50+ of the best things to do in Canberra this weekend
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We’re talking shopping handpicked vintage and pre-loved treasures, checking out some of the world’s rarest cars and making the most of Ginninderry’s final summer celebration.
With 50+ events to choose from, there’s plenty for you to do in Canberra this weekend.
Special Events and Festivals
Creative circular and sustainable costume workshop
Sustainable and circular fashion designer Kelli Donovan from KELI Studios leads a hands-on workshop where participants co-create two dance costumes for the new dance film 7 Reasons of Why, exploring creative approaches to tackling climate change. The session uses circular design, upcycling, repurposing and sustainable textiles to transform existing garments and materials into performance-ready pieces. The workshop blends practical skills and creative experimentation with learning about sustainable fashion, climate action and circular economy principles. Ideal for dancers, makers and anyone interested in environmentally responsible fashion, the session encourages collaboration, innovation and thoughtful design practice. The film project is created by award-winning team Tamzin Nugent and Liz Lea.
Saturday, 31 January, 10 am–2 pm | Gorman Arts Centre, Main Hall, Braddon | events.humanitix.com/creative-circular-and-sustainable-costume-workshop
Fashion Thrift Society
Love second-hand shopping? Fashion Thrift Society is back in Canberra, and they’re bringing handpicked vintage and pre-loved treasures, as well as some renowned local brands showcasing their unique styles. A festival of style, music, and community where like-minded fashion lovers come together in an inclusive, electric atmosphere, to find out the details, head to their social media accounts.
Saturday, 31 January, 10 am – 3 pm | EPIC, Coorong Building, Lyneham | fashionthriftsociety.com.au
Canberra Festival of Speed
The Canberra Festival of Speed returns with European-style motorsport excitement, featuring the world’s rarest cars and, for the first time, rare performance motorbikes on a purpose-built exhibition circuit. Previous years have showcased vehicles including Ferrari F40, Lola F1 car, Ferrari P4 Le Mans, Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren Senna. The festival delivers electrifying sights, sounds and smells across two days, featuring an immersive audiovisual experience, exhibitors, live music and a European food village serving Italian, German and French cuisine. Exhibitor and sponsorship applications are now open for this immersive celebration of automotive excellence.
Saturday, 31 January–Sunday, 1 February | Thoroughbred Park, Randwick Road, Lyneham | canberrafestivalofspeed.com.au
Summer Party in the Park
Ginninderry’s final summer celebration takes place at Paddys Park before school returns, offering free family entertainment from 4 pm to 8 pm. Local musicians including Dan and Magnifique, Maddy P, Canberra Symphony Orchestra members, Kingsford Smith School performers and Special K provide the soundtrack for a relaxed summer evening. Children can enjoy face painting, whilst emergency services vehicles including fire trucks, ambulances and police cars will be available for close-up viewing. Local food vendors serve dinner and sweet treats throughout the event. Attendees should bring picnic blankets or low chairs, sun protection, light jumpers for later, and water bottles. BYO is welcome at this family-friendly gathering designed to farewell the holidays in style.
Saturday, 31 January, 4–8 pm | Paddys Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | eventbrite.com.au
Canberra’s Kite Flying Festival
The Kite Flying Festival takes place on the Patrick White Lawns with kite displays, family entertainment and outdoor activities throughout the day. Attendees can explore various kite designs, participate in kite flying experiences and visit dedicated family activity areas. The festival features amusement rides, face painting, henna art, live DJ music and food and dessert trucks offering multiple cuisines. Market stalls and merchandise vendors operate on-site throughout the event. The open layout of the lawns provides space for visitors to enjoy the festivities. Ample parking is available nearby. The annual community event runs from morning through late afternoon.
Sunday, 1 February, 10 am–5 pm | Patrick White Lawns, Parkes | eventbrite.com.au
ACT Brumbies Fan Day & Season Launch
The ACT Brumbies host a combined Fan Day and Season Launch at GIO Stadium. Fan Day, presented by membership partner Allhomes, begins at 4 pm in the stadium precinct, with the Season Launch starting at 5.30 pm. Family activities include a Family Zone with inflatables, giveaways and entertainment suitable for all ages. The free event welcomes members and fans to celebrate the start of the 2026 season. The afternoon and evening program runs for three hours. The event takes place in the precinct area of GIO Stadium in Bruce with parking available on-site.
