Date Night

6:00PM

Park at the National Archives and start your evening viewing a nostalgic collage of snapshots of Canberra, hear the tales shaping our nation, and finish it off with a spirit tasting at Stories from the Archives. 

6:30PM

Walk the 10 mins down to find local food and drinks from Bar Berra in the Festival Hub. Try the delicious offerings at Au Lac, Bianco, Papi’s, German Food Truck, Tacoteno, or Le Petit. 

As you dine take in the festival vibes with the great live music at the Festival Hub main stage. 

7:00PM

Take a romantic stroll through the festival hub to explore some of the wonderous installations as they start to light up. 

Be enchanted by Meliora as it makes its world debut at Enlighten. This illuminated art-chitecture is designed to explore light and sound through and under this experiential piece. 

Enjoy the mesmerising pulsing light of Mycelium Network, reflecting the root structure of mycelium with its sparkling strands and colour changing mushrooms. 

8:30PM

Continue to explore the Enlighten Illuminations & Installations as they light up the iconic institutions in the National Triangle.   

Walk among the giant inflatable installation, The Guardians, at the National Library. 

Have a go at the interactive Lego Mystery Mosaics at Questacon. 

Behold the heroic figures in the animated scenes of Inferno by Ryan Presley at the National Portrait Gallery.  

Discover the details within the amazing Morphology sculpture at the High Court forecourt, uncovering memories and messages within. 

Appreciate 100 Flowers Falling by Lindy Lee as it brings to life an ancient Zen story about embracing our own humanity in all its complexity at the National Gallery. 

9:00PM

And no date night at Enlighten would be complete without a trip to the Museum of Australian Democracy for the romantically inspired A Date with Democracy. 

Reflect on the kaleidoscope of love hearts, flowers and maybe the odd ballot box in the illumination before heading indoors. Start with a drink at the members bar before you serenade your date with their favourite love song at karaoke or sweep them off their feet on the dancefloor in Kings Hall.  

10:00PM

Ready for a night cap? Wind down at the BentSpoke beer garden as you take in the last of the Enlighten atmosphere together. 

Enlighten: The Night Shift

Enlighten: The Night Shift brings Canberra’s vibrant arts and heritage to life after dark, offering immersive experiences at Australia’s cultural institutions from 28 February to 10 March.

This lineup of experiences invites visitors to explore a range of after-hours events, from artist talks and degustation dinners at Australian Parliament House to interactive installations and sensory spaces at the National Portrait Gallery.

Enjoy performances, unique workshops, and even karaoke at the Museum of Australian Democracy. Whether you’re a night owl, an art lover, or simply looking for something new, The Night Shift offers a fresh and captivating way to experience the Enlighten Festival.

Enlighten Installations

Discover a stunning range of installations, from captivating sculptures to serene, immersive works at Enlighten. Spanning the National Triangle, visitors will be invited to experience a variety of original pieces, including the world premiere of Meliora by Atelier Sisu. This interactive installation features interwoven curves, inviting visitors to walk through and beneath its illuminated vaulted structure. A symbol of global unity and human connection, Meliora is enhanced by a dynamic light and soundscape, making its debut at Enlighten 2025.

Alongside this, explore other striking installations, such as Stargate by Chalk River Labs, a cosmic projection sculpture, Insectarium by The Indirect Object, a glowing dreamscape celebrating the insect world, and Morphology by Everett Creative & Built-in Kind, a poignant tribute to memory and loss.

Illuminations

Enlighten Illuminations will light up the National Institutions with a stunning display of light, sound, and movement, showcasing Australian culture and storytelling through projections by some of the country’s most exciting contemporary artists. Throughout the festival, iconic buildings such as Australian Parliament House, the National Library of Australia, and the National Gallery of Australia will transform into captivating canvases.

This year, Australian Parliament House will honor 12 inspirational women who fought for a more inclusive democracy through Alison Alder’s ‘I AM A NEW WOMAN’ projection, celebrating Australia’s role in granting women the right to vote. At the Museum of Australian Democracy, Chloe Chinyere Akole’s ‘A Date with Democracy’ invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with democracy through thought-provoking illustrations on the façade of Old Parliament House.

At the National Gallery of Australia, Lindy Lee’s ‘100 Flowers Falling’ will illuminate the building with cosmic imagery and ancient Zen symbolism, exploring the complexity of humanity and our connection to the greater whole. Meanwhile, Matthew Aberline’s ‘The Guardians’ at the National Library of Australia celebrates the beauty of Australian wildflowers through immersive, inflatable structures, inviting visitors to engage with the landscape in a new light.

Ryan Presley’s ‘Inferno’ at the National Portrait Gallery challenges traditional power structures with animated vignettes of resistance and survival, celebrating First Nations strength and autonomy. Finally, Questacon presents ‘Mystery Mosaics,’ an interactive experience where visitors can contribute to digital LEGO projections, uncovering fun, science-inspired mosaics on the building’s exterior.

Enlighten: Beyond

Taking the sense of excitement and discovery of Enlighten Festival in the National Triangle and enticing audiences to explore the wealth of experiences on offer all over Canberra during the Festival period. The program invites visitors to explore unexpected and captivating encounters, from interactive art installations to immersive outdoor adventures, celebrating Canberra’s unique arts, cultural, and natural assets. 

Discover Glebe Park like you’ve never seen before and see what hides within, immerse your senses in light and sound at the National Film and Sound Archive, explore the cosmos through stories and stargazing at Mt Stromlo Observatory, connect with our diverse landscapes at the Australian Botanic Gardens, get close to the animals at the National Zoo and engage in an interactive performance at the Canberra Theatre.

Live Music at Enlighten

The Festival Hub will be the place to be during Enlighten, open from 5pm each night with a diverse lineup of homegrown talent taking to the stage every day of the week.

From the catchy pop of the up-and-coming Jett Blyton to the incredible vocals of Gia Ransome and the indie vibes of Twin Single, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Visiting artists Eddie, indie rock legends Camino Gold, The Stiff Gins, Monica Moore Trio, Anna Smyrk, and Jenna and the Breakdown will add to the excitement at the Festival Hub.

With an exciting combination of First Nations performers, loved local favourites, and a unique contemporary twist, Enlighten Festival promises to be a memorable experience.

Melbourne soul and funk band The Bamboos will join the Canberra Symphony Orchestra for Symphony in the Park on Sunday 9 March.

A highlight of the Enlighten Festival, audiences will be treated to a cinema of sound as they listen and dance to some of The Bamboos greatest hits, supported by a 40-piece orchestra.