30+ reasons to spend this awesome autumnal weekend in Canberra
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Fêtes, fairs, markets, and more – it’s the perfect autumnal weekend and, there’s plenty to do.
Instead of getting out of town, we’ve found 30+ reasons you should stay right here in Canberra. Think of this as your ultimate weekend guide!
Special Events and Festivals
Boho Luxe Market
Those who like their market stalls with a side of aura photos and vegan chocolate need to clear their diaries from 18-19 May, because the Boho Luxe Market is back.
Offering an exciting and diverse range of small businesses the chance to connect with Canberra audiences across two days in a relaxed market environment, the Boho Luxe Market is your chance to open your mind and heart – and indulge in some completely delicious vegan fare.
Taking place in the Budawang Pavilion at Exhibition Park, there will be a huge variety of eco-conscious and artisanal stalls to browse and shop. You can also expect immersive free workshops all weekend, including free sound healings, free aura photos from 10 am until 11 am each day, the Boho Bar, free psychic stage shows, psychic readers, live music, vegan food samples and gin tastings. There will even be a dedicated Boho Bride section!
Speaking of vegan food, your Boho Luxe Market ticket will also give you entry to The Vegan Market, with the two events running alongside each other and offering a plethora of vegan goodness including food from Lord of the Fries, Bao Melbourne, Australian Cookie Empire, Dessert Quartets / Vegan Tasty, Hare Krishna Food for Life Inc, Rodu Bodu, Mim’s Vegan Treats and Oh My Doner.
Saturday 18 May from 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 19 May from 10 am – 4 pm | Budawang Pavilion, Exhibition Park in Canberra | boholuxemarket.com
Fundraising Market Stall for Rio Grande Do Sul
As you may have seen, the south of Brazil has been inundated by devastating floods and many residents are without shelter and basic necessities. Many more have lost their homes, businesses, pets and even loved ones.
To raise money for those who have lost everything, the Brazilian community of Canberra are holding several fundraising stalls at the Jamison Trash N Treasure Market across Sunday 19 and 26 May from 7am until 2pm.
The stalls will sell clothes, accessories, utensils, delicious Brazilian food and more, with all funds being sent to the south of Brazil.
Saturday 19 and 26 May from 7 am – 2 pm | Trash N Treasure Market, Jamison Shopping Centre, Macquarie
French Australian Preschool Community Fête
Get your fix of all things French at the upcoming French Australian Preschool Community Fête! Enjoy live entertainment, second hand French and English books, new and pre-loved clothes, food stalls, games and prizes, raffle and silent auction, kids’ activities, artisan goods and plants plus stall holders from across Canberra!
Saturday 18 May, 11 am – 3 pm | 31 Astrolabe Street, Red Hill | More information here.
Curtin Autumn Fair
Curtin’s Autumn Fair is on again! Head along to browse stalls selling a wide range of handmade crafts, books, jewellery and jams. They’ll have lovely handmade gifts for mums, babies and children, and even presents for pets as well! See their Tai Chi demonstrations, listen to some talented musicians, grab a sizzled sausage, and have lunch or coffee at one of Curtin’s many cafes. See you there?
Saturday 18 May, 10 am – 2 pm | Curtin Square at Curtin shops, Corner of Theodore and Carruthers Streets, Curtin | More information here.
Volunteering Expo
The Volunteering Expo is held every year to connect the Canberra community to volunteering opportunities and volunteer involving organisations in the Canberra Region. There are a range of sectors represented, including environment, sport, education, science, arts, tourism, emergency response and more! This is an excellent opportunity to see the wide variety of volunteering options in Canberra and it’s a wonderful place to start your volunteering journey. There will be music, food vans, coffee, face-painting and a smoking ceremony.
Saturday 18 May, 10 am – 4 pm | UC Refectory, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce | More information here.
Canberra Wool Expo
If it can be created in wool, you may just find it at these markets. Head along to browse and buy hand felted garments and accessories, designer knitwear, weavings, funky beanies and farm label knitwear. And that’s not all. There’s also a vast array of woollen yarns, including hand spun and hand dyed yarns!
