured trinkets they’d love to share to get in touch now!
Feeling the flower power? Head to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers website to check out the full program.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
