The Peninsula Markets, Craft + Design Open Studios, the Canberra Short Film Festival and more: 50+ ways to spend the week
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This week’s lineup is seriously impressive.
Canberrans can toast to compassion at Tuesday’s Nup to the Cup rooftop celebration, catch Harder & Harder at the NFSA, or laugh along with Kinky History Live’s cheeky educational tour at The Street Theatre.
The weekend brings ACT JAM’s BMX spectacular to Braddon and the Peninsula Markets, uniting AIATSIS and the National Museum for two days of stunning First Nations art. From Stanley Kubrick films on 35mm to Harry Enfield’s legendary comedy, there’s something brilliant happening every single day.
Don’t miss…
Nup to the Cup
This glam rooftop celebration offers compassion, community and sparkle as an alternative to traditional Melbourne Cup festivities. Hosted by ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury at Howling Moon rooftop bar, the event features fancy dress, live music and champagne without supporting horse racing. The celebration includes two fabulous musical sets, including nonbinarycode duo bringing fresh sounds and big energy. Your ticket includes entry to Canberra’s first-ever Nup to the Cup celebration, live entertainment and dancing, a free cocktail or mocktail on arrival, plus canapés and soft drinks. Put on in collaboration with Little Oak Sanctuary, this event demonstrates that people can dress up, celebrate and toast to life while reflecting values of kindness and care.
Tuesday 4 November, 2 pm – 5 pm | The Howling Moon, 150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | contact-act.greens.org.au
Peninsula Markets: Acton Together
Join AIATSIS and the National Museum for Peninsula Markets: Acton Together, an incredible weekend of art, design and community on Acton Peninsula. The Museum Market transforms the Gandel Atrium and Forecourt into a lively art and design space with fashion, jewellery, ceramics and homewares from local and regional makers and creators.
The AIATSIS lawns host the annual AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market, featuring a range of stalls with stunning First Nations art and products from around Australia. This collaborative event brings together two cultural institutions to celebrate creativity, community and Indigenous artistry across the peninsula in one spectacular location.Whether hunting for that perfect gift, supporting local makers or soaking up creative energy, this is the place to be. Free entry.
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au
2025 Craft + Design Canberra Open Studios + Arts Organisations Open Day Program
Step inside the studios of Canberra’s makers during the first two weekends of November and discover the creative practices of local craftspeople, designers, artists, and arts organisations. Proudly supported by home.byholly.Open Studios invites you to explore the spaces where creativity happens. Artists, designers, and arts organisations from across the Canberra region will open their studios to the public, offering a chance to find favourite pieces and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at their creative processes.
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, 10 am -4 pm | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Canberra SpringOUT Pride Festival
Canberra’s annual pride festival returns throughout November, celebrating the capital’s LGBTQIA+ community with a month-long program of events. The festivities kick off with SpringOUT Fair Day at Glebe Park on 1 November, followed by highlights including the Famous Pink Tennis Bush Dance, Pride Sports Festival featuring rugby and grid iron matches, Qwire’s annual concert, and the Pride Run with Canberra Frontrunners. The program spans theatre, dance, exhibitions, guided walks, workshops and the Big Gay Breakfast with Fuse Magazine. With free and low-cost events throughout the month, SpringOUT showcases the diversity and vibrancy of Canberra’s most LGBTQIA+ friendly community.
Until Sunday, 30 November | Various venues across Canberra | springout.com.au
Special Events and Festivals
Bonsai Reshaped
Discover, celebrate and be inspired at Bonsai Reshaped 2025 featuring four internationally recognised female artists: Caroline Scott, Heike van Gunst, Marcela Ferreira and Sandra Grlica. Each professional artist shares expertise, influences and enthusiasm through workshops and live demonstrations, carrying the legacy of bonsai masters while exploring the art form’s boundaries. Enjoy ‘The Art of Bonsai’ evening with engaging live demonstrations, canapes, live music and curated auctions. Get started at beginner workshops or advance skills at intermediate workshops. Browse the Bonsai Market for hand-made pots, tools, equipment and stock trees. Bookings essential for events. Made possible by the Bonsai Trust Fund.
