By Helen Musa

It’s time for Canberra’s Italians and those who wish they were to kick up their heels as the Viva Italia in Canberra Festival returns with an expanded program, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in Italian heritage.

Una Serata Sotto le Stelle, A Night Under the Stars, the festival’s opening fiesta, will take place on March 27 at The Jetty. Running from early evening through to midnight, the event features music from the Viva Italia Dance Band.

It follows a launch event earlier in the month at Hotel Realm, where Italophile and festival president Lyndall Heddle said this, the event’s second year and had been boosted by a grant from Events ACT. Heddle told those present of her own passion for Italy, particularly focusing on the educational side of it, the event and children’s activities.

She said that since the post-war years, Italian migrants had helped shape Canberra’s cultural identity, bringing with them traditions of food, art, music and craftsmanship that continue to resonate today.

Viva Italia is in essence a tribute to this community. The festival now has support from a growing network of partners, and the 2026 program is set to feature around 10 signature events and many others.

One of the centrepieces will the exhibition Arte, Da Due Mondi (Art, From Two Worlds), opening March 25 at Canberra Art Gallery. The brainchild of treasurer Enrico Saccardo, this showcase brings together works of art, photography, sculpture and wedding couture, all reflecting the dual identity of Italian-Australian creators.

The exhibition highlights prominent artists such as Patricia Piccinini, Salvatore Zofrea and Bruno Leti, alongside others whose work bridges continents and generations. A special feature is a collection of wedding gowns spanning from the 1970s to today.

Beyond the opening week, the festival unfolds across Canberra and surrounding regions until May 9. Events range from wine experiences such as the Tour del Vino, to film screenings such as Made in Italy at Palace Electric Cinema, and large-scale celebrations like the Little Italy Festa in Kingston.

Music will also plays a central role, with performances including La Fiamma dell’Opera by National Opera and a rendition of The Four Seasons in Carey’s Cave, Wee Jasper.

The festival also carries a forward-looking mission. Through fundraising efforts, particularly at the gala dinner, La Finale, in May, it aims to support scholarships for students at the ANU, which will provide opportunities for immersive study in Italy, from language programs in Siena to advanced musical training at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, also in Siena, where Heddle lived for some years.

The impact of this initiative is already being felt, with recent recipient Guy Juter returning from Italy and becoming the festival’s first Youth Ambassador.

Viva Italia in Canberra, around the ACT until May 9. All details here