Saturday 18 May, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm | The Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Gaslight
Young, trusting, and fragile – Bella Manningham thinks she’s losing her mind. In the evenings, she hears strange noises. The sitting-room gas lamps dim for no apparent reason. Is Bella’s loving relationship with her partner Jack all that it seems?
With all the hallmarks of Victorian Gothic, refreshed with intriguing new insights, Gaslight is a thrilling theatrical experience.
Until Sunday 19 May | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | Buy tickets here.
BEFAIR
Un-bee-lievably obsessed with bees? Let us introduce you to this fun, free day out. Showcasing bees and their wonderful world, while supporting Ukrainian Beekeepers struggling due to the war, you’ll discover everything about bees on a guided beehive tour, dance and sing with Johnny Huckle and the Royal Belgian Conspiracy. Enjoy some delicious food and drinks, and watch the Maya the Bee film to make a day of it!
Sunday 19 May, 11 am – 3 pm | Royal Belgian Embassy, 19 Arkana Street, Yarralumla | More information here.
Canberra Runners Half Marathon
Ready, set, go! The Canberra Half Marathon is back. The event start line is on Flynn Drive in Yarralumla and the 21.1-kilometre course follows the beautiful West Basin loop around Lake Burley Griffin. The finish line, in leafy Lennox Gardens, provides runners with spectacular finish line photos. Race you there?
Sunday 19 May | Lennox Gardens, Flynn Drive, Yarralumla | 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.
Markets
Little Burley Markets
Offering a diverse array of multicultural foods, much-loved beverages and brunchables, beautiful blooms, locally made art, fashion, photography and homewares, artisanal bread, delectable pastries, seafood, smoked charcuterie, truffles, meats, puppy treats, and much more, you’ll be able to find plenty of goodies at this bespoke lakeside market
8 am – 1 pm Saturdays | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Capital Region Farmers Market
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 Sundays | 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 and pet treats.
Sundays from 7 am – 11.30 am | Canberra College, 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | Facebook
Food + Wine
Chilli Week
It’s time to spice up your life: Chilli Week is back at Verity Lane Market. Offering a diverse and delicious lineup of spicy dishes across all six of their pop-up vendors, you can sink your teeth into crunchy crumbed jalapeno poppers with risotto and cheese, a spicy fried chilli chicken burger, Amatriciana pizza with spicy nduja sauce and more.
Until Saturday 18 May | Verity Lane Market, Sydney Building, London Circuit | More information here.
Introductory Wine Appreciation
Want to learn more about the Canberra wine and the region? This is a fun, fuss-free introduction. You’ll discover the essential elements of wine, how wine is made, food and wine pairing – and you get to do all this by tasting through a hand-picked selection of quality Canberra wines. See you there?
Saturday 18 May | Canberra and Region Visitor’s Centre, Parkes | Book here.
High Tea at the Atrium
Delectable treats, bottomless Prosecco and soothing teas? Yes, please. This experience at the Pavilion on Northbourne promises to be delicious.
Sunday 19 May | Atrium Restaurant & Bar, 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | Book here.
Tipsy Sundaze
At “Tipsy Sundaze” the weekend doesn’t have to end on a flat note.
Come together with friends and elevate your Sunday at Amici. Unwind, sip, and savour while experiencing the very best Canberra’s music scene has to offer.
Every Sunday from 2.30-5.30 pm | Amici, Northbourne Avenue, City | Find out more here
Stage and Screen
QL2 Dance – Subject To Change
With 26 young Canberran dance artists at the forefront, Subject to Change is a triple bill of new dance works created by renowned Australian choreographers Alisdair Macindoe (Naarm/Melbourne), Gabrielle Nankivell (Meanjin/Brisbane) and Artistic Director of QL2 Dance, Ruth Osborne OAM (Kamberri/Canberra).
Until Saturday 18 May | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | Buy tickets here.
Five Women Wearing The Same Dress
A hilarious and heartfelt comedy from renowned playwright Alan Ball. Meet five very different women who joyously discover a common bond – despite their differences, they have much more in common than we think.
