Canberra's Enlighten festival starts tonight with the walls of well-known institutions lit up with projected images inspired by what is inside.

The National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, Australian Parliament House, Questacon and Old Parliament House will all host carefully crafted light displays.

Commonwealth Place will also have night noodle markets with authentic Asian food on offer such as dumplings and pad thai.

The Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) in Old Parliament House has revealed its colourful projections will be themed "the power of words".

Director Daryl Karp told 666 ABC Canberra the iconic political building looks spectacular.

"We are taking the idea from Magna Carta to hashtag activism, and some elements inside such as political cartoons from the Behind the Lines 2014 exhibition," she said.

A Great Kaleidoscope Cubby has been built in Kings Hall for people to write political messages on. ( Twitter: @MoAD_Canberra )

"We've done some beautiful word art on some of our significant prime ministers using words taken from their key speeches, some work with young people called Play Up, and then of course, the Power of 1, our big interactive exhibition."

Inside Old Parliament House a kaleidoscope cubby has been established to create a hands on experience.

Organisers are hoping visitors will add their words of power to the colourful display located in historic King's Hall.

Cultural institutions are offering special late night openings and outdoor entertainment has been arranged in the parliamentary triangle to coincide with the light show.