The Undercurrent Design Market, Korea Day, and 70+ other events happening this week in Canberra
Posted on
Is this the biggest week in Canberra’s November calendar? We think so.
This week is overflowing with 70+ events, with something for the whole family. From the Undercurrent Design Market to Korea Day to the opening of the Sunset Cinema, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Read on and start planning for your busy week ahead.
Don’t miss…
The Almighty Sometimes
Anna was diagnosed with severe mental illness as a child and prescribed a cocktail of pills. As she reaches adolescence, she wonders what life might be like without them. More fulfilling, exciting, real? But moving past being medicated is no mean feat, with her mother compelled to intervene, threatening the fragile balance they’ve both fought to maintain. Winner of the Judges’ Award in the prestigious Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting and the NSW and Victorian Premier’s Prizes for Drama, Kendall Feaver’s captivating play is a profound study of a young woman discovering where her illness ends and identity begins, echoing conversations across the country.
Wednesday 19 until Saturday 22 November | The Q, Queanbeyan, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Undercurrent Design Market
Undercurrent Design Market brings together over 70 accomplished makers from across Australia, showcasing contemporary work in jewellery, glass, ceramics, textiles and diverse creative mediums. Visitors discover unique, handcrafted pieces while engaging directly with the artists who create them. The market provides an opportunity to explore Australian contemporary craft and design, meet makers and purchase original works. The event highlights the breadth of contemporary making practices across multiple disciplines, from established artists and emerging practitioners.
Friday 21 until Sunday 23 November | Gorman House, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Braddon | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Korea Day in Canberra
The Korean Association of Canberra presents a family-friendly celebration of Korean culture at Glebe Park. The day features K-Pop dance and music performances, Korean traditional folk performances, taekwondo demonstrations and a Korean School cultural showcase.
Authentic Korean street food is available from local stalls throughout the event. Cultural activities include hanbok (traditional costume) experiences and traditional Korean games.
A lucky raffle offers prizes including a return flight ticket to South Korea as first prize, a violin as second prize, and a car navigation system as third prize, plus many additional prizes.
The celebration brings together the vibrant colours, flavours and rhythms of Korea for a day of culture, connection and community in the heart of Canberra.
Saturday, 22 November | Glebe Park, Canberra | facebook.com
Canberra Roller Derby League Grand Final
Canberra Roller Derby League is bringing the heat this Saturday, 22 November, with a grand final double header that’s set to be the most electrifying night of the season.
Head to Evelyn Scott School in Denman Prospect to watch CRDL’s own Surly Griffins and Red Bellied Black Hearts go head-to-head with visiting powerhouses Northern Beaches Roller Derby League and Sydney Roller Derby League. After a season of nail-bitingly close games and fierce competition, these four teams are ready to leave everything on the track.
Saturday 22 November, 6 pm | Evelyn Scott School, Denman Prospect | moshtix.com.au
A Very Red Hill Christmas
Red Hill Wine Club wraps up 2025 with a festive afternoon celebration at Red Hill Shops. Wines curated by Brendan, Adam and Brent will be available alongside brews from Capital Brewing Co. Guests receive their own Red Hill Wine Club glass to raise throughout the afternoon.
The event features a spread of Christmas favourites including oysters, prawns, glazed hams and holiday treats to inspire Christmas lunch menus.
The gathering brings together great company and festive cheer for one final toast of the year. Attendees are encouraged to gather friends and wear festive attire for the seasonal celebration.
The afternoon runs from mid-afternoon into the evening, offering plenty of time to eat, drink and be merry, Red Hill style.
Saturday, 22 November, 3 pm–8 pm | Red Hill Shops | events.humanitix.com
Gala ball for Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Craig Robberds hosts a gala ball at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden in memory of his daughter Gabby, raising funds for Cerebral Palsy Alliance. All proceeds support early intervention, treatment and prevention research for babies and children with cerebral palsy.
The evening features a two-course meal with a five-hour drinks package, guest speakers including Matt Giteau and Brad Fittler, and entertainment from a DJ and dance floor from 10 pm. A live auction, raffle and additional activities complete the evening.
Cocktail attire is requested for the event running from early evening until midnight. Those unable to attend can still support the cause through donations. The fundraiser makes a positive impact for families affected by cerebral palsy.
Saturday, 22 November, 6.30 pm–midnight | Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden | cpfundraising.org.au
Special Events and Festivals
Strange Creations: Readings and Music
Gang Gang Cafe hosts a night of bizarre and beautiful art featuring stories of hair with a will of its own, shadow flowers, monsters beyond the garden and more. Writers offer revelations from strange short works of fiction and nonfiction. Cobi Calyx shares experiences confronting fear in the Australian bush. Fionn MacPherson explores sadness, humour and subversive power of the supernatural. S. R. Undershultz tells a tale of human hair with its own life force. Imogen Wall recounts a journey into the underworld. Singer-songwriter Brendan Vincent provides haunting, emo-country inspired music about sadness of things long gone and challenges of being a robot cowboy. The evening concludes with interactive conversation about strange creations and sense of place, celebrating the macabre springtime birth of Lost Souls Magazine Issue 2.
