A pink-themed high tea, a self-guided wine-tasting experience and more: 35+ ways to spend your weekend in Canberra
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This weekend in Canberra, indulge in a pink-themed high tea, tour the world (without the long-haul flights), and take a self-guided wine-tasting experience.
Who says there’s nothing to do?
Special Events and Festivals
Pink Ribbon High Tea at Westfield Woden
Westfield Woden will be flush in shades of pink as they welcome a Pink Ribbon High Tea to town this Friday 20 October to provide a little luxury to tea-lovers and support the worthy cause of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
At $50 per ticket, all proceeds will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, supporting continued research for a worthy cause in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All guests will receive a gift from Review and in addition guests will go in the draw to win a $80 voucher from Complete Skin & Beauty, a $50 Cue Gift Card or 1 of 2 $50 Sportscraft Gift Cards. Plus A $100 Review Gift Card for the best dressed on the day.
Friday 20 October from 2-4 pm | Westfield Woden | Book here
Truth & Beauty by Penelope Boyd, Colleen Stapleton and Narelle Zeller.
From the colourist hues of Collen Stapleton’s alla prima portraits, to the hyper-realism of internationally acclaimed Narelle Zeller and the magical realism of Canberra artist Penelope Boyd’s mischievous beauties, this exhbition is a stunning display of works from adored figurative realists. Running until Sunday 5 November, make sure not to miss it!
Thursday 19 October until Sunday 5 November | Grainger Gallery, Bldg 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | More information here.
Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize
The National Portrait Gallery is hosting the Art Gallery of NSW’s touring exhibition Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize. Celebrating 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award and reflects upon the changing face of the nation, this exhbition delves into the controversies and the commonplace, the triumphant and the thwarted, and honours the artists who have made the Archibald Prize the most sought-after accolade in Australian art today.
Friday 20 October until early 2024 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Love Tokens
Throughout the ages, jewellery has been used in countless ways: to express friendship, love, undying commitment, and in memoriam celebration of the deceased. Exploring the themes of love, loss and hope, in this exhbition, a selection of KIN artists have interpreted their own version of a token made in various materials and styles.. Each one of a kind and incredibly special, they will be available for purchase so you can use it as your own token of love.
Until Sunday 5 November | G06/27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | More information here.
A Taste Of Ireland
A Taste Of Ireland features a cast of talented musicians and live tap dancers that will bring their live show to the Canberra Theatre Centre on Saturday 21 October, 2023 before heading off to the Gold Coast and Cairns. Featuring acclaimed Irish dancers, dazzling folk musicians and contemporary vocalists, audiences will be transported to Celtic motherland as they experience all the Irish tunes they know and love, jaw-dropping live acapella tap battles, world-class dancing, melodic folk music mash-ups and craic galore.
Saturday 21 October from 7.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/taste-of-ireland-2023
Windows to the World
It’s time to tour the world (without the long-haul flights)! This is a rare opportunity to see behind the gates of the capital’s embassies and high commissions. See, taste and experience cultures from across the globe, whilst enjoying the beautiful gardens and intricate architecture of some of Canberra’s most iconic buildings.
Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 October | Various locations | More information here.
Strathnairn Arts Open Day
A little bit arty and a little bit fetey, head along to this open day to discover Canberra’s best kept secret, Strathnairn Arts. Strathnairn Arts has been home to a variety of world-renowned artists since its transformation from a working homestead to an arts facility in the 1970s. With over 20 artist studios, a working foundry, ceramics studio, three galleries, a shop and cafe, this gem of a place is only 20 minutes from the centre of town and a magical place to visit. See you there?
Sunday 22 October | Strathnairn Arts Association, 60 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Caravan and Camping Lifestyle Expo
Get ready for the finest exhibition of recreational vehicles, outdoor gear, food and wine displays and holiday destinations. Make sure to check out the 120+ exhibitors, talk to the experts and compare the range in one great location!
Friday 20 until Sunday 22 October | Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell | More information here.
