Skyfire returns this weekend after a five-year hiatus. The popular fireworks spectacular will be held this Saturday, 16 March.

Radio stations Hit104.7 and Mix 106.3 Canberra will run the event, supported by the ACT Government through its Major Event Fund.

Skyfire began as a smallish event in 1989. Over 30 years, it grew to an afternoon and evening spectacular including live performances, food trucks, and activities set around and above Lake Burley Griffin, and viewed by at least one-third of the ACT population.

Skyfire 2024 will feature an entertainment stage at Regatta Point, with musical acts and hosts from both radio stations.

The Band of the Royal Military College will perform, and the Royal Australian Air Force Boeing E-7 Wedgetail will fly over.

This will be followed by the main event – a 20-minute pyrotechnic display launched from barges in the lake, accompanied by a soundtrack played simultaneously on Hit 104.7 and Mix 106.3.

Food will be available at Regatta Point, Rond Terrace, Kings Park, Commonwealth Place, and Queen Elizabeth Terrace.

Since more than 120,000 people are expected to attend, the ACT Government encourages Canberrans to take advantage of free travel on Transport Canberra buses and light rail.

“We know people are excited to support the return of such a longstanding and annual Canberra event, but please be aware that parking around the lake is limited for an event of this magnitude,” Tara Cheyne, Acting Minister for Transport, said.

“Rethink your routine and take advantage of one of the many Rapid bus services to the lake, the direct shuttles from the City and Woden, connect from one of the 24 Park and Ride facilities across the ACT, or simply get active and walk, ride or scoot to embrace the festivities.”

Additional public transport:

• Free travel on all Transport Canberra bus and light rail services will be available from 5 PM until last service (approximately 12.30 AM for Rapid buses and 1 AM for light rail services). Last service for local buses vary on weekends. Please check the bus timetable for last service times.
• Shuttle buses will operate from City Interchange platform 3 and Woden Interchange platform 6 from 5 PM and take passengers to Regatta Point and Commonwealth Avenue (Treasury Building stop and Albert Hall stop). Return shuttles from these locations will begin at the conclusion of the event.
• Additional light rail services and frequency will run from 2 PM until 11 PM.

Event road closure details:

From 6 AM to 10 PM

• Parkes Way – westbound: from Kings Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue
• Wendouree Drive: from Constitution Avenue to Kings Avenue
• Parkes Place West car park, Barrine Drive car park, Regatta Point car park and Rond Terrace car park

From 9 AM to 10 PM

• Barrine Drive: from Albert Street (west) to Albert Street (east)
• Albert Street (east): from Commonwealth Avenue to Barrine Drive 9 AM to 10 PM (Marion, Walter Cafe, Canberra Region Visitor Centre & National Capital Exhibition guest parking excepted from 9 AM to 4 PM)
• Regatta Place: from Albert Street to Barrine Drive 9 AM to 10 PM (Marion, Walter Cafe, Canberra Region Visitor Centre & National Capital Exhibition guest parking excepted from 9 AM to 4 PM)

From 12 PM to 10 PM

• Queen Elizabeth Terrace: from Parkes Place West to Parkes Place East
• King Edward Terrace: from Parkes Place West to Parkes Place East
• Parkes Place West: from the Questacon carpark to Queen Elizabeth Terrace
• Parkes Place East: from Queen Elizabeth Terrace to King Edward Terrace

From 2 PM to 10 PM

• Parkes Way – eastbound: from Coranderrk Street to Kings Avenue

From 8.25 PM to 8.55 PM

• Commonwealth Avenue – northbound: from Kaye Street to Vernon Circle.
• Commonwealth Avenue – southbound: from Vernon Circle to Queen Victoria Terrace
• Kings Avenue – northbound: from King Edward Terrace to Parkes Way
• Kings Avenue – southbound: from Morshead Drive to Blackall Street
• Detailed information including a map of the closure precinct can be found on the NCA website

Changes to bus services:

• The Rapid 2 will be diverted from 12 PM to 10 PM due to road closures
• The Rapid 6 will be diverted from 12 PM to 10 PM due to the road closures
• Local service 57 will be diverted from 12 PM to 10 PM due to the road closures
• Local service 58 will be diverted from 12 PM to 10 PM due to the road closures
• Multiple bus stops will be closed within the Parliamentary Triangle
• Details of impacted services and stops with maps can be found here

For information on transport options and to plan your journey, visit www.transport.act.gov.au or call 13 17 10.