Wednesday, 19 November, 6 pm-9 pm | Gang Gang Cafe, Downer | events.humanitix.com
Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable
The Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable brings together leading tourism organisations and stakeholders to align efforts, share insights and address regional challenges. With issues like housing, workforce, transport and climate change impacting the visitor economy, the Roundtable provides a forum for practical, actionable solutions that support sustainable growth.
Convened by Regional Development Australia Southern NSW & ACT (RDASNA), as part of its role to attract jobs, investment and innovation to the region, the Roundtable will bring together the expertise of tourism industry representatives with deep knowledge of the visitor economy, ensuring discussions are grounded in sector experience and priorities.
The program features a keynote presentation, panel discussion, networking lunch and themed breakout sessions. An Outcomes Report will summarise strategies and be shared with attendees, government and media to help drive positive change for the visitor economy.
Keynote Speaker will be Martin Wisata, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Rocky Trail Group. Panellists include: Kelly Eastwood – Eastwood’s Bermagui, Founder & Chef, Michael Thomson – Head of Aviation, Canberra Airport, and Kathryn Carling – Area General Manager, Doma Hotels.
Wednesday 19 November, 10 am–4 pm | Old Parliament House | events.humanitix.com
Sunset Cinema
Your favourite outdoor cinema is back for the summer with its signature mix of new releases, all-time classics, and family favourites in the stunning Australian National Botanic Gardens.
Grab yourself a bean bag, and some snacks, and enjoy!
Thursday 20 November 2025 until Saturday 28 February 2026, 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm | The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Book here.
AUTHOR TALK – TAKE MY ADVICE, I’M NOT USING IT – CANBERRA
Ready for a wild, laugh-out-loud ride through Australia’s criminal underbelly? Author Rod Halsted, in conversation with close mate Geoff Romero, delivers an author talk unlike any other. Funny, sad, outrageous, gritty and real their conversation winds through the world of crime and corruption in Australia in the ’70s and ’80s.
Published by Allen & Unwin, Rod’s book Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It! is a wild ride through addiction, crime, and redemption – all wrapped in the irreverent humour of a true Aussie larrikin. You’ll be holding your breath one moment and laughing out loud the next.
Friday, 21 November, 6–7 pm | The Book Cow Kingston, 47 Jardine Street, Kingston | events.humanitix.com
Hall Village Christmas Street Party
Heritage Hall Village hosts its annual Christmas Street Party along Victoria Street between Gladstone and Hoskins streets. The event features over 100 artisan Christmas market vendors, food vans, local cafes and pub offerings. Entertainment includes Canberra Brass Band, St Michael’s Church Carollers and Willie and The Correspondents. Hall Collectors Classic Cars displays vehicles dating back to the 1920s. Wham Glam Circus Man performs throughout the afternoon. St Michael’s Church presents a carol service, nativity display and illuminated Christmas Star at dusk. Santa arrives in a vintage classic vehicle. Entry is by gold coin donation supporting event costs and local charities. This outdoor event is weather-dependent.
Friday, 21 November, 4.30 pm-8.30 pm | Hall Heritage Village, Victoria Street, Hall | facebook.com
International Men’s Day Forum
Canberra debuts its first International Men’s Day Forum at Hyatt Hotel, bringing together leaders, advocates and everyday blokes for real conversations about improving outcomes for men, young men and boys. Under the theme Stronger Together, the forum unites respected voices in men’s health, wellbeing and leadership to drive connection, courage and action. Headline presenters include Steve Biddulph AM (Raising Boys author), Glen Poole (Australian Men’s Health Forum CEO), Jeremy Phillips-Yelland (Movember), Olympian Guy Newman, Jason Bonson (Deadly Male founder), and Phil Gouldson (founder of International Men’s Day in Australia). The program features keynote presentations, panels, workshops and breakout sessions tackling mental health, identity, fatherhood, community leadership and positive masculinity. Registration includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and networking drinks. Free tickets available using code CANBERRA.
Friday, 21 November, 8.30 am–4.30 pm | Hyatt Hotel Canberra | events.humanitix.com
Day of the Dead Fiesta
Lucha Fantastica presents a celebration of Mexico’s Day of the Dead tradition featuring an Aztec ceremony conducted in Nahuatl by an Aztec Shaman offering spiritual cleansing. A traditional altar stands as the event centrepiece with offerings and cultural symbols. Activities include piñata breaking and professional face painting transforming visitors into celebration imagery. Two distinct performances cater to different audiences, each delivering the energy of Mexican lucha libre wrestling. The fiesta combines colour, ritual and theatrical wonder in an atmosphere welcoming guests of all ages to celebrate life and honour the departed through Mexican wrestling spectacle and cultural tradition.
Saturday, 22 November, 1 pm-11 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | fantastica.com.au
Kambah Village Markets
The markets have been organised by a small volunteer group, originally from the Kambah Turns 50 Committee. The markets were very popular in 2024, so they have been continued during 2025.
