Program

The Canberra Nara Candle Festival will be held on Saturday 26 October 2024 from 4-9pm in the Canberra Nara Peace Park, Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla.

The Festival program reflects the friendship between Australia and Japan, and includes performances and demonstrations of both traditional and pop cultures, from Cosplay to martial arts and traditional Japanese music and crafts.

At 7pm the Official Ceremony will be followed by the lighting of 2,000 shimmering candles in the Canberra Nara Peace Park.

Download the program here.

Program - Main Stage

*program subject to change without notice

ACT Senior Concert Band

4.00pm - 4.30pm

The ACT Senior Concert Band is an extension band formed by students from 18 schools under the guidance of the ACT Instrumental Music Program. The 80 students are in years 9-12 in ACT public schools.

The Senior Concert Band has had a long-standing relationship with Ichijo HS band in Nara Japan. They first held an exchange tour to Nara in 1998 and have visited 7 times and welcomed the Ichijo HS band to Canberra as well.

They last visited Nara in 2018 and have performed here at all of the Candle Festivals, except one when they were in Japan.

Sean Murphy

6.25pm - 6.45pm

MC Sean Murphy lived in Japan as a teenager and enjoys nothing more than a road trip through summertime Kyushu. He’s now a globetrotting presenter and has performed in Japanese and English in over 55 countries.

Nara University High School

4.40pm - 5.00pm

Nara University High School is delighted to return to the stage at the Canberra Nara Candle Festival again.

This year's performance was planned and choreographed from start to finish by the students, inspired by the contrast of ancient Japanese traditions and the latest J-pop trends.

The kendo and dance performance is a fitting way for the students to express themselves, their talents and their appreciation to their local host schools and buddies for an enriching exchange experience.

Official Ceremony and Lantern Lighting

7.00pm - 8.00pm

See Canberra Nara Peace Park illuminated with 2 thousand shimmering candles. This spectacular sight can be viewed from the Candle Display Area near the Rotary Peace Bell.

Cosplay Competition

5.15pm - 6.15pm

Cosplay appeared more than 30 years ago and has become an element of the everyday landscape in Japan. And the phenomenon is gaining momentum across the world including in Australia.

The cosplayer (costume player) impersonates their favourite manga, anime, or video game character by wearing the same costume and adopting the personality and mannerism.

Whether you are a well-rounded cosplayer or a total beginner you are invited to enter the Canberra Nara Candle Festival Cosplay competition, hosted by Emerald King, Lecturer in Humanities (UTAS), Cosplayer and Cosplay expert.

Misako Piper Soprano

8.00pm - 8.50pm

Misako Piper is a Japanese local, professional soprano singer. Misako performs for a variety of audiences from community groups through to dignitaries in the ACT and interstate. As a Canberran for almost five decades, she performs not only in Japanese but a variety of languages.

Misako delights audiences with her pure but vibrant operatic singing and relishes in seeing others enjoy her music. Misako is excited to contribute to the festival and support the Canberra-Nara sister city relationship.

Program - Other Locations

Roving Entertainment

Wadaiko Rindo Taiko Drumming

6.45pm - 7.00pm and

7.25pm - 8.00pm

Wadaiko Rindo was established in Melbourne in 1996 and continues to perform as a pioneer of Wadaiko, Japanese drumming, in Australia.

Wadaiko Rindo won the Musical Arts Award at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2004, and the Foreign Minister's Commendation from Japanese government in 2013.