Markets, live music, food, and more: 40 fun things to do this weekend
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Trying to decide what to do this weekend? Here’s a handy guide to 40 events that are happening around town.
Think: markets, live music, food events, and more!
Special Events and Festivals
Canberra Museum and Games
Nerds and geeks unite! It’s time to unleash your full potential at the Canberra Museum and Games night! Gamers of all ages are welcome this Friday 1 December, as Canberra Museum and Gallery turns into Canberra Museum and Games for a very special gaming extravaganza. Starting at 5 pm and ending at 9 pm, the whole family can head along for a night filled full of fun and excitement. And with ticket prices ranging from $5 to $7, did someone say ‘budget-friendly Friday night?’
Friday 1 December | Canberra Museum and Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | Book here.
Taylor Swift: 1989 Party
Your Wildest Dreams are coming true – a massive Taylor’s Version themed party to celebrate the re-release of the pop bible that defined a generation. Every song from 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – as well as your other Tay-Tay faves – will be played all night long, there will be Taylor themed badges, stickers and masks and more! Wear your best merch and get ready to Shake It Off.
Friday 1 December | The Baso Canberra, 2 Cohen Street, Belconnen | Book here.
TEDxCanberra Women 2023: Two steps forward
TEDxCanberra Women 2023 champions women forging ahead fearlessly into the future, turning ambitious visions into reality. The event showcases talks from the global TED Women event in Atlanta, USA, and features local Canberra leaders discussing the transformative potential of girls and women as creators and change catalysts. Dr. Nina Terrey, a social innovator, moderates a panel discussion. Speakers, whether crafting innovative equity models or breaking new ground, illuminate fresh, inspiring ideas that captivate and uplift the audience, fostering inspiration for all attendees.
Tuesday, 5 December, 5:30 pm – 7:45 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), McCoy Cct, Acton | events.humanitix.com/tedxcanberra-women-2023
Bridge to Bridge walk
The ACT Tibetan Community is organising a bridge to bridge walk to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration. The walk aims to symbolise unity, diversity, and the collective strength of communities coming together in promoting and protecting human rights.
Join this commemorative walk and stand alongside other like-minded organisations and communities.
Sunday 10 December, 10:30 am | Meet near Captain James Cook Memorial, Regatta Point
Little Oak Sanctuary 10th Anniversary Gala
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Little Oak Sanctuary gala promises an unforgettable evening of inspiration, laughter, and impact. Renowned comedian Dave Hughes will grace the stage to deliver his classic laconic wit, while local comedy talent Tom Gibson will serve as the evening’s charismatic MC. There will also be a silent auction (full of diverse and exclusive items from pamper-hampers to animal-friendly accessories) and attendees also stand a chance to win delightful door prizes. This gala directly contributes to Little Oak Sanctuary’s mission to provide sanctuary to farmed animals and foster a more compassionate world.
Friday 1 December | Albert Hall, Canberra | Book here.
Korea Day Festival
Celebrating the rich Korean culture, tradition, and the friendship of Korea and Australia, during this special event you can experience the vibrant colours and sounds of Korea. Expect K-Pop performances, K-Fashion experiences, K-Food tasting, K-Drama experiences and more! Make sure to dress in your best K-Pop star outfit.
Saturday 2 December | Glebe Park, Glebe Park, Canberra | More information here.
POP Sleighs
POP Canberra is turning five and to celebrate their birthday and the silly season, you’re invited to a party! There will be live music, free food and drinks, lucky door prizes and the opportunity to shop for Christmas pressies from over 250 local makers! Running from 11 am until 2 pm, see you there!
Saturday 2 December | POP Canberra, 27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | More information here.
Annual MRA ACT Toy Run
The Motorcycle Riders Association ACT is gathering for another year to hold their charitable Toy Run in support Salvation Army and St Johns Care. Gathering outside Old Parliament House Canberra and featuring a Mass Ride around Canberra led by the Australian Federal Police, participants are invited to donate toys, Christmas gifts, packaged food, and money!
