Canberra is a city of creativity, innovation and the arts.

There’s a rich artistic experience to be found here.

Canberra hosts some of the nation’s biggest festivals and blockbuster exhibitions. This is underpinned by a community of world class artists. While right now public gatherings are restricted, our events calendar is usually packed with entertainment and family-friendly activities.

This is a place where big international exhibitions, shows and concerts sit comfortably beside local arts events. There’s always a cosy gig to attend. Or a book launch or photography exhibition or workshop. Canberra’s cafes, wine bars and bookstores are part of our network of creative spaces dotted all over the city. We love to participate in the arts as much as we love to spectate. 

Festivals

Our biggest events match our four distinct seasons.  

• In summer the city celebrates Summernats and the largest Multicultural Festival in the southern hemisphere.
• Autumn brings the glorious colours of the Enlighten Festival, our famous Canberra Balloon Spectacular and the Folk Festival. 
• The Truffle Festival fascinates us in winter.
• Floriade explodes into colour in spring and the DESIGN Canberra festival celebrates and promotes Canberra as a global city of design.

Museums and galleries 

There’s an abundance of culture and artistic expression to explore all year through. Museums and galleries house collections of national and international significance. Enjoy the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery. The Canberra Contemporary Arts Space is a centre for innovation in visual arts. 

The Australian War Memorial houses significant art and historical exhibits from our military history.

Learn more about Ngunnawal country and the stories that shaped this region at the Canberra Museum and Gallery. 

Local works are exhibited in our many smaller galleries and artistic spaces. 

Visual and performance artists, writers, poets and musicians gather in creative hubs across the city. You’ll be thoroughly entertained, whatever your artistic preferences:

• Attend a performance by a mixed-ability theatre company.
• Enjoying a poetry slam or Canberra’s comedy festival.
• Watch Shakespeare by the lakes with the family.
• Sit back with some cool jazz or our symphony orchestra in a park.
• Follow a folk band on a roving cycle tour around the lake.
• See an international pop act in one of our larger venues.
• Watch glassblowing, take an art workshop or attend a free talk from a curator at one of our public galleries.
• Enjoy a musical, or even perform in one. 

All of this and much more is within easy reach when you live in Canberra.