The theme for Floriade this year is Feast of Flowers, emphasising Canberra's growing foodie reputation, while the event in 2027 will open one day earlier and have longer opening hours once daylight saving starts.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr, also the tourism minister, made the announcements on Tuesday.
He said funding in the 2026-27 ACT Budget, to be handed down next week, on June 9, would "deliver on an election commitment, providing $749,000 over two years to expand the event from 2027 - coinciding with Floriade's 40th anniversary next year".
ACT Labor promised ahead of the 2024 election to "extend the Floriade Festival".
"The expansion will enable the festival to open one day earlier and extend its operating hours to align with daylight saving time from 2027, encouraging longer stays and boosting local accommodation, hospitality, retail and tourism businesses," Mr Barr said.
Daylight savings in 2027 begins on October 3, giving Floriade a week or two of extended opening hours, with the event usually closing mid-October.
The funding allocated in this year's budget will also support Events ACT to plan for the 2027 expansion.
Construction of the $138 million Canberra Aquatic Centre is also due to start in 2027 in Commonwealth Park.
Mr Barr said he did not believe the construction of the aquatic centre would interrupt the operation of Floriade 2027 in the park.
"No, it will continue on," he said.
"We'll have to make some adjustments but the National Capital Authority is very enthusiastic about more permanent infrastructure in the park as well, so that's part of their masterplan for the park."
Last year, Floriade attracted 519,000 visitors and generated more than $71 million for the local community.
"That's not just a festival - it is a major economic driver," Mr Barr said.
Mr Barr said having Floriade 2027 open for an extra day - the Friday before the traditional Saturday event - could inject an extra $1.5 million to $2 million into the local economy.
"I think it's worth it," he said.
But first, the focus on Tuesday was on Floriade 2026, with a launch at the Canberra Region Visitors Centre at Regatta Point as ACT garden staff nearby in Commonwealth Park were planting some of the 1 million bulbs and annuals for the celebration of spring.
Floriade 2026 will be in Commonwealth Park from September 12 to October 11.
NightFest will be back from Thursday, October 1, to Sunday, October 4, with Commonwealth Park opening after dark for four nights of illuminated gardens and entertainment.
Mr Barr said the theme of a Feast of Flowers was a "celebration of colour, of flavour and of community".
The Floriade garden designs would be inspired by "food, harvest and creativity".
"Bringing together horticulture, hospitality and family-friendly experiences," he said.
Jasper and Myrtle founder Li Peng Monroe was thrilled the Canberra-born chocolate was a part of Floriade and that the city's food was being celebrated alongside the flowers.
"Love that, because Canberra is a foodie place and we're here to support that," she said.
Floriade about Town would also return in 2026, with hundreds of thousands of flowers to be planted in 85 locations across the city including schools, sporting clubs, community groups and local organisations.
Also back will be the popular Dogs Day Out and the Great Big Bulb Dig, with the proceeds from the sale of bags for the dig this year to go to YWCA Canberra.
Visit floriadeaustralia.com for program updates.