Sunday, 1 February, 4 pm–7 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | brumbies.rugby
Diabetes Awareness and Fundraising Event Canberra
The Diabetes Centre (TDC) Australia hosts a fundraising event to support diabetes awareness and patient care programs. TDC Australia is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and holds Deductible Gift Recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office. The organisation provides comprehensive care for diabetic patients and raises awareness about diabetes in the community. The event takes place at Hyatt Hotel Canberra over three hours during midday. Tickets are available online with proceeds supporting the organisation’s diabetes care programs and awareness initiatives.
Sunday, 1 February, 12 pm–3 pm | Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | tdcaustralia.com.au
Heaven’s Gate
The Australian premiere of Heaven’s Gate, a video installation by internationally acclaimed artist Marco Brambilla. Free to the public, the work fuses Hollywood glamour and contemporary culture.
The latest chapter in Brambilla’s Megaplex series exploring modern spectacle and excess, Heaven’s Gate takes viewers on a vivid cinematic journey through collaged film imagery featuring Beyoncé, Audrey Hepburn, Leonardo DiCaprio and Christopher Walken. The installation creates a multifaceted dreamscape blurring celebration and critique.
This immersive audiovisual experience continues through March 2026.
Until Sunday, 9 March | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.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
Family
Matildas: Game Face & Make and Move
National Portrait Gallery celebrates a new commissioned video portrait of the CommBank Matildas by artist Angela Tiatia with free summer activities inspired by the commissioned portrait of the team that captured hearts across Australia.
Kick off on the pop-up soccer field on the cafe lawns or challenge mates to foosball showdowns in the Western Courtyard.
Get ready to make and move with creative activities including fan bracelet making, soccer card design, and fun movement challenges.
Drop in anytime throughout summer to experience the excitement. The program runs daily from , offering families and football fans the chance to celebrate the CommBank Matildas whilst enjoying hands-on activities combining creativity with active play in the gallery setting.
Until Sunday, 1 February | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Summer holidays at the National Zoo & Aquarium
The National Zoo and Aquarium presents a summer program of wildlife encounters and family entertainment throughout the school holidays. Visitors can enjoy live music, lawn games and seasonal food treats, including wagyu options and frozen refreshments alongside animal encounters and themed keeper talks. Hands-on activities include colouring, treasure hunts, hayrides and jumping castles. Special event days feature roaming dinosaurs, silent discos, outdoor movies and mascot appearances. Most activities are included with general admission and free for members, with some paid experiences available. Programming runs weather-dependent, with updates shared on the zoo’s social media channels. The extended program provides opportunities to explore the zoo’s collection whilst enjoying summer entertainment.
Daily until Sunday, 2 February, 9.30 am–5 pm | National Zoo and Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Weston | nationalzoo.com.au/news-events/summer-holidays-are-here
Food and Wine
Discover Canberra, Cool Climate Wine Class
A wine education session explores Canberra District wines at the Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre. The two-hour class features a curated selection of wines from established and emerging Canberra District producers. Participants will learn about cool-climate wine styles, regional characteristics and stories behind local winemakers. The session covers what distinguishes Canberra District as a wine region and showcases multiple wine styles from the area. The class is designed for locals wanting to explore their regional wine industry and visitors interested in cool-climate Australian wines. Bookings and enquiries are available via email.
Sunday, 1 February, 1 pm–3 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, Regatta, Parkes | hello@canberracellardoor.com.au
Tipsy Tea February at the Yacht Club
Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club presents an afternoon tea event featuring bottomless prosecco and three signature cocktails. The two-hour experience includes a grazing station with traditional finger sandwiches and a selection of desserts. The event takes place at the Yacht Club venue in Yarralumla with views across 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 in Yarralumla near the lakefront.
Sunday, 1 February, 3 pm–5 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla | cscc.com.au
Markets
Hartley Hall Markets
Hartley Hall Markets operate on the first Sunday of each month, excluding January. Stalls offer food, locally grown vegetables, fresh produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, children’s toys, arts and crafts and gifts. The market includes live entertainment and children’s activities throughout the day. Visitors can stay for lunch and enjoy the outdoor setting among the trees. The market is organised and operated by Hartley Lifecare with proceeds supporting people with disabilities in Canberra. The family-friendly event runs from morning through early afternoon at Hall Showground.
