80+ things to do in Canberra this week (thank us later)
Posted on
With 80+ events happening across the city this week, there’s no shortage of ways to shake up your routine – whether you’re in the mood for live music, long lunches, creative workshops or something completely unexpected.
Consider this your curated guide to the week ahead.
Don’t miss…
Future Women Federal Budget Dinner 2026
Future Women’s La Trobe Financial Federal Budget Dinner returns to the Great Hall at Parliament House for its fifth year. Hosted by Future Women deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi, the evening brings together leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors on the night of the federal budget.
Speakers include Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood, Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher, Aware Super CEO Deanne Stewart and Dunghutti and Yuin woman Emily Hill.
Wednesday 13 May, 6–10 pm | Great Hall, Parliament House, Capital Hill | events.futurewomen.com
SPHERE
Blurring the line between performance and installation, SPHERE invites audiences into an immersive world of dance and film. Created by Australian Dance Party, the work responds to the landscapes and stories of Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country, weaving movement, visuals and design into a cohesive experience. The result is both atmospheric and reflective, encouraging viewers to consider the relationship between body, place and environment. It’s a distinctive addition to Canberra’s contemporary arts scene.
Thursday 14 until Saturday 16 May | The Vault, Dairy Road, Fyshwick | australiandance.party
Birdsnest Canberra Pop-Up
A well-loved regional retailer arrives in Canberra with a pop-up offering a curated selection of women’s fashion. Featuring a range of sizes and styles, the space invites shoppers to browse new season pieces and connect with the Birdsnest team. Alongside the retail experience, a series of in-store events—including styling sessions and fashion parades—adds an interactive element. It’s a chance to explore a fresh collection in person while enjoying a welcoming and relaxed shopping environment.
Thursday 14 until Sunday 17 May | Sanctuary, Narrabundah | birdsnest.com.au
Genesis Owusu brings his pirate radio tour home to Canberra
Canberra’s own Genesis Owusu returns home with his Red Star Wu’s Pirate Radio Tour, celebrating the release of his third studio album, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE. The Ghanaian-Australian artist has built a formidable live reputation with high-energy performances that blend concert, performance art and rallying cry across multiple continents. His previous albums–Smiling with No Teeth and STRUGGLER–have collected seven ARIA Awards, including two Album of the Year wins. The new record threads neo-soul, synth punk, deep funk and brit rock into an eclectic, genre-defying whole. This is an 18+ event.
Friday 15 May, 7 pm | UC Refectory | moshtix.com.au
FITREP Personal Training Studio grand opening celebration
FITREP is throwing open its doors with a free grand opening celebration at its Phillip Personal Training Studio.
The day features a swag of free activities including venue tours, a meet and greet with owners and trainers, a sausage sizzle, face painting, balloon art and games, plus a Real Life Cinderella experience from Fairy Godmother Events.
There are plenty of giveaways on offer too – the first 50 sign-ups receive a water bottle and towel, the first 25 also get two weeks free, and everyone who signs up scores a free first session, including a full assessment. You can also score free C4 energy drinks (and more) and have a chance of winning a lucky door prize of a 12-week Basecamp Membership.
Saturday 16 May, 10 am–2 pm | Corner of Melrose Drive and Launceston Street, Phillip | fitrep.com.au
Type 1 Diabetes Enlighten Gala
This evening event brings together community, conversation and entertainment in support of those living with Type 1 Diabetes. With dining, performances and opportunities to engage, it offers a meaningful and social night out.
Saturday 16 May, 6 pm–11 pm | Hellenic Club, Woden | type1diabetesgalacbr.eventbrite.com.au
Special Events and Festivals
Flickerfest 2026 – Best of Australian shorts
Flickerfest, Australia’s Oscar and BAFTA qualifying short film festival, celebrates its 35th year with a touring programme of nine handpicked Australian shorts screening at Palace Electric Cinema.
