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.

Yes, a free shuttle bus will operate between the City and the Enlighten Festival Hub.

It is a convenient, family‑friendly way to reach the festival without needing to navigate construction zones or find parking nearby.

This shuttle bus will run every evening from 27 Feb – 9 March.

The shuttle bus connects key locations around the city and drops you close to the action, making it one of the best ways to travel to and from Enlighten.

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 below.

Shuttle bus stops are: Festival Hub – Parliament House – Festival Hub – City Interchange (Platform 9) – London Cct. Last Service departs Festival Hub at 11:00pm

Vision impaired customers can use hailing kit ID ‘E1’ to signal the Enlighten shuttle service.

Please note the free shuttle bus services Enlighten Festival Hub only. For public transport options to Symphony in the Park, please visit 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. This is in the interest of public safety. There will be parking zones outside the event space.

National Triangle

(Parking for Enlighten and Lights! Canberra! Action!)

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.

National Portrait Gallery’s underground carpark will be free from 5:30–11:30 pm every night of the festival.

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.

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 is reserved for Accessible Permit holders only and is subject to availability.

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.

There is a dedicated accessible carpark 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 also available in the National Portrait Gallery underground carpark, as well as most public car parks in the area.

Existing taxi ranks on Parkes Place East and West will operate as normal for taxi’s and uber pickups and drop-offs.

A traffic management plan will be in place from 5:00pm till midnight on Friday 27 February till Monday 9 March 2026 and includes the below road closures:

• King George Terrace closed between Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West
• 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

For a map of Enlighten Festival Road Closures visit our Festival Maps page.

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.

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

Ongoing construction throughout the Canberra CBD and within parts of the Enlighten Festival precinct may affect usual travel routes, parking availability and walking paths.

While we’re working hard to keep the festival accessible and enjoyable, some detours and delays are expected.

To make your visit as smooth as possible, please plan ahead:

• Allow extra time to get to and from the event
• Check current road and parking changes before you leave
• Follow signage and directions from traffic and event staff in the precinct

Symphony in the Park is on Sunday 8 March 2026.

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

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

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.

You can also park in the city and walk to Commonwealth Park in 20 minutes. The map is available here.

There will be a free bus service to get you from Symphony in the Park to your closest bus interchange from 9:30pm on Sunday 8 March.

The services will depart from the Commonwealth Avenue bus stops near Regatta Point, both north and south bound.

They will take you to the Belconnen, City, Woden, and Tuggeranong bus interchanges. There will be multiple services departing for all interchanges until 10:15pm.

Once you get to these bus interchanges there will be no continuing bus services and you will need to get your own way home from here.

If you are travelling to Gungahlin you can transfer from the city bus service to light rail services up until 11:30pm.

The last service will leave the Commonwealth Avenue bus stops near Regatta Point by 10:15pm.

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. 10-20mins) across to Commonwealth Park. See walking map available soon.