Wednesday 5 until Sunday 9 November | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
Canberra Innovation Network Showcase: Innovation to Action
The 2025 Canberra Innovation Network Showcase brings together an afternoon of panels, pitches and networking highlighting remarkable people, projects, tech and industries making up Canberra’s innovation ecosystem. Across five panels, hear different perspectives and stories highlighting the Clever, Connective, Creative city that Canberra is. The Female Founder panel features a Fireside Chat with Megan Gilmour, CEO and Founder of Missing School and 2025 ACT Australian of the Year, alongside Hala Batainah, CEO, Founder, Entrepreneur and Chair of the Canberra Innovation Network. The showcase celebrates achievements from 2025 and looks forward to 2026.
Wednesday, 5 November, 3 pm-6.30 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | eventbrite.com.au
COME ALIVE 25
COME ALIVE is a festival of museum theatre featuring performances from school students across Canberra.
For the first time, COME ALIVE will be presented in a fully equipped state-of-the-art theatre, The Joe Woodward Theatre at Daramalan College. Its success is a testimony to the drive and vision of Artistic Director, Peter Wilkins.
Schools are encouraged to lift expectations of their students to really feel the necessity of theatre as part of the cultural landscape in this country. COME ALIVE demands that art be an organic and authentic reflection of significant historical and cultural artifacts, events, happenings and experience as documented and exposed in our national institutions.
Wednesday, 5 to Friday, 7 November | Joe Woodward Theatre, Daramalan Theatre, Dickson | events.humanitix.com/come-alive-25
Women’s Only Sexy Trivia
The Salon CBR presents Sexy Trivia, a women-only night of laughter, luxury and mischief. Between cheeky trivia rounds, guests try body painting on topless waiters, sample spicy book genres and vote for the hottest read to win. The event features a live half-time show, luxe goodie bags and curated showcase of pleasure products. Far from ordinary trivia, this smart, sexy and unforgettable night offers a unique entertainment experience. Tickets $99 include all activities and refreshments. The evening combines trivia competition with adult-themed entertainment in an exclusive women-only atmosphere, creating memorable entertainment experience beyond traditional quiz nights.
Thursday, 6 November, 6.30 pm-9 pm | Blue Eyes, Canberra City | eventbrite.com
ACT JAM 2025
The biggest freestyle BMX event in the southern hemisphere returns for three days of epic BMX in the nation’s capital. Braddon’s Elouera Street transforms into a street-style BMX park outside BentSpoke BrewPub and Blackfire Restaurant. The city comes alive with high-air, best trick and long jump competitions featuring some of the most dialled riders in the game. This family-friendly event offers festival atmosphere perfect for spectators of all ages. Sunday shifts to Hillfire jumps at UC Canberra Stromlo Forest Park where riders hit the dirt at one of Australia’s best freestyle jump parks. Expect big lines, big sends and world-class tricks.
Friday 7 until Sunday 9 November | Elouera Street, Braddon | backbonebmx.com
Jumptown Swing Social Night
Polish White Eagle Club hosts Jumptown Swing Social Night with details to be announced. Jumptown Swing brings swing dancing and social dance events to Canberra, creating welcoming environments for dancers of all levels. The social night provides opportunities to practice swing dance moves, meet fellow dancers and enjoy live or recorded swing music in a relaxed atmosphere. The Polish White Eagle Club venue offers space for social dancing and community connection. The event continues Jumptown Swing’s tradition of fostering Canberra’s swing dance community through regular social dance gatherings and welcoming new dancers to the scene.
Friday, 7 November | Polish White Eagle Club, 38 David Street, Turner | jumptown.org
Scale ACT 25: Australia’s friendliest scale modelling show
The ACT Scale Modelers’ Society holds a two-day scale modelling event at Thoroughbred Park. See model displays, one of Australia’s largest model competitions, a swap and sell, modelling goods and books for sale, and expert how-to workshops presented by some of Australia’s best and renowned international modellers. The competition is open to all modellers regardless of interests or skills. Build activities for kids, onsite catering and various displays make this a fun family day out and opportunity to see talented modellers from across Australia. Tickets buy weekend access, so return if you miss anything first time around.
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November | Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham | actsms.asn.au
The Healing Garden Opening
‘The Healing Garden’ in Waramanga opens as part of Open Gardens Canberra’s spring program. This private garden focuses on plants and design elements that promote wellbeing and relaxation. Visitors can explore how gardens create therapeutic outdoor environments through thoughtful plant selection and layout. The weekend opening allows time to appreciate the garden’s calming qualities and discuss techniques with other visitors. Non-member entry is $10, while $30 annual membership provides access to all ten participating gardens. The program supports community grants and horticultural education through entry fees.