The sheep sculptures outside the Kambah Village have been decorated to reflect the Christmas theme. There will be up to 20 market stalls, live entertainment and a colouring competition on the day for children. Santa is arriving at 11.30.
Saturday 22 November, 10 am–2 pm | Kambah Village Shops
Dandy Man at Play Day
Australia’s funniest physical comedian Daniel Oldaker, known as Dandyman or the Hotel Manager, returns to Play Day. Having toured to over 30 countries entertaining millions, he brings circus antics, playful charm and hilarious physical comedy. Play Day is a free family-friendly afternoon at Dairy Road’s LESS gardens where families sit on grass, enjoy the precinct’s businesses including Capital Brewery and Jasper and Myrtle ice cream, while children play with building props and LESS water features. The event combines world-class entertainment with a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. Spare clothes recommended for water play.
Sunday, 23 November, 12 pm-4 pm | Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | dairyroad.com.au
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
Super Kaylene Whiskey
Super Kaylene Whiskey celebrates one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, proud Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey. This major survey brings together works from across Whiskey’s career, showcasing her dynamic practice that is grounded in stories of First Nations joy and strength. Drawn from public and private collections, the exhibition features over 80 paintings, video work and installation from her early career to now, as well as a newly commissioned portrait.
With irreverent humour, Whiskey playfully combines everyday life, Aṉangu culture and beloved pop culture icons in her work. Dolly Parton, Cher and Wonder Woman share centre stage with Whiskey and other strong kungkas (women) as together they hunt and collect bush tucker. Through her rich visual stories, Whiskey joyfully connects cultures, Country and celebrity and invites us along for the ride.
Until Monday 9 March 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Food and Wine
Katnook Estate Wine Dinner
Iconic Coonawarra winery Katnook Estate hosts a four-course wine dinner at the Yacht Club. Lead winemaker Daniel McNicol guides attendees through Katnook wines, each perfectly matched with dishes prepared by the Executive Chef. The evening provides an immersive experience into Katnook’s wine portfolio, combining expert winemaking knowledge with culinary excellence. McNicol shares insights into the wines’ production and characteristics throughout the dinner. The event showcases Coonawarra’s renowned wine region through Katnook Estate’s selection, paired with carefully crafted courses designed to complement each wine’s unique profile.
Friday, 21 November, 6.30 pm-9.30 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla | cscc.com.au
Meet the Makers 2025
This is your invitation to join Ronald McDonald House ACT & SE NSW for Meet the Makers 2025 – a celebration of fine food, exceptional wine, and the generous spirit that keeps families close when it matters most.
Enjoy the craftsmanship of Clonakilla Wines, Collector Wines, Lerida Estate Winery, and Mt Majura Vineyard, elevate your palate with premium imported & Australian caviar experience, thanks to Yarra Valley Caviar, and win exclusive on-the-night raffles including a signed Canberra Raiders jersey.
Hear an inspiring story from a family supported by Ronald McDonald House Canberra and join 200+ of Canberra’s most generous leaders, philanthropists, and community minded individuals for an evening that truly changes lives.
Book now—tickets are selling fast.
Friday, 21 November | Midnight Bar, Ground Floor/1 Elouera Street, Braddon | actfundraising.rmhc.org.au
Discover Canberra wine appreciation class
This wine appreciation class explores the Canberra District’s cool-climate wine region. The session covers the region’s unique history, signature varieties and styles including hero grapes and emerging favourites, plus how elevation, soil and continental climate shape each bottle. Participants taste a curated selection showcasing established favourites and exciting newer producers. The class suits locals discovering their backyard, wine lovers exploring cool-climate styles, and anyone curious about this emerging wine destination. The experience moves beyond basics to explore stories, styles and secrets making Canberra District wines distinctive in Australia’s wine landscape.
Saturday, 23 November, 1 pm-3 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, Parkes | canberracellardoor.com.au
Laura Sharrad at Pialligo Estate
Season 17 MasterChef winner Laura Sharrad brings her modern Italian flair to Pialligo Estate for a weekend celebrating spring, regional produce and estate wines. Saturday evening features an exclusive hosted dinner in the Glasshouse with a multi-course menu paired with estate wines. Sunday begins with a cooking demonstration, followed by a shared long lunch overlooking vineyards and gardens. The convivial feast celebrates Italian heritage, fresh spring produce and communal dining. Laura’s approach blends Mediterranean flavours with Canberra’s local bounty. Set amongst Pialligo Estate’s surrounds, the weekend offers an intimate culinary journey with one of Australia’s most beloved chefs.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November | Pialligo Estate by Create Catering, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | trybooking.com
High Tea in the Atrium
The Atrium at the Pavilion on Northbourne offers high tea in its leafy setting. The experience includes delectable treats, bottomless prosecco and soothing teas, all blended for an elegant afternoon. The venue provides a serene atmosphere for guests to relax and enjoy carefully prepared refreshments. The high tea service combines traditional elements with contemporary touches, creating a refined dining experience. The Atrium’s tranquil environment enhances the occasion, making it suitable for celebrations or leisurely weekend gatherings. The bottomless prosecco adds a celebratory element to the traditional high tea format.
