Canberra comes to life this week with Enlighten, Year of the Horse celebrations and so much more

Posted on 23 February, 2026

March is on the horizon, and things are ramping up in Canberra as the month of madness approaches.

This week in Canberra, Enlighten is lighting up the city, Year of the Horse celebrations continue, and ravers over 30 can relive the peak of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s clubbing scene. Read on for your curated guide to everything that’s happening in Canberra.

Don’t miss…

Enlighten Festival 2026

Enlighten Festival returns with architectural projections illuminating Canberra’s iconic buildings across multiple venues in the city. The Enlighten Illuminations program features visual displays designed specifically for the national capital’s cultural institutions and landmarks. The festival runs for eleven days across late February and early March, with various events, installations and projections scheduled throughout the period. Detailed program information, venue locations, event times and ticketing details are available on the Enlighten website. The festival takes place at multiple locations across Canberra’s parliamentary triangle and cultural precinct.

Friday, 27 February–Monday, 9 March, 2026 | Various locations | enlightencanberra.com

South.Point Lunar New Year Celebration

South.Point Shopping Centre celebrates the Year of the Horse with live animals, performances and free craft activities. Travis the horse and Finnigan the pony visit Centre Court from 10 am to 12 pm, with a Chinese-themed backdrop for photos. Moonbear Kung Fu Academy performs Lion Dancing while Red Cedar Dance Group presents traditional Chinese dance from 10.30 am to 12 pm. Arts Lounge hosts free Lunar New Year craft activities including horse-themed jewellery-making and keepsake ornaments for children. The free community event takes place in Centre Court at South.Point Shopping Centre in Tuggeranong. All ages and families are welcome.

Saturday, 28 February, 10 am–12 pm | South.Point Shopping Centre, Centre Court, Tuggeranong | southpointcanberra.com.au

Digi™ Culture & Music

Digi™ Culture & Music is a one-day, multi-stage celebration of club culture – an open-air experience that brings together the sounds and energy of local, national, and international scenes.

Thoroughbred Park transforms into a vibrant playground of music and connection – complete with industrial design, cutting-edge sound systems, and a dynamic sonic landscape that unites people through rhythm and atmosphere.

12 pm Saturday 28 February | Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham | digifestival.com.au

Chinese Lantern Festival

The Australia-China Friendship Society ACT Branch presents a lantern festival at the Canberra Beijing Garden to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Attendees can bring their own lanterns or purchase them at the venue. The program includes Chinese classical music, traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, and dragon and lion dances. The evening concludes with a lantern parade along the lake edge and through the Canberra Beijing Garden. The event runs from early evening into the night. For weather-related cancellations, check the website or contact the organisers by email or phone.

Saturday, 28 February, 6 pm–8.30 pm | Canberra Beijing Garden, Lennox Garden, Yarralumla | acfs.org.au

Bed By 10pm

Fiction Club hosts an early evening clubbing experience designed for ravers over 30. The event features DJ sets spanning 80s, 90s and early 2000s club classics from 4 pm to 9 pm, ensuring attendees are home by 10 pm. The venue provides crazy visuals, confetti showers and CO2 cannons alongside the music. Last entry is 5.30 pm. While designed for the over-30 demographic, friends aged 25 and over are welcome. The five-hour event offers dancing, socialising and music without sacrificing the following day. The club night takes place at Fiction Club on Bunda Street in the city centre.

Saturday, 28 February, 4 pm–9 pm (last entry 5.30 pm) | Fiction Club, 50 Bunda Street, City | fixr.co/event/bed-by-10pm

Special Events and Festivals

Latin Fiesta Courtyard Concert in the Gardens

Mercure Canberra presents a Latin Fiesta Courtyard Concert featuring live music and dance under the stars. Local band Los Locos performs on the raised walkway above the gardens, while dance troupe Kokoloco presents performances in the gardens below. The courtyard bar serves beverages alongside a South American-themed menu created for the event. The three-hour evening concert takes place in the Courtyard Gardens with live Latin music, dance performances and fiesta atmosphere. The summer courtyard concert series returns to Mercure Canberra in Braddon. Pricing and bookings are available through the Mercure Canberra website.

