Canberra Day

When Is Canberra Day 2023?

Canberra Day 2023 takes place on 13 March. That date will be a Monday.

Canberra Day is specifically chosen every year to be the second Monday in March.

Canberra Day FAQ

Is Canberra Day a bank holiday?

Yes, but Canberra Day is a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory only. 

What is Canberra most famous for?

It is best known for being the capital of Australia and containing many government apparatus, for its planned urban structure, natural reserves, and extensive war memorials. 

History of Canberra Day

The origin of the holiday actually dates back to when Australia formally became a country. 

Sydney and Melbourne were both large cities at the time and each wanted the honor of being the nation’s capital.

Since neither could agree as to which would be the capital, they came up with a different plan.

The constitutional commandment of section 125 settled the issue, stating that the capital must be in the state of New South Wales.

So they designed a city in the New South Wales area and later gave that city its own specific area, called the ACT

Canberra’s Name

On 12 March, 1913, Lady Gertrude Mary Denman, wife of then Governor-General Lord Denman, made a proclamation naming that city Canberra, and it became the new capital of Australia. 

The city was named ‘Canberra’ on that day, but there were several other options for the city’s name, including ‘Shakespeare’, ‘Empire City’ or ‘Myola’.

Ever since then, up until 2007, the third Monday of March has been celebrated as the city’s official birthday.

Residents and visitors alike come together to celebrate this significant event in Canberra’s history by taking part in various activities and events.

The day was moved from the third Monday of March to the second in 2007 to have it fall closer to its original date, March 12. 

Modern Canberra Day

Canberra is a city with a lot of history, and it’s always happy to celebrate its anniversaries. This year on 13 March, Canberra Day 2023 will be the 110th anniversary of the city.

In addition to having events all throughout the week leading up to the big day, there are also several special exhibits and tours to explore.

Although the celebration of Canberra Day is a popular holiday, it’s not without its controversies. 

Some people believe that the holiday celebrates the country’s white colonizers more than Aboriginal Australians, while others feel that it’s an opportunity to celebrate all Australians regardless of their skin color or national origin.  

Regardless of whether you celebrate Canberra Day or not, there’s no doubt that it’s an important holiday in Australia. 

The holiday commemorates the city’s founding and celebrates its diversity. It’s a great way to learn about Australian culture and history, and it’s a fun way to spend a day.

How to Celebrate Canberra Day 2023

Attend the Enlighten Festival

The Enlighten Festival will have families dancing and laughing at Commonwealth Park. It’s a festival full of lights, live music and activities and typically runs for 2 weeks in the city.

There will be a diverse range of activities to enjoy, including amazing food from around the world, family-friendly entertainment, and more. No tickets are required – come join in the fun!   

There will be something for everyone at this festival, so don’t miss out!

Enjoy the Canberra Balloon Spectacular

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is a spectacular event that takes place every year in March. 

More than 50 hot air balloons take to the sky over two weeks, lifting residents of Canberra with joy and attracting visitors from all over Australia. 

This event perfectly coincides with Canberra Day, which celebrates the city’s rich history and culture.   

The balloons are a big part of the event, but so are the people who make it happen. 

The volunteers who put in long hours before and during the event are responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly. 

They work tirelessly to prepare the field, set up tents and chairs, and keep everything clean. Without them, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular would be nothing more than a beautiful dream.

If you’re planning on visiting Canberra during March, be sure to check out the Balloon Spectacular!

Celebrate the Canberra Citizen of the Year

The Canberra Citizen of the Year is an award that is given to someone who has done exceptional work in their field. 

Past recipients have been recognized for their work in a variety of areas, including innovation and public service. 

Winners are awards for outstanding work in areas like:

• Improving Indigenous affairs.
• Advocating for the elderly and/or aged care.
• Volunteer work for the terminally ill.
• Helping refugees to settle in the community.

A local Canberran historian said it best when discussing the intent behind the Canberra Citizen of the Year award: 

“What you get through the Canberran of the Year is a real statement that Canberra is not just the national capital, but is a community that has sought to create an identity for itself and deal with its own issues.”

Watch The National Sheep Dog Trial Championships

The National Sheepdog Trial Championships are a long tradition going back decades, where various sheep dog owners gather together and compete to see which dog is the best at herding.

Each dog starts out with 100 points and has 15 minutes to herd 3 sheep through an obstacle course into a pen at the other side. 

Dogs will lose points if the sheep stray out of bounds, refuse to navigate an obstacle or are not enclosed in the pen within the time limit.

The competition runs from 13-19 March and finishes with a competition between the top 20 dogs to see who can take home the Duke of Gloucester Sash. 

The opening day is free to attend, so if you love sheep, herding, or just want to see some professional dogs chase sheep through an obstacle course, come along and bring your family!

Enjoy Live Performances

Canberra Day is famous for its live events, with many being free to attend. 

From symphonies in the parks to folk dancing on stage, from kung fu demonstrations to pipe and drum bands, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Not to mention all the delicious food vendors that attend the events each year, including Pacific Island food, Colombian food, Chinese food, Indian food, vegetarian food and more! 

No matter what you like to eat, you’re sure to get your fix at the Canberra Day 2023 celebrations.

Do you have any ideas for Canberra Day to share? Got any feedback for us?

Let us know in the comment section below! We’d love to hear from you there!