Stage photo from 2014 Nara Candle Festival, Canberra

Enjoy the spectacular visual of 2,000 shimmering candles at the 13th annual Canberra Nara Candle Festival on Saturday 24 October, as we celebrate the 22nd year of the Sister City relationship shared between Canberra and Nara, Japan.

Visitors will be mesmerised by the sounds of Japanese music and enchanting lighting that highlights the features of the beautiful Canberra Nara Peace Park. The festival brings a wide variety of Japanese and Australian culture with arts and crafts such as calligraphy, lantern making, origami, ikebana and kite flying.

This year’s event welcomes back Wadaiko Rindo who will close the festival with a 30 minute set.

The festival also features Japanese cuisine, markets and stalls with visitors able to take part in various activities.

Not to be missed are the martial arts demonstrations and mochi pounding – a demonstration of traditional rice-cake making by the Embassy of Japan. At the Embassy tent you can also try some traditional Japanese games.

Parking is available in the Parliamentary zone, with a free shuttle bus to Canberra Nara Peace Park.