Deadly Funny
The biggest First Nations comedy competition is back in the ACT. Presented by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, this national competition has been unearthing the freshest and funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent from every corner of the country. Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over the age of 18, in this competition, workshop and performance, participants will be given an opportunity to work with a seasoned professional comedian to refine their ideas before unleashing them onstage in front of the competition judges and live audience. Want to see it for yourself? Book some tickets and get ready for a night full of laughs.
Saturday 21 October | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Reed Street North, Greenway | More information here.
Braddon Busking Festival
Hit the streets of Braddon as buskers compete for cash (and other prizes) and for the chance to be eligible for the Australian National Busking Championships. Taking place near the Haig Park Markets, enjoy the day and vote for your favourite using busking tokens available for purchase.
Sunday 22 October | Lonsdale Street and Haig Park Markets, Braddon | More information here.
Madonna40: A Celebration
This year, international music icon, Madonna is celebrating 40 years in the music business. And to honour the star, Canberra’s own Jerry Kirbell (a long-time collector and major fan of all things Madonna) will be presenting a small slice of his extensive collection at Canberra Museum and Gallery. You’ll see autographed pieces, tour merchandise, promotional items, clothing, posters, printer’s proofs, theatre memorabilia, magazine covers and rare photographs!
Until early 2024 | Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | More information here.
Food and Wine
Urban Wine Walk
This will be a fun and unique self-guided wine tasting experience that you and your friends won’t want to miss. How does it work you ask? Simply decide which venue you’d like to start from and you’re off! Choose your own adventure as you and your friends move from venue to venue tasting delicious wines thanks to their incredible line-up of Australian winemakers.
Saturday 21 October | Various venues | Book here.
Sport
Dragons Abreast Come and Try Day
This event is for people who have had breast cancer who are looking for help and support in returning to an active life and would like to try out a fun activity which has been proven to be beneficial post breast cancer. Following your chance to try some (easy) paddling, there will be a delicious morning tea at where participants can chat with other women who have experienced breast cancer.
Saturday 21 October | Grevillea Park, Menindee Drive, Barton | For more information email comeandtry@gmail.com.
Stage and screen
West Side Story
The Jets and the Sharks are battling it out on a Canberra stage. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the ever-popular West Side Story will be at the Gungahlin Theatre in October to tell the tragic story of Tony and Maria.
Until Saturday 21 October | 23 Gozzard Street, Gungahlin | Book here.
Twelfth Night
Heather Fairbairn’s fresh retelling of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is hitting the stage for nine fun filled days. Telling the story of Viola, expect a dark collision of hidden identities and unrequited love as Bell Shakespeare do what they do best.
Until Saturday 21 October | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Civic Square, Canberra City | Book here.
Shakespeare Rocks
This is Shakespeare’s Henry Sixth Part One as you’ve never seen it, or heard it. Welcome to the Rockspeare universe where the history plays are recast as political plays and epic text is combined with an epic soundscape. Normally a play presented as an uncompromising celebration of early English nationalism, this portrayal is bold, cheeky and fun with a non-binary and female cast taking you to a different universe. Whether you were a star pupil or failed Shakespeare in your English class, you will love this.
Until Saturday 4 November | Mill Theatre, Dairy Road, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road Fyshwick | Book here.
Impro Acts: Duets
A theatrical inquiry into every imaginable type of relationship pairing (including romantic to familial and from collegiate to frenemies) at this show different scenarios will be presented every night in a duet. In Act I, duos expose snapshots of their own unique relationships in conversation while in Act II, Artistic Director of Impro ACT and Canberra International Festival of Improvisation, Nick Byrne, pairs with a different actor each night. And yes, sometimes there’s singing.
Friday 20 until Saturday 28 October | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City | Book here.
A Taste of Ireland
A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music & Dance Sensation is returning to Canberra Theatre Centre! Featuring acclaimed Irish dancers, dazzling folk musicians and contemporary vocalists, in this show you’ll be able to experience the raw, rhythmic passion that is the original story of the Celtic motherland. Expect the Irish tunes you know and love, jaw-dropping acapella tap battles, world-class dancing, melodic folk music mash-ups and craic galore.