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, 10 am–4 pm | The Healing Garden, Badimara Street, Waramanga | opengardenscanberra.org.au
Food and Wine
Jazz on the Rocks
Every Tuesday, Molly becomes the heartbeat of Canberra’s jazz scene with live performances featuring the city’s most talented local musicians. These intimate evenings pair smooth, custom-made sounds with favourite tipples, creating the perfect atmosphere for jazz enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.
Whether you’re seeking a sophisticated mid-week escape or simply love the authentic atmosphere that live jazz creates, these Tuesday night sessions offer exactly the kind of genuine musical experience that reflects Canberra’s thriving arts culture. The intimate setting ensures every performance feels personal and immediate.
Tuesdays until 29 December 2026 | Molly, Odgers Lane, City | molly.bar
Havana Nights
Highball transforms Wednesday nights into a sultry Latin celebration that proves the weekend doesn’t have to wait until Friday. Live Latin beats fill the air while luxe cocktail specials flow freely, creating the kind of midweek energy that turns an ordinary evening into something special.
The lineup changes weekly, ensuring each visit offers fresh musical discoveries, while the free entry removes any barriers to joining the fun. Whether you’re dancing the night away or lounging with friends over expertly crafted cocktails, these Havana-inspired evenings offer Canberrans a taste of sultry sophistication in the middle of the work week. The sparkling atmosphere and guaranteed good times make every Wednesday feel like a celebration.
Wednesdays, until 24 December | Highball, 77 London Circuit, Canberra | highball.bar
Bottomless is back at Leyla
Leyla Bar is going bottomless this November and December.
From 3.30 pm, you can enjoy two hours of free-flowing Aperol Spritz, their signature Leyla Spritz, zesty Limoncello Spritz, Rosé and Prosecco – paired with delicious food to share. What better place to spend a Saturday than at a rooftop bar!?
Every Saturday afternoon in November and December | Leyla Bar, Burbury Close, Barton | leylabar.com.au
Markets
Jewel of Canberra
Jewel of Canberra is like stepping inside a giant jewellery box with exquisite works from the region’s best jewellery designers and artists. Browse many jewellery stalls finding unique handcrafted pieces not found in major stores. The market offers a good range of styles, price points and individual pieces from independent jewellery designers and craftspeople. Discover pieces made from silver, gold, pearls, recycled metal art, precious and semi-precious stones, glass, resin and ceramics. Find earrings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, pendants, cufflinks, brooches, rings and more from talented local makers and designers.
Saturday, 9 November | The Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Capital Region Farmers Market
Sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra. Speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.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, pet treats and more.
Sunday 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra
Haig Park Village Markets
Browse delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities. It’s the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Stage and Screen
Irish Film Festival
The Irish Film Festival brings Irish cinema to Palace Electric with four days of screenings. The program opens with comedy Fran the Man, with an opening night party featuring music and celebration. The festival showcases Irish storytelling across multiple genres, from laugh-out-loud comedies and heartfelt family dramas to gripping psychological thrillers, award-winning documentaries and intimate portraits of musicians, artists and political changemakers. The program captures contemporary Irish filmmaking with works that explore culture, history, politics and community. Attendees can make a weekend of cinema or catch individual screenings across the four-day program.
Until Monday, 3 November | Palace Electric Canberra | irishfilmfestival.com.au
Russell Hobbs British Film Festival
Join Palace Cinemas in celebration of British storytelling and cinematic brilliance. Experience the best of UK cinema at the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival. The festival showcases contemporary British cinema, bringing the finest British films to Australian audiences. Palace Electric Cinemas hosts this annual celebration of British filmmaking, featuring a curated selection of new releases, independent films and acclaimed productions from across the United Kingdom. The festival provides Canberra audiences with opportunities to experience British cinema on the big screen, celebrating the rich tradition and contemporary innovation of UK filmmaking.
