Riverland Rose Festival 10 - 19 October 2025
Image courtesy Riverland Rose and Garden Festival.
What: Riverland Rose and Garden Festival
Who: Riverland Rose Festival Committee
When: Friday 10 - Sunday 19 October 2025
Where: Various Locations
The Riverland Rose and Garden Festival is back, with 10 days of community events, ranging from open gardens to Galas! Intern Bethany Sweet recently had the opportunity to interview Rebecca 'Bec' Kennedy from Riverland Rose Festival Committee in regard to the upcoming Riverland Rose and Garden Festival. During this interview she had the chance to learn a little more about the history of the Festival, its current offerings and the current committee.
About the Festival
The Riverland Rose Festival spans over 10 days and features a wide variety of events, including Open Gardens across the Riverland, the Waikerie Flower Show, a Gala Dinner, the Festival Fair, and a Renmark Institute Display.
The festival kicks off on the 10th of October with a gala hosted in conjunction with the Renmark Greek Committee filled with delicious Greek cuisine, wine, and entertainment. The evening will also include a Best Dressed competition, lucky door prizes, and the drawing of the 'Monster Cash Raffle'. This is then followed by the Festival Fair; a busy event that is host to a wide range of traders including plants, jewelry and a wide range of food trucks.
Throughout the 10-day event, visitors will have the opportunity to explore several open gardens, ranging from the historic Olivewood Homestead & Museum to the curated garden beds of local home gardeners. While there was some concern weatherwise earlier this year, Bec promises the gardens are 'still amazing', and invites people to go and take a look.
Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of events, including free activities such as expert plant advice sessions, the Riverland Artists Exhibition, and a bingo night. There will also be paid events, including a variety of afternoon teas, workshops, and flower shows. The Festival then closes out with the popular car-boot sale, a hit every year.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the Riverland community to come together, celebrate the region’s beauty, fundraise for various community groups and, showcase the area to the rest of South Australia and beyond. You won’t be disappointed with gardeners from all across the Riverland generously offering to showcase their wonderful gardens. Their passion and love for all things gardening will be obvious when you take the opportunity to meander through their gorgeous properties.
David Ruston Memorial, Jarrett Memorial Gardens, Renmark SA 5341. Image courtesy Riverland Rose and Garden Festival.
History
The Riverland Rose and Garden Festival was the brainchild of Eithne Sidhu who collaborated with David Ruston to run the very first “Renmark Rose Festival” in 1994 - then known as “Rose Week”. Eithne saw it as an event to bring people into the town and to promote Renmark as the Rose Capital of Australia. Her vision has certainly been realised.
Since its humble beginnings in 1994, the Rose Festival has evolved into a major regional event and today runs for 10 days, spans towns across the Riverland and provides a range of events and attractions.
In 2022, the Festival was re-branded as the “Riverland Rose and Garden Festival” as one of the region’s largest and most supported festivals. This involved a broadening to include all gardens across the whole Riverland and our unique Indigenous culture, flora and fauna.
Participating within local community events is a great way to connect with others, support your local community and feel more engaged. Whether you're volunteering, performing, showcasing your talents, or simply helping behind the scenes, it’s a rewarding experience that builds relationships and boosts confidence.
Bec became involved after recently stepping away from full-time work. With a background in events and community engagement, she was invited to contribute to the event. Having grown up with the festival, it felt like a natural fit for her to get involved and give back to her community.
See you at the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival!
