Canberra’s favourite spring festival has seen an all-time record-breaking opening weekend.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Floriade opened at Commonwealth Park on Saturday 13 September with an all-time record-breaking 46,386 people through the gates across the weekend.
“This is the highest number in the history of recording and represents a 43 per cent increase on 2024,” he told CD.
Mr Barr said the ACT Government was thrilled to see such a strong start to Floriade 2025 with a record-breaking opening weekend attendance.
“This milestone reflects the enduring appeal of Floriade as Australia’s biggest celebration of spring,” he told CD.
“The Government is proud to stage an event that brings so much colour, creativity and community spirit to Canberra.
“We thank everyone who came out to enjoy the opening weekend and look forward to welcoming even more visitors over the coming weeks.”
Mr Barr said Floriade held a special place in the hearts of Canberrans and continued to be a major drawcard for visitors from across Australia and overseas.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals enjoy the event year after year, and to witness the joy it brings to people of all ages,” he said.
“The event’s continued popularity is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in its delivery and to Canberra’s reputation as a fun and welcoming destination.”
Mr Barr said Floriade was also a major economic contributor.
“Last year, Floriade attracted 470,000 visitors, with 46 per cent of these being visitors to Canberra, generating a $62.4 million expenditure impact – a huge boost for our city,” he said.
At the media launch on 12 September, Mr Barr said the government was hopeful 280,000 tourists and another 250,000 locals would attend the festival over the month.
Mr Barr said the record-breaking opening weekend was followed by “another big weekend”, with almost 48,000 people heading along to the festival in its second weekend.
This year’s festival, with the theme ‘Science and Nature’ runs from 13 September to 12 October.
CD’s guide to the festival can be viewed at canberradaily.com.au/floriade-sees-canberra-in-full-bloom/
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