Given there’s 190,000 flowers set to bloom in a glorious canvas of colour, it’s no wonder so many Queenslanders are counting down the days until Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF) commences on Wednesday September 1 (next week).
In what is shaping up to be the event that all of Queensland needs, TCOF will be held across all 30 days of September, a welcome extension of the historical 10-day event, allowing more people to spend more time in the floral-filled parks, public spaces and gardens, to taste the flavours of the Region and to stay a little longer.
The highly successful COVID-Safe format of TCOF in 2020 has become the blueprint for change in 2021, with new events added to this year’s program and the welcome return of others.
- Taking centre stage throughout September is the flowers, all 190,000 of them at Toowoomba’s parks and public spaces.
- The famous Festival of Food and Wine returns to Queens Park this year, held from September 10 to 12, celebrating the best in regional produce and Australian music.
- The event that stops and unites the city, the Grand Central Floral Parade also returns in a kaleidoscope of colour! It will be held on Saturday, September 18 with a much earlier start time of 10am, allowing crowds to enjoy a full day shopping, sightseeing and adventuring.
- New to the program is High Cheese at Spring Bluff, held in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council and hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod! This will be an extraordinary experience, given it is happening at the beautiful heritage-listed station that boasts 150 years of railway history and magnificent gardens.
- Also new is Cinema Under the Stars, a free community event in the leafy lawns of the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery, with a line-up of classic movies featured.
ALL MONTH:
- Floral displays in all parks and public spaces including feature blooms in Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park, as well as floral chalk art
- #trEATS regional food trail which shines the light on 36 cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs with Spring inspired dishes. So, dig out those stretchy pants and put the diet on hold! Visit tcof.com.au for the menu
- The famed Talking Pubs tours will be held every Sunday
- Stunning light-filled Night Garden in Queens Park Botanic Gardens
- Parkland entertainment featuring local musicians and entertainers
- Twilight Tours in Laurel Bank Park
- The popular dog-friendly Petals and Pups itineraries
- Guided and non-guided walking tours
- Cobb + Co Museum will have a packed program for young and old to discover
- Community events, gardening experiences and gardening displays will be happening across the month
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:
September 3 – 5
- #trEATS regional food trail
- Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens
- High Cheese at Spring Bluff in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council, hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod on Saturday, September 4
- Talking Pub tours and Foodie Dinners
September 10 – 12
- The Festival of Food and Wine returns in 2021 to Queens Park, celebrating the best in local produce, flavours and sips. Local and national music makers will star
- Parkland Entertainment, Talking Pub tours
September 17 – 19
- The Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday, September 18 at 10am
- Side Show Alley in Queens Park returns in a kaleidoscope of colour, crazy and cool!
- The much-loved Ferris Wheel in Queens Park Botanic Gardens will be open for all ages
- Talking pubs and Foodie Dinners plus Parkland Entertainment
*School holidays commence for QLD
September 24 – 26
- Cinema Under the Stars at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery
- Night Garden, Parkland Entertainment, Talking Pubs, Ferris Wheel
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2021
1 – 30 September 2021
The FULL PROGRAM is LIVE, tickets on sale now at tcof.com.au
Accommodation, day trip and longer stay itineraries are all available.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – A History
Since its inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has flourished and is now an iconic Queensland event. The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use its “Garden City” reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of war. On 21 October 1950, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, it was a resounding success, as it has been ever since.
Awards and Accolades
Gold winner 2019 Queensland Tourism Award for Destination Marketing
State Finalist 2019 Australian Tourism Awards for Destination Marketing
Australian Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee 2018 Major Festivals & Events
Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee 2017 Major Festivals & Events
Gold winner 2018, 2017, 2016 Australian Tourism Award for Major Festivals & Events
Gold winner 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 Queensland Tourism Award for Major Festivals & Events
Most Supportive Community Event 2017 Queensland Wine Awards
Event category Winner 2015 Parks & Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence
Gold winner 2014 Queensland Tourism Awards for Festivals and Events
For more information contact Kath Rose & Associates on 0416 291 493 or kath@kathrose.com