The 2026 Best of Australian Shorts lineup features two Canberra-connected films: Nothing and the Sun, starring local actor Reuben Reynolds in his first lead role, and Songbird, written and directed by Canberra-born filmmaker Kevin Lim.
The programme also includes comedies, dramas and directorial debuts from well-known Australian screen talent. Tickets include a Rosnay organic wine on arrival, and filmmakers will be present to introduce their work.
Thursday 14 May, 6.30 pm | Palace Electric Cinema | flickerfest.com.au
Autumn Courtyards Tour
Parliament House is spectacular in any season, but there’s something particularly satisfying about visiting in autumn when the private courtyards glow with rich reds, oranges and golds. This popular guided walking tour takes visitors through these remarkable spaces – each distinct from the next through sculpture, scale, plant selection and colour – with a knowledgeable guide sharing the stories behind the building’s extraordinary landscape design. Don’t miss the rare chance to see the iconic Budget Tree in person, and consider adding the refreshment package for a freshly baked Parliament House scone and hot drink. Accessible tours run at a more leisurely pace on select dates.
Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | parliamenthouse.respax.com
Canberra Art Fair
A celebration of visual arts, this fair brings together artists from across the region and beyond. With opportunities to view and purchase works directly, it’s a chance to engage with Canberra’s creative community.
Friday 15 until Sunday 17 May, 10 am–5 pm | Fitzroy Pavilion, EPIC, Corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell | canberraartfair.com.au
Latin American Night Markets & Winter Carnival
University Avenue at ANU transforms into a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture for one Friday evening, courtesy of LASA ANU. Food stalls from local Latino-owned businesses serve up an authentic spread of dishes, while live music and dance performances bring the energy and warmth of the continent to a Canberra winter night. Whether coming for the food, the entertainment or simply the atmosphere, this is the kind of community event that reminds everyone why cultural exchange makes a city richer. Free and open to all–just register in advance and bring a seriously good appetite. Vamos.
Friday 15 May, 6 pm–9 pm | University Avenue, ANU | campus.hellorubric.com
Canberra Wool Expo
Wool takes centre stage at this cosy and creative market celebrating one of the region’s most beloved fibres. Bringing together makers, producers and artists from across Canberra and beyond, the expo offers a chance to see wool in all its forms — from hand-spun yarns to beautifully crafted garments and accessories. Live demonstrations, including spinning and weaving, add an interactive element, while the stalls are filled with unique, handmade pieces. It’s a warm, tactile experience that highlights craftsmanship, creativity and the enduring appeal of wool.
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May | Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Lenny’s Toddler Techno Tour
A dance party designed with little ones in mind, this high-energy event brings a playful twist to the club scene. Lenny Pearce’s Toddler Techno Tour blends upbeat music, colourful visuals and a family-friendly atmosphere, creating a space where kids and parents can hit the dance floor together. With its global following and lively format, the show transforms a typical afternoon into something far more dynamic. It’s a chance for Canberrans to embrace a different kind of outing — one that’s equal parts music, movement and fun.
Sunday 17 May, 2 pm–8 pm | UC Refectory, Bruce | moshtix.com.au
Your Local Wedding Guide Canberra Expo
Planning a wedding starts here, with a day dedicated to inspiration and ideas. This expo brings together a wide range of local suppliers, from venues and photographers to stylists, florists and designers. Alongside displays and live music, attendees can explore different styles and approaches, helping shape a vision for their big day. With a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, it’s an easy way for couples to gather ideas, ask questions and connect with Canberra’s wedding community.
Sunday 17 May, 10 am–3 pm | Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Exhibition Park in Canberra, Budawang Pavilion, Lyneham | weddingguide.com.au
Wild Africa at the National Zoo and Aquarium
The National Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating African animals with Wild Africa, a month-long program of family-friendly activities running across weekends from late April to mid-May.
Each visit brings something different–from keeper talks and animal scavenger hunts to lawn games, roving entertainment with mascots and lion cub puppets, and new menu offerings at the Rhino Bistro. The program builds to a Wild Festival weekend on 16–17 May, filling the Viewing Park with entertainment and activities.
