45+ things to do, see and eat this week in Canberra | HerCanberra

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45+ things to do, see and eat this week in Canberra

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From Luna New Year celebrations to the Hartley Hall Markets, this week you’ll be booked and busy.

Read on for your guide on all the things to see, do and eat.

Looking for even more to do in Canberra? Check out our What’s On section to find hundreds of events happening around town.

Special Events and Festivals

Club 27 Night Ride Bike Party

This special event celebrates and pays tribute to the musicians who died too young at 27 by rolling around Lake Burley Griffin and playing their songs. Really loud.

Dress up, meet outside the Street Theatre, then ride a loop around the Central Basin of Lake BG, and stop for a meal and drink at The Jetty.

Monday 27 January, 7 pm – 9 pm | Lake Burley Griffin, Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Acton | More information here.

Twilight in the Gardens

Join Hyatt Hotel Canberra for a magical evening in the gardens every Friday from 4 pm. With Tipple Time kicking off from 4 pm until 6 pm, head along to enjoy $12 boutique beers, $13 wines by the glass and $15 cocktails.

Plus there will be live acoustic music, a Chandon pop-up bar and a gourmet live grill. Re-live the glory days of Fridays at the Hyatt and use it as the perfect excuse to catch up with friends.

 

Canberra Lunar New Year Festival

Dickson is lighting up to celebrate the Luna New Year, and you’re invited. Head along for a day full of festivities as they welcome the Year of the Snake 2025.

Expect cultural performances, delicious traditional food, live music, and much more! Bring your friends and family along for an unforgettable experience.

Saturday 1 February, 10 am – 10 pm |

Summer Party in the Park

Paddys Park will play host to a fun Summer Party in the Park and there will be something for everyone.

With live music, kids entertainment, and so much more, celebrate Lunar New Year with roving Lion Dancing, bring the kids along to test out a fire hose with Emergency Services, or simply come to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Saturday 1 February, 4 pm – 8 pm | Paddys Park, Corner Asimus Avenue and Pro Hart Avenue, Strathnairn | More information here.

Spaghetti Confetti Live at Dairy Road

Play Day is returning to Dairy Road for 2025, and to kick it off the hilarious Spaghetti Confetti will be there to entertain kids of all ages with their tunes.

There will be free play with water instruments, bubbles, toys and tunnels. Plus, each session includes special performances from both local and visiting performers, delivering acts such as puppetry, cabaret, dance, live music, comedy and circus!

Sunday 2 February, 12 pm – 4 pm | Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | More information here.

Hot Summer Nights at NFSA

Get along to the NFSA this summer for free live music, cold drinks and good vibes in the heritage courtyard followed by a classic film in Arc Cinema.

Kicking off at 6 pm, relax in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoy free live performances and sets from Australian DJs and musicians hand-picked to complement the soundtracks and themes of each night’s film screening. 

Then head into Arc Cinema for a captivating blend of dramatic, romantic and cinematic films, all curated to express the vibrant intensity of summer heat: thought-provoking features and nostalgic classics exploring themes of love, passion, music, dance, suspense and stunning locations. 

Food and drinks will also be available.

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 1 February | McCoy Cct, Acton | nfsa.gov.au

Kath & Kim Drag Bingo!

Attention all hornbags! Kath & Kim Drag Bingo is coming to Harmonie German Club.

You’ll have the chance to win $1,000 cash and prizes while playing five rounds of bingo and watching live Kath & Kim shows. Dress as your favourite Kath & Kim character for your chance to win the best-dressed prize! Noice.

Friday 31 January, 7 pm – 10.30 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | Book here.

DinoFest Canberra – Age of the Tyrannosaur

Take the kids to a roarsome experience to see life-size, real walking and moving dinosaurs stomping into the Black Mountain Peninsula. The dinosaur encounter experience is sure to go down a treat, with walking and interactive dinosaurs roaming around, and the dinosaur trail with more than 30 dinosaurs enroute including a life-size T-Rex! Keep the fun going with a dino dig, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to feel a fossil with real dinosaur bones… Book your tickets before going though, the sessions are selling out faster than a velociraptor can run!

Until Sunday 2 February, 10.30 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm | Black Mountain Peninsula, Garryowen Drive, Acton | More information here.

The Great Kimberley Wilderness

Be transported to one of the world’s most breathtaking and pristine landscapes in The Great Kimberley Wilderness – a 35-minute virtual reality experience narrated by Luke Hemsworth.

