25+ things to do this weekend in Canberra
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Blockbuster exhibitions, foodie events, family-friendly activities and more – this weekend, your calendar will be overflowing with fun things to do.
And the best part? This is just a taste of what’s on in Canberra.
Urban Cocktail Trail
A self-guided experience where you decide to stop and sip is completely up to you? Yes please. Celebrating all the art, craftsmanship and fun a beautifully made cocktail has to offer, all you need to do is rally your friends together and make your way around the trail.
Saturday 20 January | Various locations | Book here.
Luna Saturdays
Have you been to Luna yet? On Saturdays watch the bar transform for an evening where intrigue and luxury intertwine. There will be Cabaret Dancers, DJs and more! Book online or walk in.
Saturday 20 January | Luna, 99 London Circuit, City | More information here.
High Tea at the Atrium
An afternoon full of delectable treats, Bottomless Prosecco and soothing teas – High Tea at the Atrium promises to be an afternoon of delicious elegance. As well as a beautifully presented cake tower of sweet and savoury treats, you’ll enjoy two hours of ‘free-flowing’ prosecco, a delicious array of T2 tea and more.
Saturday 20 January | Atrium Restaurant and Bar, Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | Book here.
Australians & Hollywood
Elvis is leaving the building – the Canberra-exclusive Australians & Hollywood exhibition is closing on 28 January.
Australians & Hollywood celebrates iconic moments in contemporary Australian film and the people and stories that brought them to life. Don’t miss the chance to relive beloved cinema moments and see rare behind-the-scenes footage, costumes and props.
Highlights include spectacular costumes from ELVIS, Moulin Rouge! and The Sapphires, props from The Power of the Dog and ELVIS, customised steering wheels from Mad Max: Fury Road, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s art concept books for Romeo + Juliet and the clapperboard from Dune.
Until 28 January | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Tickets here.
Play Day
Sundays at Dairy Road, one of Canberra’s coolest precincts, just got cuter. Play Day is a free weekly event for kids and their adults, that offers theatrical performances, live bands, water play and activities for open-learning play in Dairy Road’s purpose built LESS Garden. Blending education and fun, don’t miss out on this free event!
Sunday 21 January | Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, LESS Garden, Fyshwick | More information here.
Canberra United v Melbourne Victory
Get to the game and watch these two giants face off! Canberra United is taking on the Melbourne Victory at Mckellar Park and it looks like it’ll be an action packed game. Don’t miss out!
Sunday 21 January | Mckellar Park, Walkley Place, Mckellar | Book here.
Sunday Soirée
Live music, a Bentspoke pop-up bar and gourmet food and drink offers…what’s not to love? Head along to the Hyatt Hotel for a relaxing Sunday afternoon that will have something for the whole family. Perfect for friends, families and couples looking for a chilled Sunday afternoon catch-up, book ahead or walk in on the day!
Sunday 21 January | Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book here.
Sunset Cinema
The Sunset Cinema is back with with their signature movie mix of hot new releases, all-time classics and family favourites. Located at the stunning Australian National Botanic Gardens, grab yourself a bottomless popcorn bucket, and a choc-top and head to the Sunset Bar for a refreshing drink. Whether its date night, family night or catching up with your mates Sunset Cinema is this summer’s ‘must do’ experience!
Until Sunday 24 February | The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Book here.
Markets
Capital Region Farmers Market
At the Capital Region Farmers Market you can find fresh produce, flowers and the ready-to-eat food and coffee. What more could you need? The Capital Region Farmers Market has everything you need.
7 am – 11:30 am, Saturday | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Old Well Station Road, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Haig Park Markets
Moments away from Lonsdale street’s boutiques and cafes, the Haig Park Village Markets will delight your senses with delicious cuisines, tasty treats, beautiful blooms, fresh produce, delectable charcuterie and artisan products. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a picnic whilst feasting your senses on the culinary delights on offer or to browse the fabulous local handmade design stalls.
8:30 am – 2 pm Sunday | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
With more than 100 stalls (including your old favourites), you’ll have the chance to shop for a brilliant variety of Australian-made, handcrafted and premium products. Sneak a walk around the foreshore while you’re down there.
9.30 am – 2.30 pm Sunday | Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Music
Kate Miller-Heidke – Catching Diamonds Tour
After months locked away writing songs, the inimitable Kate Miller-Heidke is bringing her national tour to Canberra. Kate will be playing her greatest hits and most beloved pop songs, as well as performing tracks from her original musicals, some unexpected covers, taking requests, and telling stories from across her varied career. She’ll even be debuting new material from her forthcoming sixth studio album. This is a special opportunity to see Kate in intimate, stripped-back mode.
Friday 19 January | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra| Book here.
Music In The Mountains
Relax by the dam as you snack on gourmet charcuterie, enjoy some epic local tunes and take in the spectacular beauty of Namadgi at this unique summer music event. Want an extra dose of fun? Seek out some adventure with the 1.2 kilometre Alpine Slide! It’s an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Saturday 20 January | Corin Forest, 1268 Corin Road, Paddys River | Book here.