All Wild Africa activities are included with general admission or membership, making it an easy add-on to a zoo visit.
Until Sunday 17 May | National Zoo and Aquarium, Scrivener Dam, Yarralumla | nationalzoo.com.au
Sustainable House Day
Once a year, homeowners across Australia open their doors to show exactly what sustainable living looks like in practice–and Sustainable House Day is the most useful and inspiring event on the calendar for anyone thinking about building, renovating or upgrading their home. Explore architect-designed builds, clever retrofits, all-electric upgrades, efficient apartments and climate-resilient homes, and talk directly with the people who’ve done the work. What it cost, what worked and what they’d do differently–this is practical knowledge from real experience, freely shared. A genuinely valuable Sunday for Canberrans at any stage of their sustainability journey.
Sunday 17 May, 9 am–5 pm | Various homes, Canberra region | sustainablehouseday.com
Food + Drink
FW La Trobe Federal Budget Dinner
Now in its fifth year, the FW La Trobe Financial Federal Budget Dinner is the event serious thinkers about gender, economics and public policy simply don’t miss. Hosted by the brilliant Jamila Rizvi and founded by Helen McCabe, this year’s dinner arrives in the wake of the Albanese Government’s historic second-term win – making the conversation around the Federal Budget more urgent and more interesting than ever. Held in the Great Hall at Parliament House on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, the evening gathers Australia’s most influential leaders across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Senator Gallagher has called it “the Budget event”. Seats are limited.
Wednesday 13 May, 6 pm–10 pm | Parliament House, Canberra | events.futurewomen.com
Arabian Night Buffet at Woden
Explore the flavours of the Middle East with a buffet featuring a range of traditional dishes and spices. Paired with live entertainment, the evening offers a sensory dining experience that blends food and performance.
Friday 15 May, 6 pm–9 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Sunday Buffet Lunch
A long, relaxed lunch takes centre stage at this monthly buffet experience in Dickson. Set within the leafy surrounds of Pavilion on Northbourne, the menu offers a generous selection of dishes — from fresh salads and cold cuts to hearty mains and indulgent desserts. It’s designed for sharing, making it an easy option for catching up with friends or gathering the family. With plenty of variety and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s the kind of Sunday outing that lets someone else take care of the cooking.
Sunday 17 May, 12 pm–3 pm | Pavilion on Northbourne, Dickson | pavilioncanberra.com.au
The Brunch Club at Capitol Bar & Grill
Sunday mornings in Canberra just got a serious upgrade. Capitol Bar & Grill’s Brunch Club is an all-day, unapologetically indulgent affair built for those who believe weekends deserve better than a rushed coffee and toast. The menu runs from fluffy buttermilk pancakes and classic cheeseburgers with secret sauce to miso grilled salmon and a few cheeky surprises in between. The real centrepiece, though, is the Bloody Mary cart–a Ketel One Vodka partnership that lets guests load up with crispy bacon, blue cheese olives, dill pickles, mussels, chilli, and more, built tableside by the brunch bartenders. Running every Sunday until 30 August.
Every Sunday until 30 August | Capitol Bar & Grill, Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra | qthotels.com
Markets
Pandoras Recycled Fashions O’Connor – Everything Half Price Sale
Pandoras recycles high-end designer clothes, shoes, handbags, hats & jewellery. Top quality fashions at reasonable prices Everything you need to refresh your wardrobe from casual, work, evening or wedding. As the season changes Pandoras is having a half price sale to make room for all the fabulous Winter clothes we have ready to go.
Pandoras is based at St Philip’s Church in O’Connor and proceeds support local Canberra charities.
Half price sale dates are for three weeks on Saturday 18 and 25 April and 2 May. This is followed by the Winter launch on Saturday 9 May.
Pandoras is open every Saturday, 10 am–1 pm | Lamerton Centre, St Philips Church, Cnr Moorhouse and Macpherson Streets | facebook.com
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
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.