Friday, 27 February, 6 pm–9 pm | The Courtyard Gardens at Mercure Canberra, 39 Limestone Avenue, Braddon | mercurecanberra.com.au

Music at Dusk on the Forecourt

Australian Parliament House hosts evening choir performances on the forecourt during Enlighten Festival. Canberra choirs perform as the sun sets, with audiences invited to bring picnics and blankets for the outdoor concert. The music precedes the spectacular building illumination inspired by Philip Bunting’s book Democracy! The family-friendly event runs across multiple evenings throughout Enlighten Festival. No food or beverages are sold on-site. Free underground parking is available from 5 pm to midnight, subject to availability. The event is subject to change at short notice. The forecourt concerts provide an opening experience for Enlighten Festival visitors.

Friday, 27 February–Friday, 6 March | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | enlightencanberra.com

2026 Community Bank Bungendore Preschool Fair

A country carnival with a complete showcase of entertainment for the entire family! Attractions include a giant slide, games alley, specialty groups (e.g. RFS, SES, local sporting clubs), Dachshund races, tug of war, boot toss contest, RFS inaugural hose ball competition, donut eating challenge, market stalls, food vans, dining tents, machinery and 4×4 displays, live music, giveaways and a major raffle!

The main attraction is ‘Kev the Pig Man’ who returns to the Fair to offer five piglet races. Come and see the piggies run!

The event this year will include a special on-site announcement regarding the new Bungendore Preschool building – a creation of a two-block educational precinct. A much-needed development for the growing town!

Saturday, 28 February, 9 am–1:30 pm | Mick Sherd Oval, Majara Street, Bungendore | bungendorepreschool.com.au

Big Day Shout Canberra – UCLivex

A Big Day Out tribute experience recreates the festival atmosphere spanning 1992 to 2014 in an explosive evening at UC Hub. The performance features anthems from Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Silverchair, The Prodigy, Blink-182, Muse, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, Smashing Pumpkins and System of a Down. The event includes a DJ-powered Boiler Room EDM set transforming the venue into a rave atmosphere. The tribute encourages festival fashion including bucket hats and Aussie flag capes. The show delivers high-voltage nostalgia and crowd energy celebrating the golden era of Australian music festivals.

Saturday, 28 February, 8 pm | UC Hub, University of Canberra, Bruce | moshtix.com.au

Mint Family Fun Day

The Royal Australian Mint celebrates its 60th anniversary with a free family event featuring live music, coin swaps, face painting and activities for collectors and newcomers alike. Expert Mint speakers will present insights into the coin-making process from design through to production. Collectors can exchange cash for collectible and coloured circulating coins. Children aged 5–12 can trade ordinary coins for special Mint pieces. A 60th anniversary coin with an exclusive ’60’ countermark will be available to press on the day. The event includes access to the coin museum, picnic areas and the Mint Café, with wheelchair access and parking available.

Saturday, 28 February, 10 am–4 pm | Royal Australian Mint, 62 Denison Street, Deakin | ramint.gov.au

Kids Free Fun February at Bunnings

This month, families can look to Bunnings for a free and engaging way to keep kids entertained every weekend. Across every weekend in February, Bunnings will run fun, screen-free workshops in every store across Australia that kids can do while their parents shop. Coming up this weekend is Wooden Robots.

To help build excitement, Bunnings is also launching its new Kids DIY Passport Program. Designed to reward little D.I.Yers, kids can collect stamps at every workshop they complete, with milestone rewards at 4, 8 and 12 stamps. This will be an ongoing initiative, so kids can enjoy the rewards for their hard work throughout the year.

Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March – check website for times | Your local Bunnings | Book via bunnings.com.au/kidsdiy

Food and Wine

Divine Degustation Vegetarian Dinner

Executive Chef Bradley Howden presents a four-course vegetarian menu showcasing seasonal ingredients and contemporary cooking techniques. The degustation experience highlights the versatility of vegetables through multiple courses designed to balance flavours and textures. Each dish focuses on creative preparation methods that emphasise the natural characteristics of plant-based ingredients. The menu reflects seasonal availability and modern vegetarian cuisine. The dinner takes place over three hours at Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong. Bookings are required for this seated dining experience. The menu is available on the Southbound Club website.

Thursday, 26 February, 6.30 pm–9.30 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, Corner Pitman & Holwell Street, Greenway | southboundclub.com.au

Tipsy Tea March at the Yacht Club

Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club presents an afternoon tea featuring bottomless prosecco and three signature cocktails. The two-hour lakeside experience includes a grazing station with traditional finger sandwiches and dessert selections. The event takes place at the Yacht Club venue in Yarralumla overlooking the water. Bookings are available through the Canberra Southern Cross Club website. The afternoon runs from 3 pm to 5 pm on a Saturday. The venue is located at Mariner Place near the lakefront in Yarralumla. The Tipsy Tea series operates monthly at the Yacht Club location.

