Applications for the National Multicultural Festival business activation grants have closed.
These grants are a collaboration between the City Renewal Authority, the National Multicultural Festival team and Infrastructure Canberra.
Registered businesses located within the City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy (CCMIL) area were invited to apply for funding to deliver multicultural-themed activations that celebrate Canberra’s cultural diversity and enhance the 2026 National Multicultural Festival experience.
The grants support broader goals to:
Applications were open from 1 October to 5 November 2025.
To be eligible, businesses needed a valid ABN and to operate in City Renewal’s City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy (CCMIL) collection zone.
The successful businesses will run their activations between 27 January and 10 February 2026, including the 2026 National Multicultural Festival core dates of 6–8 February.
They will be promoted through festival marketing channels, including online listings, social media, and printed materials.
Grants of up to $1000 have been awarded to 14 local businesses to deliver multicultural-themed activations during the 2026 National Multicultural Festival.
Business | Activation |
Amici Wine Bar and Deli | An Italian jazz night featuring live music, authentic food, and wine. |
Bite & Savour | A Lunar New Year celebration featuring pastries, festive décor, and storytelling. |
CoCo Bubble Tea | A hands-on experience for participants to learn the art of Chinese-style tea making. |
Highball Bar | A late-night Latin party bringing high-energy entertainment to City West after the Multicultural Festival. |
Landspeed Records | A world music day with DJs spinning global sounds outside the store. |
Lunabar | A vibrant celebration of Latin culture featuring local musicians, DJs, and dance lessons. |
Molly Bar | A New Orleans-inspired evening with live music and themed food and drinks in a speakeasy setting. |
Mooseheads Pub | A K-Pop pop-up celebrating contemporary Korean culture through music and dance. |
POP Canberra | A day dedicated to showcasing locally made goods inspired by global cultures. |
Status Golf | A modern Korean screen golf experience paired with authentic Korean food and drinks. |
Unilodge at ANU | Creation of international-themed murals on eight fire escape cubes with residents and the wider community. |
VICE | A guided wine experience showcasing varieties from around the world, accompanied by live music. |
Wurrumay Collective | An immersive cultural event with First Nations cuisine and live First Nations music. |
98 Gym | A community fitness event celebrating cultural diversity through a friendly team rowing competition. |
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 1 October 2025 - 3 pm |
| Applications close | 5 November 2025 - 3 pm |
| Notification of outcome | Early-December 2025 |
| Activation delivery period | 27 January – 10 February 2026 |
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.