Saturday 21 October | Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Piaf and Aznavour – Back in Time
Embark on a journey into the fascinating world of French popular music with the worldly famous songs of Edith Piaf & Charles Aznavour. Playing hits including “Milord”, “La vie en Rose”, ” No Regrets”, “Yesterday when I was young”, “She”, “If you love me”, ” The Ol’ Fashioned Way” and “La Boheme”, Back in Time, is a window into the brilliance and artistic legacy of the legendary artistes.
Sunday 22 October | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Evicted! A Modern Romance Q&A Screening
A fresh and topical Aussie comedy that takes a satirical look at today’s housing and job market and the hilarious trials and tribulations that come along with it. What’s not to love? Extremely relatable (especially for anyone looking to buy a house), don’t miss this special Q&A screening with the cast and crew.
Sunday 22 October | Palace Electric Cinemas, 2 Phillip Law Street, NewActon | Book here.
Music
The Vampires
This Australian world-roots jazz group is coming to Canberra for an evening of distinctive melodies and rhythms. Playing beautiful written and improvised melodies that covers nearly every topographic musical element, don’t miss Jeremy Rose on the tenor saxophone, Nick Garbett on the trumpet, Noel Mason on bass, Alex Masso on drums and electronics, and Chris Abrahams on keyboards.
Sunday 22 October | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Melbourne Building, Canberra City | Book here.
Ben Salter
Ben Salter – solo artist, museum piece and founding member of a number of ensembles including The Gin Club, Giants of Science and The Wilson Pickers – is hitting the road in September on his epic “Sublimation” tour. Coming to Canberra for one night only with seasoned Tasmanian songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Jethro Pickett and First Nations songwriter and founder of Tin Camp Studios, Warren Mason, they’ll play arrangements of songs both new and old from Salter’s ever-expanding repertoire.
Sunday 22 October | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Melbourne Building, Canberra City | Book here.
Spring Flight: Wesley Music Scholars
Representing the future of classical music, in this performance a group of talented young scholars will be exploring the the magic of flight through some mesmerising melodies.
Sunday 22 October | Wesley Music Centre, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Exhibitions
Guns & Flowers: Ex de Medici
Ex de Medici grew up and lives in Canberra and is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. In this exhbition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, audiences will have the opportunity to see Medici’s earliest works, made when she was part of the energetic first wave of independent artist-activists in Canberra in the early 1980s, to some of her most recent, travelling from her acclaimed retrospective at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.
Saturday 21 October until early 2024 | Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | More information here.
Emerging From The Earth: Clay & Flowers
Challenging the common misconception of floral design as being relegated to “flowers in vases”, this exhbition showcases pairings of botanic and ceramic artists as a symbiotic relationship between the plant material and the vessels which contain or sustain them. Curated by Eve Sawa (VoxFlora) and Narelle Phillips (brave botanics) expect to see flowers or plant materials that appear in unexpected and exciting ways!
Until Sunday 22 October | Canberra Potters, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson | More information here.
Care Structures
Care Structures’ brings together local, national and international artists working with expanded drawing practice. Offering a glimpse into the maker’s inner world and inviting viewers to consider time, thought and the human condition, don’t miss the opening at M16 Artspace.
Until Sunday 22 October | 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Day And Night
At this exhbition you’ll discover Penny Mason’s ‘Night and Day’, an evocative exploration of Tasmania’s landscapes. Expect to see frost-etched watercolors and natural motifs converge, embodying the interplay of materials, observations, and presence.
Until Sunday 22 October | 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Emerging Artist Support Scheme Exhbition
The Gallery of Small Things has brought back its 4th Emerging Artist Support Scheme show, presenting the works of Alicia Cox (Ceramics workshop), Janet Jeffs (Painting Workshop) and Jonathon Zalakos (Gold & Silversmithing workshop) from the ANU School of Art + Design. The exhibition runs every day, giving visitors longer to enjoy it’s small space (it’s less than 6 metres square!).
Until Sunday 29 October | 27 Wade Street, Watson | More information here.