Guided by scientists and traditional owners, this journey crosses stunning coastlines and majestic gorges, venturing deep into these timeless lands. Soar over the thundering King George Falls, explore the remarkable striped sandstone domes of the UNESCO-listed Purnululu National Park, and travel back more than 350 million years to the Devonian Reef, uncovering the ancient geology that has shaped life as we know it.

This experience reveals the history, geology, culture and wonder of the remarkable Kimberley wilderness, which has been nearly two billion years in the making.

Daily, every hour from 9.15 am to 4.15 pm | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | Find out more here.

Markets

Crafting Connection – South Asian Inspired Community Fair

Celebrating cultural diversity, creativity, and community spirit, this fair will allow you to immerse yourself in South Asian culture through traditional fashion, arts, crafts, and cuisine.

The aim? To promote inclusivity and support women entrepreneurs by showcasing their talents and providing a platform for their handcrafted products and small businesses. Expect south Asian music, food, fashion, crafts, entertainment, and more!

Saturday 1 February, 10 am – 2 pm |

Hartley Hall Markets

The Hartley Hall Markets are back for another month, and it’s the perfect day out for the whole family.

Head along to explore stalls offering everything from food to locally grown vegetables and fresh produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, children’s toys, arts and crafts, unique gifts and more. Make the most of the fresh air, live entertainment and children’s activities!

Sunday 2 February, 9 am – 2 pm |

Capital Region Farmers Market

This market is a community project run by the Rotary Club of Hall, the only rural Rotary Club in the ACT.

Head along to browse over 100 stallholders who bring their freshly picked, grown, and hand-crafted produce. Speak to a stallholder and ask them where their produce comes from – you’ll be surprised what you’ll learn and pick up cooking storage, and usage tips!

Saturday, 7 am – 11.30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | More information here.

Haig Park Village Markets

The Haig Park Village Markets runs every Sunday in the beautiful leafy grounds of Haig Park, Braddon.

This farmers and foodie market will delight your senses with delicious cuisines, tasty treats, beautiful blooms, fresh produce, delectable charcuterie, and artisan products. Plus you’ll discover locally handmade crafts including jewellery, art, natural body care, unique homewares, hand-poured candles, children’s apparel, pooch wares, and more. Plus, there’s live music, an artists’ table, face painting, and more!

Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm | 

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.

Sunday 8 am–11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com

Food and Wine

Canberra Cellar Door – pop up wine tasting

Popping up in the Canberra and Region Visitor’s Centre, this is the perfect introduction to local wines.

You’ll be able to taste wines from multiple local wineries in one convenient location, discover the stories behind the region’s varieties and vintages; and
purchase the wines you love!

Saturday 25 January, 11 am – 3 pm |

Twilight in the Gardens

Taking place every Friday from 4 pm in the beautiful Rose Garden, head along to enjoy live acoustic music under the setting sun, sip on delicious Chandon cocktails at the pop-up bar, and indulge in a gourmet grill feast!

See you there?

Friday 31 January until Friday 28 February, 4 pm – 7 pm |

 Native Foraging Event

Cypher Brewing Co. is inviting all beer lovers and community members to join them in this unique celebration of Australian Indigenous culture, multicultural unity, and exceptional craft beer!

You’ll join cultural ambassadors in a vibrant conversation about the diverse traditions surrounding food, plants, and brewing and after the foraging excursion, you’ll return to the Cypher Brewpub for a native-inspired three-course meal prepared by Richie Allan, a Ngunnawal knowledge-holder, alongside Cypher’s finest craft beers.

Sunday 2 February, 11 am – 5 pm | Mulligans Flat and The Ngaladjima Gardens | More information here.

Stage and Screen

Jack & Michael Whitehall Live

Love Jack Whitehall and his father? They’ll be stopping off from their travels to bring you an extra chapter of their adventures. And they’re coming to Canberra.

Expect tall tales, family secrets, and rare revealing photographs from the family album. Tantrums, rants, and pranks are guaranteed.

Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January, 7 pm – 9 pm | 

An Evening with David Sedaris

An acclaimed author, humourist and master of satire, join David Sedaris for an evening filled with storytelling, observations, unpublished tales, audience Q&As and book signings.

This is a rare opportunity to spend an evening with one of the world’s pre-eminent humour writers.

