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Braving an event with kids can be a Survivor-style experience.
A backpack filled to the brim with everything you own. A schedule timed to the minute around naps, feeds and tantrums. A race to find the nearest toilets and car park in case a swift exit is required. Any unpredictability can throw the whole day into chaos. Much like the show’s contestants, it’s likely you’ll leave breathless, dishevelled and perhaps a little unhinged.
The secret to a smooth(ish) day out? Insider knowledge and preparation.
Allow us to, ahem, enlighten you. Yes, just in time for Canberra’s biggest Autumn event, Enlighten Festival, we’ve uncovered the best tips and tricks for attending with kiddos in tow; including what to see, when to go and how to get there with minimal fuss.
Getting there
With plenty of people expected to attend Enlighten Festival, make the most of the free shuttle bus or public transport for a hassle-free entrance.
The shuttle bus will operate each day of the festival from 5pm on a 30-minute loop, stopping at the following places:
- Constitution Avenue (opposite the Convention Centre)
- London Circuit (Legislative Assembly/Theatre)
- East Row/Mort Street
- Ainslie Avenue (Canberra Centre main entrance)
- Parkes Place East/ King Edward Terrace (Enlighten entry)
This means you can park your car near any of these stops and avoid the stress of trying to find a park in the National Triangle. (Not to mention little ones love buses!)
You could also consider parking in the city or along Lake Burley Griffin and walking or riding to the festival. Bike racks will be available.
If you must drive, parking within the National Triangle is limited so leave yourself plenty of time and get there as early as possible! Avoid the National Library carpark as organisers warn this will get congested. (The Questacon carpark is also off-limits unless you’re visiting the venue.) Most parking will require payment but after 5pm there will be various free public car parks throughout the area. There is also a dedicated accessible car park located behind Questacon (permit required.) A map displaying car park spaces is available here, while a map of the festival space is here.
Cost
Most events at Enlighten Festival are free and don’t require registration, aside from the interactive VOLO: Dreams of Flight and the Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run (more on these events below!) The Enlighten After Dark program also features a range of ticketed and non-ticketed events around Canberra.
Acts not to miss
While Enlighten is best known for its after-dark events, there are plenty of family-friendly events on before bedtime too!
The Beanies
The Beanies’ show on ABC Kids has millions of streams for a reason. The trio sing, dance and provide a healthy dose of silliness that just keep kids wanting more. This live show is bound to leave little ones with a serious case of the giggles!
Monday 11 March at Stage 88 from 10.20 to 11 am
Before Us illuminations
Go back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth! This free outdoor exhibition features 17 finely crafted illuminated creatures and awe-inspiring interactive performances.
Open daily in Civic Square from 1 March – 11 March from 5 pm to 11 pm
VOLO: Dreams of Flight
This Virtual Reality headset experience lets you pilot one of four flying experiences, transforming a regular old playground swing into an exhilarating aerial experience. Feel the flutter in your belly as your swing catches air and you glide over rugged terrain, soar as an ornithopter, or parachute slowly to earth! Studio Go Go celebrate da Vinci’s fabulous aerial imaginings in this breath-taking work that is a new addition to the Festival.
Running each evening from 1 to 11 March in the Enlighten Illuminations Festival Hub from 5pm to 11pm (ticketed event). Tickets: enlightencanberra.com/program/volo-vr-experience/
Warehouse Circus
Don’t miss this fun roving act featuring amazing circus acts and light up tricks. Think juggling, acrobatics, hula hoops and much more!
Sunday 3 and 10 March at the Enlighten Illuminations Festival Hub from 7 pm to 10 pm
Lucky Jim and His Imaginary Friends
Lucky Jim and his band, His Imaginary Friends, will be on stage with their toe-tapping tunes, ridiculous stories, imaginative lyrics and general silliness. Prepare to be entertained and amused!
Monday 11 March at Stage 88 from 11.15 am to 12 pm
TraXion
This Canberra-based band have been together for 16 years and play a wide variety of music, from relaxing tunes to all-out showstoppers you can’t help but dance to.
Monday 11 March at Stage 88 from 1.30 pm to 2.20 pm
Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Are you early risers? Even if you’re not, it’s still worth a visit to the Enlighten Festival’s iconic Canberra Balloon Spectacular (feature image), which turns the Canberra skyline into a sea of colour and movement at dawn. If that’s not enough to get you out of bed, there’s also a delicious hot breakfast to enjoy while the balloons lift off.
Balloons will inflate from 6 am and launch around 6.15 am each morning from Patrick White Lawns, weather permitting
Canberra Day celebrations
Head to Commonwealth Park for a day of entertainment and family activities to celebrate Canberra Day!
Family entertainment will be the focus on Stage 88 in the morning while the afternoon will feature two-time ARIA award winner, Coodjinburra artist Budjerah, playing hits he shared with audiences when supporting Ed Sheeran.
At the Food and Makers market, browse locally made products and handicrafts or sample a range of delicious street food offerings, cooked fresh by Canberra’s regional vendors featuring cuisine from Italy, Croatia, Mexico, Burma and more.
Monday 11 March at Commonwealth Park from 10 am to 5 pm
Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run
Feel like burning some energy while raising money for a good cause? The Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run will be held around picturesque Lake Burley Griffin on Canberra Day, with profits from the entry fees going to Hands Across Canberra. The event features a 2km run which is perfect for families, children and those who would prefer to walk!
Monday 11 March at Ferry Gate, Commonwealth Park from 10 am to 12 pm. Registration required: raceroster.com
Food and drink
It’s not like us to mention food so late in an article, but rest assured there will be a number of delicious options available at the Enlighten Festival to satisfy rumbling bellies, including Bentspoke, Bar Berra and the Enlighten Festival’s Food Park, with some top-notch food trucks serving up delicious savory and sweet delights for a fusion of flavours. The food park will also feature some mesmerizing light displays, including the super-bright Neon Alley!
If you’re with some fussy eaters in tow, make a picnic out of it and bring your own food and rug. Please note however that BYO alcohol is not permitted.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Enlighten Festival
When: 1 -11 March 2024
Where: Various locations across Canberra
How much: Most events are free, aside from some ticketed events. Visit the website for more information
Website: enlightencanberra.com
Feature image, supplied.
Source: hercanberra.com.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