Wednesday 5 November until Sunday 7 December | Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra | britishfilmfestival.com.au
Canberra Short Film Festival
Canberra’s longest-running film event celebrates 30 years of showcasing powerful short films and bold new voices. Festival director John Frohlich says this anniversary year celebrates both community and creativity. CSFF has been a launchpad for incredible filmmakers, a place where Canberra audiences connect with stories from across the globe. The program features trademark specialty screenings including First Nations storytelling, LGBTQIA+ perspectives, comedy and horror showcases, and local Canberra talent. Venues across the city include Dendy Cinemas, Smiths Alternative, PhotoAccess, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and ANU Film Group. The festival includes Gala Night and Awards presentation with Closing Party.
Wednesday 5 until Sunday 16 November | Multiple venues across Canberra | csff.com.au
Q&A Screenings at the NFSA
The NFSA presents two special Q&A screenings celebrating Australian stories. Enjoy Harder & Harder (2025), taking audiences inside “The Most Australian Band Ever” the Hard-Ons’ comeback. Three years after their breakup, the band returns as “yesterday’s heroes” to a transformed music industry. Despite challenges, their dedication to music endures. Screening followed by Q&A with director Jonathan J Sequeira.
Wednesday 6 November, 7 pm-9 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Cinema & Sips at Verity Lane Market
Lights, camera, food! Free movie screening every first Thursday of the month at Verity Lane Market. Each month features a new fan-favourite film, plus delicious eats from Verity Lane Market vendors, fresh buttered popcorn and candy with themed cocktails from the in-venue bar, and cosy community vibe. Grab dinner from Market Hall, head up to Louie Louie and bring mates to watch fantastic feature films. Bookings available but walk-ins welcome. Follow their socials for updates on each month’s featured film. The monthly event combines cinema with dining in a relaxed marketplace atmosphere.
Wednesday, 6 November, 6.30 pm-10 pm | Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra | veritylanemarket.com.au
The Nutcracker Canberra
Ballet’s most iconic story The Nutcracker returns this Christmas. Journey to the Land of Sweets and indulge in the spirit of Christmas tradition. After a sell-out 2024 season, BIG Live returns with an extended season. Witness BIG Live’s world-class dancers from around the globe perform ballet’s greatest Christmas show. Be mesmerised by breathtaking snowflakes and the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy performing with dazzling costumes and exquisite sets. Every moment captivates family imagination. Fill hearts with Christmas spirit with BIG Live’s iconic production. Presented by BIG Live in association with United Airlines.
Thursday 6 until Friday 7 November | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | bigliveco.com
Kinky History Live: The Eggplant Tour
Award-winning writer, creative and sex historian Dr Esmé Louise James, creator of Kinky History with over 3 million social media followers, delivers education with frivolity to the masses. Kinky History has spawned a globally best-selling book and chart-topping podcast series. Now The Eggplant Tour, Esmé’s debut live tour, brings her phenomenal insights around Australia. With best-selling book, chart-topping podcast series, Esmé’s live show experience will be a night to remember. Recommended for ages 16+. Contains sexual references and nudity. Dr Esmé Louise James supported by Evana De Lune.
Friday, 8 November, 8 pm-10.20 pm | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra | thestreet.org.au
Stanley Kubrick Spotlight at the NFSA
The NFSA’s Stanley Kubrick Spotlight presents three of the director’s most celebrated works in Arc Cinema. See A Clockwork Orange (1971) on 35mm—Malcolm McDowell’s sadistic gang leader endures state-enforced rehabilitation set to Rossini and Beethoven. Barry Lyndon (1975) screens on 35mm—a visually sumptuous 18th-century epic following a poor Irishman’s rise and fall, lauded for beauty, humour and social commentary. Experience 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in stunning DCP—Kubrick’s groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece with meticulous scientific vision and pioneering special effects. Films available individually or as a three-film pass.
Saturday 8 November | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Harry Enfield
Come for a rare and entertaining evening with legendary satirical comedian and self-styled “stupid idiot” Harry Enfield. From the meteoric rise of Loadsamoney, a Thatcherite visionary, to the fury of Kevin the Teenager, Harry reflects on 40 years of arsing about in comedy and brings favourite characters vividly back to life on stage. Then it’s over to your questions: your chance to ask how it all works, what he’s most proud of, and what he says to those who ask “You wouldn’t be allowed to do your stuff today, would you?” An unforgettable evening with a brilliantly silly and strikingly insightful comedian.