Saturday 1 February, 7 pm – 8 pm |

AN ACTOR’S INVESTIGATION: The Chalk Pit by Peter Wilkins

In a unique format, Peter Wilkins’ true-crime story returns to Canberra. The Chalk Pit is a gripping play that delves into the life of Thomas John Ley, Australian politician, lawyer, and murderer whose controversial career spanned scandal, ambition, and dark secrets.

From his early days in Sydney politics, earning the nickname “Lemonade Ley” for his temperance advocacy, to his rise as Minister of Justice, Ley’s life is a tale of power, betrayal, and moral conflict. The play explores his involvement in political intrigues and his descent into shady business ventures and violent crime. As his career unravels amidst bribery accusations and mysterious deaths, Ley’s shocking conviction for murder in 1947—and his final days in Broadmoor Asylum—offers a chilling portrait of a man whose personal and political ambitions ultimately led him to ruin.

A thrilling exploration of power, corruption, and the darkness lurking beneath the surface of public life, The Chalk Pit is a must-see for lovers of historical drama and true-crime intrigue.

Until Saturday 1 February | The Mill Theatre, Dairy Road, Fyshwick | events.humanitix.com

Sunset Cinema

Who doesn’t love going to the movies? Get the most out of summer, by heading to the Sunset Cinema at the Botanic Gardens. Showing all the new hits, some old favourites, and family classics, bring a picnic, some camping chairs or a blanket and sit back and enjoy the show!

Until Saturday 22 February, from 6:30 pm |  Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Movies and tickets can be found here.

Music

Amy Shark – The Solo Acoustic “Songs & Stories” Tour

That’s right, the alt-pop singer-songwriter is hitting the road for a mammoth 20-date tour this summer – and she’s stopping in Canberra.

And (if that’s not exciting enough) for the first time ever, fans will be treated to the entire set being played acoustically, with supporting emotional and honest stories for every song.

Wednesday 29 January, 8.30 pm – 10 pm |

Damien Rice

Following an incredible sold-out tour in May 2023, prolific Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice is coming to Canberra.

Known for his hauntingly beautiful live shows, he often performs with no set list, sweeping audiences off their feet.

Thursday 30 January, 8 pm – 10 pm |

Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings

Call all fans of the hit Netflix series Bridgerton! Step into the world of Regency-era romance with Candlelight: The Best of Bridgerton on Strings.

Created in collaboration with Netflix, Shondaland, and Fever, this one-of-a-kind experience will transform James Fairfax Theatre with a captivating candlelit ambiance and breathtaking floral displays. The curated setlist spans three seasons of the series, including reimagined versions of Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy, Ariana Grande’s thank u, next, Pitbull’s Give Me Everything (featuring Afrojack, Ne-Yo, and Nayer), Sia’s Cheap Thrills, and more.

Friday 31 January, 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm | James Fairfax Theatre at National Gallery of Australia | Book here.

Musica Viva Australia presents: The Cage Project

Imagine a grand piano, exploded, spinning in a ballet of fragments… Then imagine Cédric Tiberghien playing John Cage’s magnum opus beneath Matthias Schack-Arnott’s slowly whirling sculpture.

This is the Cage Project. Head along to see Australian percussionist, composer and sound artist Matthias Schack-Arnott collaborate with acclaimed French pianist Cédric Tiberghien on John Cage’s iconic Sonatas and Interludes of 1948. Get ready to experience the magic.

Friday 31 January, 7 pm | Llewellyn Hall,  Building 100, William Herbert Place, City | Book here.

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

Recent ARIA Award winners and homegrown heroes, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are coming back to Canberra for the University of Canberra’s O-Week and you better be excited.

Celebrated for their raw emotion and incisive social observations, don’t miss this chance to see them in the flesh.

Friday 31 January, 7 pm – 11 pm | UC Concourse, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce | Book here.

Music to Celebrate

Calling all music lovers, this sounds like a glorious feast for some amazing works.

Baroque will be performing a concert of Baroque music, including works by Vivaldi, Telemann and Locatelli. With compositions spanning 400 years, it’s an unforgettable launch for their 30th anniversary year.

Friday 31 January, 7.30 pm – 8.45 pm | Wesley Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.

Allday

Get ready for a spectacular night of live music during this year’s O-Week celebrations at the University of Canberra.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the North Concourse Lawns, headliner Allday is bringing his unique blend of indie, hip-hop, and alternative sounds to this unmissable event!

Saturday 1 February, 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm | UC Concourse, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce | Book here.

Sarah Blasko – I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain

Sarah Blasko is touring in celebration of her seventh solo album I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain.

