Events Volunteering

The Australia Day Event takes place in the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin, Regatta Point is the primary site. A crowd of approximately 10,000 - 15,000 is expected to attend the event.

The Enlighten Festival is an annual and major cultural event, aimed at increasing economic contribution to the Territory. The Festival includes some of Canberra’s most popular autumn events - Lights! Canberra! Action! Canberra Balloon Spectacular, Symphony in the Park and Canberra Day.

The main festival feature, the Enlighten Illuminations will take place in around the National Triangle where visitors can see vibrant Illuminations and stunning architectural projections on several national attractions including the Museum of Australian Democracy; Australian Parliament House; Questacon; the National Library of Australia; the National Portrait Gallery; and the National Gallery of Australia.

Symphony in the Park is a musical performance featuring the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by a popular tribute band or Australian artist. Performing on Stage 88 at Commonwealth Park, this event attracts around 12,000 visitors.

The Canberra Day celebrations are held on the second Monday in March at Commonwealth Park. The event attracts around 10,000 -15,000 visitors across the day.

Lights! Canberra! Action! Is a short film festival and represents a new wave of storytelling, introducing emerging filmmakers to the scene. Held in the Senate Rose Garden attached to old Parliament House the event attracts around 2,500 visitors and appeals to all ages.

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is a nine-day, hot air balloon event which has a significant presence and a long, proud history in the National Capital.

Floriade is Australia's premier spring festival and a world-class floral display. Over one million blooms create a stunning backdrop to a month-long festival filled with music, cultural celebrations, artistic displays, entertainment, market stalls and recreational activities.

Floriade began in 1988 as a commemoration of Australia's bicentenary and Canberra's 75th birthday. The community embraced the inaugural Floriade, making it such a success that it became an annual event, Australia's celebration of spring.

Since its beginnings in 1988 Floriade has always been held in the heart of the city in Canberra's Commonwealth Park (Park), on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Located within the National Triangle precinct, the Park is managed by the National Capital Authority (NCA).

Floriade runs for one (1) month from mid-September to mid-October and is expected to attract crowds in excess of 450,000 across the 30-day event.

NightFest runs for four (4) nights during the Floriade festival and is a ticketed event that attracts approximately 25,000 – 30,000 visitors each year, over the four nights.

A celebration of the sister-city relationship between Canberra and Nara, Japan. 

Nara is the capital of Nara Prefecture, on the southern end of the island of Honshu, near Osaka. Nara is a serene and beautiful city popular with tourists from within Japan and around the world. It has a population close to that of Canberra, at around 360,000 residents.

Nara is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of eight locations: the temples Todaiji, Kofukuji, Gangoji, Yakushiji, Toshodaiji, the Kasuga Grand Shrine, Kasuga-yama Hill Primeval Forest and the Heijo Palace Site. As a result of its ancient and noble past, Nara displays a wealth of historical and cultural legacies for all to enjoy. Nara has the honour of preserving the world's oldest wooden structure at Horyuji Temple and the world's largest wooden structure, the Todaiji Temple.

The Event is a popular night for all ages to celebrate the arrival of the new year with live music and fireworks. The Event is focused on and around Lake Burley Griffin and attracts an audience of up to 30,000.