Indigenous singer-songwriter Thelma Plum will add her voice to the multicultural celebrations. Photos: ACT Government.
Chart-topping Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum will top the bill at the 2025 National Multicultural Festival next month when more than 170 communities celebrate their heritage in the city.
Plum will be joined by Canberra’s own R&B sensation, Thndo, as more than 200 performers on stages across the festival and 270 stalls present an array of exciting events and activities from 7-9 February.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Michael Pettersson today (15 January) unveiled the full three-day program, saying it would be a fun-filled weekend that people from all walks of life could enjoy.
“Canberra City and Glebe Park will transform into a site of vibrant festivities, where people from across the country can come together to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Australia’s multicultural heritage,” Mr Pettersson said.
“Visitors to the festival will be spoiled for choice this year, with an array of delicious food stalls and free entertainment on offer, including dance classes, arts and craft workshops, cooking demos, film screenings, literary readings, cultural events, and more.”
Melbourne-based Thndo, who appeared on The Voice Australia, said she was excited to return to her home town for a special performance at the festival.
“My performance is a homage to my experience growing up in Evatt and all the people I encountered that made me who I am today,” she said.
She will perform on the Akuna Street Stage on Friday, 7 February, at 9:15 pm.
Plum, who released her second album, ”I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back”, last October, will perform on the South Glebe Park Stage on Sunday, 9 February, at 2pm.
Thndo will return to her home town to sing at the 27th National Multicultural Festival next month.
Mr Pettersson urged Canberrans to take advantage of free public transport available over the festival weekend, from 4:30 pm on Friday, 7 February, till the end of service on Sunday, 9 February.
“The easiest way to get to the festival is by public transport, and given how popular the event has been in recent years, leaving the car at home will also help to reduce congestion on our roads over the weekend,” he said.
Mr Pettersson said the festival continued to stay fresh, relevant and exciting.
“That’s a testament to the incredible performers, stallholders and volunteers who make the festival such an extraordinary event and, of course, the festival organisers, who work so hard to pull it all together, year after year,” he said.
The program was packed with amazing events and activities across all three days, he said.
Program highlights include:
Friday, 7 February
- Opening ceremony featuring the Muyngu Koekaper dancers from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait: 5 pm on the South Glebe Park Stage
- Bilingual Story Time (adults): 6 – 7 pm at the Glebe Park Rotunda
- Thndo: 9:15-10:15 pm on the Akuna Street Stage.
Saturday, 8 February
- Smartraveller Parade: 4 pm, starting at the Canberra Museum and Gallery and culminating in Glebe Park
- Mini Nepal in Australia Showcase featuring Nepalese pop star Asmita Adhikari: 5 – 10:30 pm at the North Glebe Park Stage
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Showcase featuring Frank Yamma: 7 – 10:45 pm at the Civic Square Stage.
Sunday, 9 February
- Cowboys & Cowgirls from Around the World Showcase featuring Josh Setterfield: 10 am – 1 pm at the South Glebe Park Stage
- Azerbaijan Dance & Music Workshop led by Azerbaijan’s State Dance & Music Ensemble: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm in the Glebe Park Workshop Tent
- Thelma Plum: 2 – 3 pm on the South Glebe Park Stage
- Multicultural cooking demonstrations in the Glebe Park Rotunda stage throughout the day.
The full program is available on the festival’s website.
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