Sunday, 1 March, 3 pm–5 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla | cscc.com.au

Markets

Capital Region Farmers Market

This farmers’ market is iconic for a reason.

Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.

It will make you appreciate your Saturday morning shopping trip in a whole new way.

Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.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. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. 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

Haig Park Village Markets

Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.

It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.

Sunday 18 and 25 January, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.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

Stage

An Audience with Sir Tony Robinson

Actor, writer and historian Sir Tony Robinson presents an evening of stories from his career in television, theatre and literature. Robinson discusses his roles in Blackadder, his work presenting Time Team across 20 seasons, and his historical fiction debut The House of Wolf. The performance includes behind-the-scenes accounts from his television work and insights into writing historical fiction at age 78. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions during the event. Robinson draws on his archaeological knowledge to discuss Alfred the Great and medieval England as featured in his novel.

Monday, 23 February, 7.30 pm–9.20 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Never Closer

Off the Ledge Theatre presents the ACT debut of Never Closer, set in Northern Ireland in 1987 during The Troubles. The play follows Deirdre and her old school friends gathering for Christmas Eve, ten years since they were last together. Tensions rise when one friend arrives with her English fiancé. The production premiered at Belvoir St Theatre in 2024 and runs for a two-week season at Canberra Theatre Centre. Founded in 2025, Off the Ledge Theatre focuses on bold contemporary works centring queer and Australian voices. Director Lachlan Houen leads an ensemble of emerging actors.

Until Saturday, 28 February, 2026 | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce

Canberra REP Theatre presents Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy exploring relationships and family dynamics across one evening. The production follows four couples and their interactions across three bedrooms, examining conflicts within and outside relationships. The play uses physical comedy and observational humour to depict domestic situations. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with ORIGIN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Inc, a Concord Theatricals Company. The show runs for multiple performances across three weeks in February and March. Performance times and ticket information are available on the Canberra REP website.

Until Saturday, 7 March, 2026 | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Canberra | canberrarep.org.au

Music & Dance

Sally Walker, baroque flute, and George Wills, theorbo & baroque guitar, in recital.

The Wesley Lunchtime Concert series welcomes notable Australian soloists Sally Walker (baroque flute) and George Wills (theorbo & baroque guitar), who will perform exquisite baroque works from Germany, France and Italy, by composers Georg Friedrich Händel, Marin Marais, Anna Bon di Venezia and Salamone Rossi.

Wednesday 25 February, 12.40–1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | trybooking.com/DIJJK

Rock of Origin 5

Three Australian pub rock bands perform at the Zeppelin Room for the fifth Rock of Origin event. Metropolis, 3rd Brexit and Leaving Reality present sets featuring rock music from Australian, American and British artists. The show runs for approximately four and a half hours with the bar open throughout the evening. This standing event features guitar-focused performances and classic rock repertoire. The venue is located at Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah. Tickets are available through Humanitix. The event is suitable for audiences who enjoy high-energy rock performances.

Friday, 27 February, 6.30 pm–11 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com/rock-of-origin-5

A Winter’s Journey

Musica Viva Australia presents a reimagining of Franz Schubert’s Winterreise song cycle. British tenor Allan Clayton and Australian pianist Kate Golla perform the work under the direction of Lindy Hume. The production incorporates video projections by David Bergman using imagery inspired by artist Fred Williams’ Australian landscapes. Clayton’s recent performances include Peter Grimes at the Met and the title role in Hamlet across multiple international opera houses. He received the 2025 Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in opera. The production is presented in partnership with Opera Australia and in association with Opera Queensland, State Opera of South Australia and West Australian Opera.

Friday, 27 February, 7 pm–9 pm | Llewellyn Hall, ANU, William Herbert Place, Building 100, City | musicaviva.com.au

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

Blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brings his Hard Road Tour to Canberra following his sold-out 2025 Australian performances, including Bluesfest Byron Bay. Ingram performs tracks from his new album Hard Road, which incorporates blues, rock, funk, soul and R&B influences, alongside material from his previous releases Kingfish, 662 and Live in London. Australian artist Ash Grunwald supports with a set featuring slide guitar and roots-driven music. The performance takes place at the Zeppelin Room at Harmonie German Club. This is a standing room only event. Tickets are available through the Canberra Blues Society website.

