Psychedelic rock-soul, paella, Latino dance parties and Croatian ale, the weekend's expanded National Multicultural Festival is set to be a blast - especially since it is free.
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Up to 250,000 people are expected to converge on the city for the annual festival, which runs in Civic from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 February.
Australian boy band Justice Crew is headlining, but there are some lesser-known acts you would be mad to miss.
Bollywood flavour to light up the main stage
Each year the festival kicks off with an opening concert in Civic kicking off late in the afternoon on Friday. Headliners include Justice Crew, UK-based psychedelic rock-soul singer Z-Star, Sol Nation, The Bombay Royale and Inka Marka from 5.30pm to midnight in Garema Place.
The Bombay Royale, an 11-piece Australian band fronted by singers Parvyn Kaur Singh and Shourov Bhattacharya will be playing.
"Flamboyant and funky" UK-based psychedelic rock-soul singer Z-Star caught our eye. She has also been described as "a molten core of rock and roll born in the flames of some ancient soul". Get down to Stage 1 for those blues beats. Here is a teaser:
Safari beats to pump out of the Afrian stage
In the middle of Civic at the African Village will pop up for some sounds to take you back to the savannah.
Billed as "champions of traditional dance", the Ngwao Letshwao Performing Arts from Botswana will bring their dynamic moves to Stage 3 on Ainslie Avenue on Saturday between 3.30pm and 8pm.
More on all the fashion, gospel and tunes - including an act enticingly named "Drum Assault" - set to mix up the African Village Stage can be found here.
All the food, all the beer
Our Food and Wine editor, Natasha Rudra has laid out her picks among the smorgasbord planned for the weekend from a foodie's perspective, including the special local beers, pineapple extravaganza and souvlaki on offer.
Latino after party
If you're still standing after consuming the equivalent of a small ewe and finding your inner Paul Simon, the festival has the party for you.
Clandestino, with Candelaria Canberra, are hosting a dance party for all who "share a love of music" at Digress Cocktail Bar on Akuna Street starting at the Spanish hour of 10pm on Saturday.
Organisers say no pretentious people are allowed - "just party people who want to share the very best of Caribbean vibes". ¡Vamos a Bailar!
The full multicultural festival program can be found here.
