Your ultimate cheat sheet for the National Multicultural Festival
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Planning on hitting the Multicultural Festival this weekend? Here’s everything you need to know.
From what’s happening to where to eat and the best way to get to and from the event, we’ve created the ultimate cheat sheet for the National Multicultural Festival. Go on, make a day (or three) of it.
What is it?
If you haven’t heard of the National Multicultural Festival before, let us introduce you to one of the biggest celebrations of cultural diversity in Australia – and one of the most anticipated events in Canberra’s calendar.
Bringing together over 170 communities to share their culture, history, and heritage through food, art, song, and dance, the MultiCulti (as it’s lovingly known among locals) has been bringing the city centre to life with amazing experiences, sounds, sights, and tastes for over 25 years.
And with a jam-packed program promised for 2024, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
When’s it happening?
Taking place across three days, the National Multicultural Festival will be kicking off this Friday night (16 February) with Sydney-based performing ensemble Taikoz taking the stage for an explosive performance with taiko (a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments) at its core. Joined by Papua New Guinean-born R&B artist Ngaiire at the Civic Square Stage, there will be events and performances running until 11 pm that night – and that’s just the beginning.
Running from 10 am until 11 pm on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February, from roving performers to live music performances (that will be taking place across a total of seven stages), workshops, cooking demonstrations, and more, three days won’t feel like enough.
Before we go any further, how much does it cost to attend?
It’s all completely free! But you’ll want to budget for the next bit…
What can I buy to eat and drink?
This is the million-dollar question – because every MultiCulti veteran knows that this festival is a foodie’s delight. And with a total of 269 stallholders expected across the three days (which includes a mix of food, drink, community clubs, information, culturally influenced items like arts, crafts and clothing, and more), there’s going to be a lot to make your way through.
Luckily, we’ve done some research and, we’ve found 10 things to eat at the Multicultural Festival – and by no means is this a completed list.
Bar Beirut
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It might be a beloved cocktail bar, but at the festival, Bar Beirut wants to share the real side of the capital of Lebanon – a buzzing epicentre of nightlife, renowned by party people from all corners of the globe as one of the places to be for beats, eats, vibes, love, and cocktails…
Find it on: Bunda Street
Black Barrel Barbecue
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Does the thought of a traditional American BBQ and smoked meats make your mouth water? At this food van, you’ll find food often found at Texan and Carolina barbecues as well as Asian cuts and a range of different sauces to soak up the goodness.
Find it on: Akuna Street
Mellabella Gelato
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This super cute vintage gelato cart will be serving handcrafted Italian gelato and sorbet that will have you going back for more.
Find it on: Glebe Park
Flavours of Ethiopia
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Serving authentic Ethiopian meals, you’ll be able to try everything from curries to samosas and homemade baklava. Vegan or vegetarian? There will be plenty of options for you as well!
Find it on: Bunda Street
INKA Dining
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Blending traditional Peruvian street food with Nikkei cuisine (a combination of Japanese and Peruvian elements), if you haven’t been to the award-winning restaurant on Bunda Street, this is the perfect opportunity to have a taste of modern Peru.
Find it on: Ainslie Place
Kusukusu Bubble Waffle
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You’ve probably seen this popular street dessert from Hong Kong on the ‘gram, so why not try it for yourself? Served hot and filled with ice cream, fresh fruit, and sauces (as well as the choice to add marshmallows, Smarties or strawberries), it’s everything someone with a sweet tooth could want.
Find it on: Civic Square
Occasioni by Agostinis
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Authentic Italian cuisine cooked by a local Italian family, who wanted to share their passion for Italian food. What’s not to love? You can bet we’ll be grabbing some gnocchi.
Find it on: Glebe Park
Pop Up Poffertjes
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Sink your teeth into this traditional Dutch treat. All made with a recipe that was handed down from the owner’s Oma, whether you keep it simple with some sugar and lemon or add Dutch chocolate sauce, these are too sweet to pass up.
Find it on: Bunda Street
Spit Shack
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Using traditional Croatian recipes that have been developed over hundreds of years, for meat lovers stopping for a bite at Spit Shack is a must. Wholesome and tasty, order yourself a succulent spit-roasted pork or lamb roll and enjoy.
Find it on: Akuna Street
Super Bao
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Super fans of Super Bao won’t be disappointed as they come back to the festival for another year. Get your hands on some flavoursome and fluffy steamed bread with all of your favourite fillings.
Find it on: Civic Square
What other things will I see?
From Italian flag throwing to a performance from the Russian Folklore Ensemble Kalinka, the iconic Multicultural Festival parade, a silent disco, a Celtic tattoo showcase, and more, there’s something to do and see across all three days. Check the official program here and the festival map here – and make sure to make the most of the free shuttle that will be helping people get around the festival precinct.
How to get there and back
Whether you’re thinking about driving or catching public transport to the city this weekend, you’re going to need to plan ahead. But in exciting news, thanks to Transport Canberra, this year’s event will be easier than ever to attend with FREE public transport available across Canberra from 4.30 pm on Friday 16 February to the end of services on Sunday 18 February. You’ll still have to tap your MyWay card on and off – you’ll just be registered for a $0 fee.
With that said, there will be changes to bus services from Thursday 15 February until Sunday 18 February 2024. Details of impacted services and stops with maps can be found here. And for those taking a light rail service, a special event timetable will be in place with increased frequency in both directions from 6.30 pm Friday 16 to 5.30 pm Sunday 18 February (you can see the details here).
If you choose to drive (we recommend leaving the car at home, and using Park and Ride, scooting, or walking to the event), you’ll need to know about the road closures. Now don’t panic – there will be signage in place and arrangements have been put in place for local residents and businesses to gain access during set times, which have been communicated directly with those impacted.
Here’s a breakdown – for detailed information on road closures visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au.
National Multicultural Festival Road Closure Details
Road closures from 8 pm Tuesday 13 to 8 pm Tuesday 20 February
- Bunda Street closed in both directions between Genge Street and Akuna Street
(Local access available for businesses during this time except during Festival operating hours, with entry one way from Mort Street).
- Petrie Street closed in both directions at Bunda Street (car park entry/exit not impacted).
Additional road closures from 4 am Thursday 15 to 4 am Monday 19 February
- Ainslie Place closed at London Circuit.
- Single lane closure on London Circuit (northbound) adjacent to Civic Square.
Additional road closures/impacts from 8 pm Thursday 15 to 4 am Monday 19 February
- London Circuit closed between Northbourne Avenue and Akuna Street.
- London Circuit closed northbound direction between Constitution Avenue and Akuna Street.
- Akuna Street eastbound between London Circuit and Bunda Street.
- Akuna Street westbound between Cooyong Street and Rabaul Lane.
- Bunda Street between Akuna Street and Binara Street.
Road closure from 3 pm to 6:30 pm Saturday 17 February
- Rabaul Lane closed in both directions.
Baileys Corner car park will be closed completely from Thursday 15 February to Monday 19 February. Partial closure of this carpark is in place until Friday 23 February.
Major infrastructure projects are also underway in the City, and London Circuit is closed between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue for construction of the next stage of light rail. Both cloverleaf ramps from Commonwealth Avenue to Parkes Way and London Circuit are also now permanently closed.
Phew – that was a lot. See you there?
THE ESSENTIALS
What: The National Multicultural Festival
When: Friday 16 until Sunday 18 February
Where: Various locations in the City
Web: multiculturalfestival.com.au
Feature image via the National Multicultural Festival Facebook page.
