Enlighten 2025 Guide
One of the most anticipated events on every Canberran’s calendar is back. This Autumn Canberra will transform into a kaleidoscope of colour, activity and experiences for Enlighten Festival. With so much to see, eat and explore at this year’s Enlighten Festival we’ve curated a guide to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.
Starting from 28th February, Enlighten Festival 2025 will see the nation’s capital come alive to celebrate the best events Canberra has to offer. Explore the culture and creativity of our national attractions, and vibrancy of our city arts and precincts, as they open their doors to host an array of exclusive events and surprising experiences.
Witness thought-provoking large-scale projections on some of the capital’s most loved and iconic buildings, see stunning architectural projections, live music and performances, and locally produced films.
With some events requiring bookings, ensure you plan ahead and book into your preferred events HERE.
Enlighten Illuminations
Enlighten Illuminations will light up the National Institutions in a stunning display of light, sound and movement. With projections created by some of our most exciting contemporary artists, the Illuminations showcase Australian culture and storytelling on some of Canberra’s iconic buildings, developed and delivered in collaboration with Australian’s own international leaders in architectural and large-scale projection, The Electric Canvas. The Enlighten Illuminations and Installations will be on display in the National Triangle from 8 -11pm each night from February 28 – March 10, 2025.
National Gallery of Australia: 100 Flowers Falling
The National Gallery has commissioned a new projection and sound-based work by Lindy Lee to illuminate the building’s exterior for the 2025 Enlighten Festival – 100 Flowers Falling. 100 Flowers Falling, brings to life an ancient Zen story about embracing our own humanity in all its complexity. Find out more HERE.
National Library of Australia: The Guardians
The Guardians is an immersive, inflatable artwork featuring towering, monolithic beacons that celebrate the extraordinary beauty and diversity of Australian wildflowers. With their abstract, vibrant designs, The Guardians create a striking and colourful presence, transforming into a magical landscape when illuminated from within. Visitors are invited to explore and lose themselves in this dynamic and unique installation. Find out more HERE.
Australian Parliament House: I Am A New Woman
This year Australian Parliament House will be transformed by vibrant colour as we celebrate 12 inspirational women who campaigned for a more inclusive democracy. These women were part of a movement of thousands of women and men who mobilised across Australia over decades for the cause of political citizenship. Find out more HERE.
The National Portrait Gallery: The Inferno
Ryan Presley is a Marri Ngarr artist whose work challenges traditional power structures and questions how portraiture has historically been used to reinforce ideologies of conquest and colonisation. Commissioned for the 2025 Enlighten Festival, Inferno is an animation work that extends the narratives and imagery that appear in Presley’s major mural installation Paradise won, which has been on display at the entrance to the National Portrait Gallery for the past 12 months. Find out mote HERE.
Museum Of Australian Democracy: A Date With Democracy
How are you and democracy going right now? Is it a rewarding romance? Or are things a bit complicated? Inspired by the highs and lows of love and dating, artwork by Claudia Chinyere Akole will light up Old Parliament House every night of Enlighten from 8pm. This kaleidoscope of love hearts, flowers (and maybe the odd ballot box) will have you looking at your relationship with democracy in a new light. Find out more HERE.
Questacon: Mystery Mosaics
Mystery Mosaics features as an interactive experience at Questacon this Enlighten. Inspired by CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks exhibition, Mystery Mosaics is a hands-on experience that brings the fun of science, technology and history to life in large-scale live digital build projections. Find out more HERE.
Enlighten Installations
Discover a range of installations as you explore the Enlighten Festival Hub, from captivating sculptures to serene, immersive works. Throughout the National Triangle, audiences are invited to discover the original artworks, including the world premier of Meliora by Atelier Sisu.
Meliora
Meliora, meaning “better things” in Latin, is a public art installation that represents the pursuit of positive change in the face of global challenges like climate change, political conflict, and economic instability. The installation features abstract interwoven curves that create openings symbolizing different perspectives, encouraging empathy and reflection. Enhanced by dynamic lighting and a custom soundscape, Meliora aims to inspire hope, resilience, and collective cooperation for a better future.
Go Ken Behrens Go!
Go Ken Behrens Go! is an immersive and dynamic trivia experience that invites participants to celebrate and explore Canberra’s rich history and culture. Designed to be both entertaining and educational, the game engages players in a lively competition where every smartphone becomes a ticket to the action.
Discover more Enlighten Installations HERE.
Enlighten Festival Free Shuttle
Take the stress out of finding a park and make an evening of it. Park your car at Canberra Centre and take the Enlighten Festival Free Shuttle, which will take you directly to the centre of the festival’s activities. Parking limitations and traffic congestion won’t be a problem as you relax on your bus journey to Enlighten.
This free shuttle service will be operating on loop from 28th February with a new stop location, Ainslie Avenue outside Canberra Centre, with the shuttle bus stopping at locations in the city and the National Triangle. The Enlighten Shuttle Bus commences as 5pm, running on a continuous loop every 20 minutes, every night of the Enlighten Festival. Get on and off the Free Enlighten Shuttle Bus at a series of stops see MAP. Last service departs the Festival Hub at 11pm each night. Find out more HERE.
Park & Dine
Discover The Latest City Illuminations At Enlighten:Beyond
The City Illuminations are returning bigger and better for Enlighten Festival. After dining at Canberra Centre, visitors will be encouraged to explore the City Illuminations at Enlighten: Beyond
As the sun dips below the horizon, come meet a majestic, iridescent giant—ancient as the earth— who has made this forest home. With every step, this guardian of nature summons her friends—endangered creatures in search of a place to call home. Mother Nature invites you to meet her giant friends, though they may appear in unexpected places—and they won’t be here for long. Who will you discover on your journey through this magical forest? From Friday 28 February to Monday 10 March 2025, Glebe Park transforms into an enchanted woodland where the wonders of nature come to life.
Led by internationally renowned storytellers Erth, The Nature of Things is an interactive Enlighten Beyond experience, running nightly in Glebe Park from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. Interactive performances will run across three sessions find out more HERE.
