Toowoomba City

Why you need to visit Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers this year

Every year, Toowoomba celebrates its reputation as the Garden City with the most spectacular display of spring flowers during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The longest-running floral event of its kind in Australia, dating back to 1950, visitors travel far and wide to see the city’s gardens in full bloom.

The carnival is back in 2024 for its 75th year with a huge four weeks of flowers and local flavours. What does this mean for visitors? Plenty more opportunities to visit, and lots of events to add to your calendar.

Not just for garden enthusiasts, expect a vibrant celebration of music, food and wine, entertainment, parades, outdoor cinema and more.

Here’s why you need to make 2024 the year you visit Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

1. You'll get a real taste of Toowoomba

This festival has as much for the foodies as it does flowers – and we’re not just talking a Devonshire tea over some roses.

Leading the charge, Toowoomba’s huge Festival of Food & Wine returns this year from 13 - 15 September 2024, bringing three days of local flavours pulled fresh from the pastures, vineyards and orchards of Queensland Country – alongside a line-up of some of Australia’s best bands.

Sample the best of the region during wine, cheese and distillery tastings, learn BBQ tricks of the trade from smokehouse specialists, settle in for a beer appreciation session, or watch celebrity chef Anna Polyviou whip up sensational sweets.

2. It's a chance to embrace your creative side

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is one massive injection of creativity and colour - just take one look at the thoughtfully designed themed gardens at Laurel Bank Park.

But you don’t just have to sit back and admire here. If you’re not much of a wallflower and prefer to immerse yourself in new experiences, fill your days with the carnival’s schedule of cooking demonstrations, workshops and creative outlets - including annual crowd favourite - DIY flower crowns.

3. The festival continues after dark

When the sun goes down, head over to Queens Park between 20-22 September 2024 for the Sideshow Alley, where you'll find thrill-seeking rides, fairy floss, dagwood dogs and show bags.

Throughout Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, you can join a guided Twilight Tour of Laurel Bank to discover the secret world of the parklands by night, along with curious facts about rare and fascinating plant species.

4. There's plenty to keep the kids entertained

Who says the grown-ups get to have all the fun? Beyond Sideshow Alley, there's plenty to keep smiles on little faces.

Little ones have their very own play space at the Festival of Food & Wine known as The Cubby House, where they can explore, create and design to their heart’s content.

Want to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the garden displays? Hop on board the Ferris Wheel, which you can find spinning in Queens Park from 13 - 22 September 2024.

The library is also hosting 'Alice in Wonderland' themed holiday activities throughout the Carnival - participation is free but bookings are essential.

5. You can get a front-row seat to the parade

Mark your calendar: the iconic Grand Central Floral Parade is set to flood Toowoomba's streets with colour on Saturday 21 September 2024. Kicking off at 10am, come to watch street performers, roving entertainers and floral floats make their way through the heart of Toowoomba to Queens Park.

6. There's a huge lineup of live music

The magic of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is just how much there is to experience - and this year's musical lineup is yet another reason why you need to visit.

The Festival of Food and Wine (13-15 Sep) might have hundreds of delicious morsels to taste, but come the evening you'll want to beeline to the Main Stage where James Reyne, Thirsty Merc, Pete Murray, Kate Ceberano and many others will perform across the weekend.

Prefer the classics? Make your way to Queens Park Ampitheatre for Symphony Under the Stars (4 Oct), when Queensland Symphony Orchestra will perform tunes from the greats, from Gershwin to Debussy.

Throughout the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Laurel Bank Park will come alive with music, entertainment and blooms - fun for the whole family.

7. You can bring your best mate

Did you know Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is dog-friendly?

No need to leave your pup lonely at home - your dog is welcome in many spaces during the festival, including in all public parks (must be on-leash). Small dogs are even welcome on the Ferris Wheel in Queens Park!

Once your pup has smelled the roses, explore Toowoomba's many designated off-leash parks and dog-friendly cafes.

For more dog-friendly adventures, head to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers website to discover the 'Petals and Pups' itineraries.

Carnival aside, there's so much more to see and do in Toowoomba

From tasting your way through the incredible eats scattered all over Toowoomba, to op shop hopping and mountain climbs, there’s a lot more to this country city than just its beautiful gardens.

If you plan on staying in Toowoomba a little longer, make sure you check out all the other top things to do and see in this 48-hour guide to Toowoomba.

Planning on heading to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers? Check out this itinerary with all the info you need to make the most out of a long weekend here.