Sundays, 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra
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.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Sport and Wellness
Fitness in The Park
Fitness class for all levels of fitness for the whole community. Join Ginninderry local Vince as he takes you through a group fitness class in the fresh air at Paddys Park.
Every Wednesday, 7.30 am to 8.30 am, Paddys Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | Find out more here.
Yoga at Ginninderry
Get bendy on Thursday evenings at a yoga class! You don’t need any experience – just head along for the slow-flow class that will help melt away tension, build strength and mobility, and give you a chance to recharge. Take along a yoga mat, water bottle, and comfy clothes.
Every Thursday, 6.45 pm to 7.45 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.
Go Girls Floorball series
Floorball ACT’s Go Girls series offers a free four-week come-and-try course for women and girls aged 12 and over. Running on Saturdays from 2–23 May at the Tuggeranong Archery Centre, the program introduces participants to floorball–a fast-paced indoor sport often described as ice hockey without the ice.
Sessions cover passing, shooting, positioning and goalie skills in a low-pressure, supportive environment. The series is designed and run by former Australian Women’s team representatives. Floorball ACT provides sticks and goalie equipment, so participants just need to bring comfortable clothes and a water bottle.
Saturdays until 23 May | Tuggeranong Archery Centre | floorballact.org.au
Canberra Runners Half-Marathon and 10 km
A staple on the local sporting calendar, this long-running event invites participants to experience Canberra on foot. The scenic course winds around Lake Burley Griffin, offering views of some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks along the way. With options including a half-marathon, 10 km race and a children’s run, it caters to a wide range of abilities. Whether running or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a celebration of community, movement and Canberra’s autumn landscape at its best.
Sunday 17 May, 7.30 am–11 am | Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla | canberrarunners.org.au
Sip and Stretch Yoga at the Winery
There are few more restorative ways to spend a Sunday morning than flowing through a yoga session surrounded by vines, and Sip and Stretch at Four Winds Vineyard in Murrumbateman makes that dream deliciously real. Serena Cramond of Adventure Flow Yoga leads a gentle yoga flow followed by an immersive crystal singing bowl soundbath – perfect for melting away the week. Afterwards, wood-fired pizza and a glass of Four Winds wine (or soft drink) await among the vines. A genuinely lovely outing for solo adventurers, groups of friends or anyone looking for a thoughtful late Mother’s Day celebration just a short drive from Canberra.
Sunday, 17 May, 10 am–1.30 pm | Four Winds Vineyard, Murrumbateman | eventbrite.com.au
Music
Howard, Storer, Nicholson – For the Sake of the Song
Three celebrated Australian songwriters come together for a collaborative performance that highlights the craft of storytelling through music. Each brings a distinct voice, creating a rich and varied live experience.
Tuesday 12 May, 7.30 pm–9.30 pm | The Street Theatre, City | thestreet.org.au
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Mockingbird Theatre Company brings the Canberra premiere of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning comedy to the Mockingbird Studio at Belconnen Arts Centre for a strictly limited ten-performance season. Vanya and Sonia have spent their lives in a crumbling family farmhouse, watching the world pass them by–until glamorous movie-star sister Masha sweeps back in with her young, oblivious partner Spike and throws everything into glorious disarray. Featuring Chris Baldock, Tracy Noble and Helen McFarlane in what promises to be one of the funniest nights on a Canberra stage this year. Wildly funny, sneakily profound and not to be missed.
Wednesday 13 May to Friday 23 May, 7.30 pm (matinee Saturday, 23 May, 2 pm) | The Mockingbird Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
The Army’s Top Brass
The Wesley Lunchtime Concert series welcomes members of the Band of the Royal Military College back to the Wesley Music Centre stage in Forrest for what promises to be a gloriously rich and varied brass showcase. Drawn from the army’s finest musicians, the ensemble performs a programme of classical works including pieces by Holst, Mussorgsky and Ewald–composers whose writing for brass has rarely been bettered. The versatility and precision of RMC Band musicians always makes for a compelling midweek concert, and at $15 including programme and refreshments, this remains one of the most genuinely rewarding lunchtime experiences in the city.
