Each year on the second Monday in March, Canberra Day takes place in, you guessed it… Canberra! The history of Canberra Day goes back to 12 March 1913 where Lady Denman, the wife of the then Governor-General, Lord Denman founded and formally named the city of Canberra of the Australian Capital Territory. The name Canberra is thought to have derived from the one of the Indigenous languages of the land meaning “meeting place” and came after many debates on where the capital of Australia should be located.
There are a plethora of events taking place on Canberra Day to satisfy every Canberran’s need. We have taken a few of our top picks of things to do on Canberra Day and compiled them into a list to make your day off easier. It’s also a nice time to visit Canberra with a busy long weekend.
Festivals
Canberra Day @ Enlighten Festival
Perhaps the largest Canberra Day thing to do is the Enlighten Festival at Commonwealth Park. Featuring a showcase of local multicultural community activities, delicious food, beverages and entertainment from around the world, right in Canberra. Canberra Day at Enlighten Festival celebrates cultural diversity and vibrancy with local community group activities, kids games and entertainment to suit the whole family. It is a free event and no tickets are required. Find out more here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-day/
Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Be transported to a beautiful scene of the Canberra skyline with a flurry of colour, sound and movement at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. Taking off with in the early morning, you can take part of just spectate from around Lake Burley Griffin and the National Arboretum Canberra. Find out more here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-balloon-spectacular/
Canberra Lapidary Club Rock Swap
The annual Canberra Lapidary Club Rock Swap is back again for another year. Rock dealers and fossickers will be selling jewellery, gemstones, fossils, rocks, mineral specimens and lapidary supplies. There will be lucky dips, sapphire sieving and gold panning. Entry is free and there will be food and drinks available for purchase. Find out more here: https://www.exhibitionparkincanberra.com.au/event/canberra-lapidary-club-rock-swap/
Art displays
Van Gogh Alive
This multi-sensory experience in the world has officially landed in Canberra for the whole of March and part of April. Learn about Van Gogh’s life from the Netherlands to Auvers-sur-Oise, with every surface filled with imagery of his paintings that simply come alive. Four spaces to explore plus a café and shop, offering fascinating insights into the life of Van Gogh. Find out more here: https://vangoghalive.com.au/
Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons
The National Portrait Gallery London holds the world’s most extensive collection of portraits – while they are undergoing renovations, Canberra will become the home of over 80 of their treasured collection from March 12 to July 17 2022. Explore portraits dating from the sixteenth century until today. You’ll see the likes of Nelson Mandela, Amy Winehouse, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth I, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran and plenty more. Find out more here: https://www.portrait.gov.au//exhibitions/shakespeare-to-winehouse-2022
Sculpture@Shaw
Showcasing local and internationally renowned artists on the rolling paddocks of Shaw Wines in Murrumbateman, just 40 minutes away from the Canberra CBD. Enjoy dining options at their onsite restaurant, a food and coffee van or helicopter joy rides. Find out more here: http://sculptureatshaw.com.au/
Live music
Los Chavos @ Enlighten Festival
As part of the Canberra Day celebrations at Enlighten Festival, Los Chavos is performing from 7:15 PM to 8 PM. They are an 8-piece band full of Latin reggae energy. You’ll be swaying your hips from Canberra to Colombia listening to this awesome sound – part of the free Canberra Day event. Find out more here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-day/
Stonehouse’s eXtra Long Weekend
Stonehouse Amaroo is celebrating the long weekend with a heap of giveaways and the opportunity to win one of three $50 gift vouchers. They have a tap takeover from Capital Brewing Co. and a pop up beer garden to commemorate the occasion, featuring live music too. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/486115583085173?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%7D]%7D
Lunchulele
Between 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM every Monday, Smiths Alternative hosts Lunchulele, a ukulele singalong. People from all walks of life come together to belt out some harmonies and rhythms from every decade and almost every genre. Everyone is welcome to join – or just spectate! Find out more here: https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/lunchulele-74838?d=14%2F03%2F2022+12%3A30%3A00+PM
Workshops
Canberra in Colour @ Enlighten Festival