Royale With Cheese Ultimate 90s Rock Show
Playing all the 90s rock and pop covers you know and love (from Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden to Radiohead, Blur and Oasis to Silverchair), this will be a rollicking 90s party reviving one of the greatest and most influential decades in rock music.
Saturday 20 January | The Baso Canberra, 2 Cohen Street, Belconnen | Book here.
Exhibitions
Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize
The National Portrait Gallery is hosting the Art Gallery of NSW’s touring exhibition Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize. Celebrating 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award and reflects upon the changing face of the nation, this exhbition delves into the controversies and the commonplace, the triumphant and the thwarted, and honours the artists who have made the Archibald Prize the most sought-after accolade in Australian art today.
Until Sunday 28 January | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Nan Goldin
A sequence of 126 Cibachrome photographs by revolutionary American photographer Nan Goldin between 1973 and 1986, The Ballad of Sexual Dependency is Goldin’s most famous work (and one of the cornerstones of contemporary photography).
Decades-long in the making, The Ballad is a rare acquisition for the NGA and a must-see for anyone interested in people and their social and cultural context.
Until Sunday 28 January | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Through Their Lens
Explore the year in news through Australia’s top photographers. The prestigious Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition showcases the talent and dedication of Australian photographers by focusing on excellent visual storytelling. Get ready to be taken on a journey through the world of news, sports, portraiture, and visual essays, where fleeting moments are transformed into unforgettable images that defined the year.
Until Wednesday 31 January | Civic Library, London Circuit, Civic Square, City | More information here.
Visual Expression The Bunker Studio Artists
Visual Expression paintings, drawings and sculptures by The Bunker Studio Artists explores a range of themes and ideas through an individual visual expression strengthened by a supportive group’s diversity and inclusion. Head along to see it for yourself!
Until February 2024 | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Guns & Flowers: Ex de Medici
Ex de Medici grew up and lives in Canberra and is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. In this exhbition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, audiences will have the opportunity to see Medici’s earliest works, made when she was part of the energetic first wave of independent artist-activists in Canberra in the early 1980s, to some of her most recent, travelling from her acclaimed retrospective at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.
Until March 2024 | Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | More information here.
Emily Kam Kngwarray
Emily Kam Kngwarray celebrates the timeless art of a pre-eminent Australian artist, one of the world’s most significant contemporary painters to emerge in the 20th century. A senior Anmatyerre woman, Kngwarray’s devoted her final years to painting, creating works that encapsulate the experience and authority she gained throughout an extraordinary life. Showcasing an extensive range, this exhbition brings together her most important works.
Until April 2024 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Discovering Ancient Egypt
Journey back in time to discover the wonders of ancient Egypt in this must-see exhibition featuring over 220 objects from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden). You’ll learn all about the lifestyles of the ancient Egyptians, their religion and society, their creativity and their belief in an afterlife where they hoped to live for eternity.
Until September 2024 | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Book here.
BUILT GEOLOGIES
Head along to the Canberra Glassworks to see a unique exhibition featuring intriguing rock-glass hybrids inspired by the concept of terraforming. Created by Nicholas Burridge, the works touch on themes of geology, time, and industrialisation – serving as a poignant reminder of the immense geological forces that have shaped our planet over millennia.
Until Sunday 25 February | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Workshops, webinars and more
Podcasting 101 with ArtSound FM
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a podcast? This two-part workshop will show you how the professionals do it, using hands-on use of podcasting and studio consoles, microphones, and recording devices and software. You’ll learn how to use microphones effectively, edit sound recordings, structure podcasts and manage their quality, as well as how to plan and conduct interviews!
Saturday 20 and 27 January | Corner NSW Crescent and Manuka Circle, Griffith | Book here.
Glass Blowing at Canberra Glassworks
Make your own vase, tumbler or bird in this unique one-on-one glass blowing class! With the guidance of a skilled glass blowing teachers, you’ll gain some new skills and walk away with a beautiful creation.
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | Book here.
Archie 100: The Final Countdown
Celebrate the final days of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize at the National Portrait Gallery with three fun-filled days of activities, workshops, talks and tours for visitors of all ages. Activities include workshops for children, teens and adults with artist Kate Beynon; a 100 Faces project; water play; accessible mornings; screenings of ‘Finding the Archibald’; and more!
Until Sunday 21 January | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Warehouse Circus School Holiday Program
This is one for kids of all ages – the opportunity to unleash their inner acrobat, clown, and performer. This program is designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and cultivate lifelong skills, just like their graduates who shine in the circus spotlight. They’ll discover the magic of circus, where they can flip, twist, and turn!
Until January 2024 | Warehouse Circus, 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley | Book here.
Art Play Space @ The NPG
Free creative activities? Yes please! Drop in to the family space these school holidays to enjoy activities are inspired by portraits in the Gallery’s collection.
Until late January 2024 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | Book here.
