Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Enlighten Festival
Umesh Dhakal
KNA- Canberra
The Enlighten Festival will be held in Canberra from 27 February to 9 March 2026, with a program of light installations, live performances and cultural events scheduled across the city.
During the festival period, the Illuminations will light up Canberra’s National Cultural Institutions, while the Festival Hub will feature artwork, roving performances and live music each evening, with Australian artists showcased throughout the program.
Major events scheduled across the festival include Enlighten: BEYOND and Enlighten: The Night Shift, along with Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius, which will run from 28 February to 1 March.
On 6 March, Luminous Ideas will be presented at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Lights! Canberra! Action! is scheduled for 8 March, followed by Symphony in the Park, where live orchestral music will be performed in an outdoor setting.
With construction works taking place nearby, changes to bus stops, road closures and parking availability have been advised. Visitors are being encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternative transport options when travelling to the festival.
A free shuttle bus will operate daily from 5pm to 11pm, departing from City Interchange (Platform 9) with stops including London Circuit, the Festival Hub and Australian Parliament House. Regular bus and light rail services will also be available, along with walking and cycling routes from nearby areas.
For those travelling by car, forward planning is recommended to remain informed about available parking locations near festival sites.
The full program can be accessed via the official Enlighten Canberra website.
Artwork pictured: Matthew Aberline – The Guardians – National Library of Australia – Enlighten Festival 2025.