Sunday, 10 November, 7.30pm-9.30pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Spring Film Series at the NFSA
Arc Cinema at the NFSA presents a rich and adventurous film season celebrating cinema’s brightest, darkest, and most unforgettable moments. From lovable heroes and iconic villains to glamorous stars and heartwarming stories, this program offers big-screen moments for everyone with striking cinematography and compelling narratives.
Until Sunday 30 November | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Music
The Classical Trinity: Sonata, Rhapsody, Polonaise
The Wesley Lunchtime concert series presents much-loved Canberra pianist Robert Schmidli in a glorious program consisting of Mozart’s Sonata no. 13 in B flat major k333, Brahms’ Rhapsody Op 79 no. 1 in B minor and Chopin’s Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise Brilliante Op 22. The lunchtime recital provides an accessible midweek cultural experience showcasing classical piano repertoire from three great composers. The 40-minute program offers a concentrated dose of masterworks spanning the Classical and Romantic periods. Cost $15 including program and refreshments with additional donations welcome. Pre-bookings available.
Wednesday, 5 November, 12.40 pm – 1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | wesleymusiccanberra.org
Cottis conducts the planets
Jessica Cottis conducts Gustav Holst’s The Planets, an expansive, spine-tingling musical suite inspired by stars, celestial spheres and cosmos. Composed in the shadow of the Great War, The Planets inspired cinema’s greatest composers including John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Holst personifies celestial spheres, drawing on cosmic archetypes of astrology and Greek mythology, from Mars and Venus through Neptune. Benjamin de Murashkin’s LOGOS is a musical Big Bang beginning with breath and building to dramatic orchestral climax. Josef Strauss’s Music of the Spheres responds to musica universalis: the philosophical idea that stars and planets make music as they move across heavens.
Wednesday 5 until Thursday 6 November, 7.30 pm | Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music | cso.org.au
Mandeng Groove
Co-created by Guinean-Australian multi-instrumentalist Amadou Kalissa and Melbourne producer and guitarist Kyle Muir, Mandeng Groove’s live show centres around the music of the kora, traditional harp of the Manding people from West Africa. Blending traditional repertoire with jazz, soul, funk and all places groove, Mandeng Groove brings a musical gift from Conakry to Canberra. Their debut album ‘Conakry’ was recorded in a family-run home studio in Guinea with local musicians. From upbeat drum-driven songs to poetic and spiritual sonic love letters, the album captures Manding music’s beauty while adding contemporary instrumentation and production.
Friday, 7 November, 9.30 pm – 11.30 pm | Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Melbourne Building, Canberra | smithsalternative.com
Leigh Barker Band
Virtuoso string bassist, bandleader, composer and arranger Leigh Barker, based in France since 2016, tours premier jazz venues of east coast Australia promoting new album Cross Street. Before departing Australia, Barker sustained busy international schedule including Sydney Opera House, Jazz at Lincoln Center and global tours. In France and Europe since 2016, he has accompanied many greats of traditional and mainstream jazz. The new album reunites Leigh with regular Melbourne-based bandmates. Vocalist and violinist Heather Stewart anchors these musical comrades with moving and swinging voice, while the orchestra traverses rich palette of rhythm, melody and improvisation.
Saturday, 8 November, 7 pm | Smiths Alternative Bookshop, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra | smithsalternative.com
Brunchercize 80s Dance Party
Brunchercize, the dance you do in the brunch hour, comes to Canberra with an 80s dance party. A relaxed chance to enjoy dance-play exploring dance themes, genres or styles. Each class includes warmup and cool down, with signature moves of that dance genre incorporated into a little routine. November celebrates spring with an 80s dance party. Whitney, Madonna, New Order, Prince, Wham and more are on the cassette playlist. Prize for best 80s-inspired dress. Pop on ra-ra skirt, crimp that fringe, grab friends and party like it’s 1989. Wear comfortable clothes, bring drink bottle and towel. Lucky door prize included.
Sunday, 9 November, 12 pm – 1.20 pm | Canberra Dance Theatre, Canberra | events.humanitix.com
The Mavens
The Mavens return after their sold-out season at The Courtyard Theatre and appearance on FM106.3. Be surprised and delighted by 60 minutes of songs all made up on the spot. Inspired by your offers, you won’t believe what they can turn into music, even the suspicious shape of the Belconnen Owl. The Mavens create fully improvised musical theatre, transforming audience suggestions into complete songs with melodies, lyrics and harmonies in the moment. This unique performance demonstrates the creativity and quick thinking of improvised music-making. Each show is entirely different based on audience contributions, making every performance a one-off experience.
