A field of more than 5,000 handmade roses is the star of the show of Floriade’s NightFest.
Dubbed Floriade’s “dark side”, NightFest gives visitors to the annual flower show at Commonwealth Park the opportunity to see the event in a different light.
It runs as a ticketed event from 3-6 October, featuring after dark entertainment from cabaret to live music, and horticultural illuminations, including neon tulips.
The impressive Rose Garden features a “sprawling installation” of more than 5,000 individually handmade roses featuring colour-changing LED lights that pulse as “ethereal” music is played.
Nestled in the Rhododendron Gardens between Ferry Gate and The Gallery, this was my favourite display as I found it calming and felt I could walk through it all day long.
Another stunning display is the array of pillars that feature Indigenous art in a range of designs and colours.
Entertainment will come in the form of live music including ARIA-award winning Karise Eden performing on 4 October, Latin and Afro-American music by FunkyTrop on the 5th, and indie rock star Greta Ziller on the 6th, all performing on Stage 88.
There will also be an array of roving entertainment, as well as the hilarious, crude and very talented performers from Kiss Bang Cabaret at the Kazador tent (which is an 18+ ticketed event).
There’s also plenty to do as a family, with Floriade Sprouts creating magic through lantern making workshops, balloon modelling with the Gecko Gang and the lantern parade each night.
The Floriade Ferry will run on a special schedule for NightFest and the school holidays, illuminating the lake as it transports guests from Queen Elizabeth Terrace to the Floriade gates in under five minutes.
While there’s plenty to do on the ground level, I think the best way to view the festival is from the Floriade Ferris wheel.
Not only do you catch a glimpse of the lights from above, but also Canberra’s iconic venues, such as the National Library of Australia and the sculpture at the entrance of the National Museum of Australia.
The gates open for NightFest from 6:30-10:30pm each night, while the day festival runs from 9:30am-5pm daily.
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