In a change to the historical 10-day event, the Carnival of Flowers will run for a month, allowing more people to spend more time in the floral-filled parks, public spaces and gardens, to taste the flavours of the Toowoomba region and to stay a little longer.

The highly successful COVID-Safe format 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.

For the full program, tickets to events, day trip itineraries and more information visit the Carnival of Flowers website, but here are some of our highlights listed below.

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

September 24 – 26

• Cinema Under the Stars at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery
• Night Garden, Parkland Entertainment, Talking Pubs, Ferris Wheel

Article supplied with thanks to 96five