Calling all teens in Canberra: Here are 13 things to do during these school holidays!
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Guess what? Canberra’s only boring if you make it boring! Here are 13 fun things you can do in the upcoming holidays, alone, with friends, or with your family.
Make sure to get out of the house these holidays and meet like-minded people, whether you’re into music, business, pottery, dancing, or even trampoline parks!
Keen to explore Canberra at night as a teenager? Look no further.
Floriade’s NightFest is from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 October, and promises to be a super fun way to jump into the holidays!
Take part in lantern workshops and watch fiery street theatre shows, see Commonwealth Park light up, listen to live music and indulge in food and drinks. Put on your favourite neon outfit, grab some tickets and prepare for a fun-filled night.
Thursday 2 until Sunday 5 October, 6:30 pm–10:30 pm | Commonwealth Park, Canberra | floriadeaustralia.com
Find your inner KPop Demon Hunter!
Budding Entertainment presents a unique holiday workshop combining KPop culture with supernatural adventure for ages 9-14.
The KPop Demon Hunters Drama & Dance Workshop features themed drama games, improvisation inspired by the popular series, and KPop dance routines. Participants explore character development through performance while learning choreography in a supportive, creative environment.
The full-day program concludes with a presentation for parents, showcasing skills developed throughout the workshop. Regular price is $129 per student, with group discounts available for friends enrolling together. The workshop runs in Acton and includes all materials and activities for a complete theatrical experience.
Tuesday, 30 September, 9 am–5 pm | Acton, ACT | buddingentertainment.com
Dream of becoming an entrepreneur? Here’s your chance…
Maker2Market’s business taster experience could be the perfect way to start your holidays. Not only will you get to create a micro-business, logo and make your own handmade products, but you’ll also test them in a real-world market!
Skills needed to be an entrepreneur can be perfected during this unique three-day experience, such as catering your product towards your target audience, problem-solving, and learning how to be your best intellectual self. Then you get to test your products with real customers at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston and the Capital Food Markets in Belconnen.
Wednesday 8 and 9 October, 9:30 am–4 pm | University of Canberra, Bruce and Sunday 12 October, 9 am–2:30 pm | Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston | edii.com.au
Virtual Reality just got way more real!
The Great Kimberley Wilderness virtual reality experience is a 35-minute-long experience narrated by Luke Hemsworth.
During this special experience you’ll travel across coastlines, gorges, King George Falls, explore the sandstone domes of Purnululu National Park, even travel back in time to the Devonian Reef! Sounds like a big journey!
A perfect activity for weekends and open between 10:15am and 3:15pm in the Visions Theatre in the National Museum.
Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, hourly, 10:15 am–3:15 pm | Visions Theatre, National Museum | nma.gov.au
Rainy day chilling at home? Take a trip to the cinema instead!
Palace Electric is a large cinema located in NewActon, offering a wide range of film choices, comfortable seating, and a sophisticated atmosphere with plenty of food and drinks on offer.
If you feel like treating yourself to a modern, enjoyable movie experience, get along to watch The Conjuring: The Last Rites (MA15+), Jurassic World: Rebirth (M), and much, much more!
Daily, 9 am–10:30 pm | Palace Cinema, Canberra | palacecinemas.com.au
Calling all enthusiastic photographers!
Escape the lights of the city and see what’s really up in the sky at night in the Milky Way Workshop with internationally renowned photographer Ari Rex.
This workshop is perfect for aspiring photographers because it lasts around five hours on a private property in Gundaroo – one of the premier locations in Australia (and possibly the world) for astrophotography and stargazing!
Ari Rex will teach you a wide range of skills, such as lighting, different focuses, time lapses, optimal conditions for night photography in this immersive experience.
No worries if you don’t have a camera because you can hire a full Astro Camera Kit for $100!
Days and times vary | Gundaroo | arirex.com.au
In the mood for an adrenaline rush?
Challenge your problem-solving skills at Escape Rooms Canberra!
Imagine this: you’re stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and if you don’t infiltrate the Vault and shut down the nuclear launch in time, it’s already too late…
There are three rooms that you only need two players for, ranging in difficulties and there are also bigger rooms _ gather all your friends and family because the triple room booking accommodates 21 players!
“The Vault” is considered the easiest one, and even that sounds pretty nerve-wracking; you have one hour to complete the task and on average takes players 58 minutes to complete!
Every day, around 9 am–10:30 pm | 2/24 Dundas Ct, Phillip | escaperoomscanberra.com
Calling all vinyl lovers!
Come along to The Vinyl Lounge at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia to share your passion for music and vinyls.
You can bring along your favourite vinyl records, no matter the genre or decade, and listen to what the NFSA is spinning on the turntable at their monthly listening party!
Be sure to bring along your funniest music stories and make some great friends with similar interests. This is another great way to start the holiday, on the last Friday of school before the holidays at 5:30 pm!
Come along and share your love of music with like-minded people.
3 October or 7 November, 5:30 pm | NFSA, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Learn about different cultures at La Fiesta
If you like trying new things, food, dancing, and listening to music, this Latin American festival is a super fun way to express all of those and see how other cultures express themselves!
See the City light up and come alive with bands, DJs, dancers, street food, art and hands-on workshops.
Get along to share an unforgettable night trying new foods and learning about Latin American cultures with your friends and family.
25 October, 2 pm–10 pm | Latin American Plaza, Canberra | events.canberra.com.au
Aiming to have fun on a budget?
Gather your friends, pack some food and drinks and take a drive up to the National Arboretum for a cute picnic! There are designated picnic areas with BBQs, benches, tables and open lawns.
Spend an afternoon admiring the views of Canberra and even take a walk or bike ride on the trails which are suitable for all abilities. You can also explore their one-of-a-kind outdoor forest sculpture gallery.
Open from 7 am to 5:30 pm every single day, spend a (cost-free) day at the Arboretum!
Daily, 7 am–5:30 pm | Arboretum, Forest Dr | www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
Who’s to say you’re too old to go to a trampoline park?
I personally would have the time of my life if I got you to go to Flip Out Majura, even as a 17-year-old! You can spend up to two hours there and literally no one is stopping you because unless you’re under 24 months old, there are no age restrictions!
You can go alone or bring one or a few friends along with you, you can perfect your flips and tricks, go through obstacle courses, slides and play fun games with your friends.
Channel your inner child and let loose at Flip Out in these holidays!
Daily, around 9 am–8 pm | Flip Out, Majura | flipout.com.au
Calling anyone who’s always dreamed of trying out dance
If this sounds like you, you’re in luck! Canberra Dance Theatre is offering one-time dance classes these holidays, and you can go in and see if it’s your kind of thing.
You never know, you could be a natural dancer and discover your hidden talent! Get out of your comfort zone these holidays and get a new hobby.
Opening hours vary | Canberra Dance Theatre, Canberra | canberradancetheatre.org
More hobbies!
Speaking of acquiring a new hobby…
At Deep Blue Ceramics in Weston, you can also just have a fun one-off workshop but if you love it, you can join a term-long course! They have a really wide range of classes suited for all abilities and ages, have fun throwing pottery or decorating ceramics with friends, alone or with family!
Opening hours vary | Deep Blue Ceramics, Weston | classbento.com.au