Saturday, 28 February, 7 pm–11.59 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | canberrabluessociety.wildapricot.org

Sunburnt Country | Jason Aldean

Nashville star Jason Aldean headlines Sunburnt Country, Australia’s newest outdoor country music experience, as part of his Full Throttle Tour. The line-up includes US rocker Corey Kent alongside Australian artists Brad Cox, Dear Tommie and Y.O.G.A. The outdoor concert runs from early afternoon through evening at Stage 88 in Parkes. The event combines American and Australian country music talent for a full day of performances. The country music festival atmosphere encourages boot-stomping good times with crew and friends. Tickets and full line-up details are available through the Sunburnt Country Music website.

Sunday, 1 March, 1 pm–9.20 pm | Stage 88, Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes | sunburntcountrymusic.com.au

Sport and Wellness

Cyclonats Festival of Cycling Culture

Cyclonats brings together cycling enthusiasts across multiple disciplines for a festival celebrating cycling culture. The annual event includes participants from road cycling, mountain biking, unicycling, penny-farthing racing, BMX and other cycling categories. Events take place at venues across Canberra throughout the first weekend in March, with activities beginning on Thursday 27 February. The festival accommodates both competitive cyclists and recreational riders. Specific event schedules, venue locations and registration details are available on the Cyclonats website. Smith’s Alternative serves as one of the festival venues during the multi-day program.

Friday, 27 February | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, City | Cyclonats.au

ACT Brumbies vs Blues – Super Rugby Pacific Round 3

The ACT Brumbies play their first home game of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season against the Blues at GIO Stadium. This marks the Blues’ first visit to Canberra since 2022, following their match in Auckland in 2025. The Brumbies enter the game looking to maintain their record against the New Zealand team. The match includes pre-game and half-time entertainment alongside the 80-minute rugby fixture. GIO Stadium is located in Bruce with parking available on-site. Tickets are available through the Brumbies website. The game kicks off at 7.15 pm.

Saturday, 28 February, 7.15 pm–9.35 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | brumbies.rugby

Twilight Flow and Live Music

Movement Music Medicine presents a 90-minute immersive experience combining yoga-inspired movement with live music at Goolabri in Sutton. Founder and movement instructor Kim Duignan leads a Yin Yang flow blending grounding shapes with invigorating sequences. Live musicians accompany the entire session, building through the flow before transitioning into a meditative sound bath with crystal singing bowls at sunset. The session concludes with a live musical performance. Following the class, guests enjoy herbal tea, fresh fruit and community connection. The experience takes place in the Australian bush at golden hour, 10–15 minutes from Canberra’s inner north. The venue features atmospheric lighting installations throughout.

Sunday, 1 March, 6.15 pm arrival for 6.30 pm start–8.30 pm | Goolabri, Sutton | movement-music-medicine.com

One Walk – Breakthrough T1D

Breakthrough T1D hosts One Walk, the world’s largest fundraising event for families living with type 1 diabetes. Participants walk with family, friends and colleagues to raise funds supporting research toward T1D cures and improved management. The family-friendly event creates community while fundraising to make life safer and healthier for people with T1D. The four-hour morning event includes walking routes and celebration activities at Rond Terrace. Registration and fundraising information is available through Breakthrough T1D. The walk supports the organisation’s mission to create a world without type 1 diabetes through research and advocacy.

Sunday, 1 March, 9 am–1 pm | Rond Terrace, Parkes Way, Canberra | ekonstantinou@breakthrought1d.org.au

Workshops

Drawing Connections Workshop with Sarah Murray

Artist Sarah Murray leads a collaborative drawing workshop inspired by the Traces exhibition at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. The session begins with drawing exercises to familiarise participants with materials, followed by responses to the lakefront environment surrounding the Arts Centre. Participants will create a collaborative drawing work by the end of the two-hour session. The workshop explores connections between drawing, landscape and group creativity. No previous drawing experience is required and all materials are provided. The workshop is open to members of the public. Registration is available through the Tuggeranong Arts Centre website.

Saturday, 28 February, 10.30 am–12.30 pm | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com

Figurine painting workshop with Eleanor & Giovanni

Award-winning animators Eleanor & Giovanni conduct a workshop based on their Enlighten Festival 2026 illumination The Page Turner, created for the National Library of Australia. Participants will paint a limited-edition maquette of the page turner character featured in the stop-motion animation projected during the Enlighten Festival. The session includes guidance from the artists, examples of their work, and discussion of their creative practice. The workshop is designed for children aged 6–12 years. All painting materials are provided. Bookings are essential and must be made through the National Library of Australia website.