Sunday, 9 November, 4 pm – 5 pm | Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra | smithsalternative.com
Workshops
Celebrating A Year of Junk Journaling with Martina Calvi
Join Scrap Society’s biggest event celebrating Martina Calvi’s new book A Year of Junk Journaling. Every ticket includes a copy of Martina’s book valued at $32.99. The event features Q&A with Martina, book signing and journaling session. Scrap Society provides their biggest range of scrapbooking and collaging supplies yet, including goodies from Martina’s Tiny Store, Stash World, In Perfect Pieces by Bri, EmCaba Creates, Kayla Carr, custom postcard, paper, stickers and more. Photobooth captures memories for journals. Shop Martina’s Tiny Store pop-up. Food and drinks included. Bring your own materials or purchase journal with ticket. Personalised goodies for each ticketholder.
Sunday, 9 November, 1 pm-4 pm | Ainslie Arts Centre, 30 Elouera Street, Braddon | scrapsociety.com.au
Talks and Programs
Book launch: The Shortest History of Australia
Mark McKenna sits down with Frank Bongiorno to discuss Mark’s new book at the National Library. In The Shortest History of Australia, Mark McKenna offers a compelling new version of the national story. This is a modern Australia permeated by First Nations history; a multicultural society with an island mindset; a continent of epic beauty and extreme natural events; a country obsessed by war abroad but blind to its founding war at home; and a thriving nation-state still to realise its political independence. McKenna’s wise and humane history reveals the surprising in the familiar and reframes the past. Entry free but bookings essential.
Tuesday, 5 November, 6 pm-8 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Exhibitions
2025 Canberra Contemporary Members Show
The Canberra Contemporary Members Show is a much-loved exhibition that brings together artists from across the ACT and surrounding regions. Celebrating the diversity of contemporary practice – from painting and sculpture to photography, textiles, digital media and more – the exhibition offers a vibrant snapshot of current ideas, trends, and voices in Australian art.
A joyful celebration of creativity and connection, the Members Show also plays a vital role in fostering dialogue, building relationships, and championing the artists who shape our cultural landscape.
Friday 7 to Sunday 16 November | Platform, Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Inferno by Mikaela Stafford at the NFSA
Preview the immersive installation by internationally recognised Australian artist Mikaela Stafford before it opens to the public. This free audiovisual experience blends monumental 3D motion graphics, kinetic sculpture and dynamic lighting with a powerful soundscape by composer Kate Durman.
The sci-fi-infused world explores identity, memory and matter through a hyperreal journey anchored by a large-scale resin sculpture emerging from a 12-metre digital screen.
Until Sunday 16 November | NFSA Gallery & Courtyard, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
The Poetry of Things
Suki & Hugh Gallery presents the first formal collaboration between world-renowned Australian glass artists Kirstie Rea and Annette Blair. The exhibition reflects on quiet beauty found in everyday objects, drawing inspiration from the domestic and utilitarian. Peaches, tin cans, cloths and brushes are translated into lustrous glass still lifes that are at once familiar and transformed.
The works carry subtle tension between fragility and permanence, delicacy and weight, embodying both endurance and ephemerality of use. Rea explores interplay between light, memory and landscape through kiln-formed glass, whilst Blair celebrates material’s expressive potential through colour, form and hand-making intimacy.
Their practices interweave to create an installation of quiet resonance, inviting considered observation and celebrating the enduring connection between people and objects of daily life.
Saturday, 15 November to Saturday, 13 December | Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore | sukihugh.com.au
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
Celebrating 100 years of Mount Stromlo Observatory, this interactive exhibition highlights groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and the vibrant community of scientists and families behind them. Features immersive installations, historical objects, and interactive activities perfect for all ages.
Until Sunday 16 November | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
40 x 40 Anniversary Exhibition and Auction
M16 Artspace celebrates its 40th anniversary with a fundraiser exhibition featuring 40 artworks by M16 studio artists and selected alumni. The exhibition showcases the breadth of artistic practice within the Griffith studio complex, with works available for purchase. A percentage of all sales supports M16’s artistic programs, ensuring continued support for local artists and accessible opportunities for emerging Canberra creatives. The anniversary exhibition demonstrates four decades of M16’s contribution to the local arts community while raising funds for future programs. The three-week exhibition provides time to view the diverse range of works on display.