Saturday, 22 November, 12 pm-2 pm | Atrium Restaurant and Bar, 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | atriumrestaurantandbar.com.au
An evening of fine food, exceptional wine, and meaningful connection.
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
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
Markets
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
Low Pay? Don’t Pay!
Directed by Cate Clelland, this Dario Fo farce translated by Joseph Farrell follows Antonia and Margherita navigating their own cost-of-living crisis. The Stage called it “Farce at its finest…simply glorious.” The Financial Times noted “The problems are desperately familiar…Fo-faced farce wears a broad smile and proceeds at breathtaking speed.” Desperate times call for desperate measures as characters confront desperately familiar problems through high-speed comedy. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with ORIGIN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Inc, a Concord Theatricals Company. The production brings Dario Fo’s social commentary to contemporary audiences.
Thursday 20 November until Saturday 6 December | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Canberra | canberrarep.org.au
Noah Szto: Med School
Winner of the Directors’ Choice award at the 2025 Melbourne Comedy Festival and now a practising medical doctor, Noah Szto makes his Canberra debut. Noah endured four years of med school hoping it would make a good show. This is that show. He guides audiences through many misadventures of his med school journey, from prostate exams to passing out in the OR, to discovering his passion for scrubs. The show features songs, stand-up and in a Street Theatre first, possibly a minor medical procedure. Winner Best Newcomer Melbourne Comedy Festival 2024. Chortle called him “A superstar in waiting.” Audience note: contains a Medical Procedure.
Friday, 22 November, 7 pm-8 pm | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra | thestreet.org.au
Daddy
Brent Thorpe is 62, fit, dangerous and committed to ageing disgracefully. Daddy is a wild ride about life as a Daddy and how much fun getting older really is. In the wake of Pride and Drag Story Time events being cancelled across Australia and the world, Daddy gives right-wing conservatives exactly what they want—just more of it than they ever bargained for. The show explores ageing, queer identity and contemporary cultural debates through performance. Thorpe’s approach combines humour with social commentary, addressing current issues around LGBTQIA+ visibility and expression in Australian society.
Friday, 22 November, 7.30 pm-8.30 pm | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra | thestreet.org.au
I Got Bit By A Monkey Once
Award-winning comedian Matt Harvey presents four true stories: a monkey bite, a long bus trip, an arrest and a mugging. Matt has written for The Shovel and The Shot, with a touring history spanning Australia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Europe. His shows earn rave reviews from critics and audiences. The performance features whimsical and witty observations about life’s foibles and failures. Matt transforms his strangest encounters into original shows, delivering laughs and great stories through engaging narratives. His comedy combines storytelling with stand-up, entertaining audiences of all kinds.
Friday, 22 November, 7 pm-8 pm | The Pot Belly Beer Garden, 26 Weedon Close, Belconnen | stickytickets.com.au
Equus
Free-Rain Theatre Company presents Peter Shaffer’s psychological classic at ACT Hub. The 1973 Tony Award-winning play follows psychiatrist Dr Martin Dysart, tasked with uncovering why teenage Alan Strang committed a shocking act of violence against six horses. What begins as clinical inquiry becomes a gripping psychological investigation into worship, repression and the search for meaning.
Director Anne Somes describes the work as examining the cost of passion–what happens when suppressed and when it explodes. The production combines haunting imagery, intimate staging and raw performances exploring therapy, faith, obsession and what it means to feel alive.
Fifty years on, the play remains relevant to modern discussions about mental health and empathy.
Until Saturday, 22 November | ACT Hub, Kingston | bit.ly/Equus-FreeRain
The Imperfects: Together Again
The Resilience Project founder Hugh van Cuylenburg, his friend Ryan Shelton and brother Josh van Cuylenburg host this podcast recording where interesting people vulnerably share their struggles and imperfections or pass on wisdom about imperfection. Whether in The Vulnerabilitea House, The Academy of Imperfection or with ANU psychologist Dr Emily, The Imperfects seek valuable takeaways everyone can apply to their own imperfect lives. The live recording format brings the popular podcast experience to Llewellyn Hall, allowing audiences to witness conversations exploring vulnerability, resilience and the human experience in person.
Sunday, 23 November, 7 pm-9 pm | Llewellyn Hall, 100 William Herbert Place, Llewellyn Hall ANU, Canberra | llewellynhall.com.au
Screen
Japanese Film Festival
The Japan Foundation’s landmark 29th Japanese Film Festival returns with screenings showcasing contemporary and classic Japanese cinema. This prestigious festival introduces Australian audiences to dynamic voices shaping modern Japanese storytelling across diverse genres. Festivalgoers can expect brand new releases alongside special screenings featuring dramas, anime, comedies and more. The program celebrates the range and creativity of Japanese filmmaking from big-screen epics to intimate character studies. Festival programmer Manisay Oudomvilay curates discoveries that highlight Japan’s cinematic innovation. Palace Electric and the National Film and Sound Archive host the Canberra screenings. Full program details and tickets launch 1 October, allowing audiences to plan their Japanese cinema journey.
