Getting To Enlighten Festival

Consider leaving the car at home, or somewhere close by and completing your journey to the Enlighten Festival with Transport Canberra.

There are multiple existing services that will stop within the National Triangle, plan your trip at Transport Canberra.

Due to event road closures, some bus detours and bus stop closures will be in place. For more information on transport options and for changes to bus services visit www.transport.act.gov.au.

The National Triangle is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the city. Consider parking in the city or along Lake Burley Griffin and walking or riding to the festival.

Bike racks are located within the National Triangle including at each of the national institutions and also locations around the lake. Bikes are not permitted within the Enlighten Festival hub however can be secured at designated points near each entry point to the festival. Please note you will need to provide your own bike lock.

During Enlighten Festival, there will be a No Ride Zone within the National Triangle. The No Ride Zone will be in effect from 5pm on Friday 28 February and end at midnight Monday 10 March 2025. This is in the interest of public safety.

There will be four parking zones on each side on the event space.

Users will be notified of parking location changes via the Neuron App.

To make it even easier to move around the Enlighten Festival locations throughout the city and the National Triangle, a free Shuttle Bus will operate from Friday 28 February to Monday 10 March 2025.

The Enlighten Shuttle Bus commences as 5pm, running on a continuous loop every 20 minutes, every night of the Enlighten Festival. Get on and off the Free Enlighten Shuttle Bus at the following stops:

1. Festival Hub, Parkes Place East
2. Parliament House Federation Mall Northbound
3. Langton Crescent Carpark
4. City Interchange Platform 5
5. Canberra Centre Ainslie Avenue
6. Glebe Park Akuna Street

Last service departs the Festival Hub at 11pm each night. View the Enlighten Festival Free Shuttle Bus Map

National Triangle

Parking within the National Triangle is limited. A map displaying car park spaces within the National Triangle is available here.

Australian Parliament House offers free after-hours underground parking, and the Enlighten shuttle bus includes a stop out the front that takes you down into The Festival Hub.

After 5pm there are various free public car parks throughout the National Triangle. There is also parking at each of the participating National Attractions. On weekdays and weekends the public car parks within the National Triangle will operate under normal conditions.

The John Gorton Building East Multi-Level Car Park is adjacent to the John Gorton Building in Parkes, ACT. Entry and exit are via the signalised intersection of Kings Avenue and Blackall Street. This parking facility is owned and managed by the Department of Finance, with parking arrangements administered by the National Capital Authority on behalf of the Australian Government. 

Due to traffic congestion during the event it is recommended that patrons avoid parking in the National Library of Australia carparks. Please note the large car park at Questacon will not be accessible from 5pm onwards.

Please ensure that where you have parked is a valid spot and you have checked if you need to purchase a ticket. The National Capital Authority will be enforcing parking regulations for the duration of this event, and attendees should ensure they park legally to avoid the risk of an infringement being issued to their vehicle.

Accessible parking if attending events after 5pm:
There is a dedicated accessible car park located behind Questacon. You will be required to show your valid Accessible Parking Permit to security at the road closures to gain access.

Free accessible parking is available in most public car parks and Enlighten Illuminations participating attractions car parks. Parking is limited and vehicles must display an authorised Accessible Parking Permit.

A map displaying accessible car park spaces within the National Triangle is available here.

Existing taxi ranks on Parkes Place East and West will operate as normal.

A traffic management plan will be in place from 5:00pm till midnight on Friday 28 February till Monday 10 March 2025 and includes the below road closures:

• King Edward Terrace closed between Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West
• National Library of Australia internal loop road (one-way section)
• Queen Elizabeth Terrace between Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West
• Parkes Place West is closed north of King Edward Terrace with access to National Library of Australia car park only. All other vehicles utilising this road to access the Questacon carpark will require a parking permit or an accessible parking pass and will go through a Traffic Marshall
• Parliament Square at Queen Victoria Terrace
• There will also be an additional road closure on King Edward Terrace (between Parkes Place East and Mall Road West) from 6:00pm Wednesday 26 February to 5:00pm Tuesday 11 March.

Review the Enlighten Festival Map to see where road closures will be in place.

Due to event road closures, some bus detours and bus stop closures will be in place. For more information on transport options and for changes to bus services visit www.transport.act.gov.au.

In addition to the festival specific road closures, please be aware that construction work around the city may impact how you get to Enlighten Festival. For more information view the latest updates on Travel Impacts.

Symphony in the Park is held at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park

Symphony in the Park is on Sunday 9 March.

Gates open at 5:00pm for a 7:30pm start, with the show ending at 9:30pm.

Transport Canberra will provide free shuttle services after the event back to the City from Commonwealth Avenue, near Regatta Point.

The free shuttle buses will run between 9:30-10:30pm, depending on demand.

To head South (Woden, Tuggeranong interchanges) please use the bus stop on the same side of the road as Regatta Point on Commonwealth Avenue.

To head North (City, Belconnen) please use the bus stop across the road from Regatta Point on Commonwealth Avenue.

The last light rail service to Gungahlin town centre will leave Alinga Street at 11:30pm.

Please be aware that all other regular Transport Canberra buses and light rail services will operate on a Sunday timetable which means there will be no connecting buses from interchanges after approximately 9.30 pm. Please make alternate arrangements from Interchanges after this time.

It is important that people plan ahead for a smooth journey home and check the Sunday timetable for the time of their last departing service.

With lots of Canberrans expected to join the festivities, we recommend that you utilise public transport to make your trip as hassle free as possible.

The easiest way to work out your journey is to use the Journey Planner.

Transport Canberra will provide free shuttle services after the event to the City from Commonwealth Avenue, near Regatta Point.

The free shuttle buses will run between 9:30-10:30pm.

To head back to the city please use the bus stop across the road from Regatta Point on Commonwealth Avenue.

The last light rail service to Gungahlin town centre will leave Alinga Street at 11:30pm.

Please be aware that all other regular Transport Canberra buses and light rail services will operate on a Sunday timetable which means there will be no connecting buses from interchanges after approximately 9.30 pm. Please make alternate arrangements from Interchanges after this time.

It is important that people plan ahead for a smooth journey home and check the Sunday timetable for the time of their last departing service.

You can also park in the city and walk in. See map below.

Two wheels can be the easiest way to navigate to Commonwealth Park. However, if riding a pushbike or E-scooter, please be aware there will be a lot of people enjoying the festivities. Please ensure you keep a safe speed and consider dismounting and walking through crowded areas.

Additional bike racks will be available at each entry gate. Please ensure you bring your own locking mechanism.

If you plan on driving, there are limited parking options at Regatta Point, so we would recommend utilising the numerous car parks in the city and walking (approx. 10-15mins) across to Commonwealth Park. See walking map.