Enlighten Festival 2026: Your ultimate Cheat Sheet
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For 11 nights each autumn, Canberra’s cultural institutions stay up late and show off a different side of themselves.
From Friday 27 February to Monday 9 March, Enlighten Festival returns to transform the National Triangle into an after-dark playground of large-scale projections, late-night gallery access, live performances and street food – with installations and experiences also popping up across the city as part of Enlighten: BEYOND.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What is it?
Enlighten Festival is Canberra’s annual celebration of culture, creativity and design, centred around large-scale architectural projections cast across some of the city’s most iconic national institutions.
Across 11 nights, the National Triangle comes alive with:
- Illuminations
- Live music and performances from Murray and the Mover, Tjaka, Lemonise and more – as well as dance, cabaret and fire twirling.
- Interactive installations
- Late-night museum and gallery openings
- Outdoor screenings
- Food and drink vendors.
In 2026, programming will also extend beyond the Parliamentary Triangle through Enlighten: BEYOND, bringing creative experiences, light installations and cultural events to venues across Canberra.
Why the hype?
Because where else can you wander between Parliament House and the National Gallery after dark while both are transformed into animated works of art?
Each evening, original projections created by Australian artists will illuminate:
- Australian Parliament House – Democracy! by Philip Bunting
- Museum of Australian Democracy – Department of Memories with artist Sam Wallman
- National Gallery of Australia – Soft Rain, Strong Country by Yarrenyty Arltere artists with Grace Kemarre Robinya
- National Library of Australia – The Page Turner by artists Eleanor & Giovanni
- National Portrait Gallery – Queens of the Desert by Kaylene Whiskey, created with Studio Gilay
- Questacon – projections inspired by Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light from Museums Victoria.
Alongside the nightly illuminations, participating cultural institutions will open late for Enlighten: The Night Shift, offering exclusive after-hours talks, performances, workshops and one-off experiences available only during the festival period – while Enlighten: BEYOND expands the program city-wide with additional installations, performances and cultural activations.
When’s it happening and what will I see?
Enlighten runs from Friday 27 February to Monday 9 March 2026. You can find out what’s new, what’s back and what you shouldn’t miss here.
Illuminations run nightly across the festival period, looping continuously so visitors can explore the precinct at their own pace.
You can also catch:
- Lights! Canberra! Action! – outdoor short film festival (Friday 6 March 2026, Senate Rose Gardens)
- Symphony in the Park – live performance by Canberra Symphony Orchestra with Mark Seymour (Sunday 8 March 2026, Commonwealth Park)
- FEAST with Jennifer Wong and Friends at Canberra Theatre Centre
- Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius multi-sensory exhibition
Plus, events taking place across Canberra as part of Enlighten: BEYOND, with installations and activations hosted in locations beyond the Parliamentary Triangle throughout the festival period.
What can I buy to eat and drink?
Head to the Enlighten Food Park, located within the Festival Hub at John Dunmore Lang Place.
Open nightly from 5 pm – 11 pm, the Food Park features a rotating selection of international street food, festival favourites, sweet treats and pop-up bars.
There will also be licensed areas and local food vendors throughout the Festival Hub serving a variety of food as well as beer, wine and other beverages.
How much does it cost?
Entry to The Illuminations, Festival Hub and Enlighten Food Park is free.
Some experiences, exhibitions and performances as part of Enlighten: The Night Shift and the broader Enlighten: BEYOND program are ticketed.
How do I get there?
The festival is centred within Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, with the Festival Hub located at John Dunmore Lang Place (between Questacon and the National Portrait Gallery). Enlighten: BEYOND events will take place at venues across Canberra.
Find out more about getting to Enlighten here.
Walking and biking
Visitors are encouraged to walk or cycle into the precinct where possible, with bike parking available near major venues.
Free shuttle bus
A free Enlighten Festival shuttle bus will operate between key locations across the Parliamentary Triangle during the festival period. The shuttle bus will run from 5pm on a continuous loop, every night of the Enlighten Festival. See the route and stops on the map here.
Taxi and Uber
Taxi ranks and rideshare drop-off points will be available near the festival precinct and participating institutions.
Public Transport
Transport Canberra bus services will run to and from the Parliamentary Triangle across the festival period. Plan your trip at Transport Canberra.
Driving
Honestly? We highly recommend leaving the car at home.
Limited paid parking is available throughout the Parliamentary Triangle. Visitors are encouraged to allow extra time due to expected traffic and road closures, including a full closure of Commonwealth Avenue northbound between the Parkes Way on/off ramps and Vernon Circle from 8 pm Friday 27 February to 5 am Monday 2 March.
Southbound travel will be reduced to a single lane and detours northbound will be in place via the Parkes Way on-ramp and Edinburgh Avenue.
Hot tip: Check current road and parking changes before you leave.
