Canberra Events and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Canberra, Australian Capital Territory - ACT, Australia)

Live music is in abundance at the city, with various annual festivals and entertainment venues on hand. Each October, the University of Canberra plays host to Stonefest, a significant music fest organised by the university, while in November, the Foreshore Summer Music Festival arrives and now boasts the accolade of being the region's biggest of its kind.

Each February, the Royal Canberra Show provides a significant highlight to the events calendar and this major agricultural show was first held in 1927, being organised by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society. Today, the show incorporates livestock competitions, fairground rides, various fun contests and a plethora of stalls.

Towards the end of March or in early April, the five-day National Folk Festival arrives, with its film screenings, 100+ concerts, poetry readings, dance performances, street entertainers, themed workshops and community arts events taking place at the Exhibition Park. Over 50,000 folk lovers regularly attend, with camping available for in the region of 5,000 people.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• 26th January - Australia Day
• Good Friday / Easter Monday March / April - Easter
• 25th April - Anzac Day
• 2nd Monday in June - Queen's birthday
• 1st Monday in August - Bank Holiday
• 1st Monday in October - Labour Day (ACT, NSW, QLD, SA)
• 25th December - Christmas Day
• 26th December - Boxing Day

Canberra Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Summernats Car Festival - early January, customised, modified and restored cars in parades and competitions, also includes music and fast-food outlets

February

• National Multicultural Festival Canberra - theatre performances, gourmet food and displays, a parade and a spectacular balloon fiesta
• Royal Canberra Show - late February, agricultural show with horse show jumping, numerous exhibits, a grand parade, animal nursery and sheep shearing demonstrations
• Sunrace 21.C - worldwide event featuring the latest in solar and electric vehicle technology. The event begins in Adelaide and ends 11 days and 2,300 km / 1,429 miles later in Sydney, arriving in this city on day seven

March

• National Folk Festival - late March / early April, with concerts, displays, workshops and dances spread over some 20 stages, drawing more than 50,000 people to the Exhibition Park

April

• Canberra International Chamber Music Festival - late April / early May, ten days of chamber music in historic venues around the city
• Rally of Canberra - late April / early May, three-day rally event located no more than 40 km / 25 miles from the city centre, with skydiving, stunt bikes and fireworks

June

• Canberra 400 - early June, Australia's top V8 Supercar drivers compete in the GMC 400 around the streets of the city

August

• Australian Science Festival - mid August, events include exhibitions and demonstrations, tours to scientific institutions, workshops and various science-related activities

September

• Antique and Collectables Annual Fair - throughout September, with a wide range of antiques on display
• Floriade - mid-September to mid-October, springtime celebrations with one million bulbs and annuals planted in the Commonwealth Park to bloom from mid-September to mid-October. There is also entertainment, craft displays and gourmet food

October

• Oktoberfest - authentic German fun, food and festivities with a great family atmosphere
• Stonefest - late October, with live music hosted by the city's university, first held in 1968 and formerly known as Stone Day

November

• Canberra Festival of Cycling - comprising some of the city's most famous cycling events
• Classical Jazz and Ragtime Festival - classical jazz and piano playing by performers from all over Australia
• Tuggeranong Festival - with live music and a masked ball. Other features include amusement rides, heritage walks, an arts fest, theatrical productions, model yacht club races, a street parade, children's concerts and firework displays
• Foreshore - late November, a huge two-day music fest attracting literally thousands to the Parliamentary Triangle

December

• New Year's Eve Celebrations - seeing in the New Year on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, with a midnight fireworks display