Enlighten is back for its 15^th year in 2025.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this must-see event:

When is it?

Enlighten runs for 11 days from Friday 28 February to Monday 10 March.

Where is it?

A large part of Enlighten happens within the National Triangle.

This includes the projections across Canberra’s cultural institutions. As well as:

• public programs

• art installations

• interactive and immersive experiences.

The Festival Hub, at the heart of Enlighten, is also in the Parliamentary Triangle.

This year, Enlighten will extend beyond the National Triangle as part of Enlighten: Beyond. There will be experiences and illuminations extended across the city.

Immersive experiences will feature in:

• Glebe Park

• the National Film and Sound Archive

• Mt Stromlo Observatory

• the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

This year the festival showcases Canberra’s role in Reflecting Our Story. This includes the telling, sharing, holding and writing of Australian stories. This will be a multi-sensory experience that celebrates Australia through:

• dynamic art

• sound

• larger-than-life installations.

Is there anything new for 2025? 

This year, in celebration of 15 years of the festival, Enlighten will take to the streets with Enlighten: Beyond.

This new program encourages the community to explore installations beyond the traditional setting of the festival in the National Triangle.

The Enlighten: Beyond experiences include:

• Constellations: an immersive audiovisual experience at the National Film and Sound Archive

• Enlighten the skies: Stories of the Universe at Mount Stromlo Observatory. This includes talks exploring the universe and stargazing

• Enlighten the Morning at Red Shed, with boating, access to the Wellness Hub and breakfast

• The National Zoo and Aquarium’s Enlighten Exclusive Tour

• The Nature of Things, a family-friendly experience at Glebe Park

• HYPERSPECTRAL25, an immersive outdoor evening at Photo Access

• You Are Here Gala(h), a fun-filled and creative night at Dessent Bar and Café

• Reflect and Connect, a BYO family-fun picnic set to live music at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Some events are ticketed. See the full Enlighten: Beyond program.

What activities and entertainment are on offer? 

Head to the Festival Hub to see performances from local and interstate artists including:

• Jett Blyton

• Gia Ransome

• Camino Gold

• Anna Smirk

• The Stiff Gins

• Project Dust

• Monica Moore.

There will also be roving street performances.

Find out more, including the full list of performers.

Beloved short film festival Lights! Canberra! Action!  will take place on Friday 7 March. The festival will be held at the Senate Rose Gardens and will highlight local film makers’ interpretations of the theme ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward’.

Find out more about Lights! Canberra! Action!

Symphony in the Park will take place on Sunday 9 March in Commonwealth Park. This all ages event will feature Melbourne band The Bamboos with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy a free evening and funk and soul supported by a 40-piece orchestra.

Find out more about Symphony in the Park.

A range of Canberra’s institutions will open their doors after dark for Enlighten: The Night Shift. Activities and events will take place at:

• National Archives of Australia

• National Portrait Gallery

• National Gallery of Australia

• Museum of Australian Democracy

• Questacon.

Find out more.

What food and drink will be available?

Head to The Festival Hub to find:

• Bar Berra, for wine and spirits from the Canberra region

• BentSpoke Beer Garden for locally brewed beers and food vendors

• Enlighten Food Park.

The Enlighten Food Park will have some of the best food trucks from Sydney and Canberra. Some of the vendors include:

• Hoy Pinoy

• Antico Woodfire Pizza

• Burgerhead

• Stoopbros

• Blacklight Dessert Lab.

Other options at the Food Park will be:

• Filipino

• Greek

• Dumplings

• fried chicken

• African

• Gozleme

• Japanese

• Mexican

• Thai

• Chips on a Stick.

Find out more about the Enlighten Food Park.

What about the Canberra Balloon Spectacular?

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular will take place after Enlighten from Saturday 15 March to Sunday 23 March.

More information on the Canberra Balloon Spectacular will be available soon.

What is the best way to get there?

Save money and take the stress-free option by using public transport.

There are multiple existing services that will stop within the National Triangle.

Visit the Transport Canberra website to plan your journey.