Family Fun
Get ready for a magical adventure as the Enlighten Festival brings 11 days of immersive art, vibrant light displays, and captivating cultural experiences to Canberra from 28 February to 10 March 2025.
Perfect for families, this itinerary will guide you through fun, family-friendly activities that are sure to delight kids and adults alike.
These suggested itineraries are just the beginning—there’s so much more to discover across the festival! Be sure to check out the full program for even more surprises and events that will make your Enlighten experience unforgettable!
5:30PM
Park in the city and start your night at The Nature of Things in Glebe Park as it transforms into an enchanted woodland where the wonders of nature come to life. Meet Mother Nature, an iridescent giant, and her friends in unexpected places.
6:15PM
Jump on the shuttle bus into the National Triangle and find a tasty dinner in the food park. Grab a pizza from Antico’s, share a plate from Let’s do Yum Cha or enjoy a delicious Istanbul Gozleme.
And for dessert? Can you choose between the fluffy and chewy Mochii Mochii donuts, or a glowing donut from Blacklight Dessert lab? Best to get both!
7:15PM
Talk a walk through the Festival Hub and explore the Enlighten Installations as you walk under Meliora, peer through Stargate for a family photo that’s out of this world, and marvel at the intricacies of Mycelium Network.
7:30PM
Get crafty at the National Archives at the Lantern workshop. Just a 10-minute walk to where you can design and decorate your very own lantern to carry as you explore Enlighten – just make sure to register first!
8:00PM
As night falls see the Enlighten Illuminations light up the institutions. From the Archives walk past the Museum of Australian Democracy to see A Date with Democracy.
Then head down to the National Portrait Gallery to watch the animated Illumination ‘Inferno’ by Ryan Presley and play a retro game inspired the artist’s mural ‘Paradise Won’ at Portrait Place.
Take time to explore the details hidden within installation Morphology outside the High Court, before you head over the bridge to view 100 Flowers Falling by Lindy Lee on the National Gallery.
8:30PM
Have some Lego fans in the family?
Make your way across the lawns to Questacon and get hands-on as you help build the mystery mosaics projected on the building, using the iPads provided.
Get more science and Lego fun at After Dark @ Questacon, and if you time it right, you can even get a chance to meet Brickman himself on Saturday 1 March.
9:00PM
Slow down and take in your surroundings as you seek out the smallest lights at Enlighten with Insectarium. This low-sensory installation encourages curiosity and touch to explore and discover the insects that lie underfoot. Perfect for winding down for the evening.
And for dessert? Can you choose between the fluffy and chewy Mochii Mochii donuts, or a glowing donut from Blacklight Dessert lab? Best to get both!
9:10PM
Before you go make sure to immerse yourself in The Guardians at the National Library where you can walk amongst this towering inflatable artwork and explore the lights and sounds within.
9:20PM
As your night comes to an end jump back onto the Enlighten shuttle bus on Langton Cres and make your way back to your car in the city.
Sensory Break
For those needing a quiet space to regulate and recharge, the forecourt at the National Portrait Gallery is also a sensory space to take a break away from the crowds. Pick up a sensory kit for those with neurodiverse needs or use the accessible amenities here including accessible bathrooms, parents’ room and seating for those who need a rest.
More Enlighten Guides
These suggested itineraries are just the beginning—there’s so much more to discover across the festival! Be sure to check out the full program for even more surprises and events that will make your Enlighten experience unforgettable!
Discover more of Enlighten
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.
Sponsors