Sunday, 1 February, 9 am–2 pm | Hall Showground, Victoria Street, Hall | hartley.org.au
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 and Screen
A Hundred Words For Snow
Mockingbird Too Production presents Tatty Hennessy’s poetic coming-of-age story directed by Chris Baldock and starring Zoë Ross as Rory. When Rory’s geography teacher father dies suddenly, she embarks on an expedition to the North Pole with a plastic compass and his ashes, following in the footsteps of dead beardy explorers before her–all before Mum finds out they’ve gone. The 80-minute performance explores being an explorer in a melting world, combining hilarious and heartwarming moments with polar bears. Winner of the Heretic Voices Monologue Competition and VAULT Origins Award for Outstanding New Work. Suitable for ages 15-plus with adult themes. Multiple sessions available including matinee and evening performances.
Until Saturday, 31 January | The Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au/a-hundred-words-for-snow
Sunset Cinema Canberra
Sunset Outdoor Cinema returns to the Australian National Botanic Gardens with new releases, classics and family favourites. The summer program includes blockbusters like Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Avatar: Fire and Ash and The Running Man, animated favourites like Zootopia 2 and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, plus the musical spectacular Wicked: For Good. December screenings feature festive films including Love Actually, The Holiday, Elf and Home Alone. The VIP Fever-Tree Lounge offers premium bean loungers, bottomless popcorn and a complimentary gin and tonic or premium Fever-Tree soda. Food trucks and movie snacks available.
Until Saturday, 28 February | The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | sunsetcinema.com.au
NFSA Summer Film Series
Arc Cinema presents A Summer of Love, a bold cinematic journey through peace, love and revolution from the 1960s to 2025. The program features films exploring love in chaotic, charming and complicated forms, from documentary Whoopee Blues: The Life and Times of the Conway Brothers to holiday favourite Love Actually.
Highlights include Tennessee Williams spotlight featuring A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cyberpunk series with Blade Runner and The Matrix, European Avant-Garde program, and school holiday matinees featuring animal adventures.
Until February 2026 | NFSA Arc Cinema, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Music
One of these nights–The Eagles Experience
One Of These Nights The Eagles Experience delivers breathtaking accuracy in recreating the iconic American band’s performances. The full rock band comprises Australia’s finest touring musicians, taking audiences on a journey through the Eagles’ eras with hits including Shake It Off, Style, We Are Never Getting Back Together, Look What You Made Me Do and Cruel Summer. The production has sold out venues across the country by providing the closest experience to seeing the Eagles themselves, featuring harmonies, solos and lyrics that capture the band’s distinctive sound and storytelling.
Saturday, 31 January, 8–11 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | tickets.oztix.com.au
Sport and Wellness
Yoga W Me at Pialligo Estate
A 60-minute outdoor yoga class takes place at Pialligo Estate on Saturday morning, instructed by Bronte and Charlie. The session includes a provided yoga mat, bottled Wallaby Water, and iced coffee or matcha from The Griff. Mr Munch Cookies are available for purchase post-session with complimentary coffee. Pricing encourages group bookings: one spot costs $25.99, two spots $50, three spots $75, and four spots $99. Participants receive discounts from supporting businesses including Intersport, Fortis Physio, The Cocoon Bar, Barbell Foods and Gracias Flowers. The session welcomes all experience levels, from seasoned yogis to beginners.
Saturday, 31 January, 8.30–9.30 am | Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | Register here.
Summer Walk Club
Good Energy Club Australia and The Girls Club CBR host a Sunday morning wellness walk around Lake Burley Griffin celebrating Canberra in the lead-up to Canberra Day. The approximately one-hour walk departs from the flags next to Questacon carpark at 8 am. Early registrants receive a complimentary coffee or tea voucher from cafe partner Walter Café. Participants who join the Walk Club enter a draw to win an Endota Spa voucher. Babies and friendly pets are welcome but remain the owner’s responsibility. Free registration is required with limited spots available. The WhatsApp group provides updates and meeting point details. Cancellations require 72 hours’ notice.
Sunday, 1 February, 8 am–9.30 am | Lake Burley Griffin, meeting at the flags next to Questacon carpark, Parkes | sweatpals.com/event/summer-walk-club-60b
Intro to Capoeira: 5-week course
Joanna Le (Graduada Joia) presents a five-week introduction to contemporary Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art blending movement, music, play and expression. Le trained for over 10 years under Mestre Borracha, Capoeira Aruanda. Each Sunday session covers fundamental techniques including ginga, kicks, escapes and transitions, alongside low-game movement and acrobatic flow. Participants learn clapping rhythms, call-and-response songs and partner awareness through playful interaction. The course explores connections between movement, rhythm and community. Pricing includes family packages with discounts for multiple children. Financial hardship assistance is available by contacting the organiser. The course concludes with a roda celebration.