Featuring a talented ensemble of female and non-binary performers. This show is bound to be queer-friendly and fun.
Until Saturday 18 May | ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | Buy tickets here.
The Actress
The curtain is ready to rise on Lydia Martin’s final performance before retirement. As Lydia prepares to farewell the stage her family, friends, rivals, and colleagues descend upon her dressing room to deliver gracious goodbyes and settle past scores.
There’s as much drama and comedy backstage as there is onstage in this witty, smart, and emotional tribute to the power of leading ladies everywhere.
Until Saturday 18 May | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Ln, Acton | Buy tickets here.
Circus Spectacular & Infamous Cabaret
Two great shows – Infamous Cararet and Circus Spectacular – under one roof until 18 May!
Whether you’re looking to entertain the family this school holidays, or for a fun date night, it’s all on offer in the big top at Majura Park until 18 May!
Tickets start from $16 for Circus Spectacular and $62 for Infamous Cabaret.
Daily shows until Saturday 18 May | Majura Park | Infamous Cabaret | Circus Spectacular
Book Club at the NFSA: Little Women
Presented in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival, Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 interpretation of Little Women is hitting the screen at the NFSA.
A discounted double film pass is available to see both Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 Little Women and Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation. The Little Women 2019 adaptation event will be followed by a discussion with special guests Gillian Armstrong AM and Dr James McNamara.
Sunday 19 May | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
Music
Hands Like Houses
Canberra band Hands Like Houses are on a bit if a journey after welcoming new singer Josh Raven into the band, and to celebrate, they’re touring! Expect some classic HLH songs with a bit of spice and a handful of new songs for a taste of what’s to come next for the band.
Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May | Fun Time Pony, 122 Alinga Street, City | Book here.
Reputation: The Ultimate Taylor Swift Show
Calling all Swifities, this one is for you. Reputation is a stunning high-energy extravaganza featuring a full six-piece band and an incredible 34 songs through every iconic Era and re-invention of the worldwide phenomenon that is Taylor Swift. Are you ready for it?
Saturday 18 May, 8 pm – 11 pm | Maning Clark Hall, Kambri, The Australian National University, 154 University Avenue | Book here.
Afrobeat Awareness with This Way Orkestra
Join an evening of afrobeat, jazz and reggae as Canberra’s very own enclave of Afrobeat + Ska + Reggae sounds This Way Orkestra wows audiences with Afrobeat Awareness. This 10-piece orchestra combines the mighty Afro-Funk of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti with a tight brass section and jazz + ska grooves so expect heavy dancefloor energy at all times!
Saturday 18 May | Gang Gang Cafe, 2 Frencham Street, Shop 4, Downer | Book here.
Exhibitions
Monuments
‘Monuments’ is a body of work that investigates and celebrates the forms found within our landscape. Created by Emma Pattenden, it reinterprets the rock forms found in different parts of the Australian landscape to express the monumental value of these forms and places, inviting you on a transformative journey through the sculptural wonders of our Australian landscape.
Until Sunday 9 June | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Field Of Vision
‘Field of Vision’ a solo exhibition by Lee Leibrandt. It presents a collection of woven tapestries that reflect the connection between the natural landscape and personal experience of place.
In combining the traditional medium of tapestry weaving with modern design elements of mixed-media collage and mark making, Leibrandt aims to make pattern and colour manifest as dream-like representations via a meditative and intentional practice.
Until Sunday 9 June | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Creating Apart, Together
M16 Artspace Gallery in Canberra is where the exhibition Creating Apart, Together is on show from 16 May to 9 June, with an opening on 16 May at 6 pm. It brings together 21 local visual, fibre and textile artists from Networks Australia (@networks_australia_artists), and proposes an alternative to the privilege of visiting artists’ studios.
The visitor is offered three perspectives – the works themselves (painting, machine and hand-stitching, tapestry, weaving etc); a ‘concept board’ for each artist and photographs by Networks member, Fiona Bowring. The artists are brought together in a bank of portraits of each in their studios.
