Wondering what’s on in Canberra?

From festivals to multicultural celebrations, there’s something special about an entire city of people coming together to celebrate.

Autumn

As the leaves begin to turn, Canberra transforms into a festival-lover’s paradise. Locals come together to celebrate our city through colour, music, food and more.

March is Canberra’s birthday and there’s always a party to celebrate! The beginning of autumn is marked by the Enlighten Festival, when our cultural institutions become illuminated canvases and thousands gather for live music and street food. Settle under the stars to hear Canberra’s Symphony Orchestra play in Commonwealth Park. The sky is the star, when all eyes are captivated by scores of colourful hot air balloons during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, and Lake Burley Griffin is lit up for Skyfire’s spectacular fireworks display.

The Canberra Comedy Festival brings the laughs, the National Folk Festival gathers performers and music lovers together at Easter to celebrate all things folk, and in April, the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival highlights our region’s history.

Music lovers shouldn’t miss the Canberra International Music Festival featuring music performances in iconic Canberra locations. May also sees Canberrans come together to commemorate Reconciliation Day encouraging a deeper understanding of our national story and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Winter

The temperature may drop in winter, but our event calendar doesn’t cool down. You’ll discover plenty of ways to keep celebrating with friends from across the city.

Canberra is one of the only cities in the world where the legendary black truffle grows on our doorstep –  the Truffle Festival invites foodies to get in on the action with truffle hunts, seasonal feasts, markets and more!

The Xmas in July Festival is also a wonderful celebration of all things winter, with real Christmas trees, wooden huts, hot chocolate, mulled wine, Christmas lights, melted cheese stations and live music.

Spring

Canberra explodes into colour in spring. Our beautiful flower festival Floriade boasts more than one million blooms, alongside a popular marketplace, food stalls, live music, and workshops. And when the sun goes down, Floriade NightFest transforms the floral displays with artistic illuminations and hosts evenings filled with entertainers, fantastic food, and Insta-worthy photo opportunities.

Celebrate peace, goodwill, and the sister city relationship between Canberra and Japanese City Nara at the Nara Candle Festival. See Nara Peace Park at Lennox Gardens light up with thousands of candles and experience Japanese cuisine, music, dance and demonstrations. Spring is also time when the community comes together to celebrate Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, a major Hindu celebration symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Each year, Canberrans look forward to the celebrations of Eid, two joyous Islamic festivals: Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha. The dates shift due to the lunar calendar, but always involve local traditions, delicious cuisines, special prayers and community gatherings.

Craft + Design Canberra Festival celebrates and promotes our capital as a global city of design through exhibitions, workshops, talks, and open studios. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or simply curious, the festival provides an inspiring glimpse into the city’s creative soul, making it a must-visit event for locals and tourists alike.

The Canberra Writers Festival  celebrates literature, ideas, and storytelling. It features talks, panel discussions, and workshops with acclaimed authors, journalists, and thinkers. Set against the backdrop of Canberra’s cultural institutions, the festival offers a space for readers and writers to connect and engage with the literary world.

SpringOUT! is Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ pride festival, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and community. Held in November, it features a array of events, including parades, parties, performances, and art exhibitions.

Also in November is The Stromlo Running Festival, held at Stromlo Forest Park. Offering a variety of trail running challenges for all fitness levels, the festival celebrates the joy of outdoor running and community spirit.

Summer

The first month of summer is marked by festive outdoor markets and New Year’s Eve fireworks bursting above Lake Burley Griffin. Manuka Oval is filled with the cheers of cricket lovers, while locals join the crowds of art lovers at our national galleries’ blockbuster exhibitions. 

Each year kicks off with Summernats Street Car Festival drawing car enthusiasts from across the country. It features car displays, burnout competitions, live music, and a lively atmosphere.

In January, Canberra celebrates the harmonious spirit of Lunar New Year with a kaleidoscope of colours, rhythmic drumbeats, and indulgent feasts. Then, in February, Canberra’s Multicultural Festival, the largest in the southern hemisphere, brings together more than 170 multicultural communities to share their culture, history and heritage through food, art, song and dance.

Those craving something a little quieter will love spending a balmy summer evening at the Sunset Cinema nestled within the Australian National Botanic Gardens.