Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers: FEASTival to replace Festival of Food and Wine as part of major event shake-up

The replacement event for the popular Festival of Food and Wine at this year’s Carnival of Flowers has been revealed, as part of a program featuring four new attractions.

The Festival of Food will be transformed into a family-friendly food and music event in Queens Park, as part of a major shake-up of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Toowoomba Regional Council revealed the full program on Monday for 2025, which will run more than 200 events over four weekends between September 12 and October 6.

Of the four new events debuting this year, the most notable is the introduction of FEASTival, which will run on the third weekend across Saturday and Sunday.

The Queens Park event, styled as a “culinary celebration” of the region’s local produce, will replace the Festival of Food and Wine after months of speculation it would be axed.

At Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Festival of Food and Wine are (from left) Tracy Kittle, Kerri Griffin, Rebecca Cassidy and Denise Wilson, Saturday, September 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Our Festival of Food and Wine has been popped in the compost, and new things are growing,” the website said.

“Discover the region’s most delectable treasures at our first ever FEASTival – a culinary celebration where our finest flavours take centre stage.

“Set in the stunning, tree-lined Queens Park, bring the family to try new flavours and share delightful dishes.”

It marks a significant departure from the scope of the festival, which was an 18-plus event featuring national touring acts across three days.

Local businesses raised concerns about changes to the FOFW, largely due to the significant number of outside visitors it attracted — many of which would stay overnight and eat at CBD restaurants.

Toowoomba Chamber chief executive Todd Rohl said he supported the changes to the event, with the view it would deliver the same returns to local businesses.

“We appreciate the transparency and willingness to engage with and seek feedback from the business community,” he said.

“The Food and Wine Festival which sold in excess of 17,000 tickets last year has been a very significant contributor to the local economy and local businesses and the highlight Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers event for many locals and visitors for many years.

Cr James O'Shea is confident about the success of FEASTival. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“While it is disappointing the Food and Wine Festival will not proceed, we accept the decision by Toowoomba Regional Council to replace it with FEASTival.

“We will support the reimagined event in 2025 with gusto.”

It is understood Brisbane firm TLC Events Co, which has run the Festival of Food and Wine for many years, had retained the tender for FEASTival.

Carnival spokesman councillor James O’Shea said FEASTival’s finish time of 8pm on each day was designed to allow patrons to flow into the CBD to check out venues running their own artists or attractions.

“One of the big feedback elements was it wasn’t very family-friendly — that’s the main reason the team looked at that (time change),” he said.

“The 8pm finish focuses on supporting CBD businesses, meaning after patrons are done, the local bars and restaurants are ready to take them after that.

“I believe it will be well-received, but history will be the judge of that — it sticks with the core of what the Carnival of Flowers is about.”

The 2025 carnival features a new event on each weekend, including a ticketed Lawn Party in the Toowoomba CBD on the first weekend followed by a free Paw Parade the following week.

These are both being run by Toowoomba firm Round Square Marketing, which announced the tenders earlier this month.

“We’re just excited as a local supplier to have picked up the two new events that will be added into that carnival,” director Lauren Hope said at the time.

“It’s good to see it stay local because it hasn’t been local for a fair few years now and I felt we had the capabilities to go for (these new events).”

The final week will be dominated by new event the Weekend Table, which will be hosted a number of venues across the region offering options for brunch, lunch and dinner.

“There will be something for every taste and every price point, celebrating local chefs and local produce in spectacular spring surroundings,” the website said.

“A special highlight will be the Weekend Table Cake Date event — this is your chance to have your cake and eat everyone else’s too.”

Regular attractions like the floral parade, twilight and tasting tours, the Chronicle Garden Competition and the #trEATs will all be returning.

The Carnival of Flowers injected more than $24m into the local economy in 2024, attracting 470,000 people over the four weekends and delivering 49,000 overnight stays.

For the full program, head to the Carnival of Flowers website.