Navigating Road Closures and Access During the Festival
This page provides details for city residents, business owners, and workers affected by road closures and access restrictions during the 2025 National Multicultural Festival.
Festival Operating Hours
In 2025, the festival will operate during the following times:
- Friday, 7 February: 5 pm to 11 pm (possible sound checks from 2 pm)
- Saturday, 8 February: 10 am to 11 pm (possible sound checks from 9 am)
- Sunday, 9 February: 10 am to 5 pm (possible sound checks from 9 am)
Road Closures
Refer to the map below for road closures across the city. Scroll down for detailed access information for specific roads and buildings.
Between Cooyong Street and Bunda Street
Akuna Street (westbound) between Cooyong Street and Bunda Street will be closed from 8pm on Thursday, 6 February, until 4am on Monday, 10 February.
The eastbound lane will remain open to allow vehicles to exit the Canberra Centre carpark onto Cooyong Street.
Between Bunda Street and City Walk
Temporary road changes will be implemented on Akuna Street between Bunda Street and City Walk from 8pm on Thursday, 6 February, to 4am on Monday, 10 February.
One parking lane and one traffic lane will be converted into a 2-way road. Please follow traffic controller directions.
Entry and exit to Akuna Street will be via Binara Street.
Access to Industry House and the Manhattan Apartments will remain open during the event, except during the festival parade, when the road will be closed from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday, 8 February.
The MYER loading dock will be accessible between 4am and 9am on Saturday, 8 February, and Sunday, 9 February.
Between Rabaul Lane and London Circuit
Akuna Street between Rabaul Lane and London Circuit will remain open throughout the event, with the exception of the festival parade. The road will be closed from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday, 8 February.
Entry to this section of Akuna Street will be via Nangari Street, then Rabaul Lane. Exit from Akuna Street will be via London Circuit towards Constitution Avenue.
Access to businesses and residences along this stretch, including Nesuto Canberra, Highgate Apartments, Hillside Lane, The Village Hostel, The Sebel Hotel, and Quest, will remain open, except during the parade.
Bailey’s Corner Car Park off Theatre Lane (opposite Mooseheads)
Some parking will be closed from Wednesday 29 January to Friday 14 February.
The car park will be fully closed from Tuesday 28 January to Monday 10 February.
Permit pass holders (issued by the festival team or not) can access the car park except from 2pm to 6pm Saturday 8 February, during the festival parade.
Bunda Street between Genge Street and Akuna Street
Bunda Street between Genge Street and Akuna Street will be closed from 8pm Tuesday 4 February to 8pm Tuesday 11 February.
Only local commercial businesses will have access, including delivery drivers, courier drivers, and waste trucks. If you are picking up or delivering something on behalf of a business in the area, speak to the traffic controllers to get access.
Access will be available from
- 8pm Tuesday 4 February to 11am Friday 7 February
- 11:30pm Friday 7 February to 9am Saturday 8 February
- 11:30pm Saturday 8 February to 9am Sunday 10 February
- 9pm Sunday 10 February onwards.
For public safety, there will be no access from
- 11am to 11:30pm Friday 7 February
- 9am to 11:30pm Saturday 8 February
- 9am to 9pm Sunday 9 February.
Entry to Bunda Street will be from Genge Street, Mort Street, or Northbourne Avenue.
London Circuit between Northbourne Avenue and Constitution Avenue
Road will be closed from 8pm Thursday 6 February until 4am Monday 10 February.
Theatre Lane
Road will be closed from 11am Friday 7 February to 6pm Monday 10 February. Local Business access will be available from:
- 11:30pm Friday 7 February to 9am Saturday 8 February
- 11:30pm Saturday 8 February to 9am Sunday 10 February
- 9pm Sunday 10 February onwards.
This does not impact access to the accessible parking at Constitution Place.
Tocumwal Lane
Access to Tocumwal Lane will be impacted by Bunda Street closures (see above). Access times and dates listed for Bunda Street will apply to Tocumwal Lane.
Please note festival infrastructure will impact car parking in Tocumwal Lane from Wednesday 5 February.
Ainslie Place and Riverside Lane
Access Details:
Local business and resident access into Riverside Lane:
- From 4am until 8pm Thursday 6 February – car pass required at Ainslie Place
- From 8pm Thursday 6 February until 6pm Friday 7 February
- From 11.30pm Friday 7 February until 10am Saturday 8 February
- From 11.30pm Saturday 8 February until 10am Sunday 9 February
- From 5pm Sunday 9 February until 4am Monday 10 February
- Car passes required at London Circuit traffic control point
For public safety, there is no access in or out of Riverside Lane between:
- 6pm – 11.30pm Friday 7 February
- 10am – 11.30pm Saturday 8 February
- 10am – 5pm Sunday 9 February
Additional Notes
- Entry and exit to Ainslie Place will be from London Circuit via the Northbourne Avenue end only.
- City Plaza Apartment residents will be provided car passes through their Executive Committee.
- Businesses needing to access Riverside Lane may collect a car pass from the National Multicultural Festival site office located at Level 2, Theo Notaras Centre, 180 London Circuit. The festival office will be open from Monday 3 February until Thursday 6 February, between 9am – 5pm. Proof of business address will be required to collect a car pass (for example rates notice or bill).