Wednesday 13 May, 12.40 pm–1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, Forrest | trybooking.com/DIJJK
Ralph McTell
Marking 50 years since his first Australian tour, Ralph McTell returns for a final series of performances. Known for his storytelling and distinctive songwriting, the UK artist brings a career-spanning set to the stage, performed with just guitar and voice. The intimate format allows the songs to take focus, creating a reflective and engaging live experience. It’s an opportunity for audiences to connect with a significant figure in folk music in a setting that suits his timeless style.
Thursday 14 May, 7.30 pm–9.30 pm | The Street Theatre, City | thestreet.org.au
Genesis Owusu – Red Star Wu’s Pirate Radio Tour
Bringing his genre-blurring sound to the stage, Genesis Owusu delivers a dynamic live performance that blends music, storytelling and visual energy. Known for pushing creative boundaries, his shows are as expressive as they are engaging.
Friday 15 May, 7 pm–11.30 pm | UC Refectory, Bruce | moshtix.com.au
Not Drowning, Waving
This tour sees the return of a pioneering Australian band, reuniting to perform music that spans decades of collaboration and cultural exchange. With a rich sound and diverse influences, the performance offers a layered listening experience.
Friday 15 May, 7.30 pm–9.50 pm | The Street Theatre, City | thestreet.org.au
Kim Yang – Turn On The Lights Album Launch
Marking the release of her debut album, Kim Yang returns to Canberra with a live performance that blends indie-folk sounds with personal storytelling. Backed by a full band, the show brings her music to life in an intimate setting.
Saturday 16 May, 7.30 pm–9.30 pm | The Street Theatre, City | thestreet.org.au
Electrifying 80s – Live in Concert
Step back into the sounds of the 80s with a live concert celebrating iconic hits from the decade. Featuring a full band and powerhouse vocals, the show delivers a nostalgic and energetic experience.
Saturday 16 May, 7.30 pm–9.50 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | electrifying80s.com
Interwoven
Music takes on a rich, layered form in this thoughtfully curated performance by the Australian String Quartet. The program moves through a range of styles, from contemporary Australian composition to classical works by Haydn and Prokofiev, before concluding with a reflective piece by Clara Schumann. Each work brings a distinct voice, creating a performance that feels both dynamic and cohesive. Set within the National Gallery, it’s an immersive afternoon of sound that highlights the expressive possibilities of chamber music.
Sunday 17 May, 2 pm–4 pm | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | asq.com.au
Australian Military Wives Choir Performance
Experience a moving musical performance from the Australian Military Wives Choir in the striking surrounds of Parliament House. This community choir brings together women connected to the Australian Defence Force, creating a supportive network through song. Their repertoire reflects themes of resilience, connection and shared experience, delivered with warmth and sincerity. It’s a short but meaningful performance that offers a moment to pause, listen and appreciate the power of music to bring people together.
Sunday 17 May, 2 pm–2.30 pm | Australian Parliament House, Canberra | events.humanitix.com
Maruki Community Orchestra Concert
Maruki Community Orchestra presents ‘Unfinished Journeys’ to be held on Sunday 17 May 2026. The program will feature music from Schubert, Smetana and Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No. 2 featuring soloist Beth Battrick.
Sunday 17 May, 3–5 pm | Lyneham High School Performing Arts Centre, 61 Goodwin Street, Lyneham | trybooking.com
Stage and Screen
H.R. The Musical
If you’ve ever survived a mandatory team-building exercise, a pointlessly circular restructure or a DEI training session that raised more questions than it answered, H.R. The Musical is the cathartic night out you didn’t know you needed. This riotous musical sketch-comedy (the runaway hit of NZ International Comedy Festival 2024 and a triumph at Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival) takes on the modern workplace in all its absurdity, working through the blues, rap and Latin plainchant. Transparent co-worker communications, the showdown with AI and endless restructuring are all fair game. Gather the team, book the boss a ticket and brace for impact.
