A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
A Blooming Good Time
GET READY TO PUT THE PETAL TO THE METAL!
Applications for our 2026 Grand Central Floral Parade are OPEN NOW!
Unleash your most creative, vibrant, and eye-popping floral designs for a parade that’ll leave Toowoomba buzzing!
Applications close at 2pm on 21 May 2026.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Don’t let your parade dreams wilt away! Be sure to read through all the entrant information below, along with the Parade Entrant Guide before submitting your application.
The guide has been created to help you navigate the Parade entry process and support your participation in this iconic Toowoomba event.
ANNOUNCING OUR 2026 PARADE THEME: SPRING ADVENTURES!
This year, join us on spring adventures through the flowers, where towering tulips, foxgloves, ranunculus and daffodils create a world of colour, wonder and imagination!
Pathways wind through blooms at every stage of life, from bud to full expression, alive with butterflies, bees and drifting petals that celebrate growth, renewal and the simple joy of discovery. It’s a journey inspired by nostalgia and childlike awe, where flowers aren’t just beautiful, they’re magical, playful and full of life.
Your costumes and floats will reflect this sense of playful discovery and enchantment. Think flowing petal-inspired fabrics, garden boots wrapped in vines, hats crowned with blossoms and outfits that blur the line between gardener, dreamer and springtime storyteller.
Australian natives such as wattle and boronia can appear as subtle seasonal accents, grounding the spectacle in place, while the abundant annuals of spring remain front and centre, celebrating the exuberance, colour and optimism that define the season.
Spring adventures is a celebration of renewal, imagination and the simple magic of flowers, an invitation to step inside spring and see it with fresh eyes.
Watch the video below to see our team looking absolutely DAISY-ling as they reveal this year’s parade theme and share their excitement!
Mayor Geoff McDonald: Hi, I’m Geoff McDonald, the Mayor of the Toowoomba Region with some really exciting news.
The Grand Central Floral Parade isn’t just blooming this year. It is absolutely bursting with blooms. We’re celebrating 30 years, three decades of partnership with Grand Central to bring the 2026 Grand Central Floral Parade
into the CBD.
And of course, the parade doesn’t happen on its own. It takes you, the community, to bring colour, imagination and heart to every corner of the Toowoomba Region. This is your chance to once again step out into the sunshine, let your creativity sprout and showcase how you can help our Region shine.
Tracey Ford: Hi, I’m Tracey Ford and I’m the Centre Manager at Grand Central. We are extremely proud to once again be a major sponsor of the Grand Central Floral Parade. This year is particularly special because we are celebrating 30 years of Grand Central’s proud sponsorship of this iconic event.
For three decades, Grand Central has stood with Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers supporting the Floral Parade, which brings our region together in a way very few events can. We are incredibly proud of all the entrants, volunteers, schools, community groups and businesses who bring the Grand Central Floral Parade to life year after year. Your passion, imagination and hard work are what make the event and celebration truly unforgettable.
This year, Grand Central Floral Parade will take place on Saturday the 19th September, where it will wind through the streets to celebrate the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. We know you are all eagerly awaiting to start working on your entries. So without any further ado, this year’s Grand Central Floral Parade theme will be…
Spring Adventures!
If you’re interested in taking part in this year’s Grand Central Floral Parade, now’s the time to spring into action. The dedicated parade creative team will give you more ideas about our theme Spring Adventures to celebrate the 77th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Anna Battle: Hi! I’m Anna Battle and along with Mary Kate Thompson, we are the proud creative advisors for this year’s Grand Central Floral Parade. This year’s parade invites audiences on a spring adventure through the flowers with towering tulips, foxgloves, ranunculus and daffodils create a world of colour, wonder and imagination.
Costumes and floats who reflect a sense of peaceful discovery so think flowing, petal inspired fabrics, garden boots wrapped in vines, hats crowned with blossoms, and outfits that blur the line between gardener, dreamer and springtime storyteller. The abundant annuals of spring will remain front and centre, celebrating the exuberance, colour and optimism that define the season of spring.
