What to eat, see and do at this year’s Enlighten Festival

Canberra’s annual Enlighten Festival kicks off this Thursday for another epic 17 days celebrating culture and creativity. From the Night Noodle Markets and City Illuminations, to the Balloon Spectacular and a Secret Gin Garden, there is so much to discover.

Night Noodle Markets – 25 February to 6 March

To truly experience Enlighten, a visit to the Night Noodle Markets is a must! For ten nights, Parkes Place West Lawns will transform into a vibrant Asian street food festival, where hawker-style stalls will be serving unbelievably tasty dishes and bites. Thin bao buns, plenty of noodles, fried ice cream and more!

Secret Gin Garden – 4 to 20 March

Pialligo Estate and Underground Spirits have teamed up to welcome you to the Secret Gin Garden – a private garden party with gin boards and canapés. Located in a secret location in Old Parliament House, a range of drinks including a collaborative gin and snacks with oysters and charcuterie will also be available to purchase. There will be three ticketed sessions per day, kicking off at 6:30pm.

Van Gogh Alive – 5 to 20 March

The world’s most visited multi-sensory experience Van Gogh Alive is finally making its way to Canberra for the Enlighten Festival. The exhibition allows audiences to experience Van Gogh’s unique artistry and truly immersive themselves in his world. From start to finish, the space will be surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance. Open from 9am to 9pm, for 45-minute sessions.

Glow Bar After Dark – 4 to 12 March

During Canberra After Dark, visit Questacon’s Glow Bar for family-friendly light bulb beverages and glow cups inside lit up igloos! Located on the Science Terrace, this experience will be available on 4,5,11 & 12 March from 6-10pm.

The Forage – 11 to 14 March

After a two-year halt, The Forage is back and has teamed up with Enlighten to deliver all things food! Taking a new spot at the National Triangle, the market will see more than 25 local businesses sell a range of delicious eats, from Agostinis, Fricken Chicken, Miss Vans, Cannoli Brothers, Canberra Distillery, House of Bubbles and Spitz and Co. Open from 5-11pm.

Canberra Balloon Spectacular – 12 to 20 March

One of Canberra’s favourite events, the Balloon Spectacular, will see over 25 balloons take flight over Canberra’s skyline over nine days. Launching each morning over Patrick White Lawns at 7am, it’s worth the early start to see the colourful array of balloons over the lake and arboretum.

City Illuminations – 4 to 14 March

City Illuminations will see major landmarks in Canberra light up with spectacular light displays. It will feature world premiere of Ephemeral, a major illuminated installation of giant ‘bubbles’ centred in Civic Square, illuminated sculpture Kin in Garema Place and interactive Mini Beasts in multiple locations of the Canberra Centre. Lighting up from 5-10pm, visit any of these installations for an impressive lighting, sculpture and interactive experience.

Surface Festival – 4 to 6 March

A brand-new experience to Enlighten, the urban street art event Surface Festival will see landscapes in Braddon and Civic transformed, as 35 artists use the built environment as their canvas. It will include work of street art, graffiti, portraits, stencils, indigenous art, geometric and abstract art on 30 walls and structures. The festival will also feature tours, workshops, exhibitions, performances, panel talks and art installations.

Drawing at Dusk – 11 & 18 March

Put your artistic skills to the test and try your hand at different art making techniques as the sun sets over Parliament House. Drawing at Dusk will see artist and educator Naomi Zouwer take you through a hands-on art workshop from 5:30-7:30pm, matched with wine and cheese.

Lights! Canberra! Action! – 11 March

Lights! Canberra! Action! Will once again celebrate local short films at the open-air surrounds of the Senate Rose Gardens. With only 10 days to film and feature 10 items from around Canberra, see an array of up-and-coming local film makers share their perspective and interpretation of the year’s theme – Reflection! Kicking off at 7pm, bring a chair or picnic blanket, grab a feed or a BentSpoke beer and sit back and watch the top 12 finalists under the stars.

Food + Art Dinner – 19 March

As part of Canberra After Dark, enjoy a curated Food + Art dining experience set amongst the historical portraits of the Members’ Hall in the heart of Parliament House. With guest speaker Karen Quinlan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, enjoy a contemporary culinary and wine journey through Australia with the best local, seasonal and Indigenous ingredients.

What to eat, see and do at this year’s Enlighten Festival