Sunday, 1 February–Sunday, 1 March | Elements Grappling Academy, Braddon | events.humanitix.com/aruanda-canberra-intro
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 at Onyx Sports Lounge
Onyx Sports Lounge at Casino Canberra broadcasts the UFC 325 featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. The event screens live on multiple large screens throughout the venue. The sports lounge provides a viewing atmosphere for mixed martial arts fans during the four-hour broadcast. Food and beverage service is available throughout the event. Onyx Sports Lounge operates as an 18+ venue with ID required for entry. The venue is located inside Casino Canberra on Binara Street in Canberra City. The broadcast begins at 1 pm on Saturday afternoon.
Sunday, 1 February, 1 pm–5 pm | Onyx Lounge at Casino Canberra, 21 Binara Street, City | casinocanberra.com.au
Manpower Australia – Australia’s Thunder From Down Under
Manpower Australia, known as Australia’s Thunder From Down Under, performs at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden. The Las Vegas-based Australian performance group presents a high-energy stage production combining choreography, music and theatrical elements. The show is designed as an entertainment night for groups celebrating birthdays, hens nights or social occasions. The two-hour performance takes place at the Woden venue on a Saturday evening. Tickets are available through the Canberra Southern Cross Club website. The venue is located at 92-96 Corinna Street in Phillip.
Sunday, 1 February, 7 pm–9 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Twilight Flow and Live Music
Twilight Flow & Live Music combines yoga-inspired movement, live music, sound immersion and light elements at Wildbark Nature Reserve. The 90-minute session features a Yin & Yang flow blending dynamic movements with deep stretches, accompanied by live performances from rotating local artists playing handpan, didgeridoo, synths and vocals. The experience transitions into a sound bath with crystal bowls and instruments, followed by post-class performances. Herbal tea and fruit are provided for connection time after the session. The immersive experience takes place at sunset overlooking Mulligans Flat on Ngunnawal Country.
Sunday, 1 February | Wildbark Wildlife Centre, Rosenberg Street, Throsby | movement-music-medicine.com
Workshops, Talks and Programs
Canberra’s WWII Home Front Walking Tour
Historian Rohan Goyne leads this exhibition tour and walk exploring Canberra’s homefront wartime stories from the 1940s. Beginning at CMAG with Australia’s Home Front exhibition, the tour progresses through key Civic landmarks including Verity Hewitt’s bookshop, the former Roger’s store and the Civic Hotel–where VP Day celebrations famously saw the city run out of beer. The 90-minute experience concludes at the GPO with stories of the Minerals Survey Office. Participants receive a 1940 city map and 1941 aerial photograph highlighting the tour route.
Saturday, 31 January, 10.30 am–12 pm | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Exhibitions
subcultures
subcultures is an open exhibition curated by Red Saunders bringing to light the rich tapestry of alternative identities, communities and expressions flourishing outside mainstream society. From punk and goth to skateboarding and street art, creators from across Australia celebrate the creativity, resistance and innovation of those carving out spaces of belonging in subversive ways. Through painting, photography, illustration and collage, subcultures reflects on how fashion, music, political ideals and shared lifestyles converge to create powerful subcultural identities. This diverse exhibition captures unique aesthetic markers and stories of solidarity, marginalisation and rebellion, paying tribute to underground movements challenging the status quo and enriching cultural landscapes.
Until Sunday, 1 February | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Dialogue with Dissonance
An exhibition exploring the human disposition to live with contradiction. Local artists working in a range of media and approaches interpret the disparity between what is seen and what is expected. The series considers how people express themselves collectively and individually by creating tension through different forms, relationships and meaning. Viewers only see completed artworks, observing them with their own internal attitudes, behaviours and unconscious bias. What goes on behind the scenes–concept, composition, colour choices, deciding when a work is finished–manifests in the audience’s decision to stop and make sense. Through dissonance, audiences develop thought-provoking experiences tapping into human desire to make order from disorder.
Until Saturday, 1 February | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Disclosed Impressions
New works by the Migrant Women’s Art Group highlighting diverse artistic contributions in Gungahlin. These culturally relevant works explore colour, composition and personal stories using wide variety of mediums and techniques. The Migrant Women’s Art Group, presented by Gungahlin Arts, supports women who have migrated to Australia and live in the Canberra region to develop and share their unique creative voice. Throughout 2025, the group has worked with textiles, wearable art, sculpture, drawing and painting. This exhibition presents a snapshot of session outcomes and a record of social connections and relationships developed through the program celebrating cultural diversity through art.