Kaleidoscope II
Following the success of the inaugural Kaleidoscope exhibition in 2022, Belco Arts has once again invited LGBTQI+ artists in Canberra and throughout Australia to create and share what being queer means to them. A celebration of wonderful uniqueness, the diversity of perspectives, lived experiences and shared ambitions, the hope from Belco Arts is to promote positive dialogue and revel in the richness the LGBTQI+ Collective brings into the lives of everyone.
Until Sunday 26 November | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Shiver
Shiver by Michelle Day is an immersive exhbition that see’s a culmination of abstract, and foreign organisms. Whimsical, unsettling and unique, Michelle’s work will remind you of the microscopic and hidden living worlds that surround and allude, and, in many cases live inside you.
Until Sunday 26 November | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Remnants
Remnants is a body of work that stems from the artists’ curiosity with family photos and heirlooms. Created by Isobel Kennedy (who was inspired by collecting, assembling and reflecting upon the personal effects of her Nonni and Bisnonni), the hope is to inspire the viewer to look at the connections they have with the past and to see them in a new light, before it might be too late.
Until Sunday 26 November | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
The Future Unfolds
Showcasing co-created artworks by Faith Kerehona and other artists/participants from all ages and stages of life, this will leave you thinking about the future and what it might look like. With QR codes exhibited with the artworks to allow visitors to listen to the voices of the collaborators and hear their story in their words, Faith invites the audience to continue the discussion – so you might learn from each other and learn from yourselves.
Until Sunday 26 November | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Zero Waste: Doing It Imperfectly
Since finding her first drawer on the street a few years ago, Nancy Lane has been contemplating different ‘drawer’ projects. In this exhibition, she uses drawers to symbolise global, systemic ‘boxed in’ thinking in relation to sustainability and climate change. Why? She hopes that these depictions of systemic complacency juxtaposed with personal commitment will inspire you to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.
Until Sunday 26 November | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Memphis Now
This co-curated show draws on the visually extravagant design movement that was derived by the Memphis Group (think: 1980s Italian architecture, furniture, poster art and glass). In this exhbition, you’ll find glass, print making and furniture by Judi Elliott, Drew Spangenberg, April Phillips, Kate Banazi, Ham Darroch and Gibson Karlo, all of whom have playful, geometric, and unashamedly bold works.
Until Sunday 17 December | 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Workshops, webinars and more
Care Structures Artist Panel
Care Structures’ brings together local, national and international artists working with expanded drawing practice. On its closing night, select artists from Care Structures will be joined in discussion, facilitated by Deirdre Cannon, Assistant Curator, Australian Art at the National Gallery. Spend some time nibbling on light refreshments will enjoying time with the artists, artworks and exhibition in it’s closing hours.
Sunday 22 October | 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Book here.
Sophie Matterson—The Crossing
Telling her epic story of adventure (that saw her crossing 4750km of terrain in 13 months), join Sophie Matterson in conversation with Dr. Jono Lineen as she describes how she set out to walk her five wild camels from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay. Surviving life-and-death situations while falling in love with the outback, head along to learn for yourself why Sophie is the recipient of the 2022 Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure Award.
Sunday 22 October | Muse, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston | Tickets here.
Markets
Little Burley Markets
Offering a diverse array of multicultural foods, much-loved beverages and brunchables, beautiful blooms, locally made art, fashion, photography and homewares, artisanal bread, delectable pastries, seafood, smoked charcuterie, truffles, meats, puppy treats, and much more, you’ll be able to find plenty of goodies at this bespoke lakeside market
8 am – 1 pm Saturday | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Haig Park Markets
Moments away from Lonsdale street’s boutiques and cafes, the Haig Park Village Markets will delight your senses with delicious cuisines, tasty treats, beautiful blooms, fresh produce, delectable charcuterie and artisan products. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a picnic whilst feasting your senses on the culinary delights on offer or to browse the fabulous local handmade design stalls.
8:30 am – 2 pm Sunday | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
With more than 100 stalls (including your old favourites), you’ll have the chance to shop for a brilliant variety of Australian-made, handcrafted and premium products. Sneak a walk around the foreshore while you’re down there.
9.30 am – 2.30 pm Sunday | Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta and pet treats.
8 am–11.30 am Sunday | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com