Saturday, 28 February, 2 pm–3 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au

Basket Cases – Social Weaving Sessions

Connect with others through craft. BYO project to work on. There’s no pressure to achieve here, just an opportunity to set aside time for making over a cuppa and a chat.

Basket Cases is not a formal workshop; there will be a skilled facilitator on hand for some extra support if you need it. Additional materials (raffia, needles etc) can be purchased for a fee (subject to availability). Times alternate between morning and afternoon.

Last Saturday of each month | Sessions are held across roving locations across Canberra – check the Humanitix link for details | events.humanitix.com

Talks and Programs

80s & 90s Drag Trivia Canberra

Drag performers Terry Daktyl and Becky host a trivia event focused on 1980s and 90s pop culture. Questions cover boy bands, blockbuster films, music and MTV moments from both decades. The evening includes live performances paying tribute to artists including Cher, Whitney Houston, the Spice Girls and Britney Spears. Attendees are encouraged to wear 1980s or 90s-inspired attire. The event takes place at Badger & Co in Acton. Tickets are available through Terry Daktyl’s website. The trivia night runs for three hours with bar service available throughout.

Thursday, 26 February, 6 pm–9 pm | Badger & Co, 156 Joplin Lane, Acton | terrydaktyl.com

John Pratt & Colin Edgell 

John Pratt is a graphic artist working across a range of media, including printmaking, drawing, collage, artist’s books, and projections in public space. Through a series of exhibitions, he has been exploring the impact of human presence within a range of natural landscapes and constructed environments.

These landscapes or sites range from Natural Parks in the ACT to Southern Coastal Zones through suburbia to the streetscapes of the CBD. In each case the focus has explored the interchange of our existence and the physical space that surrounds us. This current work extends that focus further and explores our engagement with the natural elements, and water in particular.

27 February to 11 March | Q Gallery, Edgar Street, Ainslie | q-gallery.com.au

Artists in Conversation: Andrew Totman

Master printmaker Andrew Totman discusses his practice and works featured in the Seasons, Tides, and Lunar Cycles exhibition at Belconnen Arts Centre. Akky van Ogtrop, President of the AU Print Council and Curator of the Paper Section at Sydney Contemporary, leads the conversation. Totman’s work explores abstract expressions of nature, responding to seasonal changes, tides and lunar cycles. He holds degrees from the University of San Diego, Wichita State University and Charles Sturt University, and has exhibited in over 70 solo exhibitions. His work appears in collections including the Art Gallery of NSW and National Gallery of Australia.

Saturday, 28 February, 2 pm–3 pm | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

Open Gardens Canberra

Two community gardens open their gates for public tours. Canberra City Care’s harvest garden on Cartwright Street, established in 2016, provides seasonal organic produce for its kitchen and clients as part of the circular economy. Volunteers manage the garden with drinks and barbecue available. Charnwood Community Garden, established in 1991, covers approximately 7,500 square metres with over 50 gardeners working 60 allotment-style plots. The community garden welcomes new members, particularly younger gardeners. Canberra City Care offers free entry while Charnwood operates by donation. Both locations open from 10 am to 4 pm with convenors available for questions.

Saturday, 28 February, 10 am–4 pm | Canberra City Care, 20 Cartwright Street and Charnwood Community Garden, off Lhotsky Street | opengardenscanberra.org.au

Trivia Night on Science, Space, Film & Fun

A trivia evening supporting Canberra’s Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival includes questions on science, space and film topics. Participants can attend individually or book tables for groups. The event features live music, prizes and optional cosplay for attendees. Light refreshments are provided throughout the evening. The trivia night takes place at Tuggeranong Arts Centre in Greenway. Tickets are available through Humanitix. Proceeds support the Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival. The event runs for two hours from 7 pm.

Saturday, 28 February, 7 pm–9 pm | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | events.humanitix.com

Exhibitions

Watson Inner Space Project by Steve Roper

ANCA Gallery presents an exhibition of drawings and paintings on paper, canvas and clay exploring abstract spaces and moods by Steve Roper. The works were largely made in his Dickson studio and developed from sketching at home in Watson. Roper’s practice investigates interior psychological landscapes alongside physical spaces, creating ambiguous environments that invite contemplation. The abstract approach allows viewers to project their own interpretations onto the work. Across multiple mediums, Roper demonstrates technical versatility whilst maintaining cohesive artistic vision. The exhibition title suggests exploration of both inner psychological terrain and the intimate domestic spaces inspiring the work. Sans Titre and other pieces reveal the artist’s process of transforming everyday observations into abstract visual language.