Until Tuesday, 18 November | Palace Electric & NFSA, Canberra | japanesefilmfestival.net
Science.Art.Film at the National Film and Sound Archive
This thought-provoking cinema series at Arc Cinema, presented with the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, ANU, explores identity, consciousness and what it means to be human. Each screening from the eerie Under the Skin and surreal Paprika to cult favourite Army of Darkness and introspective Arrival features post-film discussions with experts in linguistics, music composition, science communication and philosophy. The series highlights how film engages with complex scientific and cultural ideas in creative and accessible ways. Each screening combines cinematic experience with expert analysis.
Wednesday, 19 November, 6pm-9pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.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 22 November | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.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
Seckou Keita On Tour
Seckou Keita is a renowned Kora virtuoso standing as a luminary amongst African traditional musicians. Hailing from Southern Senegal, his journey from gifted child to globally recognised musician has been remarkable. Dubbed “the Hendrix of the Kora,” Seckou’s innovative approach constantly pushes the instrument’s boundaries. With 15 critically acclaimed albums cumulating over 25 million Spotify streams and multiple BBC Radio Two Folk Awards, Seckou has left an indelible mark on music. His solo show mixes captivating melodies, joyous rhythms, uplifting vocals and contemplative instrumentals. An elegant display of virtuosity, natural audience connection and joy.
Wednesday, 19 November, 7.30 pm-8.45 pm | Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | bowerbirdcollective.org
The Golden Harp & Hoboy
The historically inspired instrumentalists, Austral Harmony, return to the Wesley Music Centre Wednesday Lunchtime concert series in a performance celebrating the 18th publishing house, Golden Harp & Hoboy, in performances of works by Anon, Handel and Geminiani.
The house was located on the Strand in London and was the premises of leading music publisher John Walsh. Walsh issued many works by Handel, including his celebrated opera Rinaldo and set of Opus 1 instrumental sonatas.
Wednesday 19 November, 12.40–1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20National Circuit, Forrest | trybooking.com/CYREM
Piotr Anderszewski
Iconoclastic pianist Piotr Anderszewski brings intelligence, restless curiosity and joy to piano repertoire from Brahms and Bach. While famously exacting—he walked out of the Leeds Piano Competition in 1990 unhappy with his playing—he’s refreshingly open about struggles with anxiety and loneliness of performing solo. Once on stage, Anderszewski brings intense curiosity and spectacular virtuosity to everything he plays. Fresh from triumphant performances at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival, he gives a series of solo recitals across Australia. This rare opportunity catches a genius at work drawing unimagined delights and unexpected insights from the keyboard.
Friday, 21 November, 7 pm-9 pm | Llewellyn Hall, ANU, William Herbert Place, Building 100, Canberra | musicaviva.com.au
Epic Diva – Piano Quartets all Around
Four outstanding musicians tour with “Epic Diva”: virtuoso British violinist Elizabeth Layton; young Australian violist Isabella Bignasca, back from the US and a current ACO Emerging Artist; cellist Julian Smiles of Goldner String Quartet fame; and Selby & Friends Artistic Director and pianist Kathryn Selby.
This fabulous foursome of extraordinary musicians performs the luscious Fauré quartet No.2 and the monumental and powerful Brahms quartet nNo. 2. The fascinating “Epic Diva” by esteemed Australian composer Matthew Hindson is a single movement from his piano trio (2006), originally commissioned by Macquarie Trio (2006) and reconfigured for piano quartet based on the singing style of electronic dance music
With the piano quartet taking on enormous popularity in the second half of the 19th century, these ‘mini’ orchestral piano concerto works found their place solidly in the chamber genre.
Friday, 21 November, 7 pm | The Chapel, Charles Sturt University | selbyandfriends.com.au
Eric Gales (USA) at The Zeppelin Room
Grammy-nominated Eric Gales, often hailed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, has redefined blues playing with rock swagger, searing guitar solos, heartfelt lyrics and commanding stage presence. He is boldly vulnerable, uncompromisingly political and unflinchingly confident, earning his status as a true guitar hero. Joe Bonamassa calls him “one of the best, if not the best guitar player in the world.” Carlos Santana says “absolutely incredible.” Special guest Karen Lee Andrews crosses boundaries melding influences into earthy, rich and dynamic sound. Her music spans Soulful Blues, Gospel-tinged Delta, Country bayous and Rock, incorporating her Polynesian heritage.
Friday, 21 November, 7 pm-10.30 pm | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | facebook.com
Smiths@Belco: Damien Leith
Award-winning singer Damien Leith brings Roy Orbison’s music to life in a special solo acoustic showcase. One voice, one guitar, one incredible repertoire. Damien performs Roy Orbison’s greatest hits including “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Crying” and “Only the Lonely,” allowing every lyric and melody to shine. The show celebrates music of Orbison’s closest friends and artists he inspired: George Harrison, Bob Dylan, k.d. lang and Linda Ronstadt. Setlist includes beloved classics from Roy’s circle and Traveling Wilburys time. Damien debuts brand-new songs co-written with Roy’s legendary collaborator Joe Melson, writer of “Crying,” “Only the Lonely” and “Blue Bayou.”
