It’s a big week for the Enlighten Festival with a massive weekend of events in store over the Canberra Day long weekend.
ENLIGHTEN ILLUMINATIONS | Until Monday 9 March
See the Parliamentary Triangle and city precinct come to life as the Illuminations light up after dark. Witness thought provoking large-scale projections on some of the capital’s most loved and iconic buildings including the National Portrait Gallery, National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Australian Parliament House, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Questacon and the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings.
FOODIE OPTIONS at the Canberra Night Noodle Markets, Enlighten Alley and Bentspoke Beer Garden | nightly until Monday 9 March
Tempt your tastebuds at the Canberra Night Noodle Markets, BentSpoke Beer Garden and Enlighten Alley each night of the event. See https://enlightencanberra.com/event-information/food-drink/
BALLOON GLOW | Friday 6 March
As the sun sets, the Enlighten Festival precinct will come alive with the Balloon Glow*, presented by National Capital Authority. Special guest will be Skywhale along with three other balloons that will tether on site adding a spectacular site for Festival goers. The balloons will inflate from 8pm. *Weather permitting
LIGHTS! CANBERRA! ACTION! | Friday 6 March
Competition meets creativity in the 17th annual Lights! Canberra! Action! this Friday night. Enlighten Festival shines a spotlight on Canberra’s talented filmmakers, who have been tasked with creating seven-minute short films exploring the theme ‘planted’ and incorporating 10 dictated items. Entrants were given 10 days to shoot, edit and produce their films. See the Top 12 finalists in the Senate Rose Gardens at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. BYO chair, bean bag or blanket and then settle in for a great night of film viewing.
CANBERRA BALLOON SPECTACULAR | Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 March
From Saturday you can wake up to the view of hot air balloons floating across the city during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. This mesmerising view is best appreciated from the lawns of Old Parliament House. Held over nine days, the Canberra skyline will be full of hot air balloons* from across the globe including a big green T-Rex dinosaur from Canada and the return of Skywhale on Monday 9 March. *Weather permitting.
CANBERRA DAY || Monday 9 March
It’s not every day you turn 107! Celebrate in the way Canberrans know best as we mark our birthday on Monday 9 March at the new event location in the Parliamentary Triangle. Make the most of the public holiday and start the day at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular before joining the Canberra Day festivities from 10am at John Dunmore Lang Place. The day will include a jam-packed program of local musicians, street food and activities for the whole family. At 6pm on the main stage ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr will present representatives of the ACT Emergency Services Agency and ACT Parks and Conservation with the Canberra Citizen of the Year Award. Stay on to celebrate the closing night of Enlighten Illuminations and Canberra Night Noodle Markets.