Until Saturday, 1 March | ANCA Gallery | anca.net.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

The Measure of Things

This is Dee Hopkins’ first solo exhibition comprising abstracts, portraits and still life.  The portraits present the narratives of women who played a pivotal role in supporting or inspiring renowned men throughout history.  Their notable contributions were frequently overshadowed or left unacknowledged due to the prominence of their partners’ achievements.

Until Sunday 1 March, 10 am to 3 pm weekends | The Hive Gallery, 274 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | qbnhive.buzz/community  

IN THE GARDEN. TIME PASSES by Anne-Marie Jean

30 years on from Jean’s debut solo exhibition at Canberra Contemporary’s Manuka gallery, ‘In the garden. Time passes’ continues Jean’s dialogue with the core construction blocks of landscape representation – colour, form, movement, materiality – engaged to animate expressions of physical experiences in nature.

Saturday 28 February – Sunday 22 March | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.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 Sunday 8 March | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.

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 | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.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 | 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 | National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point | nca.gov.au

Seasons, Tides, and Lunar Cycles by Andrew Totman

Andrew Totman presents a fresh artistic direction in the Pivot Gallery, developed from memories of the natural world. The series demonstrates awareness of environmental influence, weather patterns and the unfathomable depth of galaxy. Works explore the interconnected rhythms governing natural phenomena, from seasonal changes to tidal movements and lunar phases. Totman’s practice reflects deep observation of cosmic and earthly cycles, translating these vast concepts into visual form. The exhibition invites contemplation of humanity’s place within larger natural systems.

Until Sunday, 22 March | Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au

Meanwhile in Canberra

A collection of seven prints celebrates Canberra landmarks through lino, risograph and mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock) printmaking techniques. The exhibition features interpretations of Telstra Tower, Lake Burley Griffin and the Powerful Owl in visual styles inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e traditions. The prints respond to Canberra’s natural and built environment, drawing parallels with thematic print series such as Hokusai’s 100 Views of Mt Fuji. Each composition uses distinct printmaking methods to create connected works exploring the city’s character. The exhibition runs from early February through late March at Belconnen Arts Centre.

Until Sunday, 22 March | East Wall, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

Over Seas II

Belconnen Arts Centre presents an open exhibition exploring migrant and refugee perspectives within the Canberra community. Displayed in the Generator Gallery, the exhibition ranges from political to personal narratives, offering diverse viewpoints on the migrant experience. Works examine themes of displacement, belonging, identity and cultural transition through various artistic mediums. The exhibition provides a platform for voices often underrepresented in mainstream arts spaces, celebrating the rich cultural diversity that shapes contemporary Canberra. From memory and loss to hope and resilience, the artworks reflect the complex realities of building new lives in Australia.

Until Sunday, 22 March | Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au

Lines of Landscape by Kym Brookes

Far South Coast fibre artist Kym Brookes presents a tactile exploration of place, memory and transformation in the West Gallery. Drawing deeply from textures, tones and rhythms of the landscape surrounding her, Brookes creates works that blur boundaries between textile art and landscape interpretation. The exhibition demonstrates sophisticated understanding of fibre as medium for expressing connection to country. Through weaving, stitching and material manipulation, the artist translates environmental experiences into tangible form. Works evoke weathered surfaces, organic patterns and the passage of time across land. The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider landscape representation beyond traditional painting and photography.

Until Sunday, 22 March | Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au

On Reimagined Wings

Beth Harcourt presents sculptural birds created from recycled and found objects at Belconnen Arts Centre. The exhibition explores character and personality through assemblages of disparate materials that would otherwise end up in landfill. Each bird sculpture combines sustainability themes with whimsical interpretations of native species. The works invite viewers to engage with wonder and introspection through Harcourt’s creative reuse of materials. The Window Gallery exhibition runs from early February through late March. The display demonstrates how art can transform waste materials into expressive sculptural forms.

Until Sunday, 22 March | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

Sculpted By Lifestyle

Craft + Design Canberra presents ceramic works by Lee Nelms reimagining the seven sins through an Australian cultural perspective. The exhibition features “before” and “after” pieces exploring how behaviour is shaped by experience, consequence and time. Hand-built and altered wheel-thrown ceramic forms incorporate expressive marks and creature-like features representing flaws, humour and vulnerability. Nelms works across various clay types fired in electric, oil and wood kilns. Her practice focuses on the human face and sculptural expression, translating emotional experiences into physical forms. The exhibition runs from mid-February through late March.