Head along to hear it for yourself.

Saturday 1 February, 8 pm – 9 pm |

Exhibitions

Dear Forests…

This is an open postcard exhibition that brings together the work of several artists from around Australia.

Head along as they bring a lens of focus on the world’s forests, the need for their safekeeping and preservation inclusive of the wildlife within. Calling on artists to embrace their imagination to raise awareness, and provoke dialogue, political activism, boldness, experimentation, thoughtfulness, playfulness, or deep contemplation, don’t miss seeing it for yourself.

Until Sunday 2 February | 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.

Oikos

In ancient Greece oikos referred to both a house and members of a family/household. The modern English prefix of eco derives from oikos, as in the terms ecology and economy. In this exhibition, artist Peter McLean emphasises the relational aspect of nature rather than the scenic.

With a deep affinity for nature and the environment, his work explores the materiality of nature and our physical, emotional and spiritual relationships with place.

Until Sunday 2 Febuary | 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.

Echoes of Absence

Rebecca Tapscott’s cyanotype print wall installation, Echoes in Absence, is a poignant exploration of loss and interconnectedness, drawing from personal and environmental experiences. Crafted from the bodies and bones of animals lost due to human expansion, these prints bear witness to the absences being formed, in the tapestry of life.

The installation offers an introspective experience in an extrospective space, representing a collective environmental legacy seven years in the making.

Until Sunday 2 February | 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.

Grounded

Robyn Evans, Sabina Moore, and Amanda Andlee Poland make up The Grounded Collective; three artists researching place, time and memory.

Consisting of three Canberra-based artists whose interest in the local environment and working collaboratively has brought them together, the Collective’s exhibition project involves researching local sites to extend their individual and group practice. Through drawing and  sculpture, the act of making is amplified by each artist in a three-way conversation to produce site-specific works, both collaborative and individual, that overlaps ideas and practice.

Until Sunday 2 February | 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.

Between Touch and Memory

Showing at Cox Gallery for a limited run, don’t miss this opportunity to see Sienna Curby’s work in person. Graduating with a Bachelor of Visual Art in 2024, and receiving the COX Prize (part of the Emerging Artist Support Scheme at the ANU’s School of Art & Design), it’s a unique opportunity to support a local up-and-coming artist.

Until Friday 14 February | 1/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston | More information here.

…Is somebody gonna match my freak?

This is a joint exhibition by Sophie Dumaresq and Asil Habara (wet sahara), the 2024 recipients of the M16 Artspace ANU Emerging Artists Support Scheme.

A tongue-in-check nod to the two artists shared sense of humour and interest in online popular culture, shit posting, and the very real-life currents behind driving viral trends, you’ll want to see this for yourself.

Until Sunday 16 February |

Creek

This is a solo exhibition by Kirsten Wehner, recipient of the 2024 M16 Artspace Environmental Artist Residency, generously supported by ConceptSix.

Exploring life along Weston Creek (a little-known waterway in suburban Canberra), ‘Creek’ presents drawings, sculptures and experimental collaborations that honour work to rehabilitate the catchment and invite attention to the waterway’s possibility as a place of cultural/ecological flourishing.

Until Sunday 16 February |

VIEW2025

VIEW2025 brings together the work of Cailyn Forrest, Adam Hsieh, Fiona Lee, Aia Solis, and Emma Lyn Winkler. This annual exhibition spotlights regional emerging artists—the future leaders of Australian photo media practice—and is accompanied by a publication offering insights into current photographic trends across analogue, digital, and experimental forms.

In Darkroom VisceraCailyn Forrest transforms the act of photography into a bodily ritual, intertwining artist and material. Adam Hsieh’s I Didn’t Come Here for Love juxtaposes wide-angle views of Hobart’s kunanyi/Mount Wellington with intimate Grindr encounters, exploring how social currents shape our experience of place.

Fiona Lee’s Future Critical confronts ecological loss and political inertia, informed by her displacement during the 2019–2020 bushfires. In Tarantana MunaAia Solis merges past memories and present realities, revealing a delicate balance between control and disorder. Emma Lyn Winkler’s Shadow Puppets fuses painting, photography, and animation into textured narratives infused with humour and existential absurdity.

Until photo access, Manuka Arts Centre, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | More information here.

Carol Jerrems: Portraits

Photographers, this one’s for you! This week, spend time learning about a key influential figure in Australia’s photographic history at the National Portrait Gallery’s latest exhibit – Carol Jerrems: Portraits. The exhibition showcases more than 140 photographs, drawn from the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the National Portrait Gallery.