Tuesday, 12 May, 7.30 pm | 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Professor Brian Cox – Emergence
Renowned physicist Brian Cox returns with a new live show exploring big scientific ideas through an accessible and engaging lens. Combining storytelling with visuals, the performance offers a chance to delve into the wonders of the universe.
Tuesday 12 May, 7.30 pm–10 pm | Budawang Pavilion – EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell | lateralevents.com
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
This Tony Award-winning comedy from Christopher Durang is exactly the kind of night at the theatre that makes Canberra’s cultural scene worth celebrating. Vanya and Sonia have spent years stuck in their crumbling family home, caring for ageing parents while the world moved on without them. Then their glamorous movie-star sister Masha arrives – bringing her young, obliviously gorgeous partner Spike – and the quiet house erupts into glorious chaos. Directed by Steph Evans and featuring a stellar local cast, this Mockingbird Theatre Company production is riotously funny, sneakily profound and absolutely the comedy to see this autumn at Belconnen Arts Centre.
Wednesday 13 until Saturday 23 May, 7.30 pm | The Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival
Adventure takes centre stage in this internationally renowned film festival, showcasing stories from extreme environments around the world. Featuring a curated selection of short films, it offers a window into exploration, endurance and creativity.
Wednesday 13 until Saturday 16 May | National Film and Sound Archive, Acton | banffaustralia.com.au
Wankernomics
Taking a humorous look at workplace culture, this show unpacks corporate jargon and everyday office experiences with sharp wit. It’s a relatable and entertaining take on modern working life.
Wednesday 13 May, 7.30 pm–8.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Lisa Simone: a daughter’s tribute to Nina Simone
A powerful tribute to an iconic musical legacy, this performance brings the songs of Nina Simone to life through her daughter’s voice. Blending personal connection with musical artistry, it’s a moving concert experience.
Thursday 14 May, 7.30 pm–9.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Tommy Little
Known for his energetic and playful style, Tommy Little returns with a new comedy show packed with personal stories and quick-fire humour. It’s a lively night of stand-up that leans into the unexpected.
Friday 15 May, 7.30 pm–8.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Burton Bros: in Tinseltown
Comedy meets classic Hollywood in this fast-paced sketch show that brings the glamour and chaos of the film industry to life. With music, physical comedy and quick changes, it’s a lively and imaginative performance.
Friday 15 May, 7 pm–8 pm | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Tuggeranong | tuggeranongarts.com
Jason Leong – in laughing memory
Blending humour with personal reflection, Jason Leong’s latest show explores themes of loss through a comedic lens. With his signature style, the performance balances sincerity and sharp wit.
Saturday 16 May, 8 pm–9.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Talks and Workshops
Fusing Depth and Light with Kirstie Rea
Explore the creative potential of glass in this multi-session workshop led by an established artist. Participants will experiment with layering techniques and colour to create solid glass forms, gaining both technical skills and creative insight along the way.
Monday 11 May, 5.30 pm–8 pm | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Night of the Bookers with David Szalay and Susan Choi
Canberra Writers Festival brings together two of international literature’s most compelling voices for an evening that serious readers won’t want to miss. David Szalay and Susan Choi–both writers of extraordinary range and critical acclaim–join journalist and author Nigel Featherstone in conversation about their work and their writing lives. It’s the kind of intimate, intellectually generous evening that makes the Canberra Writers Festival such a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, with book signings in the foyer rounding out the night. Tickets are $32–$35 and this one is worth every cent.
Tuesday, 12 May, 6 pm | Foyer, Theatre ANU | canberrawritersfestival.com.au
Paediatric Palliative Care Community Roundtable
Palliative Care ACT is bringing together families, carers, health professionals and community members for a free roundtable conversation about paediatric palliative care in the ACT, held during National Palliative Care Week. Until recently, Canberran children requiring treatment outside the territory were unable to return home for end-of-life care–leaving families separated during unimaginably difficult times. This community conversation aims to change that, with keynote speaker Anthony Herbert, President of Palliative Care Queensland, helping shape a more compassionate and responsive system of care. Afternoon tea is provided; registration is essential. A meaningful opportunity to contribute to something that matters deeply.