Until Saturday, 28 March, 2026 | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, City| craftanddesigncanberra.org

The Hurt Business

The Hurt Business is Omar Musa’s new exhibition of lithographs and woodcuts at Megalo Print Studio. “The Hurt Business” is a phrase used to describe boxing, but could equally refer to international politics – also an arena of sanctioned violence, triumphalism and competing forces. Whether it be the invasion of Venezuela, the genocide in Gaza, ICE agents in the streets of the US, or kill squads during the Philippines’ War On Drugs, Musa asks the question, “Who gets to sanction violence? And more importantly – who says stop?”

In The Hurt Business, we see colliding woodcut images that represent political triumphalism and ritualised violence: boxers, ghostly referees, crocodiles, balaclavas, jerry cans, dice. Lithographs, adorned with gold leaf, are based on interviews with fishermen and families of victims of Philippines’ former president Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Drugs. A blindfolded Mother Mary stands in a cemetery dedicated to the victims, surrounded by gold stars representing them. Death masks, rendered in intense blue on blue, based on pre-colonial South-East Asian funerary masks, nod to the rituals around death, and possibly – killing. The Hurt Business is work that ricochets between dark humour and poetry, using sous rature to contest questions of power and moral governance.

Until Saturday 4 April, Opening event: Friday 20 February 5:30–7:30 pm | Megalo Print Studio, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | megalo.org/the-hurt-business

A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited

A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited explores love, identity and resilience within Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ community. In 2017, photographer Jane Duong and producer Victoria Firth-Smith created Queerberra to document queer Canberrans during the national postal vote on marriage equality. Over 100 portraits captured moments of pride, exhaustion, defiance and hope when love itself was publicly debated. Eight years later, this exhibition returns to those portraits to reflect on personal growth, community strength and the enduring power of love. The exhibition invites visitors to consider progress made and work remaining in the city that voted yes more strongly than any other in Australia.

Until Saturday, 5 April | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au

Traces

Tuggeranong Arts Centre presents work by five artists with connections to Ngunnawal and Ngambri land. Alexander Sarsfield, Bridget Baskerville, Clementine McIntosh, Gemma Brown and Sarah Murray work across ceramics, textiles, printmaking, drawing, weaving and community-based practices. The exhibition explores material processes and connections to place and people. Brown utilises experimental processes with industrial waste and commercial ceramic materials. Baskerville submerges metal plates in bodies of water to create corrosion marks. McIntosh uses site-responsive techniques including buried textiles and plant dyes. Sarsfield shares Māori culture through communal raranga weaving practices. Murray creates large-scale gestural paintings challenging colonial landscape ideals through embodied experiences of place.

Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com

Bean Soup

Canberra glass artist Bailey Donovan presents an immersive exhibition centred on recurring glass bean forms. The installation includes blown sculptures, wall-mounted works and colour compositions exploring relationships between domestic craft, queer identity and glass’s expressive nature. Donovan’s signature bean shapes embrace irregular silhouettes and uneven contours, offering alternatives to traditional glassblowing aesthetics focused on symmetry and technical refinement. The work references domestic textiles including gingham and crochet through cane work, colour overlays and patterning techniques. Bean clusters vary from small collectible-sized pieces to larger abstract blown forms arranged in compositions referencing kitchen jars and fabric scraps. The exhibition celebrates material exploration through humour and comfort.

Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com

The Long Look

Five printmakers who met at the Canberra School of Art Printmaking Workshop in the late 1990s reunite for an exhibition celebrating innovative practices. Cecile Galizzo, G.W. Bot, Lizzie Hall, Craig Cameron and John Pratt share material-based approaches where etching plates and woodblocks become artworks, metal becomes drawing, and repetition transforms into methodology. The exhibition references deep consideration needed during uncertain times, bringing together old friends to celebrate making art. Works in wood, metal and paper distil years of observing and inhabiting natural landscapes and internal landscapes of myth and memory. The exhibition functions as a conversation between artists reflecting their longstanding friendships.

Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com

DEEP END BY AMY CLAIRE MILLS

Deep End is an immersive sensory installation inviting exploration through touch, sight, and sound. The project explores the concept of accessible and adaptive ‘third spaces’. Third spaces, beyond home and work, are informal social environments that foster community and connection (Oldenburg, 1989).

However, for many Disabled people, third spaces often default to medical environments like doctors’ waiting rooms and outpatient clinics. Public pools have long served as adaptive third spaces existing somewhere between the social and the medical. Deep End invites you to wade into a future in which care, access, and disability culture are embedded in the design from the very beginning.

