Canberrans are gearing up for a very special public holiday filled with movement, meaning, and impact. Photo: Events ACT.
Sure, everyone gets excited about a day off, but why is the second Sunday in March a public holiday?
It wasn’t chosen for its still-warm weather, a great time for a sneaky trip down the coast while the rest of NSW works, or the start of the balloon festival – Canberra Day marks our city’s foundation.
Way back in 1913, when the Canberra area was no more than a sheep station divided by the Molonglo River, a crowd of more than 4000 gathered to witness the formal naming of Australia’s capital city.
Canberra’s location was decided by the then-new federal parliament after the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne, as the site of the nation’s capital could not be resolved.
Parliament decreed that the city would be located in NSW, but it had to be more than 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney. After an extensive search and lobbying by King O’Malley for a cool-climate capital, the current site of the new capital was agreed upon.
At a ceremony on 12 March at Camp Hill, now Capital Hill, the site of Parliament House, Governor General Lord Denman laid the foundation stones for the new capital while Lady Denman announced the name ‘Canberra’ for Australia’s future seat of government.
It’s widely believed that the name originated from local Indigenous words meaning ‘meeting place’.
The first Canberra Day public holiday was declared in 1958 as the third Monday in March, but in 2008 it was changed to the second Monday to align more closely with the original ceremony date.
The Governor General Lord Denman, his wife Lady Denman, the Australian Prime Minister Andrew Fisher (centre) and King O’Malley (right) at the stone-laying ceremony for the Commemorative column on Camp Hill, Canberra, 12 March 1913. Image: National Archives of Australia.
Now that you know the origin, what should you do with your bonus day off?
“Canberra Day marks the moment our city was formally named, and that name has its roots in community,” Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs says.
“What better way to honour that identity than to give where we live, and support that community in all its wonderful forms?”
There is plenty happening on 9 March, and kicking off the day, the Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run is a must-attend on this year’s community calendar.
Organised by Hands Across Canberra, the event directly supports more than 80 local charities that provide services across housing, mental health, and domestic and family violence, through to education, disability, emergency services, and wildlife care.
It’s also a prime opportunity to connect with family and friends on your day off in a fun, active, and inclusive environment.
Choose between a 5 or 10 km loop along the beautiful shores of Lake Burley Griffin, both timed with medals awarded to finishers and plenty of encouragement along the way.
Everyone is welcome, from seasoned athletes to casual runners, social walkers and everyone in between.
Lennox Gardens will come alive from 7:30 am with great food, local entertainment, face painting, meet and greets with local sports stars, and roaming bubbles to boot.
Kirsten and Nige from 106.3 and DJ Boombox2U are sure to keep the crowds entertained while everyone gets ready for takeoff.
Head to Juice Pod for a cold-pressed brekky juice, or Here’s The Coffee if caffeine is more your thing.
OMG Donuts is sure to be a hit, and for something a little more substantial, the Lions Club BBQ will be serving up snags and B+E rolls all morning.
Genevieve describes the fun run as an opportunity for everyday people to come together with like-minded, kind-hearted peers in a show of love and support for their home, with donations from the event and the wider Canberra Day Appeal
“Hands Across Canberra is bigger than any one person, business, organisation, institution or foundation,” she says.
“We look at needs across the board, so I can tell you this – Canberra is a wonderful place to live, but life here can still be tough.
“This Canberra Day, have a look at the list of charities involved in our appeal and pick out one close to your heart. You can also donate directly to Hands Across Canberra. Every dollar stays right here in our community and goes where it’s needed most.”
“There’s sure to be plenty of smiles, warmth and laughter,” Genevieve says.
“I don’t care if you’re chasing a personal best, jogging in costume, or wandering along with some friends and a glass of champagne!
“It’s all about following your heart, looking after your neighbour, and fostering a legacy of compassion and care right across the Canberra region. ”
The Canberra Day Fun Run event kicks off at 7.30 am on 9 March, at Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla. Registrations for individuals and teams of 4 and 10 are open now until 4 pm on Sunday, 8 March via Race Roster.
To donate to the 2026 Canberra Day Appeal or find out more, visit Hands Across Canberra.