Friday, 21 November, 7 pm-9.50 pm | The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Triptych: three big bands, one big night!
One night only! Celebrate the end of the year with a night of Jazz, Swing, and Funky tunes! Three great swing bands, Sonus, In Full Swing, and TraXion are celebrating the end of the year with three sets of awesome music, Join us for a great evening of music!
Sunday 23 November, 5.30 pm | Harmonie German Club, 39 Jerrabomberra Ave, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com
Sport and Wellness
The Summer Series
Dance Sculpt is going outdoors! You’ll be moving on your mat through a fusion of their three signature class styles – Pilates, dance-inspired movement, and music-driven flow. It’s fun, high-vibe, and open to all fitness levels. And it’s free!
Start your Sunday surrounded by movement, music, and community – the kind of energy that makes you want to grab your friends and carry it with you into the week ahead.
Take along a yoga or Pilates mat, water bottle, supportive footwear and make sure you wear comfortable clothing and sun-smart essentials.
Sundays, 9–10 am. Arrival from 8.30 am | Commonwealth Park East, directly opposite Sir Robert Menzies Statue, Parkes | msha.ke/thesummerseries
Canberra Chill vs Tassie Tigers
The Canberra Chill is Canberra’s National Field Hockey teams competing in the Australian Hockey One League from October to December across the country. The Canberra Chill Men and Women host three home matches at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham, battling against the country’s best teams. The Hockey One League showcases elite field hockey competition, bringing national-level sport to Canberra audiences. The matches provide opportunities to watch high-performance athletes compete in fast-paced field hockey action. The National Hockey Centre provides a dedicated venue for these home fixtures throughout the season.
Friday, 21 November, 6.30 pm-10 pm | National Hockey Centre, 196 Mouat Street, Lyneham | hockeyone.com.au
Canberra EV Drive Day
The EV Drive Day offers free opportunities to test drive and learn about owning an electric vehicle. Attendees can test drive latest model EVs and experience their benefits, hear from industry experts about EV charging and ownership, learn potential savings by making next cars electric, and explore the wide range of EVs available. The event is free to attend and open to all, featuring food trucks, information stalls, a wide range of display vehicles and activities for children. Bookings are required to test drive an EV. This event is supported by NRMA.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November | Sutton Road Training Centre, 441 Sutton Road, Majura | climatechoices.act.gov.au
YOGA-W-ME
Head along to this outdoor yoga session for a 60-minute class designed for all skill levels. Taking place on the lawns of Pialligo Estate, water and a mat will be provided as instructors Yikky and Bronte take you through a flow.
Then, grab a free coffee or matcha, treat yourself to a Mr Munch Cookie and browse the extra goodies on offer. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just want to go along for the vibes, YOGA-W-ME offers a beautiful way to slow down, stretch, and make some friends.
Saturday 22 November, 8.30 am – 9.30 am | 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | checkout.square.site
How to stop overthinking meditation workshop
Bodhisattva Kadampa Buddhist Centre presents a workshop addressing negative thought patterns, rumination and fretting. Buddhist nun Kelsang Dana teaches methods to identify and strengthen key mental functions that free participants from overthinking and feeling trapped by worries. The workshop explores recognising causes of overthinking and staying relaxed, clear and positive through proven methods improving mental clarity.
Two sessions (75 minutes each) include guided meditations and teachings drawn from Buddha’s timeless advice. Morning tea is provided during a half-hour break. No meditation experience is required.
Sunday, 23 November, 10 am–1 pm | Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon | meditateincanberra.org
Workshops
Pinhole Photography Workshop
Dive into the world of pinhole photography with this one-day immersive course taught by artist and 2024 photo access Dark Matter resident Claire Paul. Claire’s practice combines long-exposure pinhole photography, foraging practices and screen-printing technologies to capture the deeper essence of ecologies. She guides participants through creating their own pinhole camera, encouraging them to see and capture the world through contemplation and connection. Learn to transform everyday objects into unique photographic tools and engage with the environment collaboratively and thoughtfully. Through fieldwork and darkroom sessions, develop technical skills while cultivating mindful presence. Suits seasoned photographers and curious beginners.
Saturday, 22 November, 10 am-4 pm | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Make Art: Eat Cake
Award-winning artist and qualified visual art teacher Marianne Mettes leads this fun and relaxing morning exploring texture, colour and creativity while enjoying coffee and cake. Participants learn easy, effective techniques to build depth and detail, walking away with finished artwork ready to display. Themes, topics and art mediums change every few weeks. The workshop suits absolute beginners and budding artists trying something new, designed to be fun, social and inspiring. Proudly supported by The Front Gallery and Cafe. Designed for adults, though young creatives aged 16 years and over are welcome. Includes two hours professional tuition, all materials, cake and coffee.
