Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers: Event guide and what’s on for the Garden City’s biggest celebration set to take place in September

Toowoomba's iconic Carnival of Flowers is back for another year! Sound makers, eateries, wineries, bars and our stunning gardens will feature in the month-long celebration throughout September. Here's everything you need to know.

The annual Carnival of Flowers kicks off tomorrow, and there’s plenty that will be happening throughout September that you won’t want to miss.

It’s a celebration perfect for immersing yourself in Toowoomba’s floral displays, local eateries and wine from the region.

This will be the 73rd edition of the Carnival and second successive, month-long program.

Here’s a guide to get you started.

GRAND CENTRAL FLORAL PARADE

Kicking off at 10am on Saturday, September 17, flowery floats will parade throughout the city alongside street performers, carnival characters and stilt walkers, on their way to Queens Park.

THE CHRONICLE GARDEN COMPETITION

Toowoomba’s best gardeners will be showcasing their meticulous, private gardens from Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 18 and Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25, 9am to 5pm.

A garden map guide can be purchased from Info Hubs or the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre from Friday, September 16 for $2.50.

Addresses will be announced in The Chronicle on Friday, September 16.

FOOD AND WINE

The famous three-day Festival of Food and Wine will be running from September 9 to 11, showcasing some of the best produce and wines from around the region.

The festival will run on Friday, September 9 from 3pm to 10pm, Saturday, September 10 from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday, September 11 from 10am to 9pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.tcof.com.au.

( From left ) Kyle Sutton, Alex O'Hare and Madeleine Johnston at day one of the Festival of Food and Wine in Queens Park. Friday, September 10, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Purchase a Botanical Society Day Pass (18+ only) for access to an exclusive area of the festival with its own private bar, loos, outdoor lawn area and premium main stage viewing.

Farm to Fork

MasterChef Australia winner and author Julie Goodwin will be this year’s special guest at the festival, hosting a cooking demonstration on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm, creating dishes with in-season produce from around the region.

Tasting Room

If you’re on the hunt for a new favourite bottle of wine, look no further than the Tasting Room. Free tastings of the festival’s best wine, cheese and craft beer will be on offer.

There will also be a wine and cheese masterclass of southern Queensland’s artisan cheeses and local wine. The sessions will run on Friday, September 9 from 3.30pm and on Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11, at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

If you’d rather a beer, there will be Beer Appreciation sessions where attendees can taste what’s being produced from southeast Queensland’s booming craft beer industry.

With a plethora of distilleries coming out of the region, there will be an opportunity to try a range of vodka and gin products to lift your cocktail game. Head to the Tasting Room on Friday, September 9 at 5.30pm and Saturday, September 10 at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

Aussie Performances

There will also be a stacked line up of Australian music to watch while you enjoy dishes and drinks created from the region‘s produce.

Friday night, September 9, will see Greta Stanley, Jarryd James, and Vera Blue grace the stage at 5pm, 6.45pm and 8.45pm, respectively.

INXSIVE – The INXS Tribute Show will be playing at 5pm, The Chantoozies at 6.45pm and Pseudo Echo at 8.30pm on Saturday night, September 10.

The Whitlams.

And finally, on Sunday, September 11, Emily Wurramara will be playing at 4.15pm, Ash Grunwald at 6pm and The Whitlams with their Eternal Nightcap 25 year concert at 7.45pm.

Other local sound makers to look out for will be the Cardboard Cutouts, Flamingo Blonde, Jasmine Aleisha, Kane Maher, The Van Trio, The Hobsons, Lenna Maree Moxey Duo, The Fibonacci Band and Cool Nights Big Band.

Even More!

There will be an opportunity to make your very own flower crown at the Flower Factory with this year’s blooms.

Once you’ve picked what you desire from the many food vendors at the festival, the Petals Picnic Patch will be the perfect place to sit and tuck in.

After you’ve had some lunch or dinner, or if you’re simply on the hunt for something sweet, Sweet Street will be the dedicated area for all things treat related.

Pechy Distillery Co will be showcasing their cocktails at the designated Cocktail Bar.

Sink a pot or pint in the Beer Garden which will be featuring some of the best from southeast Queensland’s craft beer scene including 4 Brothers Brewing, Burleigh Brewing and Your Mates Brewing Co.

A number of pop-up cellar doors will be sprinkled around the festival so you can taste your way through the region.

FOODIE TOURS

Talking Pubs Tour

Have a chat with other bar crawlers, sample some tasty eats and wash everything down with a cold drink from four of Toowoomba’s favourite pubs and bars.

Tours will be held Sundays on September 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 11am onwards.

Tickets can be bought online at www.tcof.com.au for $99 (18+ event).

Friday Foodie Dinner Tour

Taste some of Toowoomba’s best-kept secret eateries on Friday, September 2 from 4.45pm onwards.

Adult tickets are $139 and can be purchased online at www.tcof.com.au.

Saturday Foodie Dinner Tour

If you can’t make it Friday, you’ll have a second chance on Saturday, September 17 from 4.45pm onwards to try some of Toowoomba’s best dining options.

Adult tickets are $139 and can be purchased online at www.tcof.com.au.

SIDESHOW ALLEY

Calling all adrenaline junkies, head to Frogs Hollow at lower Queens Park for exciting rides, fairy floss, show bags and dagwood dogs from Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 18.

There will be top shelf prizes to win at one of the sideshow games and a bird’s eye-view upside down ride.

Sideshow Alley will be open on Friday, September 16, 5pm-10pm, Saturday, September 17, 9am to 10pm, and Sunday, September 18, from 10am to 9pm. Entry is free, but some rides and activities will require the purchase of coupons at the event.

Fireworks

From 8.30pm on Friday, September 16 and Saturday night, September 17, and 7.30pm on Sunday, September 18 the skies will be lit up by a fireworks display.

Sideshow Alley Entertainment

ARRIVAL Australia, formerly ABBALIVE, will be performing and playing tribute to some of ABBA’s greatest hits on Sunday, September 18, at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Sensory illusionist and hypnotist Drace will also be performing regularly on each day as well with his magic.

TIPSY HIGH TEA

High tea with a twist – cocktails! Enjoy bite-sized treats and spring inspired cocktails overlooking the Spring Bluff Railway Station gardens, hosted by Chris Parsons.

Mixologists will be presenting cocktail demonstrations and a recipe card and complimentary non-alcoholic ingredient kit will get you started at creating two signature carnival cocktails at home.

The High Tea kicks off on Saturday, September 3 at 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.

Tickets cost $158 (18+ event), with an optional shuttle bus cost of $15 return and can be bought online at www.tcof.com.au.

#trEATS

Participating local eateries will be taking part in the #trEATS campaign by servicing springtime specials between $10 to $20 exclusively in September.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage residents and visitors to go out to eat locally.

The Blue Mountain Hotel, Chimac Toowoomba, Gip’s Restaurant and more will be offering up their tasty creations.

Head to www.tcof.com.au/treats to see the full list of pubs, restaurants and bars that are featured and what’s on the menu.

QUEENS PARK

Ferris Wheel

A ferris wheel will be operating on Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 25 from 9am to 8pm.

Tickets cost $8 for adults, $4 for children (two to 13 years old) and children under two can ride free.

Garden Information

The council’s team of gardeners will be available on Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 25 from 8am to 2.30pm weekdays and 8am to 4pm weekends to answer any questions about the park, floral displays and plants onsite in the park’s Botanic Gardens.

Night Garden Powered by Ergon Energy

The Queens Park Botanic Gardens will be illuminated every night of September from 6pm to 8.30pm with twinkling lights. As you weave through the gardens, witness the park from a different perspective.