Saturday 2 December | Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Emily Kam Kngwarray
Emily Kam Kngwarray celebrates the timeless art of a pre-eminent Australian artist, one of the world’s most significant contemporary painters to emerge in the 20th century. A senior Anmatyerre woman, Kngwarray’s devoted her final years to painting, creating works that encapsulate the experience and authority she gained throughout an extraordinary life. Showcasing an extensive range, this exhbition brings together her most important works.
Saturday 2 December until April 2024 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Filipino Christmas in Canberra
Ever wanted to experience a true Filipino Christmas? Now is your chance to find out because the Filipino Community Council is hosting a special event so you can revel in the holiday spirit, Filipino-style! You’ll be able to experience the warmth of Filipino culture, mouthwatering cuisine, entertainment, games, a raffle, and Christmas Carols! But wait – there’s myrrh! Our favourite presenter giver may also turn up!
Sunday 3 December | Philippine Embassy Grounds, 1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla | More information here.
Canberra SpringOUT Pride Festival
Canberra’s month-long pride festival is back with a bang! Celebrating our LGBTQIA+ community in all its fabulous diversity, this year there will be a diverse array of more than 40 events, ranging from workshops to exhibitions, tours, comedy shows, and more. From starting your day with the Big Gay Breakfast to celebrating at the ‘I should be so Kylie’ launch party with STUN Magazine, there’s something for everyone.
Until Sunday 3 December | Various locations | More information here.
Markets
Sly Fox Community Market
Get along to the enchanting Sly Fox Community Market and immerse yourself in a day of delight!
Experience a vibrant blend of music, arts, crafts, and a fantastic flea market, all accompanied by delectable food, drinks, and the finest coffee in town. Discover a treasure trove of vintage clothes and so much more! Bring along your friends and family to revel in the beauty of Canberra’s organic culture.
Saturday 2 December | 10 Bagot Street, O’Connor | More information here.
Christmas Market at Canberra Seniors Centre
Want to start December off right? The Canberra Senior Centre is going to have food, cakes, crafts and performances! To top it all off, there will also be a buffet-style meal for $20! Ho Ho Ho indeed!
Friday 1 December | 10 Watson Street, Turner | More information here.
Christmas Sparkle Market
Hosted by the beloved team behind the Pearce Crafters Market, this two-day Christmas themed market will be showing off some stunning work from some of the best crafters and artisans of the region. There will be something for everyone on your Christmas list. P.S, our jolly friend in red will be making his rounds on Sunday!
Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December | Pearce Community Centre, Collett Place, Pearce | More information here.
Alliance Française French Market
The exciting news is that you don’t need to hop on a plane to France because the Alliance Française French Market is back in Canberra on Saturday 2 December, promising to transport you to the heart of France without leaving the city. This annual event is a culinary and cultural extravaganza, boasting over 25 stalls that offer an array of French delicacies and fine products. Whether you’re a seasoned Francophile or just curious about French cuisine, this market is your one-stop shop for all things French.
Saturday 2 December | Alliance Française de Canberra, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner | More information here.
Haig Park Christmas Village Markets
Get excited – the Haig Park Village Markets are throwing their annual Christmas Market! Get into the festive spirit with a Festive Summer Drinks Garden (get it…?), live Christmas Carols, and plenty of Christmas-themed market stalls. This market will be love at frost sight!
Sunday 3 December | Haig Park, Braddon | More information here.
Super Christmas Sunday at Old Bus Depot
Did you know the Old Bus Depot Markets have a Christmas themed day? Sleigh, what! You heard that correctly, there will be all kinds of specialty items and many holiday-themed handcrafts on offer! See you there?
Sunday 3 December | Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston | More information here.
Capital Region Farmers Market
Fresh produce, flowers and the ready-to-eat food and coffee. What more could you need? The Capital Region Farmers Market has everything you need.