Spring adventures is a celebration of renewal, imagination and the simple magic of flowers. The theme is an invitation to step inside, spring and see it with fresh eyes.
Mayor Geoff: Grand Central Floral Parade entrant applications are now open, so head over to tcof.com.au to find everything you need. If you’ve ever thought about joining the iconic community showcase, this is your year to step up into your very own spring adventure. Be bold, be bright and most importantly, be floral! Don’t be a wallflower – join the celebration, invite your family and friends and help us make this the most spectacular Grand Central Floral Parade Toowoomba has ever seen. I can’t wait to see you all in full bloom.
Applications open: 23 April 2026
Creative meetings : April/May 2026 | Book your meeting here
Applications close: 2pm, 21 May 2026
Entrants notified: 4 June 2026
Entry payment due: 30 June 2026
Mandatory parade entrant meeting: 5.30pm, 15 Sept 2026
PARADE DAY: Sat 19 Sept 2026
Parade Creative Advisors
Anna Battle & Mary-Kate Thomson
carnival@shinyhappyart.com | Book your creative meeting here
Contact for support regarding the design and creative components of your parade entry.
Entrant Assistance
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Events Team – Toowoomba Regional Council
07 4688 6661 | info@tcof.com.au
Key contact for support with your application and for any queries you have about your participation in the Grand Central Floral Parade.
Event Manager
Wendy Green, Coordinator – Events, Toowoomba Regional Council
07 4688 6661 | info@tcof.com.au
Entrant Facebook Group
Make sure you join our entrant Facebook group (search for Grand Central Floral Parade – Participants Community). That’s where you’ll get to know other participants, share ideas and resources, and keep in touch with us.
A message from your Creative Advisors: Anna & Mary-Kate
How is your group going to interpret Spring Adventures?
This has always been a FLORAL parade, and Spring Adventures is your invitation to step right inside the season and see it with fresh eyes! We’re talking towering tulips, swaying foxgloves, cheerful ranunculus and golden daffodils, creating a world of colour, wonder and imagination rolling through the streets.
Spring Adventures celebrates playful discovery, enchantment and the simple magic of flowers. This is your chance to transport your audience somewhere truly special. We want to see entries that feel like you’ve tumbled headfirst into a spring garden and loved every second of it!
Think:
And think BIG for impact, because Parade entries are seen from a distance!
Floats or walking groups, both are wonderfully welcome! If you’ve marched with us before, this is the perfect moment to reimagine your entry. Build a new float in a way that’s achievable for your group or strip it back and come as a beautifully costumed walking group. Sometimes the simplest approach makes the biggest impression.
You will need lots and lots of flowers. At least 50% of your entry needs to be flowers and plants. You can grow your own or order from a local supplier. If you’re planning to grow, get those seeds in the ground soon!
Floral content can also be crafted from paper, synthetic or recycled materials. Just remember, no glass and no single-use balloons.
We always encourage you to choose local wherever possible and to recycle and repurpose what you can.
Remember, every single person in the Parade MUST be in costume or a themed outfit. It’s easy to dress a driver or support person in bright, floral colours. A floral shirt, a hat, a wave and a big smile make a huge difference!
Every group is required to meet with us for either a 30 or 60 minute consultation, and we genuinely love these sessions! This is your dedicated time to develop your ideas, talk through your concept and get inspired to think outside the box. Appointments are available across three weeks from late April through to early May. Look for the link to book your time for an online meeting with us and we’ll look forward to seeing you then!
We can’t wait to hear how your group is going to embark on your Spring Adventures and to work together to make this year’s Grand Central Floral Parade a breathtaking celebration of renewal, imagination and the magic of flowers in bloom!
| CATEGORY | ENTRY FEE |
| Corporate Float | $75 |
| Corporate Walking Group | $30 |
| Community Float | $55 |
| Community Walking Group | $30 |
| Visiting Float | $55 |
| Multicultural Celebration | $55 |
| Creative Expression Entry | $30 |
Once applications are confirmed, an invoice will be sent to each entrant for payment.