Free entry.
Opening 6 pm on 16 May. Until 9 June. Floor talk: 1 pm on 17 May, tickets here | M16 Artspace Gallery, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here
Place
In this playful exhibition, Alexander Thatcher pays homage to two things: his love for creating tiny ceramic architecture and his passion for clay.
It’s his hope that when you explore this exhibition of tiny buildings (or take one home), they ignite your imagination and fill your heart with wonder.
Until Sunday 19 May | The Nook, Belconnen Arts Centre | Find out more here.
Ralph Heimans: Portraiture. Power. Influence
This is the first major exhibition of the Sydney-born artist’s work in his home country. Featuring some of the most significant portraits in the artist’s career to date (from early major works such as his painting of HM Queen Mary of Denmark through to his most recent paintings), you’ll see some amazing works that have cemented Ralph Heimans as a internationally sought-after portraitist known for his meticulously realised paintings.
Until Monday 27 May | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
ABODE Exhibition
This exhibition uses sculptural and visual responses to explore what it means to have a roof over your head, and the continuous quest to make a place to habitually return too.
The artists ask: what does abode mean to us? Is it a place of comfort and pleasure, or fear and isolation? Is it a space of escape and refuge or a sense of belonging? Is it a physical manifestation representing us or is it a purely internal dwelling space within an environment of impermanence and transience?
Where is your refuge, your true abode? Is it where the mind and body settle?
Abode will provide the opportunity for community engagement where the public can contribute their personal ideas about Abode. Visitors are invited to write their thoughts on Abode and places where people live and add them to an installation as part of the exhibition.
Make a Paper Based Dwelling with ABODE. Take inspiration from the exhibition and experiment with the ABODE artists in this paper- based construction workshop. Discuss exhibition concepts and develop your own ideas of abode and what it means to you. You may learn some origami or you might prefer to use other paper based methods to make a house. Visit the website to book.
Until Saturday 8 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Greenway | Book your free ticket here.
Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour
This exhibition of acclaimed Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira, Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour, charts the artist’s career, revealing the power of his painting and the potency of his words. Showcasing Namatjira’s burgeoning artistic practice, this major exhibition brings together paintings, works on paper and moving image from public and private collections nationwide, the exhibition will also feature a selection of watercolours from the national collection by the artist’s great-grandfather and critically acclaimed Western Arranda artist, Albert Namatjira.
Until Sunday 21 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Sport
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs Crusaders
Be a part of this iconic match as the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies host the 2023 Champions the Crusaders.
Take a trip down memory lane with the Brumbies celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the 2004 Championship.
Saturday 18 May | GIO Stadium Canberra, Battye Street, Bruce | Book here.
Canberra Runners Half Marathon
Take that run club to the next level and show off those skills at the annual Canberra Runners Half Marathon.
Sunday 19 May | Lennox Garden, Flynn Drive, Yarralumla | Register here.
Workshops, Tours and Talks
Sweet Like Honey: Masterclass In Creating Bee Friendly Environments
Here’s the buzz: you can join Parliament House’s volunteer head beekeeper, Cormac Farrell, for a masterclass exploring how a region’s diverse botanical sources create unique flavours in honey. You’ll discover how to integrate bees into landscape design through native and exotic plant selection and learn how the Parliament House gardens act as a vibrant bee-friendly city before tasting some honey!
Saturday 18 May | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | Book here.
Ravioli and Fresh Ricotta Making Class
Learn to make delicious homemade ravioli stuffed with fresh ricotta for a very special cause. As part of this Italian cooking workshop in Mawson, $1 from every booking is donated to Dementia Australia.
Saturday 18 May | Teacher’s studio, 118-128 Mawson Place, Mawson | Book here.
Gold or Silver Ring Making Class
It’s time to discover your inner jeweller! Attend Blonde’s Gold or Silver Ring Making class in Belconnen and create two customised rings that you’ll get to take home to wear and admire. Join the team for a special and memorable experience, with $1 from every booking donated to Dementia Australia.
Saturday 18 May | Teacher’s studio, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
