Canberra has an incredible array of festivals each year to pick from.
Many of which are free entry festivals and most are family-friendly festivals.
Some of the festivals in Canberra draw large crowds from outside of the ACT, while others remain fairly small, perfect for people in the know, who like quieter festivals in Canberra.
Canberra Festivals in January
January can be super hot in Canberra, so you may find that many local people head to the coast for weekends or for a long summer break.
That means Canberra is generally fairly quiet in January while many Canberrans head off on holiday to make the most of the end of the summer outside the city.
There’s still always at least one big popular annual event on the Canberra festival calendar for January.
Summernats
If you like classic cars and mullets, you’ll love Summernats! Summernats is an exciting annual car festival.
This time of year Canberra breaks away from its clean-cut public service image (perhaps because they are all away on holiday) and becomes seriously cool.
Summernats is Australia’s best-known specialist car enthusiast festival and has been running since 1987 (apart from 2021 when it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic).
To enter a car into Summernats you’ll need to have modified or customised your car, enter and abide by the rules.
For car entrants, there are events to take part in including “burnouts” on the track and you’ll need to be entered in it to be in with a chance of winning titles including the much-coveted title of the Summernats Grand Champion.
Canberra Festivals in February
Back to school time for the kids and also a time for enjoying some of the capital’s most lively annual festivals.
National Multicultural Festival
Canberra city center comes alive during the annual National Multicultural Festival.
There are over 250 stalls, 8 entertainment stages and 30 cultural showcases, bringing together over 150 cultures from across the world.
The Canberra National Multicultural Festival is an incredible chance to learn about other countries, cultures and local multicultural organizations.
There is a parade showcasing international costumes, plenty of food stalls to sample cuisines from around the world and many stalls highlighting different countries and cultures.
Canberra Festivals in March
Enlighten Festival
During March each year, Australia’s capital city of Canberra literally lights up during this festival!
Each year there is a new theme for Canberra’s Enlighten Festival which sees many of the main buildings in the National Triangle in Canberra illuminated at night.
There’s also plenty to see and do down near Lake Burley Griffin, when as the sun sets each evening during the festival, the Enlighten festival gets underway – with illuminated signs, live music, stalls to eat and drink and novelties like glow in the dark candy floss, neon signs for your Insta selfies, interactive artworks or light shows, entertainers, live bands and more.
This is a free entry, family-friendly event, held in the National Triangle in Canberra.
Canberra Balloon Spectacular Festival
The Canberra Balloon fiesta, festival or balloon spectacular @Enlighten Festival, is held every March. In 2023 the Canberra Balloon festival ran from 11th March – 19th March.
Canberra’s cityscape is truely magical for early risers who can make it down to Lake Burley Griffin to witness hot air balloons taking off just after sunrise.
In recent years a new hot air balloon has been launched with allycorn being a personal favourite! This year’s unique and special hot air balloon was Buster the Bulldog!
Canberra Festivals in April
Canberra African Festival In The Park
Canberra’s largest African festival, Africa Festival in the Park takes place in April.
The festival showcases the richness of African food, art, culture, and music.
Held in Commonwealth Park in Canberra, Stage 88 comes alive with the sound of African music, drumming and dancing.
Free admission for all at this family-friendly festival.
Enjoy the chance to purchase and taste a variety of African dishes from the stalls, buy high quality African clothes and products, and learn about the different countries, cultures and traditions from Africa.
Groovin The Moo Festival
Groovin the Moo festival is a popular annual music festival hosted in 6 locations across Australia.
It’s held in Autumn each year.
Groovin the Moo festival was first held in New South Wales in 2005 and is now a large-scale annual music event.
In 2010 Canberra was added as one of the locations for Groovin the Moo and today the festival has grown and is held in 6 locations each year.
There were no Groovin the Moo festivals in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stompfest
The last weekend in April sees the arrival of a Canberra festival especially for the wine lovers out there.
Stompfest, also known locally as the Canberra District’s annual food and wine festival is one not to miss.
The festival celebrates Canberra’s winemakers, producers and local businesses.
With over 25 wineries participating over 2 days.
Stompfest showcases the best local wines and produce.
Find out more at: www.stompfest.com.au
Canberra Festivals in May
Canberra International Music Festival
Held each year in the 1st week of May is the Canberra International Music festival. Sure to delight music lovers, this popular international music festival showcases choirs, musicians, dance performers in a variety of venues in Canberra.
This year the Canberra International Music Festival runs from Friday 28th April – Sunday 7th May 2023 and the them is “The Child Within”.
The Canberra International Music Festival promises to take you on a magical musical journey. Showcasing 150 Australian and international musicians. Most concerts at the festival are generally pay-for ticketed events.
Canberra Festivals June
Canberra Truffle Festival
Canberra Festivals in July
Christmas in July festival in Canberra. Be sure not to miss this winter warmer of a festival. If you love Christmas and all things warm and cosy then make sure you gather your friends and family and head for Canberra’s Christmas in July festival. Why celebrate Christmas in July? Well for some Aussies, especially those with European family, it gives you the chance to celebrate Christmas in the colder weather in a similar style to spending a Christmas in winter in Europe. Think mulled wine, hot chocolate, festive markets, and of course getting your family and friends together for a traditional roast dinner.
The French-inspired food, mulled wine, festive Christmas in July winter market in Canberra in July is sure to delight. Held on the Parkes Place lawns you’ll find 80 exhibitors, with many authentic wooden European chalets. There’s music, Christmas carols, street performers and more. You can even book spots to enjoy a fire pit and toasted marshmallows, wander down a snowy lane, or book an igloo to enjoy French cuisine – raclette – which is a melted cheese foodie experience. There is even a mulled wine area and a concert stage, so you can warm up from the inside out whilst listening to some incredible music.
Find out more in our Christmas in July in Canberra article.
Canberra Festivals in August
Canberra Writers Festival
Canberra Festivals in September
Floriade
Floriade, also known as Canberra’s Tulip or flowers festival, is Australia’s biggest celebration of spring flowers. It usually runs for a month from mid-September to mid-October.
Entry to this popular event is free. Floriade is held in Commonwealth Park in Canberra where you can expect to discover over a million flowers. As part of the festival of flowers, there are also many blooms to be discovered around the city of Canberra.
At Commonwealth park you’ll enjoy a variety of flowers, stalls, music, tasty food and more. This event is popular with families and visitors from around Australia, as well as international visitors.
