Chief Minister’s Student Welcome 2026

Kick off the academic year with a bang! Enjoy delicious food, win great prizes, and soak up the entertainment with hundreds of new students.

Students – Get to know your city!

Join us at the 2026 Chief Minister’s Student Welcome as Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA welcomes new students to Canberra.

• Enjoy a free taste of Australia with classic savoury snacks, sweet treats and a few iconic surprises
• Win a hot air balloon flight over Canberra for 2 people, plus heaps more prizes
• Enjoy live entertainment and interact with native Australian wildlife, thanks to our friends at the Reptile Zoo
• Join in activities and games with hundreds of students from around the world
• Learn about Canberra’s Indigenous heritage
• Meet the Chief Minister
• Grab your exclusive welcome pack

When: 5:30pm – 7:45pm, Monday, 2 March 2026

Where: Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, Parks Pl East, Parkes ACT 2600

Attendance is free – Registration is essential!

Prizes on offer include a hot air balloon flight over Canberra for two people, plus a range of Canberra experiences and vouchers.

After the Student Welcome, we encourage you to join the Enlighten Festival with illuminations commencing 8pm, plus live entertainment, Enlighten Food Park, Bent Spoke Beer Garden, and much more.

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