Sunday, 23 November, 2.30 pm-4.30 pm | The Front Cafe and Gallery (Two Before Ten), 84 Wattle Street, Lyneham | accessartacademy.com
Talks and Programs
Shakespeare on the Move: Gold Rush to Great War at the National Library
This illustrated Shakespeare lecture revealing how Shakespeare made landfall in Australia. Discover how the 1850s gold discovery made Australia a chief destination for international touring, with intrepid women among the success stories. Features physical remnants of Shakespeare’s performance, including playbills, portraits, photographs, and manuscripts.
Tuesday 18 November | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Early Photography in Colonial Australia
Dr Elisa DeCourcy is joined by Shona Coyne, Professor Brenda L Croft and Professor Emerita Helen Ennis in conversation about their work on the histories of colonial photography for the celebration of her book ‘Early Photography in Colonial Australia’. The book provides the first substantial study of the arrival and early practice of photography in the Australian colonies. Written from a contemporary perspective, it considers these earliest photographs—their value, their entangled relationships with other elements of visual culture, their loss, and the conversations on colonial reckoning and repair to which they still belong. Entry is free but bookings essential. Book signings and refreshments follow in the Library foyer from 7 pm.
Thursday, 20 November, 6 pm – 7.30 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Author Talk: Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It
Join author Rod Halsted in conversation with close mate Geoff Romero for an author talk unlike any other. Rod is a larrikin, risk-taker and debut author with powerhouse publisher Allen & Unwin. His storytelling crackles with life—cheeky, gritty and deeply human. Whether outrunning the law or facing his demons, he never loses the spark that defines an Aussie battler. Rod’s story is as jaw-dropping as it is hilarious. This wild, laugh-out-loud ride through Australia’s criminal underbelly will have audiences holding their breath one moment and laughing out loud the next. The author talk combines memoir storytelling with honest reflection.
Friday, 21 November, 6 pm – 7 pm | The Book Cow, 47 Jardine Street, Kingston | events.humanitix.com
Jim Sharman in conversation with Hannah de Feyter
Film and theatre legend Jim Sharman—the renowned director of more than 70 productions including The Rocky Horror Picture Show—chats with National Film and Sound Archive curator Hannah De Feyter about his incredible career at the National Library of Australia. Excerpts from a remarkable collection of visual diaries created by Jim between 1960 and 2000 will be on display, invoking memories, reflections and inviting Jim’s thoughts on his legacy and the future of the arts. Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential. The discussion part of the event will be available online for those unable to attend in person.
Friday, 21 November, 6 pm-9 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
The Naturalistic garden opening
‘The Naturalistic Garden’ in Turner concludes Open Gardens Canberra’s spring 2025 program. This private garden demonstrates sustainable approaches to garden design using native plants and water-wise principles. The heritage suburb location provides an interesting backdrop for naturalistic gardening techniques. Visitors can see practical solutions for environmentally conscious gardening that supports local wildlife. Entry is $10 for non-members, with annual membership at $30 covering all program gardens. This final opening offers an ideal conclusion to the spring garden visiting season.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, 10 am–4 pm | The Naturalistic Garden, Hackett Gardens, Turner | opengardenscanberra.org.au
Exhibitions
Skin Deep by Gabriella Bisetto
Canberra Glassworks concludes its 2025 exhibition program with a major solo exhibition by Adelaide-based glass artist Gabriella Bisetto, winner of the 2024 Tom Malone Glass Prize. Curated by Margaret Hancock, Skin Deep invites viewers to consider how beauty resides in imperfection.
Bisetto’s sculptural forms carry quiet evidence of their making–heated, cooled, slumped, scarred and pressed into being. Like human skin, every blemish and fine cut becomes an intimate record of contact, making visible the coexistence of fragility and endurance.
Bisetto interprets mechanisms and ideologies of the human body through blown glass, hot sculpting and collaborative making. Her influence is visible in the next generation of celebrated glass artists including Yhonnie Scarce, Jessica Murtagh and Liam Fleming.
Wednesday, 19 November 2025 to Saturday, 25 January 2026 | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Between Worlds: Abstraction as Language
Between Worlds brings together seven Australian artists whose different works explore the way abstraction allows artists to move between worlds, from the internal to the external. Using shape, colour and form as their vocabulary, the exhibition is a chorus of distinct voices. Each artist employs abstract language to bridge interior emotional landscapes with external reality, creating visual conversations that transcend literal representation. The collective exhibition demonstrates how abstraction serves as a universal language capable of expressing complex ideas and emotions. The diverse approaches showcase contemporary Australian abstract practice through varied techniques, materials and conceptual frameworks united by shared exploration of abstraction’s communicative power.
Until Sunday 30 November | Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Native Lifeforms: Peter Syndicas
Native Lifeforms presents a retrospective of Adelaide sculptor Peter Syndicas, tracing the evolution of his practice from 1997, when his journey with figurative twig forms first began, to the present. The exhibition follows nearly three decades of sculptural development, documenting how Syndicas has refined and expanded his distinctive approach to working with natural materials. The retrospective reveals the artist’s sustained engagement with organic forms and his exploration of the relationship between nature and sculpture. Through figurative twig constructions, Syndicas has developed a unique visual language that bridges natural and artistic creation. The career-spanning exhibition offers insight into an artist’s long-term commitment to material exploration.