Until Sunday, 23 November | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Gorgeous
Hands On Studio presents Gorgeous, a fashion exhibition exploring garments as living, expressive language that is unruly, intimate and always in motion. The exhibition features upcycled couture and experimental pieces that present fashion as ongoing process rather than finished product. Each work invites consideration of how clothing communicates and transforms. The exhibition showcases creative approaches to fashion that challenge conventional ideas about wearable art. Hands On Studio’s practice emphasises fashion as a medium for artistic expression and social commentary. The three-week exhibition at M16 Artspace presents unexpected approaches to garment-making and sustainable fashion practices.
Until Sunday, 23 November | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
On the Map
StudioMAP presents a group exhibition showcasing young art students’ visual accomplishments in painting, illustration and drawing. The exhibition displays individual works as a kaleidoscope of student achievement, demonstrating the range of skills and creative approaches developed through the studioMAP program. The collection highlights emerging talent and provides young artists with exhibition experience in a professional gallery setting. The three-week showing at M16 Artspace gives students the opportunity to present their work to the wider Canberra arts community. The exhibition celebrates the development of young artists working across traditional and contemporary visual arts practices.
Until Sunday, 23 November | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Kaleidoscope IV
This open exhibition allows LGBTQIA+ artists across Canberra and Australia to express their experiences of queerness, sexuality, gender and unique individuality through art. The exhibition celebrates the community’s diversity beyond six colours, showcasing unique perspectives on what it means to be part of the rainbow community. Diversity and inclusion form the exhibition’s essence, connecting viewers and provoking dialogue through artistic expression. All selected works are eligible for the $500 People’s Choice Award. The exhibition celebrates uniqueness, diverse perspectives, lived experiences and shared ambitions within the LGBTQIA+ community while fostering positive dialogue and embracing the richness this community brings to broader society through creative expression and authentic storytelling.
Until Sunday 30 November | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Behind the View
This exhibition brings together Cassandra’s personal landscape experiences in Canberra and surrounding NSW with her inner world as an artist. The paintings reconstruct natural landscapes, inviting audiences to consider how they view their surrounding world. Rather than pursuing particular aesthetics, the artist allows inspiration sources and personal expression to dictate direction. She describes this body of work as evolutionary within her creative practice and an exciting breakthrough into abstract expressionism. Large-scale paintings make colour the hero, immersing senses and sparking dialogue about natural world wonder. The paintings feature interesting gestural marks and bold textures designed to draw viewers closer for detailed examination of the artist’s expressive techniques.
Until Sunday 30 November | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Millinery – A Fine Art
This exhibition establishes millinery as fine art through a visual feast of wearable pieces that also function as room adornments. The display showcases the craftsmanship, creativity and artistic vision required to create exceptional millinery pieces. Visitors discover how traditional hat-making techniques transform into contemporary artistic expression. The exhibition challenges conventional boundaries between fashion, craft and fine art by presenting millinery as legitimate artistic medium. Each piece demonstrates the maker’s skill while serving dual purposes as both wearable accessory and artistic statement. This celebration of millinery artistry highlights the intersection of function and beauty in handcrafted objects, elevating hat-making to its rightful place as fine art through skilled craftsmanship and creative vision.
Until Sunday 30 November | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Masked Memory by Rosalind Lemoh
Canberra Contemporary presents new works by NSW-based Sierra Leonean-born artist Rosalind Lemoh focusing on personal cultural objects from her family home. The exhibition reflects on her connection to Mende and Themne cultures from West Africa, bringing the African diaspora in Australia into focus. Lemoh threads together ideas of arrival, cultural masking, shifting senses of place and the blending of myth, fact and fiction through family storytelling.
Spanning sculpture and photography, the works continue her practice of using memorial and remembering to understand present and future identities. This thought-provoking exhibition explores fragility, power and gender through sculptural assemblage influenced by Arte Povera and Confessional Art.
Until 24 January 2026 | Canberra Contemporary | canberracontemporary.com.au
Australia’s Home Front: 1939-1945
Explore everyday Australians’ vital role during WWII on the home front, from “make do and mend” to war bonds and women’s auxiliary work. Features unique objects and stories from Canberra and beyond, including the city’s surprising Manhattan Project connection. Presents resilience, innovation, and quiet heroism of those who supported the war effort, marking 80 years since the conflict’s end.
