Canberrans treated to sweet smells, sounds and tastes at multicultural festival

The event entered its second day on Saturday and thousands crowded into Garema Place on a hot, sunny day to experience the best of Canberra's multicultural society.

All around you people in bright and colourful costumes show off traditional dances and music, succulent meals are prepared on dozens of grills, woks and deep fryers with spectacular smells wafting throughout the city centre.

Kosta Nikolovski drove down from Sydney especially for the event and spent hours wandering among the stalls on a recently replaced left knee.

Of Macedonian heritage, Mr Nikolovski said it was wonderful to experience so many different cultures and speak to people with different backgrounds.

Asked how this compares to events in Sydney Mr Nikolovski was certain where he'd rather be.

"We don't have this in Sydney," he said.

"Not like this, it wouldn't be so friendly like this."

Someone else who commented on the friendly and welcoming atmosphere was Hayden Ross, who was drumming on a variety of buckets with friend Josh Peisley.

The two have played in bands together for years and for Mr Ross, who now works for the Department of Social Services, said it was the perfect opportunity to get out from behind the desk and "get some really gnarly blisters".

Lauren Crawford, who moved to Canberra from the United Kingdom late last year, was exploring the festival with her boyfriend, local Dean Austin.

She said before she arrived people had talked Canberra down a bit but since arriving she was surprised by what Canberra had to offer, the multicultural festival being another great example.

"I would never have thought Canberra was such a multicultural city," Ms Crawford said.

Mr Austin added, "It brings the best out of the community, something like this."

The National Multicultural Festival continues on Sunday in the city.