The best Canberra events happening all year round

Every March, Canberra is lit up by the annual Enlighten Festival which sees the city’s most iconic buildings and monuments – including Parliament House – illuminated. But it’s not just about the lights, the festival is packed full of other entertainment such as live music, food stalls, art exhibitions and a mini film festival.

Canberra rings in Spring with a major annual celebration called Floriade. Held from September to October, this month-long festival showcases over a million colourful flowers in awe-inspiring displays across Canberra’s Commonwealth Park. Beyond stunning flowers, Floriade is teeming with workshops, markets and live music performances. The fun continues into the night with Floriade NightFest which features stalls, music, food and even cabaret shows.

For the music-lovers, the National Folk Festival is a must for anyone in Canberra during April. Held every Easter at Exhibition Park, this five-day festival brings together all the best folk musicians, dancers and performers from across Australia and around the globe. The festival has a series of stages with dozens of performances happening at any one time. So, whether you’re a die-hard folk-lover or you love the ambience of live music, don’t leave Canberra without checking out the National Folk Festival.

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular, held every March, is one of the city’s most iconic events and will certainly be an unforgettable experience. Over the course of a week, balloonists from around Australia and across the world flock to the Australian capital to fly over the city. Taking off from the Parliamentary triangle every morning, you’ll be treated to the incredible sight of dozens of hot air balloons dotted all over the skyline. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can take a ride in a hot air balloon and experience the magic for yourself.

The Canberra Nara Candle Festival is the celebration of Canberra’s sister-city – Nara, Japan. Held every October at the Nara Peace Park, the festival features thousands of lit candles that are scattered throughout the park. It’s also a celebration and appreciation of Japanese culture with activities including calligraphy, origami and tea ceremonies. From performances, and food stalls to crafts, this is an enriching experience that you simply can’t miss.

These days, finding beautifully handmade goods can feel impossibly hard, however, the Handmade Canberra Markets are keeping the art of artisanal goods alive. Taking place quarterly at EPIC, these markets bring together over 270 stalls showcasing the best Australian-made products. From fashion and jewellery to homewares and gourmet foods, whether you’re after a one-of-a-kind gift, or something for yourself, you’ll be spoiled for choice.