Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2025 — Streets Turn Purple

Every October, Grafton undergoes a full-blown metamorphosis. Streets that were once sleepy turn into surreal, violet-tinted tunnels as thousands of jacaranda trees burst into bloom. And for 10 glorious days, the city throws a festival that’s part country fair, part cultural spectacle, part drag-queen-meets-Jacaranda-Queen coronation. If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a real-life purple daydream, this is it.

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Location

Address: 1 Prince Street, Grafton NSW 2460, Australia
Website: https://jacafest.com

Dates

Next Event: Friday 24 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
Frequency: Annual
Duration: 10 Days

Price

Entry: Free general entry
Ticketed special events and experiences throughout the program
Online registration required for selected activities

The BioHax Take

This is not your average floral festival. It’s where Jacaranda Queens meet Drag Queens, brass bands share streets with buskers, and whole communities shut down Main Street just to celebrate the brief, dazzling bloom of a tree. Expect ten days of heritage parades, purple-themed parties, markets, live music, fireworks, and a float procession that locals and visitors have been showing up for since 1935. It’s inclusive, eccentric, and unapologetically regional — the kind of festival that makes a small town feel like the centre of the world.

Who It’s For

Flower chasers who plan their weekends around seasonal blooms
Families who love parades, fireworks and local markets
Road-trippers looking for a quintessential regional NSW escape
Culture lovers who appreciate old traditions with a modern twist
Photographers, drone flyers, and content fiends chasing purple-lined streets

What’s On Offer

Jacaranda tree bloom trails: Wander, cycle or drive through Grafton’s famous purple streets, maps available for download from their official website.
Parades and pageantry: From the Youth Parade to the Royal Party Crowning and the iconic Float Procession down Prince Street.
Markets & food stalls: Local produce, food trucks, artisan crafts, and regional specialties.
Concerts & live entertainment: Buskers, DJs, brass bands, fireworks and after-dark events.
Workshops & exhibitions: Community art sessions, heritage walks, library pop-ups and postcard workshops.
Jacaranda Thursday: Grafton’s townwide permission slip to dress up, dance in the streets, and let loose.
Special events: Long lunches, races, performances, and the famous Venetian Carnival on the Clarence.

Photo Credit: My Clarence Valley

Program highlights

Friday 17 Oct: Illuminate Grand Opening, food trucks, live music, jacarandas lit up at night.
Sat 18 Oct: Children’s Party at See Park; Jacaranda Ball & Garden Party at Grafton Barn.
Sun 19 Oct: South Grafton street buskers and market stalls.
Fri 24 Oct: Bulgar Ngaru River Dreaming cultural day; Community Dance Spectacular.
Sat 25 Oct: Parade of Youth & Banner Competition, Jacaranda Long Lunch, Royal Party Crowning.
Thu 30 Oct: Jacaranda Thursday — townwide dress-ups, music, parades, after party.
Sat 1 Nov: Splash of Tartan, Hokey Pokey world record attempt, Float Procession, fireworks.
Sun 2 Nov: Jacaranda Running Festival (2km to half marathon).

Full program available at jacafest.com.

Getting there

Grafton is about 3 hours south of Brisbane and 7 hours north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway.

Fly: Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin operate daily flights into Ballina and Coffs Harbour, with easy transfers to Grafton.
Train: NSW Trainlink services connect Sydney, Brisbane, Byron Bay and Moree to Grafton Railway Station.
Bus & Coach Tours: Multiple operators run day tours and festival packages.
Drive: Bring the car for the ultimate jacaranda-lined road trip.

Sustainability Snapshot

The Jacaranda Festival embraces Grafton’s local ecosystem, literally. The entire event revolves around the fleeting natural bloom, encouraging slow travel, regional tourism, and pedestrian exploration. Many stalls feature local producers and artisans, and programs are available digitally to reduce waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Grafton Jacaranda Festival?
From 24 October to 2 November 2025.

Where is the festival held?
Throughout Grafton, NSW, with main events at Prince Street, Market Square and See Park.

Is entry free?
General entry is free, with some special events ticketed.

Do I need to book tickets?
Some events require tickets or online registration, check the official program.

Are the trees always in bloom during the festival?
Blooming usually peaks in late October; timing may vary slightly each year.

Where can I see the best jacaranda trees?
Grafton’s streets are lined with them downloadable maps are available for self-guided tours.

Is the festival family friendly?
Yes, there are parades, kids’ parties, workshops and family activities.

Can I bring pets?
Leashed pets are welcome at most outdoor events.

Is parking available?
Yes, street and event parking is available, but spots fill quickly, arrive early.

How can I get live bloom updates?
Check My Clarence Valley social media for real-time jacaranda updates.