7 am – 11:30 am Saturday | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Old Well Station Road, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
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
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
Food and Wine
Christmas High Tea at Australian Parliament House
Festive high tea anyone? Celebrate Christmas at Queen’s Terrace Café with a selection of sweet and savoury treats inspired by Christmas classics – think trifle made with Parliament House honey vodka, and sticky Scottsdale ham. And with vegan and gluten free high tea options available, there’s something delicious for everyone.
Friday 1 until Sunday 31 December | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive | Book here.
Festive Afternoon Tea At The Park
Hungry for a fun afternoon? This is a delightful Christmas themed afternoon tea filled with festive treats, freshly baked scones and a selection of fine teas that capture the essence of the holiday season. It’s the perfect way to send out the silly season in style.
Friday 1 until Monday 25 December | The Tea Lounge, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book here.
Canberra Christmas Gin Festival
Gin-gle bells, gin-gle bells, gin-gle all the way to this Canberra Christmas Gin Festival. With 50 Aussie craft distillers to sip, sample and savour, you can meet the distillers and hear their stories, learn some tricks of the trade, get a mini masterclass in mixology and enjoy a Christmas themed lunch!
Saturday 2 December | University of Canberra, 11 Kirinari Street, UC Refectory, Building 1, Bruce | Book here.
Beerfest
Featuring over 350 unique and limited-edition beers, ciders, seltzers, wine, cocktails and local street eats, you don’t want to miss this. Located in Parkes (and complete with waterfront views), Beerfest is back again to bring a colossal line-up that includes the of best in food, drink, live music, comedy, masterclasses, tasting sessions, beer Olympics and more! You can bet the good times will be flowing…
Saturday 2 December | JDL Lawns Parkes ACT, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | Book here.
Festive Dining at The Park
Head along to the Promenade Café at the Hyatt Hotel to enjoy a gourmet meal whipped up by the executive chef. Think: festive share-style and buffet menus – perfect for intimate get togethers or a joyful team dinner to celebrate the silly season.
Sunday 2 until Monday 25 December | The Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book here.
Sport
Canberra Cavalry vs Perth Heat
Go and see Canberra’s local baseball team compete against the Perth Heat. Energetic and entertaining, every game showcases the best baseball has to offer with entertainment between innings, competitions and some of the best national and international players in the ABL. It’s perfect for the whole family!
Until Sunday 3 December | Narrabundah Ballpark, 3 Naupai Place, Narrabundah | Book here.
McDonald’s Stadium Golf at GIO Stadium
GIO Stadium is being transformed… into a golf coliseum. That’s right, you can tee off from elevated platforms and hit onto the field of play! Suitable for the novice or serious golfer, all equipment will be supplied and you can even visit the inner sanctum of the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies change rooms and play shots from the run-out tunnel. And with only 11 holes, it’s fast and fun.
Until Saturday 2 December | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | More information here.
Stage and Screen
A Stellar Lineup
The Stellar Company is back to bring you a stunning lineup of Canberra’s most engaging community dance companies to celebrate the power of inclusion. Their program features a range of artists of all ages, backgrounds and abilities from eight to 80 years!
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 December | Canberra College, 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | Book here.
Sunset Cinema
Returning just in time for the warm weather, the Sunset Cinema is back with with their signature movie mix of hot new releases, all-time classics and family favourites. Located at the stunning Australian National Botanic Gardens, grab yourself a bottomless popcorn bucket, and a choc-top and head to the Sunset Bar for a refreshing drink. Whether its date night, family night or catching up with your mates Sunset Cinema is this summer’s ‘must do’ experience!
Until Sunday 24 February 2024 | The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Book here.
Music
O Magnum Mysterium
Tis’ the season for beautiful music. Oriana’s final concert of 2023 delivers masterworks from two of the 20th century’s greatest composers: Frank Martin and Francis Poulenc. Alongside these we will also present music by the 16th century Italian composer Maddalena Casulana and Sydneysider Brooke Shelley. It’s an unmissable concert fit for the festive season!
