Five things we're looking forward to in 2020.
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1. Skywhale
![Skywhale takes flight over Canberra on her maiden voyage in 2013. Picture: Jay Cronan Skywhale takes flight over Canberra on her maiden voyage in 2013. Picture: Jay Cronan](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/dc5syd-6a5izrh8wdc4kb0kd5s.jpg/r0_0_4256_2828_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Welcome home, Skywhale! It's been almost seven years since Patricia Piccinini's creation made her maiden voyage in Canberra and now she's coming back. And she's not alone. The mystical beast will be joined by Skywhalepapa - with their baby skywhales in tow. Skywhale was originally created by Piccinini for Canberra's centenary, before being donated to the National Gallery of Australia earlier this year. Gallery director Nick Mitzevich announced last month the addition of Skywhalepapa when the original takes to the skies in 2020.
2. Sunflowers
It's one of the world's most famous paintings and it's coming to Canberra. From November next year, Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers will be showcased at the National Gallery of Australia as part of an art history blockbuster. The 1888 piece will be one of more than 60 works from European masters in Botticelli to Van Gogh. The exhibition will also include some of Europe's most revered artists, including Rembrandt, Vemeer, Cezanne, Renoir and Goya.
3. Love Stories
Something a little closer than November 2020 is the National Portrait Gallery's Love Stories exhibition, which opens in June. An Australian exclusive from London's National Portrait Gallery, Love Stories will include portraits of some of the world's best-known couples from the 16th century up until present day. These include John Donne, King Charles II and his mistress Barbara Palmer, Venetia Digby, Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and David and Victoria Beckham.
4. Celeb status
Granted, this point is dedicated to a collection of events rather than one solo event, but we couldn't help ourselves - there's just so many people coming to Canberra. Seinfeld's Jason Alexander is ready to reveal everything about the hit television show at the Canberra Theatre Centre, meanwhile British actor Russell Brand will be bringing his profane exploration into his personal development in February. Golden oldie Rod Stewart will be performing in November, and if that wasn't enough, Louis Theroux will be here in a few short weeks to talk about his career.
5. Enlighten Festival
It comes around every year but we're still looking forward to the 17 days from February 28 where the Parliamentary Triangle and city precinct is transformed. Snap the perfect photo of the architectural projections, brighten your morning with the Balloon Spectacular, taken in some of the work from Canberra filmmakers at Lights! Canberra! Action! and enjoy Symphony in the Park with Canberra Symphony Orchestra, before rounding out the event with Skyfire.