Fun family friendly events for spring
It's time to shed those winter layers because spring has sprung! With sunny days, fresh air and blooming flowers, there are no excuses not to get out and about. Australia’s springtime calendar is full of events and no matter where you are, we’ve found some of the best spring events for you. Why not go on a family outing with the children and grandkids? All these events are family friendly and perfect for some fun bonding time.
AFL Final Series
September 5 to 27, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Although there’s been 23 weeks of competition, Spring usually means one thing in sport: finals seasons. This is where the top eight of the ladder battle it out for the glorious premiership. There’s nothing better than gathering the whole family to cheer on your team especially when there is so much at stake. Chow down a meat pie, have a beer and join the roar of a packed MCG crowd.
Floriade, Canberra
September 13 to October 12, Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Nothing signals Spring like the sight and smell of bright blossoming flowers so why not head to Australia’s biggest flower festival. Held over a month, Floriade in Canberra boasts over one million flowers in bloom throughout Commonwealth Park. Wander through the colourful flower beds, check out presentations by leading garden expert or pop over to the Gourmet Garden where world-renowned chefs will amaze you with demonstrations. There’s plenty for the kids to do as well with farm animals, circus workshops and Floriade’s iconic giant ferris wheel.
Between September 24 and September 28, Floriade will continue after sun set with NightFest. The gardens will transform into a glittering wonderland with live music acts, comedians, night markets and roving entertainment.
Better Homes and Gardens LIVE, Sydney
September 19 to 21, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Better Homes and Gardens is popping out of your TV screens for a three day event filled with demonstrators, presentations and exhibitors with latest ideas and advice to get your home and garden looking like it does on TV. So if you’re a renovator, a DIY enthusiast, a foodie, a garden dweller, you’ll be sure to find something to inspire your next Spring project around the house and garden.
Bring the grandchildren along too as there’s a dedicated kids zone with face painting, crafts, a petting farm and a special kids gardening session with Graham Ross. After all, it’s never too early to get the little ones creating their own vegie patch!
Art & About, Sydney
September 19 to October 12, various locations in Sydney
During the warmer months Sydney’s annual art festival Art & About will transform every street, laneway, building site, intersection into works of arts. It’s a fun time to take the whole family out to explore the city as art, photography, performances, stories and installations will be all over the city
Our favourite is Little Sydney Lives where some of our youngest citizens aged 3 to 11 have captured beautiful photographs of Sydney. Why not use it to inspire any little ones in your life to get a bit creative?
Australian Camp Oven Festival, Queensland
October 4 to 5, Millmerran Show Grounds, Turallin, Queensland
From modest beginnings in 1999, the Australian Camp Oven Festival has now become a much loved festival for those who want to experience and celebrate Australia’s heritage and outback traditions.
Over a weekend, thousands of caravans, tents and trailers filled with families meet at Millmerran to partake in a range of heritage-inspired activities. With bush poetry, damper throwing, billy boiling, sheep shearing and naturally, camp oven cooking, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
A Day on the Green, all over Australia
Runs from October to March at various locations all over Australia
Perfect for those looking for good food, good wine and great music in picturesque locations, A Day on the Green is a series of outdoor concerts staged at various wineries Australia wide.
Now in its fourteenth year, A Day on the Green always has an enviable line-up of international and national legends. It has already been revealed Jimmy Barnes will join Geelong’s A Day in the Green line-up, as well as Sting and Paul Simon headed to Barwon for a concert next year.
The winning combination of beautiful surrounds, great music and relaxing atmosphere makes any A Day on the Green concert an ideal Spring getaway.