The crowd sang Happy Birthday to Canberra and devoured a $1000 giant mud cake large enough to feed 5000.

Entertainment at the free Celebrate Canberra concert ranged from old rockers to young divas.

The line-up of Australian music acts included Motown crooners Human Nature , former Australian Idol contestant Ricki-Lee and rock legends Mental as Anything, a band MC Mark Paton, of radio station Mix 106.3 described as "the Wiggles for grown-ups".

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope had come to enjoy Mental's rock stylings. "It's a reflection of my age more than anything else," he said.

"The nips are getting bigger I remember it well".

Mr Paton said, "it's events like this really help us to have the sort of civic pride that Canberra deserves.

"I've been in this town for 10 years and in that time it has grown up, people really have started to understand what a gem of a town we have got. This city is unique in Australia, there are not many places like it in the world. How could you not be proud of it?"

Canberra bands, including Chase the Sun and Low Key, also excited their home crowd.

Musician Ashleigh Mannix, whose song Power of a girl has recently been added to Mix 106.3's playlist, was also proud to be Canberran.

"I've grown up here, it's home, there's nothing else to say. I always feel great coming past Lake George, as I'm nearly there."

Ricki-Lee, last seen in Canberra for the Australia Day concert, played a set including her original pieces and cover versions of songs by her favourite artists, including Beyonce, Rhianna, Michael Jackson and Tina Turner.

"I think there's nothing that can give you an adrenalin rush or the high that you get from performing on stage when there's a crowd that's supporting you. Really, that's the reason why I do it," she said.

"At the end of the day, when people come up to you and say, 'oh my goodness, your song changed my life' or 'it got me through a tough situation' or 'wow, it made me see the bright side of things,' that really is what you do it for.

"Music has that power to affect everyone in every way to be able to have a hand in that is an amazing thing."

The evening concluded with a fireworks display over Stage 88.

Celebrate Canberra parties are the biggest single-day events the ACT Government stages.

An even grander party is planned for Canberra's centenary in 2013.