What does it mean to you to call Canberra home? This workshop invites you to participate in a workshop run by the Tuggeranong Arts Centre on what it means to call Canberra home. Expect the unexpected with delights and quirks of what our city has to offer. You will be guided through the step by step process of painting the iconic Canberra bus stop. There are two sessions on Canberra Day – bookings are essential. Find out more here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-in-colour-tea-total-workshop/
Kung Fu Wushu @ Enlighten Festival
The Chinese martial arts form Kung Fu Wushu has a long and diverse history over the centuries in Greater China. This stage performance and workshop at Canberra Day @ Enlighten features workshops on different kinds of Chinese martial arts to demonstrate concentration and self-discipline in combat. Check out the full program on Canberra Day at Enlighten Festival here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-day/
Canberra in Fibre
During this workshop at the Canberra Museum & Gallery, you will make ‘gardening gloves’ by stitching paper ‘gloves’ or a pair of gloves from new, found and recycled paper that reflects Canberra and it’s gardens, landscapes and reserves. You can bring in your own paper bits including maps, sheet music, tickets, tags and other treasures or scraps. Purchase your free tickets here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-in-fibre/
Food & Drink
The Forage @ Enlighten Festival
The Forage is back and has teamed up with Enlighten this year to bring you all things local and regional food and drink! With over 25 local businesses involved in The Forage this year, it’s a no brainer for foodies. Gates open from 5 – 11pm from Friday 11 to Monday 14 March at the National Triangle. Find out more here: https://www.theforage.com.au/
Secret Gin Garden @ Enlighten Festival
Canberra’s After Dark @ Enlighten Festival is an immersive and delightful evening of sampling yummy treats. Pialligo Estate and Underground Spirits have teamed up to give you exclusive entry to a private garden party through the back door of Old Parliament House. Here you’ll receive a gin board with three gin tastings from Underground Spirits paired with three delicious canapés, and of course a bigger menu of snacks, oysters and charcuterie boards. Find out more here: https://enlightencanberra.com/program/secret-gin-garden/
Four Winds Vineyard
Located just 38 minutes away from Canberra’s CBD, Four Winds Vineyard is located in Murrumbateman, on the outskirts of Canberra. This is the perfect getaway for Canberra Day if you’re looking for some peace and quiet but still want to enjoy great food and wine. Offering a large selection of wines to taste including tasting paddles, a selection of cheeses and deli meats to compliment your wine before you hook into some wood-fired pizza. Find out more here: https://www.fourwindsvineyard.com.au/
Discover
Twilight Tour
Ever wonder what the Australian bush was like 100 years ago? The Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary Twilight Tour makes everything come to life. With the night full of sounds from different species, there will be endless things to discover within the sanctuary. The walk takes a max of 2.5 hours and is suitable for 10 years and up. Find out more here: https://www.mulligansflat.org.au/whats-on
Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes
Explore and learn about all things Greek by attending the Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes exhibition at the National Museum of Australia. The exhibition showcases the competitive spirit of the Ancient Greek world through politics, sports, drama, music and warfare. Featuring more than 170 objects from the British Museum, in collaboration with the British Museum, Western Australian Museum, National Museum of Australia and Tamaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum. Find out more here: https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/ancient-greeks?gclid=CjwKCAiAvaGRBhBlEiwAiY-yMEuiRyiBe-OLef-anaMpt8MJSv2RRvwzgow4GmgZpRxcOHHIswm0GxoCAV8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
The Alliance Française French Film Festival
This is the 33rd season of the festival – wow! Viewers will be whisked away from their seats in Canberra and be transported to Paris, Cannes, Mali and beyond. With a captivating line-up of films, you can expect to see charming period dramas, whimsical comedies, alluring thrillers and timeless classics. You can catch this at Palace Electric Cinemas in New Acton. We recommend you book ahead so you don’t miss out! Find out more here: https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/festivals/af-french-film-festival/
With so many things to do on Canberra Day, it’s a no brainer for us here at The Canberra Post to stay in Canberra this weekend. Interstate travellers are welcomed with open arms to visit Canberra this long weekend.
If you’re after something that you can explore and try before or after Canberra Day, check out our article on things to do in Canberra for families.