Released 04/03/2021
This Canberra Day long weekend our city turns 108, and to celebrate there will be a full schedule of events for people of all ages to enjoy, including a special appearance from Skywhale and Skywhalepapa.
On Monday, Canberra Day officially kicks off with a burst of colour and movement in the Parliamentary Triangle, as the Canberra Balloon Spectacular takes to the skies from Patrick White lawns, alongside a new special event Breakfast at Balloons, which will launch this year.
Breakfast at Balloons will give Canberrans and visitors another chance to view the famous Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, while Canberra musician Jess Green (AKA Pheno) will perform her song ‘We are the Skywhales’ with her band and the Luminescence Children’s Choir.
Although tickets are exhausted for these events, the balloons can still be viewed from the many vantage points around the city, including the lake foreshores, Mount Ainslie and the Arboretum.
After breakfast, some of our iconic Canberra attractions will be hosting Canberra Day activities, including Cockington Green, which is hosting a Canberra Day Charity Fundraiser, and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House where the kids can join in the fun at PlayUP.
Canberra Day festivities continue into the afternoon from 2.30pm at the Bentspoke Beer Garden, with a special appearance by Skywhale artist Patricia Piccinini, and the opportunity to sample a limited edition Skywhale Ale. Live music will add to the celebrations. Limited tickets are available on the Enlighten website now.
For the kids, the Discover Canberra Treasure Hunt will be sure to delight, offering explorers of all ages the opportunity to find Canberra’s hidden gems and solve the clues at ten locations around Canberra from this Saturday.
To participate in the treasure hunt simply register via the Enlighten Festival website and your Treasure Hunt will be emailed to you on Saturday morning for the adventure to begin.
Canberra Day also marks the final night of the spectacular Enlighten Illuminations that have lit up our National Attractions with stunning architectural projections over the last 11 nights, while many of our National Attractions still have places available to experience something special a part of the Enlighten Festival. For more information visit the Enlighten website.
This Canberra Day long weekend has so much on offer throughout our city, so make the most of the public holiday and join in the festivities that celebrate the businesses, attractions and community spirit that make Canberra such a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Canberra Day: additional details
Balloons Spectacular
A great way to see the balloons is to book breakfast at Bookplate or the Arboretum.
Ginger Catering at the Arboretum will be open from 9am to celebrate Canberra Day, offering Canberra cake – made with regional ingredients - and coffee all day. While Bookplate at the National Library will be open for dine in or takeaway breakfast and coffee from 7:30am.
The balloon flights are of course weather dependent, look for our updates on enlightencanberra.com/balloons, Enlighten Festival Facebook or the Events ACT Twitter from 6:15am for flight information.
Enlighten Alley and BentSpoke Beer Garden
While you’re out for the evening, be sure to register for one of the Enlighten Alley or BentSpoke Beer Garden sessions and be entertained by talented local performers including Maxo, The Cherry Pickers, Ryan David and more while you indulge in delicious local food stalls.
If attending any of the Enlighten Festival activities and events, remember to register if required, use the Check In CBR app and please stay home if you are unwell.
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Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases