Every February, Canberra’s city centre transforms into a meeting place for the world. The National Multicultural Festival is Australia’s largest celebration of cultural diversity: three days when more than 170 communities come together to share their food, music, dance, art and stories with hundreds of thousands of visitors.

A festival with deep roots

The festival began in 1981 as a one-day Australia Day celebration in Civic, hosted by the ACT’s ethnic communities. By the late 1980s it had grown to around 40 international food stalls, with music, dancing and a parade led by Chinese lion dancers. It became the National Multicultural Festival in 1996 and settled into its three-day format in 2010. Today, it’s one of the capital’s signature events, drawing around 350,000 people in 2026, and entry continues to be FREE!

What to expect

• Food from every corner of the globe. Hundreds of stalls serve authentic street food and traditional family recipes, alongside market vendors and community crafts. Come hungry and graze your way across continents.
• Performances across multiple stages. Live music, traditional and contemporary dance, comedy, theatre and martial arts run throughout the weekend. In recent years, there have been hundreds of performances on as many as eight stages.
• The Saturday street parade. One of the festival’s highlights is a vibrant procession of music, dance and traditional dress through the city, representing dozens of cultures.
• Hands-on experiences. Join cultural workshops, cooking demonstrations, language sessions and storytelling, or let the kids loose on dedicated children’s activities.
• Spaces for everyone. A Seniors Lounge, family care areas and a sensory-friendly space make the festival welcoming for all ages and needs.

Planning your visit

In past years, the festival has opened on Friday evening, run from morning until late on Saturday, and wrapped up on Sunday afternoon. Saturday is the busiest day, with the parade at its centre. Entry is free. The full 2027 program, including headline acts and session times, will be published on the festival website closer to the date.

Make it a weekend at The Nest

The Nest at Gundaroo is around 35 minutes from the festival. Spend your days soaking up the colour and energy of the city, then retreat to the calm of the countryside: a private villa or historic Clemenger’s Cottage, a quiet glass of wine on the verandah, and a restful night under country skies. Interstate visitor numbers grow every year, and accommodation across the region books out quickly over festival weekend, so we recommend securing your stay early.