Until Sunday 12 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au/current

WATER BY HANDS ON STUDIO

The artworks in Water have been developed by artists from Hands On Studio, Canberra, whose practices foreground process, material engagement, and embodied ways of making.

Through diverse approaches and mediums, the artists examine water as a mutable substance that exists across multiple states — liquid, solid, and vapour — and across varied registers of meaning. Rain, sea, ice, and tap water are considered not only for their physical properties, but for the social, political, and environmental contexts in which they are encountered.

Until Sunday 12 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au/current

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 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au

5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

The National Indigenous Art Triennial brings together commissioned work by established and emerging First Nations artists from across Australia. Artistic Director Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples), one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, leads this iteration. After the Rain presents new immersive projects resonating with ideas of rebirth and cycles of cleansing, celebrating inter-generational legacies and cultural warriors of past, present and future. Made possible through the continued generosity of Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters, the Triennial creates an important platform for art and ideas. Following its Kamberri/Canerra presentation, After the Rain will tour nationally.

Until Saturday, 26 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au

Hallyu! The Korean Wave

An exhibition exploring Korea’s cultural journey to global influence through 250 objects from the V&A in London. The exhibition spans film, fashion, drama, beauty and music–from BTS to aespa, Squid Game to Parasite, glass skin to bibimbap. Visitors can discover the powerhouse behind Korea’s dramatic cultural transformation and the vibrant world of K-culture as it continues to sweep across the globe. The exhibition examines how creativity, collaboration and cultural ambition shaped Korea’s contemporary identity.

Until Sunday, 10 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au

In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists

Celebrate Australian innovation at National Archives’ latest exhibition in Canberra, In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists. Explore the history of Australian invention, from First Nations creativity to 150 years of patents, designs and trademark registrations.

See life-changing inventions, iconic designs and household brand names with original design drawings and trademarks from the national archival collection alongside their real-life counterparts.

Australians from all walks of life have pursued their ideas in the laboratory, at the drafting table and in the humble backyard shed. Learn about the innovators behind advances such as the baby capsule, spray-on skin and the stump-cam. Discover the origins of everyday products and national icons such as the Victa lawnmower, Hills Hoist and ‘goon bag’.

From pedestrian crossing buttons to dual flush toilets, see how the Australian Government played a vital role in supporting inventions and designs that you regularly see, hear, use – and flush. Spark your own imagination and be inspired by stories of bold dreams, determination and Australian ingenuity.

Until 17 May | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au

Good Neighbour

Belconnen Arts Centre presents an offsite group exhibition at SLA Display Village and Innovation Precinct, Whitlam, curated by Brooke McEachern. A printmaker, glass blower, ceramist, mark maker and knifemaker come together celebrating local makers and quiet creative lives unfolding around us. Estelle Briedis, Hugo Curtis, Jacky Lo, Isobel Rayson and Dan Venables live and work in our neighbourhoods as familiar dog-walkers, corner café regulars or simply good neighbours. Through functional objects and considered craftsmanship, the exhibition presents works feeling personal and lived-with, as though gathered over time from friends and neighbours. The collaboration highlights the creative talent existing within everyday community spaces, making visible the artistic practice happening in homes and studios throughout Canberra’s suburbs.

Until Sunday, 13 July | SLA Display Village, Whitlam | belcoarts.com.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 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au

National Library of Australia Treasures Gallery

The National Library has millions of books, and the Treasures Gallery answers the frequently asked question, ‘Where are they’. They also collect other items. From maps and manuscripts to photographs and paintings, the Treasures Gallery is where you can find highlights from their vast physical and digital collections. Behind-the-scenes videos, pages from William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice from the First Folio, a cedar bookcase carved by Dorothea Mackellar, photographs from the nation’s photo album, and a display of The Wiggles’ websites from 1997 to today from the Australian Web Archive are among the new additions.

Until December 2030 | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au

Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’

Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’ celebrates the year’s best political cartoons.

Featuring established and emerging cartoonists from across Australia, this exhibition highlights the significant contribution they make to cultural and political debates through witty, insightful and often poignant satirical drawings.

This year our Behind the Lines theme is the cinema, acknowledging that, like some of our favourite movies, 2025 has been full of thrills and spills, romance and heartbreak, with plenty of unexpected plot twists. Australia’s cartoonists and illustrators have tackled many of the issues that made news, including the federal election, the cost of living, energy policy, interest rates, housing security, the economy, climate change and stories from overseas.

Until December 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House | moadoph.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 recognising 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 collectables. 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

Feature image: @snapsbysal