CORPORATE ENTRY
Corporate entries are ‘For Profit’ / Commercial organisations. This category is also open to a limited number of corporate groups from outside the immediate Toowoomba Regional Council area entered by other festivals, cities, councils or countries.
COMMUNITY ENTRY
Community entries are available for not-for-profit organisations including community-based clubs, associations and groups. Charities will need to provide evidence of Charitable Status or Incorporation with this application. This category is also open to a limited number of community groups from outside the immediate Toowoomba Regional Council area entered by other festivals, cities, councils or countries.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers office must receive all applications by 21 May 2026. Entries after this date will be accepted at the sole discretion of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade Coordinator.
As there are a limited number of spaces available for participants in this year’s parade, submitting an application does not mean automatic acceptance. Upon receiving your fully completed form and attached documents, the Coordination Team will decide your eligibility. Your acceptance will be determined by your entry description, supporting information, the ability to meet the entry criteria and parade conditions of entry, and if applicable past performance in the Parade. All applications will be assessed, and successful applications notified no later than 4 June 2026.
Please read through the conditions of entry for Parade entrants.
When submitting your application, you must choose which category you are entering under. There are seven (7) categories you can choose from, please read the criteria for each prior to completing your application. The categories are:
Corporate Float
A visual display on a self-propelled float or trailer towed by a decorated vehicle entered by any commercial business, decorated with a minimum of 50% floral and living matter. Corporate floats are limited to one (1) sign for advertising and need to rely on visual communication of their brand created in consultation with the Creative Advisor.
Community Float
A visual display on a self-propelled float or trailer towed by a decorated vehicle entered by a community-based club, association or group, decorated with a minimum of 50% floral and living matter. Evidence of group’s charitable status or incorporation must be included with the application.
Visiting Float
A float entry from outside the immediate Toowoomba Regional Council area. A strong element of floral theming must be added to the float.
Multicultural Celebration
A visual display representing and celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity. This category must include floral elements in costumes and props.
Walking Group
This category is open to all walking groups and marching bands and must address the Parade theme. The maximum number of walkers is 50, and all must be in fully themed costumes with floral elements. Marching and walking groups are permitted forward manoeuvres only.
Creative Expression
Encompassing puppetry, marionettes, costumed characters and/or visually delightful bicycle entries, the entry must present a fantastic floral display. Creativity in interpreting and expressing the theme is essential.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO…
Step 1: Read through the Parade Entrant Guide.
Outlined are the entry requirements and how you can access support available from our Creative Advisors, Anna Battle and Mary-Kate Thomson, to help you achieve a high-quality entry to showcase your business or community group.
Step 2: Make an appointment with the Creative Team and attend. They’ll help you plan your entry and offer advice on how you can best represent your brand, mission and purpose while addressing the 2026 theme.
Appointments can be a phone call or video call. If you entered last year, you may elect to have a 30 minute appointment. If your group is new to Parade, you’ll need to make a 1 hour appointment.
These appointments are a compulsory requirement of entry into the Parade.
Step 3: Fill in the online entrant application before entries close at 2pm on 21 May.
Step 4: All applications will be assessed, and successful applicants notified no later than 4 June 2026. The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and Grand Central Floral Parade Coordination Team’s decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Step 5: Successful applicants will be provided with additional information regarding permits and regulations specific to your entry. This is dependent the vehicles and structures included in your entry.
Step 6: The Creative Advisors will touch base with you again to check that you are fulfilling the Parade creative requirements.
Step 7: Purchase your materials and resources and commence building your float.
Step 8: Participate in the Grand Central Floral Parade!
What TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS (TCOF) will do:
What TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS won’t do:
What TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS expects from ENTRANTS:
Please note: The Grand Central Floral Parade is designed as a safe space for participants from all aspects of our community.
Any inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in an entry being removed from participating in the parade prior to the start of the parade.