Expect to see photographs from her earlier work to her more famous works, including Vale Street 1975. Learn how her work defined the 1970s and the future of Australian photography while examining portraits of cultural figures like tennis legend Evonne Goolagong, fashion designer Linda Jackson, and author Bobbi Sykes.

Until Sunday 2 March | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | Book here.

History: Solo Exhibition by Martyn Thompson

Head along to the Canberra Glassworks to see the stunning works of cross-disciplinary artist Martyn Thompson.

Reimagining his ceramic vessels in glass, blending nostalgia and modernity through a tactile, painterly approach, this exhibition has been curated by Aimee Frodsham, the exhibition integrates his new glasswork with textiles, furniture, and objects from his studio.

Until Sunday 23 March |

Anne Dangar

Get lost in a world of swirls, squares, lines, and colours at the NGA’s free Anne Dangar exhibit.

This iconic Australian artist played an important part in bringing modern art to Australia in the twentieth century, and this exhibit allows locals a chance to browse her ceramics, paintings, archival material, and more in this major retrospective exhibition celebrating her life and art.

Until Sunday 27 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.

Ethel Carrick

The National Gallery of Australia is continuing its focus on celebrating the work of all women artists, with its major exhibition Ethel Carrick. Post-impressionist art lovers will be excited to see 140 pieces by Carrick, in the first retrospective of her work for nearly half a century.

What’s even better? Entry is free, so you can visit as many times as you want!

Until Sunday 27 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.

20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Experience the wonder of two decades of award-winning nature photography as a new exhibition opens at the National Archives of Australia. 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year celebrates the winning entries from each year since its inception.

Conceived in 2004 by Dr. Stuart Miller AM, the competition aims to stoke the public’s fascination with the natural world and provide a platform for emerging and established photographers alike to showcase the remarkable flora, fauna, and landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea.

Until Sunday 27 April | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | More information here.

Pompeii

If seeing Pompeii in Italy is on your bucket list, mark your calendars for this one! The National Museum of Australia is showing its Pompeiiexhibit, featuring over 90 discovered objects from the ancient city before Mount Vesuvius erupted. This display in Canberra will be the first time some of these objects have been seen outside Europe!

Visitors will be taken into the exhibit with an engaging atmosphere created by large-scale digital projections and captivating soundscapes. Expect to see recovered jewellery, sculptures, pottery, frescoes, and other objects once used by this civilisation.

Until Sunday 4 May | 

Lindy Lee

Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists. This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper.

Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment, and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever-evolving and ambitious practice.

Until Tuesday 1 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.

Sport and Wellness

UC Capitals v Sydney Flames

With only two home games remaining of the regular season, make sure you head to the AIS Arena to watch the UC Capitals take on the Sydney Flames.

With fun and games on and off the court, there’s no better way to spend your Thursday night.

Thursday 30 January, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm | 

Canberra United vs Perth Glory

Don’t miss this Ninja A-League Round 14 match between United and Perth Glory FC.

Head along to Mckellar Park to help support Canberra’s local team in green.

Saturday 1 February, 5 pm – 9 pm |

ACT Brumbies Fan Day

Join the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies for their 2025 Fan Day, ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s seasons.

All are welcome for this fun-filled event, with the chance to meet the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s 2025 playing squads, with plenty of activities for young and old.

Sunday 2 February, 9.30 am – 11.30 am | University of Canberra, Bruce | More information here.

Breathwork & Sound Healing Journey

Experience a transcendental healing journey and enjoy the benefits of this soul-nourishing session. Starting with 15 minutes of breathwork to tune the body into a meditative state, you’ll go on a sound-healing journey.

Bring your mat, blanket, pillow and anything you need to be super comfy during the session.

Sunday 2 February, 6 pm – 7.10 pm |

Workshops and Programs

Building our nation: How migrants and their children have shaped Australia

Join Sonia Di Mezza, CEO of the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) in Canberra at the National Library of Australia, as she discusses how Australia was and is strengthened by migrants, and how important cultural diversity and inclusion are to modern day Australia.

Following the discussion in the Theatre, there will be light refreshments in the Foyer and a viewing of the Hopes and Fears: Australian Migration Stories exhibition. Entry is free to this event but bookings are essential.

Thursday 30 January, 6 pm – 8 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | Book here.

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