Lonely Planet's Third Best City in Travel Continues to Shine in 2019

Four Winds Vineyard, Canberra Balloon 

Spectacular, Love and Desire

Lonely Planet’s third best city to visit in 2018 – Canberra – continues to play host to world-class events, exhibitions and outstanding food and wine this autumn.

Kicking off the festival season on the first day of autumn is Enlighten Festival (1-17 March). Eat, see and explore as Canberra transforms as a range of free and ticketed events combining to make the Enlighten Festival a highlight on Canberra’s 2019 events calendar. See the Parliamentary Triangle come to life as the Illuminations light up after dark (1-11 March). Witness thought provoking large-scale projections on some of the capital’s most loved and iconic buildings.  Wake up to the view of hot air balloons floating across the city during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular (9-17 March). This mesmerising view is best appreciated from the lawns of Old Parliament House the Canberra skyline fills with hot air balloons from across the globe. Rounding out the programing is Lights! Canberra! Action! (8 March), Symphony in the Park (10 March), Canberra Day (11 March) and Hit 104.7 Skyfire (16 March) – a lot of action for 17 days!

Music lovers will enjoy the range of touring offerings in Canberra. Wine Machine (13 April) will hit up Lake George Winery, with The Presets and Hayden James headlining. Groovin The Moo (28 April) brings many recent Hottest 100 placers to Canberra, including Fisher, Hilltop Hoods, G Flip, DMA'S, Thelma Plum, Angie McMahon, Jack River, and Billie Eilish in what is sure to be a house warming of epic proportions as they relocate to new venue of Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).

And the festival scene doesn’t stop with the music. Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival (16 March) is ideal for all beer and cider enthusiasts – from those who just love tasting such a diverse and premium selection of ales and ciders to budding craft brewers. Visitors will be able to take part in beer/cider food matching sessions, hear guest speakers, and meet the brewers. Canberra Wine Week (5-14 April) is back for 2019 with a series of events hosted in and around the Canberra Region to celebrate all things wine. Meet wine makers, tour vineyards, experience vertical wine tastings and more. The Forage (6 April) is Canberra’s only food truck festival, celebrating the regions cafes, restaurants, food trucks, bars, wineries & breweries.

Make the most of April’s back-to-back public holidays with a short-break in Canberra. The National Folk Festival (18-22 April) has been calling themselves Australia’s home and heart for folk for over 50 years.  From high-end entertainment to the expression of folk-life through grassroots and community activities our multifaceted “folkie” is the ultimate celebration of all things folk. The Australian War Memorial is proud to host Anzac Day (25 April) commemorations annually. Join the thousands of people who join together to pay tribute to and remember those who have served by attending the Dawn Service, Naitonal Ceremony, The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony or Last Post Ceremony. Love and Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate (closing 28 April) is your last opportunity to view 40 of the Tate’s most famous and best-loved works, include John Everett Millais’ Ophelia 1851-52 and John William Waterhouse’s The Lady of Shalott 1888 at the National Gallery of Australia. While visiting, be sure to pop into the latest acquisition to the National Gallery’s permanent collection, Yayoi Kusama’s The Spirit of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens.

Book your stay with Accor today. For more travel inspiration head to visitcanberra.com.au.