Enlighten Festival

Each autumn, Canberra comes alive after dark as Enlighten Festival transforms the city into a living gallery of light, colour and culture. Across ten nights, iconic national attractions glow with large scale projections, interactive installations and a lively program of music, food and after-hours experiences. The result is a festival that rewards curiosity, invites wandering and turns the city itself into the main stage.

Let the evening unfold at your own pace between illuminated landmarks, delicious street food, live music, and unique ticketed experiences that reveal familiar places in unexpected ways. Enlighten is playful yet thoughtful, vibrant yet relaxed. A festival best enjoyed with plenty of time aside to explore.

Festival Highlights and What to Expect

• Illuminations Large scale projections light up Australia’s iconic national cultural institutions each night, transforming familiar landmarks into moving works of art.
• Festival Hub Artworks Explore interactive installations and performance art using light, sound and technology, to create dynamic displays and immersive experiences throughout the Festival Hub.
• Enlighten Food Park Open from 5pm daily, the Food Park offers a large selection delicious street food and international flavours designed for easy grazing while exploring the events and attractions.
• Enlighten The Night Shift A curated mix of free and ticketed events, including DJ sets at Parliament House, talks, hands on workshops and dinners hosted inside national attractions.
• Enlighten: Beyond Where the festival experiences expand beyond the National Triangle, from guided tours and stargazing to exclusive film screenings, workshops and more.
• Live Music and Entertainment Live performances, roaming acts and pop-up music sets feature throughout the festival, adding rhythm and atmosphere each day.

Our Recommended Events Not to Miss

The Festival Hub
The heart of Enlighten and the centre of activity with food stalls, roaming acts and major projections. Arrive early and allow plenty of time to explore and take in the projections at an easy pace. Bikes and scooters aren’t allowed within the festival hub with the exception of mobility assistance, so make sure you wear comfortable footwear.

Lights, Camera, Action
Held on the 6th March with live music starting from 7pm, leading into the screenings of short film festival finalists from 8pm. Enjoy a relaxed evening with delicious food and local beverages supplied by BentSpoke Brewing Co in the surrounds of the Senate Rose Garden within the Festival Hub. This year’s film festival theme is, Curiosity, where up-and-coming film makers are given only 10 days to create their films.

Symphony in the Park
On Sunday, 8 March at Stage 88 within Commonwealth Park, Mark Seymour and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra take the stage with timeless classics and the world premiere of original music. Gates open from 5pm for a 7.30pm start and a 9.30pm finish. Pack a picnic rug, enjoy the food and drink stalls and settle in for an incredible performance as the sun sets.

Luminous Life After Dark
As part of the Enlighten: Beyond experiences, Luminous After Dark unlocks the National Botanical Gardens for after-hours guided tours. Join the rangers using spotlights and UV torches to explore what grows and what glows, revealing plants, fungi and nocturnal wildlife only seen after sunset. A quieter, immersive way to experience Enlighten, just minutes from the city, between the 5th and 7th of March at 7.30pm. Tickets start from $25 and prior bookings are essential.

Planning your visit

Staying in the city makes Enlighten simple. Start by checking into Novotel Canberra right in the City Centre, within perfect reach of the festival’s main highlights. Here you’re within walking distance to Stage 88 and public transport, including the free shuttle service from the city to the Festival Hub. Start every day with a delicious buffet breakfast at First Edition Canberra and finish with a dip in our indoor heated pool. Enjoy spacious accommodation rooms with comfortable amenities to recharge between each adventure.

Book your stay with us for an unforgettable experience at the Enlighten Festival! We can’t wait to welcome you.