As the sun sets on Commonwealth Park, Floriade’s after-dark extravaganza, Nightfest takes visitors on a journey of discovery with spectacular lighting designs, roving performers, bustling night markets and a fantastic line-up of entertainment.
The Comedy Cave is guaranteed to get you giggling with “professional grump” Luke Heggie and the self-deprecatingly hilarious Hannah Gadsby taking to the stage from Wednesday to Friday. On Saturday and Sunday nights, award-winning comedian Celia Pacquola and household name Joel Creasey will keep crowds entertained.
Mouth-watering workshops will take place in The Kitchen Company Tasting Plate each night, as local producers and winemakers showcase an abundance of food and wine. Visitors can taste regional produce as Canberra chefs “hunt and gather” from the market stalls, presenting two cooking demonstrations every night.
NightFest 2015 sees the introduction of two new pop-up venues on the lawns of Stage 88, La Petite Grande and The Little Palais, which will offer exciting and energetic experiences.
The mini “Spiegel-esque” performance tent, La Petite Grande, is gorgeous on the outside and full of big surprises on the inside, including mind-blowing acrobatics, side-splitting comedy, gravity-defying juggling and record-breaking hula hooping.
Head down to The Little Palais anytime during NightFest to hear tunes guaranteed to get you moving and grooving. Rave CBR’s UV Dance Party will come alive from Wednesday to Friday, while No Lights No Lycra will run a silent disco on Saturday and Sunday.
In the Inspiration Hub during NightFest guests can experience a taste of Canberra’s cultural institutions – who tell the stories of our nation – with interactive demonstrations, workshops and displays.
Celebrate The Royal Australian Mint’s 50th birthday, learn about celebratory flowers with the Australian National Botanic Gardens, explore the invisible world of aerodynamics with Questacon and go back in time with the National Dinosaur Museum. Visitors can also make music with the National Folk Festival, pot up a baby tree with the National Arboretum Canberra, go on a musical journey with cabaret duo Shortis and Simpson and the National Archives of Australia and more.
Floriade’s enchanting evening destination, the Moonlight Lounge, is a great place to take a break from the bustling atmosphere of NightFest. Relax with a drink and something to nibble on as you take in tunes by top local DJs – Ventures, Logic, Printz, Faux Real and Jemist..
NightFest runs for five nights only from Wednesday 23 September until Sunday 27 September. For more information and to book tickets visit: www.floriadeaustralia.com/nightfest
