The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers | September - October 2024

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers woman admiring flower garden.

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Friday 13th September – Monday 7th October 2024

Celebrating 75 years in 2024!

It is quite fitting that one of Toowoomba’s earliest historical milestones was a visit by Allan Cunningham, an English explorer and botanist in 1816. He was searching for native trees and plant life that would withstand the Australian climate.

Toowoomba took a leaf from its historical pages to open its city doors to budding landscapers and gardeners with their annual Carnival of Flowers. The carnival was started in 1949 by the local city council, who wanted a way to boost the economy after difficult years following World War II. The Carnival quickly bloomed into a very successful and popular event, both for locals and visitors.

Amongst a host of organised events, you can choose to indulge in local organic food and wine, experience local culture with live music, tour the exhibiting gardens, or spend time appreciating some classic cars. Each activity is set to enliven the event and add enjoyment for visitors time in the ‘garden city’.

Arguably, the highlight of the carnival is the Grand Central Floral Parade with its awe-inspiring floats and displays. The Carnival also includes an awesome program of family-friendly entertainment, with everything from amazing parades and live entertainment, to kids’ rides and activities, celebrity chef dinners, twilight tours, and much more – all held at multiple sites across Toowoomba over a month in spring.

Table of Contents

Things to see at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in 2024

Grand Central Floral Parade

Over 100,000 people will line the street as hundreds of flowery floats wind their way through the heart of the city. This year’s parade will include carnival characters, street performers and roving entertainment as they escort the beautiful floral floats through the heart of the city to Queens Park.

If you do decide to take the time and watch the entire parade, you should note that it does take around an hour to pass by any given point, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the vibrant floats and flashy costumes.

The Grand Central Floral Parade will be held 10am – 12pm on Saturday 21st September 2024.

Festival of Food & Wine

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers picnic laid out on rug in the sun.

IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism and Events Queensland

The grown ups are well and truly catered for with delectable produce and delicious local wines at Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ Festival of Food & Wine. Whilst children under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult, there’s still plenty for families to enjoy, with live evening performances on all three days, workshops, and an exciting kids’ zone.

The entertainment in 2024 will include celebrity chef demonstrations and BBQ and smokehouse tastings, as well as live performances by Kate Ceberano, James Reyne, Thirsty Merc, Pete Murray and more.

The Festival of Food & Wine is held on Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September 2024. Tickets are required for this event.

Queens Park

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers ferris wheel

IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism and Events Queensland

Not only is Queens Park home to some stunning floral displays for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers every year, but you can get a bird’s eye view of these displays from the ferris wheel! The perfect way to see the displays in all of their glory, the wheel will be located adjacent to the Botanic Gardens.

While you’re in Queens Park, be sure to check out all of the floral displays and stop by the food trucks (8:30am – 5:30pm, Friday 13th September to Monday 7th October 2024) for some delicious eats on the go. On weekends throughout the carnival, you can also enjoy parkland entertainment and live music.

The Ferris Wheel in Queens Park will be operating from 9am to 6pm from Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd September 2024.

Other activities within Queens Park will be running at various times throughout the duration of the carnival, as noted.

Laurel Bank Park

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers family having a picnic.

IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism and Events Queensland

Known to be one of Toowoomba’s premier parks, Laurel Bank Park is home to manicured gardens, two croquet lawns, children’s play equipment and many mature trees. Throughout the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, the park will also come alive with thousands of blooms, as well as host twilight tours and more than 70 free musical performances.

Twilight Tours will take place at Laurel Bank Park from 5:30pm to 6:30pm from Friday 13th to Monday 30th September 2024. Bookings are required.

The Chronicle Garden Competition

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers walking under floral arbour.

IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism and Events Queensland

Across the carnival, there are numerous smaller gardens and displays of stunning greenery and flowers to faun over. There are open areas to simply stroll around and soak up the atmosphere, or you can choose to take a guided tour to learn about Toowoomba’s history, the lengths it takes to grow such beauty and a lesson on native plants.

The Chronicle newspaper will be publishing a special Chronicle Garden Competition Guide and map on Friday 20th September for visitors to plan out their visit to the amazing gardens entered into this annual competition. Copies of this newspaper can be purchased from the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Info Hubs or at the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre on James Street any time after this release date.

The Chronicle Garden Competition open gardens will be on display from 9am – 5pm on Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd September and Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September 2024.

Symphony Under the Stars with Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Set in the iconic Queens Park Amphitheatre, this is a special event to commemorate the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ 75th year. Performing many classics (including George Gershwin – An American in Paris, Claude Debussy – Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel) and Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Ravel)), the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra will treat you to an evening of music under the stars.

Symphony Under the Stars with Queensland Symphony Orchestra will take place in the Queens Park Amphitheatre from 7pm on Friday 4th October 2024. Gates open at 5:30pm. Bookings are required.