The Canberra Enlighten Festival is back for 2023 and will again light up the nation’s capital. This year’s event will also be celebrating Australia hosting WorldPride in Sydney — the first time the global pride event has been staged in Australia and the first time in the southern hemisphere.
Pride Weekend will include FreshOut in Glebe Park, showcasing entertainment from Australia’s finest performing artists and a village of market stalls representing diverse LGBTIQ+ community organisations, local businesses and Canberra’s finest food and wines produced in the region.
A short film festival Lights! Canberra! Action! on 10 March will feature local filmmakers sharing their perspectives and interpretation of Pride.
As part of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, a special Pride Flight will take off on the opening morning featuring hot air balloons flying rainbow flags.
To wrap up the weekend, Symphony in the Park will be held on 12 March. Canberrans are encouraged to bring a picnic, enjoy a free evening of modern and classical performances, and watch as the Canberra Symphony Orchestra takes to the stage to perform with award-winning pop, soul and electronica band Electric Fields.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a dedicated Pride Weekend during the Enlighten Festival would honour Australia’s hosting WorldPride and boost tourism to the National Capital.
It is the first time the global event has been staged in Australia, and it is fitting that the national capital will honour that achievement. It is also the 50th anniversary of the first Australian Gay Pride Week and the fifth anniversary of Marriage Equality in Australia. The ACT Government will continue to invest in community events that encourage visitors to our city, deliver a strong economic return, and provide quality visitor experiences.
Tara Cheyne, Assistant Minister for Economic Development, said the Pride Weekend celebrations would make the already popular Enlighten Festival even bigger and better this year.
Enlighten Festival is a gem in the Canberra events calendar, and the focus on Pride Weekend highlights our community’s culture and inclusivity. I’m excited by the entertainment that will be on offer, in addition to the amazing illuminations. From incredible music and the opportunity to view short films from talented local filmmakers, there really is something for everyone. I encourage all Canberrans to come out to Enlighten and enjoy the spectacle while supporting our small businesses who will be there providing delicious food and drink.
- ENLIGHTEN festival : Canberra Wide : 3 — 19 March
- PRIDE WEEKEND : Canberra Wide : 10 — 12 March
- FRESHOUT : Glebe Park : Saturday 11 March
- Lights! Canberra! Action! : Old Parliament House 10 March
- Balloon Spectacular : Patrick White Lawn : 11 — 19 March
- Symphony in the Park : Commonwealth Park : Sunday 12 march
Choir Boy comes Canberra Theatre
Pink Tennis: The Canberra Gay and Lesbian Tennis Club
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