Until Sunday 30 November | Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Sights and Sounds: Walks in Jerrabomberra Wetlands by Rowena Evans
Rowena Evans’s body of work is inspired by walking, observing and drawing from scattered viewpoints in the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, translating observations from August and September. The sounds of birds, human activity, weather and the artist’s visual impressions of Jerrabomberra come together in a series of intaglio prints based on collaged texture and marks. Evans combines auditory and visual experiences of the wetlands into printed works that capture the multisensory experience of this local environment. The exhibition demonstrates how printmaking can convey both seen and heard aspects of landscape, creating layered representations of place through mark-making and texture that evoke the wetlands’ distinctive character.
Until Sunday 30 November | Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.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.
Until Saturday, 13 December | Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore | sukihugh.com.au
unBECOMING by Fernanda Pedroso
unBECOMING explores the quiet cost of being constantly connected — in this era of technological acceleration, we stand at the intersection of transformation and vulnerability. In our pursuit of becoming, we often overlook the importance of unbecoming — the pause, the shedding, the rediscovery of what makes us human.
Open Thursday to Sunday, 11 am–5 pm.
Until Sunday 14 December | Grainger on Geelong, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
A Saturated Life
A Saturated Life is an exhibition of artwork that brings together Rozalie Sherwood, Steve Tomlin and Pinal Maniar, three artists exploring memory, material and the emotional resonance of place. Through stitch, colour and fibre, the works are rich, layered and deeply felt.
Each artist works with saturation in a different sense: saturation of colour, saturation of fibre and form, saturation of experience held in the body.
A preview evening from will be held at 6 pm on Friday 14 November. A relaxed walkaround/artist talk will be held at 1.30 pm on Saturday 22 November.
Until Saturday 29 November | Tyger Gallery, 84 Comur Street, Yass | tygergallery.com.au
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
Deck the Smalls 2025
Gallery of Small Things presents its second annual Deck the Smalls exhibition celebrating new artworks from talented artists. Director Anne Masters curates a collection filling favourite spaces with artworks that are forever.
The exhibition features wood carvings by Isobel Rayson, animal and bird prints by Typoflora and Outer Island, Indigenous paintings by Amanda Westley, framed woven art by Kylie Walsh, birds by Greta Cooper, nests by Donna Longobardi, framed photo and digital designs by Jason McDonald, crochet nests by Al Munro, framed miniatures by Kylie Fogarty, and ceramics by Jacqueline Lewis, Vicki Grima and Anne Masters. Artworks roll out during the exhibition period.
Until Saturday, 21 December | Gallery of Small Things, Watson | galleryofsmallthings.com
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
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
Enjoy this trip: the art of music posters
Journey back to the Summer of Love and be transported to a time when the music was funky, the art was kaleidoscopic and psychedelia was in full swing. Drawn from the National Gallery’s expansive collection of Australian and international music posters spanning the 1960s to 1980s, Enjoy this trip: The art of music posters captures the spirit of the times as an era of experimentation.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Women Photographers 1853–2018
Women Photographers 1853–2018 highlights the transformative impact of women artists on the history of photography.
Since its inception, the National Gallery’s photography collection has reflected the vital place of women in the medium’s history. Some of its earliest acquisitions were major works by women.
As a result, the National Gallery is uniquely placed to consider how photography has changed the worlds in which women live, and how women have changed photography. As the great modernist photographer Lucia Moholy wrote, ‘Photography has not only changed the way we see the world but also how we see ourselves.’ For women artists, making photographs has always been an act of resistance. Photography has given women access to spaces of knowledge, artistic practices and technology from which they were previously excluded.
This exhibition features work spanning more than 160 years of women working with photography.
Until Sunday 1 March | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.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 Sunday 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
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
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
Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 years of Independence
Bilong Papua New Guinea marks the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence and the birth of a new nation on September 16, 1975. The National Gallery holds the largest collection of Papua New Guinea urban art outside the country. Each of the works selected for Bilong Papua New Guinea presents a story, reflecting on cultural heritage, historical moments, the influence of ancestors, Christianity, kastom, societal changes and new technologies.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Trent Parke: The Christmas tree bucket
Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas. The series showcases Parke’s distinctive and acclaimed visual style and his skilful use of light and colour, to transcendent effect.The Christmas tree bucket is a candid, unsettling and often absurd portrait of family life—centred on the chaos, rituals and contradictions of the suburban Australian Christmas. It is a fond, insider’s view—sharp but affectionate—and one that the participants, after initial bemusement, actively embraced.
Parke draws from the legacy of postwar American photography while retaining a distinctly personal visual language, using light and colour to transform the everyday. The resulting photographs are both intimate and theatrical, sometimes hilarious, sometimes poetic and haunting. The exhibition also features a small selection of work from Parke’s black-and-white series Minutes to midnight 2003‒04 and a number of his handmade concertina photobooks, which he sees as a central part of his practice.
Until Sunday 6 September 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.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
