Thousands of jacaranda trees in bloom will turn Grafton purple when the Jacaranda Festival opens on Friday, 23 October. The celebration runs until Sunday, 8 November.
This year’s theme is “Shining Bright”. It celebrates community involvement and connection, and the festival is still going strong after 92 years.
The opening weekend starts with Illuminate at See Park from 6:30pm on Friday, 23 October and Saturday, 24 October. It features light projection, food, a licensed bar and live entertainment.
On Saturday, the Jaca Children’s Party kicks off at See Park at 10am with dress-ups, games, prizes and food trucks. The Jacaranda Ball follows at 6pm at Grafton Barn, with candidate introductions, a three-course dinner and dancing. The Jacaranda Youth Connect Expo runs at See Park from 10am on Sunday, 25 October.
River Dreaming at Market Square on Friday, 30 October, from 10am, will showcase Aboriginal culture, bush tucker and dancers. The next day, Saturday, 31 October, the Parade of Youth and Banner Competition will step off at 9am from Prince Street to Market Square. The Ultimate Long Lunch is at noon at Market Square, and the Jacaranda Royal Party crowning is at 7pm.
Week two includes Retrofest, with rock ’n’ roll, a pin-up competition and classic cars at Market Square from 10am on Sunday, 1 November. An Afternoon at the Pops is at 2pm at Saraton Theatre, with tickets sold through the Saraton website.
Jacaranda Thursday on 5 November will bring markets, rides, food trucks and live entertainment to the CBD and Market Square from 7am to 3pm. A free community breakfast will be served at Market Square at 7am. The Venetian Carnival is at Memorial Park at 7pm on Friday, 6 November, with fireworks at 9pm.
The final weekend features the opening of the 2001 time capsule at Market Square at 11am on Saturday, 7 November. The Jacaranda Float Procession on Prince Street follows at 5pm, then Party in the Park at 7pm. The Jacaranda Running Festival, a fun run over Bendy Bridge, starts at Memorial Park at 7am on Sunday, 8 November.
The full program is at https://jacafest.com/
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