Jacaranda season is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Australia so it’s only right to have entire festivals dedicated to celebrating the purple blossoms. Lucky for us, there are multiple festivals dedicated to celebrating the lively trees and the start of the warmer months!
Here are 4 jacaranda festivals near Brisbane where you can take them in in their full glory.
Goodna Jacaranda Festival
An easy half-hour drive from Brisbane, Goodna, hosts a yearly 3-day Jacaranda Festival, and has been doing so since 1968. Held in Evan Marginson Park, the ideal setting thanks to its magnificent jacaranda-lined street, and with people coming back year after year, you won’t want to miss any of the events happening from October 25 to October 27.
Witness potential rock and pop stars perform at the Quest for Talent show, bask under an impressive fireworks display, cheer for your favourite local band at the many competitions, groove to the Jacaranda Dance Spectacular or simply enjoy the traditional carnival rides and games for the whole family. Learn more and buy your tickets here.
📍6 Layard St, Goodna
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
The (small) city of Grafton in NSW, which is 3.5 hours south of Brisbane, is serving up a stunning display that is well worth travelling down for. Expect trees, markets, pomp and pageantry at the 10-day event, all in the midst of blossoming jacaranda.
Grafton has been famously dubbed the Jacaranda city so you know you’ll be treated to a jaw-dropping display of purple canopies. The festival will take place from October 25 to November 3 with the annual float parade, a 50s and 60s themed party, buzzy markets and more lined up. The festivities won’t end after hours with the lovely trees of See Park illuminated as the sun goes down.
One event to mark on your calendar is Jacaranda Thursday which will see Grafton’s main street close down with a license for the entire town to join in and let their hair down. Join the crowds meandering throughout the CBD and take in the dreamy atmosphere or get your hands on some purple ice cream for the perfect Instagram pic.
The final weekend will feature the Float Parade with more than 100 floats down Grafton’s Prince Street. A mix of ticketed and free events will run throughout the festival. Head here to see the full program and get your tickets.
📍Various locations in Grafton, NSW
Goombungee Jacaranda Day
If you can’t resist the charm of a small town, you’ll love Goombungee’s Jacaranda Day, the charming street party celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. On Saturday November 2, the town’s hardworking Historical Society will be waiting to wow locals and visitors with over 60 stalls, selling handmade crafts, fashion and lifestyle items, delicious street food, live music and even a kite workshop.
Besides the picturesque appeal of Goombungee, what sets them apart is their much-loved vintage car parade, featuring restored vehicles, from trucks and tractors to bikes and everything in between and, of course, walking groups from the community of all ages and in different costumes, strolling under the lilac blossoms. Find out all about it here.
📍Various locations in Goombungee
Mandalay Progress Association’s Jacaranda Festival
Born out of the resilience of the local community after a flood cut them off from Brisbane and its services in 1974, the Mandalay Progress Association hosts an annual jacaranda celebration, and this year’s is set to take place at Biami Yumba Park in Fig Tree Pocket on November 9.
With a family-friendly approach, the festival will feature super fun activities bound to keep little ones entertained for hours and make for unforgettable memories, such as pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, tye-dye and more! In the morning, educational workshops and wellness sessions will take place and, later in the day, attendants will be able to enjoy some live music, food trucks and a small charity fundraising bar, all under the shade of the purple-hued trees.
📍30 Kenny St, Fig Tree Pocket