Friday 1 December | Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Brad Cox at UC Hub
Australia’s beloved artist and songwriter, Brad Cox, is coming to Canberra! Expect a night filled with fan favourites, new and old, and of course, Brad having a yarn.
Friday 1 December | UC Hub, 1 Kirinari Street, Bruce | Book here.
Aces High: Live After Death Tour
Grab your tickets! This show will capture the fire and energy of Live after Death (one of the greatest live metal albums and DVDs of all time) of the mega World Slavery Tour. Taking you to Long Beach Arena, California to experience the show that created music history, don’t miss out.
Saturday 2 December | The Baso Canberra, 2 Cohen Street, Belconnen | Book here.
Grooving In The Grove: Meet The Brass!
Meet the Brass will delight families with a fun, interactive program designed for all ages to enjoy! At this community day at the Canberra Montessori School, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra musicians have created an ‘Explore the Orchestra program’, which is perfect for the little ones. They can play instruments of the orchestra at the petting zoo from 1:30 pm until 2 pm and then enjoy the concert!
Saturday 2 December | 35 Mulley Street, Holder | More information here.
Exhibitions
Behind The Lines 2023
Celebrating the best of the year’s political cartoons, Behind The Lines is back again to help us look back on 2023. This year, the exhibition theme is ‘All Fun and Games’, reflecting on a year when political party games were being played in parliament and featured in Australia’s daily news. Head along to see the witty, insightful and often poignant satirical drawings, paintings, GIFs and sculptures for yourself.
Museum Of Australian Democracy, 18 King George Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Canberra Potters 2023 Members’ Exhibition
Featuring ceramic works created over the past 12 months by Canberra Potters’ members, this exhibition is a celebration of some fantastic local works. From delicate porcelain vessels to bold, hand-built sculptures, and everything in between, you can explore the ever-evolving world of contemporary ceramics through the diverse displays that push the boundaries of pottery.
Until Sunday 3 December | 1 Aspinall Street, Watson | More information here.
Janet Thatcher: Animalium
Janet Thatcher’s artwork has brought her many great adventures – and this exhbition will take you on a journey. Sharing her appreciation of all things celestial mixed with a love of creatures great and small, in this exhbition her tactile pieces express the culmination of her life’s experiences and the natural world.
Until Sunday 17 December | Aarwun Gallery, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | More information here.
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.
Until early 2024 | Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | 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.
Until early 2024 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Through their Lens
Explore the year in news through Australia’s top photographers. The prestigious Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition showcases the talent and dedication of Australian photographers by focusing on excellent visual storytelling. Get ready to be taken on a journey through the world of news, sports, portraiture, and visual essays, where fleeting moments are transformed into unforgettable images that defined the year.
Until Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Civic Library, London Circuit, Civic Square, City | More information here.
Deep Inside My Heart
Featuring work by Louise Bourgeois, Nancy Spero, Ana Mendieta, Lynda Benglis, Kiki Smith, Bronwyn Oliver, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas and I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih, this exhbition brings together new acquisitions and key works from the national collection by major female artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Exploring representations of the figure across sculpture, drawing and related disciplines, the artist’s works refer to a key period of the 1980s when representations of the body were used to assert politics, gender and identity.
Until May 2024 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT, Parkes | More information here.
Focus: Australian government photographers
Focus: Australian government photographersbrings Australia’s government photographers out of the darkroom and into the spotlight.
Between 1939 and 1996, dozens of photographers were employed by government agencies to capture Australian life. This fascinating exhibition delves deep into the lives and work of these talented individuals who helped to preserve our rich visual heritage, including Harry Frauca, Max Dupain, Mervyn Bishop and many more. Focus invites visitors on a journey spanning six decades of Australian life.
Explore a diverse selection of work that includes intimate nature photography, striking architectural shots and images that capture everyday memories from Australia’s past. Step into our virtual darkroom and experience the magic of photography by watching pictures develop before your eyes. Experience the power of photography to shape perceptions, ignite conversation and preserve memories.
Showing until 10 June 2024 | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