Until Sunday, 1 February | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
The Art of Celebration: Reflecting 50 years plus of Canberra Art Workshop
Canberra Art Workshop celebrates over 50 years of art making. This exhibition enables diverse and talented CAW members to celebrate their enthusiasm for art by sharing it with others through public exhibition. BelcoArts’ annual single-subject exhibition is advertised well in advance, with members responding in a variety of media and techniques. Working with BelcoArts allows CAW members to dialogue with a wide ACT and regional New South Wales audience. Be surprised and delighted at the rich array of works this talented group brings. Expect experimental and traditional art using wide range of media–drawing, painting, pastel, mixed media, watercolour in two-dimensional, three-dimensional and digital formats.
Until Sunday, 1 February | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Questacon Presents: ZAP! CLANK! POW!
Featuring a new take on some old favourites from the past three decades, this exhibition might have been designed with little scientists in mind, but trust us when we say everyone will enjoy a visit to ZAP! CLANK! POW! at Questacon.
Featuring 17 highly interactive exhibits, you’ll get hands-on as you explore the exciting world of electricity, machines, and motion. And with a comic book theme running throughout, it will keep all ages entertained.
Until Sunday 1 February | Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
Australia’s Home Front: 1939-1945
Explore everyday Australians’ vital role during WWII on the home front, from “make do and mend” to war bonds and women’s auxiliary work. Features unique objects and stories from Canberra and beyond, including the city’s surprising Manhattan Project connection. Presents resilience, innovation, and quiet heroism of those who supported the war effort, marking 80 years since the conflict’s end.
Until Sunday 1 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Taglietti: Life in Design
Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019), a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti’s birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia’s most original architects.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
Concrete Captions: Texting Rights
Kirsty Collins presents an exhibition exploring how texting and social media empower Deaf and disability cultures at Canberra Contemporary Art Space. The exhibition examines how digital communication shifts attitudes about disability and fosters disabled-led artistic innovation. The Craptioning Experience offers a live captioning interactive component connecting audiences with Deaf and hard-of-hearing experiences through lip-reading and humour. Collins questions narratives that frame disabled people as burdens, addressing ableism and victim-blaming through art. The work demonstrates how Deaf gain and disability intersectional insight provide transformative creative power to reimagine bodies and values. The exhibition runs in the Platform gallery space for three weeks.
Until Saturday, 22 February | Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Braddon | canberracontemporary.com.au/current-platform
Enjoy this trip: the art of music posters
Journey back to the Summer of Love and be transported to a time when the music was funky, the art was kaleidoscopic and psychedelia was in full swing. Drawn from the National Gallery’s expansive collection of Australian and international music posters spanning the 1960s to 1980s, Enjoy this trip: The art of music posters captures the spirit of the times as an era of experimentation.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Women Photographers 1853–2018
Women Photographers 1853–2018 highlights the transformative impact of women artists on the history of photography.
Since its inception, the National Gallery’s photography collection has reflected the vital place of women in the medium’s history. Some of its earliest acquisitions were major works by women.
As a result, the National Gallery is uniquely placed to consider how photography has changed the worlds in which women live, and how women have changed photography. As the great modernist photographer Lucia Moholy wrote, ‘Photography has not only changed the way we see the world but also how we see ourselves.’ For women artists, making photographs has always been an act of resistance. Photography has given women access to spaces of knowledge, artistic practices and technology from which they were previously excluded.
This exhibition features work spanning more than 160 years of women working with photography.
Until Sunday 1 March | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until Sunday 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
50 Years on the Beat: The Legacy of Constable Kenny Koala
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Constable Kenny Koala, the AFP Museum presents a major temporary exhibition honouring the iconic community policing mascot held at the National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point.
Known for educating children about safety since 1975, Kenny Koala is beloved by generations of Canberrans. This exhibition captures his origins, evolution, and ongoing impact on public trust and community engagement. Visitors will experience five decades of memorabilia, puppets, costumes, media, and interactive learning tools that showcase the enduring values of kindness, education, and public service.
Until Wednesday 18 March 2026 | National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point | nca.gov.au
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
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
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 2026 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.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
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: Fashion Thrift Society via Instagram.
