Jacaranda season is a highlight of spring in NSW, with the flowering trees bringing a welcome splash of colour to the streets, parks and gardens around the state. While Sydney has plenty of lovely spots to admire the purple blooms, few places embrace the season quite like Grafton. This charming regional town in the Clarence Valley is famous for its spectacular jacaranda displays, drawing visitors from across the state to see its streets awash in purple. Every year, the town celebrates the season with the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, Australia’s oldest floral festival, which first began in 1935. Returning this October for ten days, the event promises a lively mix of markets, entertainment and festivities, with over 1,700 jacaranda trees providing the perfect backdrop. Here’s what to expect from this year’s festival and the best time to plan a visit.
Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2026: purple blooms, markets and fireworks
One of the biggest highlights of the festival is Jacaranda Thursday, where more than 220 market stalls will line Prince Street, offering everything from handmade crafts and local produce to food and sweet treats. Visitors can also expect live music, street performances and amusement rides, while local businesses are set to get involved with colourful shopfront displays and lively costume competitions.
The festival is especially worth experiencing after dark. At See Park, the popular Illuminate event will showcase the jacaranda trees in a different light, with colourful projections, live entertainment and food trucks. A lantern parade featuring creations by local young people is another highlight. Elsewhere, visitors can look forward to the Venetian Carnival, which brings food stalls and live performances to the riverfront at Memorial Park, followed by a fireworks display. Another major attraction is the Jacaranda Float Procession, with decorated vehicles and performers making their way through the town before an evening of music and festivities at Market Square.
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the celebrations, from a long lunch in Market Square to Retrofest, which brings classic cars, rock ‘n’ roll music and vintage fashion into the mix. And for those primarily visiting to see the flowers, it’s worth making time to explore Grafton’s jacaranda-lined streets and See Park, where the trees are a major attraction in their own right.
Key details
- What: Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2026
- When: October 30 to November 8, 2026
- Where: Grafton, Clarence Valley, NSW
- Entry: Free for general festival activities, with some ticketed events
- Highlights: Jacaranda Thursday (November 5), Venetian Carnival (November 6), Jacaranda Float Procession (November 7)
Visit the Official festival website for more information.
Getting there
Grafton is approximately a 6.5 to 7-hour drive north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway. If you’re travelling by public transport, NSW TrainLink operates direct train services from Sydney’s Central Station to Grafton, with the journey taking around 10 hours. The railway station is located in South Grafton, across the Clarence River from the town centre, so visitors will need to arrange a short taxi or bus ride to reach the main festival venues. Plan your trip on Transport for NSW.
