Canberra Enlighten Festival’s 15th year offers array of immersive experiences

Canberra’s Enlighten Festival is returning for its 15th year in 2025 with some of the city’s renowned venues lighting up over 11 days from 28th February to 10th March.

The festival’s diverse program of events will provide an opportunity to explore cultural institutions with stunning projections, exclusive public programs, art installations, and interactive and immersive experiences specially curated for the festival.

Enlighten will also extend beyond the National Triangle this year, with experiences and illuminations extending across the city. Immersive experiences will feature in Glebe Park, the National Film and Sound Archive, Mt Stromlo Observatory and the Australian Botanic Gardens.

This year the festival showcases Canberra’s role in Reflecting Our Story, the telling, sharing, holding and writing of Australian stories, through a multi-sensory experience that celebrates Australia through dynamic art, sound and larger than life installations.

National institutions will be bathed in a display of light, sound and movement, with projections created by contemporary artists.

The Festival Hub, at the heart of Enlighten, will provide live music and a range of food and beverage options. Local and interstate artists including Jett Blyton, Gia Ransome, Camino Gold, Anna Smirk, will join First Nations artists The Stiff Gins, Project Dust, and Monica Moore. The Enlighten Food Park, BentSpoke Beer Garden and Bar Berra will make sure there are plenty of food and drink options on offer.

The always popular short film festival Lights! Canberra! Action! will take place on Friday 7th March in the Senate Rose Gardens, highlighting our talented local film makers’ interpretation of this year’s theme ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward’.

On Sunday, 9 th March, Symphony in the Park will feature Melbourne band The Bamboos with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra for a free evening of funk and soul supported by a 40-piece orchestra.

Visit enlightencanberra.com for more information.