The seeds have been planted for a spectacular 2018 Carnival of Flowers (Friday 21 – Sunday 30 September)!
Our flagship event grows in popularity every year, and recently even took the crown for Best Major Festival or Event at the Australian Tourism Awards.
An event this massive takes a truckload of planning, and planting. This week, the 2018 Carnival of Flowers program was launched with a ceremonial seed planting in the Botanic Gardens at Queens Park. The first of 176,030 seedlings and bulbs were planted by the region’s horticulturalists, gardeners and dignitaries and fans, signalling a five month countdown!
Leading the planting charge was local contemporary artist Anna Bartlett, who has been secretly working with the gardeners and unveiled an artwork of what Queens Park will look like in five months. The spectacular artwork will hang in City Hall until it is auctioned at the Qantas Gala Dinner.
2018 Carnival highlights
Exciting new experiences and headliners were also announced as program highlights for this year’s event:
- Multi-award-winning garden designer, author and commentator Jim Fogarty leads the floral line-up. With over 30 internationally recognised design awards and 15 gold medals, Jim is passionate about raising the profile of Australian garden design here, and overseas. He is also the current National President of the Horticultural Media Association of Australia.
- There will be TWO headline chefs for 2018 – Adam Liaw, author, cook, host of Destination Flavour, culinary contributor and winner of Masterchef Australia 2010 will be joined by amazing slow food chef Julia Busuttil Nishimura to celebrate the local flavours of the Carnival.
- A stunning new event for 2018 is The Night Garden powered by Ergon Energy – based in Queens Park, The Night Garden is a magical creation featuring floral and lighting displays and experiences, to be held over five nights from Wednesday 26 September to Sunday 30 September.
- Another new event is The Chef’s Brunch, to be held on Sunday morning with special guest chef Julia Busuttil Nishimura in the leafy gardens and setting of Gip’s Restaurant.
- The Grand Central Floral Paradewill be held on Saturday September 22 – it will be the 69th time this incredible event has been held; it is expected to attract over 70 floats and more than 100,000 spectators.
- The Qantas Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday evening September 20 in Laurel Bank Park under the stars, the perfect beginning for 10 days of celebration.
Food and Wine line up
The Heritage Bank Festival of Food and Wine will be held from Friday September 21 to Sunday September 23 in Queens Park and will be home to local produce and food experiences, the gardens program, art installations and flower crown workshops and a jaw-dropping line-up of incredible music acts.
- Friday 21 September – Ali Barter, Cloud Control and The Living End!
- Saturday 22 September – The Dusty Springfield Show, Chocolate Starfish and The Church!
- Sunday 23 September – Kyle Lionheart, Augie March, Swing On This featuring Rob Mills and Ben Mingay and Choir Boys!
More info
For all the program, tour information and accommodation details head to www.tcof.com.au or visit www.facebook.com.au/CarnivalFlowers