PAPER and RECYCLED FLOWERS
While we encourage the inclusion of real flowers and plant material in parade entries, paper flowers (and flowers made from other materials) can provide a cost-effective way to fill in the gaps.
Flower making videos (along with other helpful videos, including the use of polystyrene to make props), can be accessed via the parade entrant Facebook group.
POTTED FLOWERS
You can grow your own flowers or chat to the Creative Advisors for preferred suppliers if you would like to order potted colour. Orders must be in by mid-May if you have specific flower or colour requirements.
Judging of your entry will take place while the parade is in progress. Parade winners will be announced on parade day at the conclusion of the Parade on the Toowoomba Regional Council float in Godsall Street Oval.
| CATEGORY | 1ST PRIZE | 2ND PRIZE | 3RD PRIZE |
| 2026 Grand Champion | $500 | ||
| Corporate Float | $250 | $100 | $50 |
| Corporate Walking Group | $250 | $100 | $50 |
| Community Float | $250 | $100 | $50 |
| Community Walking Group | $250 | $100 | $50 |
| Visiting Float | $250 | $100 | $50 |
| Multicultural Celebration | $250 | $100 | $50 |
| Creative Expression | $250 | $100 | $50 |
All entries in the categories of the Grand Central Floral Parade will be judged according to the following criteria (as applicable).
OVERALL
TECHNICAL EXECUTION
FLORAL CONTENT
THEME & DESIGN
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
FLORAL CONTENT
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
THEME & DESIGN
Sound the trumpets and strike up the band! We’re looking for musical ensembles that can bring the beat to our parade!
Whether you’re a school band, community orchestra or professional outfit, get ready to create the soundtrack to parade as you march through the streets of Toowoomba!
Applications open: 23 April 2026
Applications close: 2pm, 21 May 2026
Entrants notified: 4 June 2026
Mandatory parade entrant meeting: 5.30pm, 15 Sept 2026
PARADE DAY: Sat 19 Sept 2026
ENTRY CRITERIA
To ensure the quality of the event, all entries need to be of a high standard and meet the entry criteria developed by the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade Coordination Team. All bands should present a performance that is fun and enjoyable.
Band entries should incorporate forward maneuvering choreography and appropriately themed repertoire (where possible) to enhance the spirit of the Carnival. Floral theming of attire and instruments is encouraged and highly regarded.
What TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS (TCOF) will do:
What TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS won’t do:
What TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL expects from ENTRANTS (YOU!):
Please note: The Parade is designed as a safe space for participants from all walks of life. Any inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in an entry being removed from participating in the Parade prior to the start of the Parade.
The 2026 theme for the Grand Central Floral Parade is Spring Adventures!
Refer to the parade entrant guide for full theme criteria.
All applications will be assessed, and successful applicants notified by 21 May 2026. The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade Coordination Team decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
As there are a limited number of spaces available for bands in this year’s Parade, submitting an expression of interest does not mean automatic acceptance. Upon receiving your fully completed form, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade Coordination Team will decide your eligibility.
Your acceptance will be determined by your entry description, supporting information and ability to meet the entry criteria and Parade conditions of entry.
A special version of the iconic Parade takes centre stage in Grand Central with itty bitty versions of colourful and creative floats on display.
The Itty Bitty entries will be proudly displayed at Grand Central Shopping Centre from Friday 11 Sept – Mon 5 Oct 2026.
Grand Central Itty Bitty Floral Parade entries are open to those groups that may find it hard to participate in the ‘big’ parade; we encourage educational facilities, disability and inclusion providers, not-for-profit groups and retirement or aged person homes to participate. With a $500 prize up-for-grabs who wouldn’t want to enter!
Expressions of Interest are open until Friday 8 May.
We’re excited to receive your applications! Our team is ready to support you every step of the way through this process.
Got questions? Don’t let them grow wild—reach out to us! We’re here to ensure your parade experience blossoms into something truly spectacular. Don’t wait to plant your ideas—apply today