Until 1 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Questacon Presents: ZAP! CLANK! POW!
Featuring a new take on some old favourites from the past three decades, this exhibition might have been designed with little scientists in mind, but trust us when we say everyone will enjoy a visit to ZAP! CLANK! POW! at Questacon.
Featuring 17 highly interactive exhibits, you’ll get hands-on as you explore the exciting world of electricity, machines, and motion. And with a comic book theme running throughout, it will keep all ages entertained.
Until Sunday 1 February 2026 | Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
1975: Living in the Seventies
Step back 50 years and immerse yourself in the unforgettable year that was 1975! The National Library of Australia’s fascinating new exhibition explores what it was truly like to live in the seventies, from the dramatic political upheaval of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal to the cultural phenomena that defined the decade.
Discover iconic fashion like flared jeans and platform shoes, relive the magic of Countdown’s glam rockers Skyhooks and ABBA’s infectious pop, and explore groundbreaking Australian films like Picnic at Hanging Rock. This colourful celebration brings together objects exploring politics, conflicts, popular culture, food, fashion, and sport in iconic seventies design, revealing a complex story beyond Baby Boomer nostalgia.
Until Monday 9 March 2026 | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra | library.gov.au
Taglietti: Life in Design
Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019), a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti’s birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia’s most original architects.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
50 Years on the Beat: The Legacy of Constable Kenny Koala
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Constable Kenny Koala, the AFP Museum presents a major temporary exhibition honouring the iconic community policing mascot held at the National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point.
Known for educating children about safety since 1975, Kenny Koala is beloved by generations of Canberrans. This exhibition captures his origins, evolution, and ongoing impact on public trust and community engagement. Visitors will experience five decades of memorabilia, puppets, costumes, media, and interactive learning tools that showcase the enduring values of kindness, education, and public service.
Until Wednesday 18 March 2026 | National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point | nca.gov.au
In Bloom
In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, you will discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The show is a weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that includes much-loved and lesser-known works from the collection. See socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, doctors and politicians who are all unified by their accompanying floral markers.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Gurindji Freedom Banners
A powerful new exhibition commemorating the pivotal 1966 Wave Hill Walk-off opens at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Gurindji Freedom Banners: Mumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla–From the darkness into the light unites all ten hand-painted banners for the first time in years, telling the story of when Gurindji and neighbouring peoples, led by Vincent Lingiari AM, walked off Wave Hill Station on 23 August 1966.
Their demands for fair working conditions and return of traditional lands sparked landmark change, leading to the first handback of Aboriginal land in 1975 and paving the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. The textile banners were created in 2000 by 35 Gurindji people, many walk-off participants, with one recently recreated after going missing.
Now showing until late 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au
Reflection: 50 Years of the Australian Honours System
Discover the remarkable story of Australia’s honours system through a fascinating exhibition at the Royal Australian Mint. “Reflection” celebrates five decades of recognizing extraordinary Australians, featuring original medal sketches by Stuart Devlin, finished medals, and commemorative coins from the National Coin Collection.
Explore the journey from design concept to final recognition, including the 2003 Volunteers Fine Silver Proof Set, Afghanistan Medal displays, and stunning wattle-themed collectibles. This free exhibition honors over 500,000 Australians who have contributed to our nation’s spirit.
Now open | Royal Australian Mint, Deakin | Free entry | ramint.gov.au
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay showcases two of Australia’s leading fashion designers: Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, in conversation with international, multidisciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979).
The iconic and vibrant early designs of Kee and Jackson from the 1970s and early 1980s were directly inspired by the dynamic legacy of Delaunay, who was a member of the School of Paris and co-founder of Orphism, an art movement noted for its use of intense colours and abstract, geometric forms. As well as working in traditional mediums such as painting and printmaking, Delaunay’s practice also included textile, fashion, and theatre design.
For Jackson and Kee, who were beginning their shared journey in creating clothes as works of art, the discovery of Delaunay was revolutionary. This powerful display feature a rarely-seen collection of Kee and Jackson’s garments from their archives and are shown with the National Gallery’s collection of Delaunay’s prints, drawings, textiles and costumes.
Showing now | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
