For many, National Multicultural Festival weekend is one of the most vibrant on Canberra's calendar.
Here's a guide to make sure can soak in all the delicious food and cultural entertainment on offer without any hassles.
When is it on?
Things get started Friday at 4pm and run through to midnight.
On Saturday, things get going at 11am (although you can't buy alcoholic drinks until noon) and again run to midnight. On Sunday, it's 11am to 5pm.
The Fringe Festival runs on Saturday, from 10am to 11pm.
It is easy to get distracted by hunting down all the great grub. But make sure you have found a good spot to watch the festival's free opening concert on Friday. It runs from 5pm to 11.45pm. Headline performer Kate Ceberano will light up Stage 1 at Garema Place along with Bollywood dancing, Andrea Kirwin, Miriam Leiberman, The Borderers and Sol Nation. There is plenty more on stages 2, 3, 5 and 6, too - and over the next two days as well.
Kate Cebrano to headline the 2017 National Multicultural Festival in Canberra.
What's good to eat
If in your eyes multiculturalism lifts the lid of a enormous bain-marie then this is your kind of festival.
Put yourself in loose fitting clothes and indulge in the vast array of cuisines.
Whether you stuff your face with sticky Greek doughnuts, USA hotdogs, sauerkraut, Polish pierogies, Ethiopian dishes or Peruvian street food and more, you are in for a gastronomic adventure.
Greek Community of Canberra prepare Loukoumades (honey puffs) Photo: Elesa Kurtz
People rest in the shade at the Multicultural Festival Photo: Rohan Thomson
Where is everything?
The festival is held in the middle of Civic, taking in Petrie Plaza, Garema Place, Civic Square, and Bunda Street.
Here's a map showing where the stages, toilets and each section are.
How to get there
The best way to travel to the festival, and avoid the hassle of parking is by using public transport.
If you need to drive to get close to a bus route find out where the nearest Park & Ride facilities are to you.
Route 900 and 950 services will run across the weekend to and from the event from town centres with additional services to manage the demand.
Additional 900 routes will service Tuggeranong, Woden, the city and Belconnen and extra 950 routes will service Gungahlin and the city.
What roads are closed and when
Several roads and car parks will be closed on Friday to Sunday. Most will reopen about 6am Monday. These include:
- London Circuit westbound between Northbourne Avenue and Akuna Street.
- The two car parks at the rear and opposite of Baileys Corner.
- Bunda Street between Petrie Street and Mort Street
- Tocumwal Lane at the intersection with Bunda Street
- Scots Crossing at Bunda Street
- Petrie Street at Bunda Street
- Genge Street at Bunda Street
- Murulla Lane at Bunda Street
- Bible Lane at Bunda Street
- Ainslie place at the intersection with Riverside Lane
Staying late?
A special National Multicultural Festival Night Rider service will run on Saturday February 18 and depart every 20 minutes with the last service leaving the city at 1.30am. The Red Rapid Route 200 will service Gungahlin and the Blue Rapid Route 300 will service Belconnen, City, Woden and Tuggeranong.
Photo: Elesa Kurtz
Weather
There's a decent chance of rain on the big day, Saturday, although it's only expected to be about 1-5mm, and the forecast top is a relatively mild 26 degrees. Friday is expected to be warm, while Sunday is cooler.
Friday: Mostly sunny with a top of 35 degrees. Winds will change in the afternoon and bring a westerly 15km/25km wind in the evening.
Saturday: Partly cloudy with a maximum of 26 degrees. A 60 per cent chance of showers.
Sunday: Cloudy conditions and cooler still with a top of 22 degrees.
Want even more detail?
Download the 2017 National Multicultural Festival app available for both iOS and Android for real time updates, full performance schedule and more.