Festivals and celebrations

Canberra’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service is one of the nation’s most moving ceremonies. Gather with thousands of Australians in the pre-dawn light to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the first military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces. Experience the emotion of the lone bugler playi...

Come and celebrate what's great about being an Aussie in the nation's capital. Enjoy something for everyone, from bush picnics and live music festivals to children's festivals. Stay for the fireworks finale and water spectacular on Lake Burley Griffin.

Australia Day Live is a national tribute to everything that is great about Australia and being Australian. It brings together the Australian of the Year Awards and some of Australia’s hottest home-grown music talent. Celebrate underneath the national flag at the apex of Parliament House, which is sp...

The town of Bundanoon becomes Brigadoon for a day! Enjoy the spectacle of 20 plus pipe bands performing and Scottish Country and highland dancing. Visit 130 speciality stalls with traditional Scottish and Australian crafts, souvenirs and food stalls. Find your heritage in the clan and society tents....

Come and celebrate Australia's Aboriginal, natural and historic heritage. Your challenge is which of the 70 plus events to go to! Some of the region's most significant heritage sites are hosting films, talks, open days, performances, bushwalks, tours, music, workshops and more. There are plenty of s...

The Canberra District Wine Harvest Festival is a celebration of the annual wine harvest. The Festival weekend showcases the Canberra District Wineries with all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of harvest, a time when picking, pressing and even stomping of the grapes becomes centre stage. Engag...

The Canberra Festival is nine days of exhibitions, displays, sporting events, music, film, dance and theatre. Favourites include the Balloon Spectacular, the free family concert Celebrate in the Park and Canberra’s unique short film competition. See the Canberra Symphony play outdoors at Stage 88. E...

Celebrate the Canberra Festival in the air or on the ground. Both are great spots to enjoy the 2010 Canberra Festival Balloon Spectacular. There’s nothing like standing right next to a massive hot air balloon as it inflates and then rises gently into the skies. Witness the beauty of the balloons fl...

Come to the nation's capital in Autumn and experience compelling music making. Find yourself in wonderful venues that include embassy buildings. See international performers who come through the aid of those embassies. Hear Australian performers from across the nation. Witness the colourful ambience...

Join in the celebration of Canberra's sister city relationship with Nara, Japan. Take part in origami, calligraphy, didgeridoo and boomerang painting. Make your own Japanese lantern for the evening procession. Purchase Japanese cuisine and beautiful designer Japanese handicrafts. At dusk marvel at m...

This free concert celebrates Canberra's 97th birthday out loud! Headline acts include Eskimo Joe, Cassie Davis and Dragon. The big names will be supported by local acts Who’s Ya Daddy, The Trivs and Manilla Green. There is something for everyone at Celebrate In The Park. Roary the Racing Car Show wi...

Visit the historic village of Collector for their annual Pumpkin Festival. The village is better known for fine wool, fat lambs, prime beef and bushrangers but once a year the residents go crazy for pumpkins. Visit this charming family festival for some good old fashioned fun. Delight in the pumpkin...

The Fireside Festival is a series of events celebrating winter. See yourself curling up by a crackling fire, tasting the best winter cuisine, enjoying glasses of nice red wine, discovering new places and experiences, relaxing with friends and family and immersing yourself in winter. Events include d...

With something special instore for 2010 you won't want to miss Floriade, Australia's celebration of spring. Over a million blooms will set the scene to stimulate all your senses. Be intrigued by the inspired garden bed designs. Get captivated by the artistic entertainment. Be fascinated with engag...

NightFest returns to Floriade with style in 2010! Experience an array of live entertainment and great activities set amongst spectacularly lit garden beds. See breathtaking views of the park and our city at night from the top of the giant ferris wheel. Shop for something special at the bustling nigh...

See a magnificent display of fireworks set to a soundtrack simultaneously broadcast on FM 104.7. Canberra lights up for the 22nd time on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin's central basin. Get there well before 8.30pm to secure your spot.

Don't miss Canberra’s premier music event on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. See some of the biggest national and international artists perform at what has been described as Australia's most astonishing festival location. There's no better way to celebrate the end of exams, the start of summer...

Rumble with an incredible array of artists for five spectacular shows over one day! Line up includes: Ajax, Empire of the Sun, Funkoars, Grinspoon, Illy, Jonathan Boulet, Kid Koala Presents The Slew Live (USA), Killaqueenz, Kisschasy, Lisa Mitchell, Muph and Plutonic, Silverchair, Spoon (USA), Tegan...

The Kanga Cup is an annual youth soccer tournament held in Canberra. It is the most prestigious youth soccer tournament of its kind to be currently operating within Australia and is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Winning a Kanga Cup is the most coveted prize in Australian youth ...

The Murrumbateman Moving Feast offers a weekend of premium local wines matched with scrumptious food to tantalise your taste buds. Local wineries and cafes offer exceptional wines matched with gastronomical delights! Murrumbateman is just a 30 minute drive from the centre of Canberra, or a two and a...

Raise your beer glass to a showcase of up to 80 craft beers. The festival features top brewers and breweries from Australia and around the world. Enjoy the local gourmet food stores. Witness the Craft Chef Competition, where local chefs battle it out, cooking and matching food with beer. Meet the B...

Join in singing, dancing and non-stop entertainment at the National Folk Festival this Easter. Take part in a cultural celebration of traditional and contemporary music, dance, poetry and storytelling, staged in the nation’s capital during the Easter Break. Hundreds of the world’s best folk musicia...

Honour the memory of police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. This annual commemorative service recognises all Australian police jurisdictions and police members from the South-West Pacific Region including Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Pl...

Welcome in 2011 with a giant street party in the heart of the city. See fireworks over City Hill with the children at 9pm, or stay later for the midnight display. Enjoy live, family friendly entertainment in Civic Square, or dance the night away at a dance party in Garema Place. These celebrations a...

Experience delights from the Canberra region's local fine food and wine specialists. Bring a hamper and a rug, and enjoy the local thoroughbred racing industry talent. Free entry.