The shores of Lake Burley Griffin were a patchwork of picnic rugs as more than 100,000 Canberrans settled in to see the skies sparkle at Skyfire on Saturday night.

David Heffernan stood out from the crowds - surrounded by eight speakers and a sub-woofer he was powering with car batteries.

Skyfire celebrations at Lake Burley Griffin. Credit:Rohan Thomson

"Our family come every year," the 57-year-old sound engineer from Flynn said. "The trick is to come early and stay and party after the fireworks while all the traffic goes."

Australia's Federation Guard grabbed attention with artillery guns firing from Gallipoli Reach, while two Royal Australian Navy Squirrel Helicopters and a Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 took to the sky - with many peeled themselves off their picnic rugs to take snaps.