Every year, Canberra’s calendar is packed with festivals and fun for you to explore!

These are some of our favourites.

January

Summernats

Summernats is Australia’s biggest celebration of modified car culture, bringing together everything from high‑powered street machines to the finals of the National Burnout Master. It’s a loud, colourful, high‑energy festival that draws car enthusiasts from across the country.

February

National Multicultural Festival

This festival is an iconic part of Canberra – now including more than 170 unique nationalities! Head to the National Multicultural Festival to enjoy an explosion of sights, sounds and tastes of food from all corners of the world. It’s also a great way to connect with local multicultural communities!

Royal Canberra Show

Run by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society, the Royal Canberra Show celebrates agriculture and livestock alongside amusement rides, entertainment, educational exhibitions, food vendors and more!

March

Enlighten Festival

Enlighten Festival is a celebration of the culture and creativity in Canberra. See the city in a different light through illuminations, installations, music, film, and delicious food.

Chief Minister’s Student Welcome

Just for new international and interstate students, this free event formally welcomes you to Canberra! Come along to meet the Chief Minister, enjoy live entertainment, mix and mingle with other students with games and activities, win great prizes, and enjoy a free meal. After the event, wander over to the Enlighten Precinct to see the illuminations projected onto some of Canberra’s most iconic buildings. Keep an eye on the Study Canberra Facebook for details.

Canberra Balloon Spectacular

In the early hours of the morning in March, experience the excitement of the Balloon Spectacular! Enjoy a hot breakfast at the lift-off site while you watch uniquely designed hot air balloons fill the sky and float over Lake Burley Griffin.

April

National Folk Festival

Originally created as a way to exchange songs, styles and ideas, the National Folk Festival offers a variety of Folk music, handcrafted goods, workshops, and food for you to enjoy.

International Music Festival

Featuring a diverse variety of classical and contemporary music – such as chamber music, Indigenous music, and jazz – the International Music Festival supports emerging musicians and continues into May.

August

National Science Week

Canberra hosts a wide range of workshops and performances each year as part of National Science Week. Past events have included discovery of music and maths, accessible astronomy, an exploration of Indigenous science and technology, dark matter with drinks, a deeper look at nuclear power and much more.

September

Floriade

Floriade is a huge celebration of spring, and features hundreds of thousands of flowers in bloom. You can take part in workshops, paint gnomes, relax to live music, and taste delicious food. The month-long event also includes Floriade Nightfest which sees the floral displays transformed by artistic lighting accompanied by range of entertainment.

October

Stonefest

One of Canberra’s longest standing music festivals, Stonefest is filled with music, food and good vibes. Party on while you listen to dozens of iconic artists at the University of Canberra.

Canberra Writers Festival

At this festival, audiences get to experience talks, panels, discussions, and other events with literary talent from Canberra, Australia and around the globe. Get the chance to meet some of your favourite writers, thinkers, and political commentators and explore the world of ideas and debate.

December

New Years Eve Canberra

The city’s official celebration to ring in the new year! Picnic along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin while you enjoy a delicious bite from a selection of food trucks. Live DJs provide a relaxed atmosphere leading up to two fireworks displays at 9pm and midnight.

The events listed here are just a taste of what’s on each year – you can find more events by visiting the Events Canberra website.