Wednesday 13 May, 1 pm | QT Canberra, 1 London Circuit, City | pallcareact.supporterhub.net.au
Street Photography Workshop
Build confidence behind the camera in this hands-on workshop focused on capturing everyday moments. Combining theory and practice, participants will explore techniques for creating compelling images in public spaces.
Saturday 16 May, 10 am–4 pm | PhotoAccess, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Celebrate IDAHOBIT Sunday
Mark IDAHOBIT with a creative afternoon that blends art, community and a relaxed pub setting. Hosted by The Tipsy Sketching Club, this life drawing session features local queer icons as models, with a series of timed poses guiding participants through the experience. With breaks for drinks, food and conversation, the atmosphere is as social as it is creative. All skill levels are welcome, making it an accessible way to try something new while connecting with Canberra’s inclusive and artistic community.
Sunday 17 May, 1.30 pm–4 pm | 52 Alinga Street, City | tipsysketching.club
Exhibitions
Bling Bling: Lee Nelms, Liz Crowe and Jacqui Keogh at Canberra Potters Gallery
Bling Bling brings together three Canberra region ceramic artists in a contemporary exploration of decoration and the vessel at the Canberra Potters Gallery, Watson. Embracing the aesthetic and occasionally excessive qualities of bling, the exhibition celebrates surface and spectacle while inviting reflection on the cultural and artistic meanings underpinning the works. Lee Nelms combines playful form with functional intention; Liz Crowe presents tactile hand-built and wheel-thrown vessels incorporating copper wire, engobes and lustres; and Jacqui Keogh offers mid-century inspired carved forms finished with striking metallic glazes and lustres. Together, the three artists explore the vessel as a carrier of story, connection and individual expression. Entry is free.
Opening Preview: Thursday 14 May, 6.30–8 pm. Exhibition runs Tuesday–Friday 10 am–4 pm, Saturday–Sunday 10 am–2 pm, 15 May to 14 June | Canberra Potters Gallery, Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson | canberrapotters.org.au
Through the Window: Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Jordan Benson
A rich cross-cultural dialogue opens in the main gallery at Canberra Glassworks in Kingston, expanding on a celebrated collaboration first seen at the National Gallery of Australia’s National Indigenous Art Triennial. Artists Vanessa, Kathy, Dellina and Raelene Inkamala from Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) bring the enduring watercolour legacy of Albert Namatjira into conversation with Melbourne-based Jordan Benson’s contemporary approach to traditional stained glass techniques. Together they explore light, colour and transparency across two very different mediums, sharing skills and stories in an exhibition that honours culture while engaging boldly with the present.
Thursday 14 May until Sunday 26 July | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Between What Remains
Belconnen Arts Centre hosts this creative reunion between David Manley and Hilary Wardhaugh. Through photography and post-documentary urban landscapes, the exhibition explores trauma, memory and disconnection. Conceptually aligned yet distinct, their works invite quiet reflection on time, place and shared histories.
Until Sunday, 17 May | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Witness
Reef and coastal ecosystems are environments of inspiration where many escape to rejuvenate, enveloped in the natural world. These teeter on the edge of flourish and destruction, resilience and fragility. Witness focuses on the pursuit to explore, experience and bear witness to these ecosystems undergoing critical change in the artist’s lifetime—with a wavering mix of awe, grief and hope. The exhibition examines environments that serve as sources of renewal while simultaneously facing unprecedented pressures. It documents the tension between beauty and vulnerability in marine and coastal landscapes.
Until Sunday, 17 May | The Nook, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Chasing Alice
Annie Lok’s exhibition features the latest works in her ongoing Rabbit Holes series. Each piece features a female protagonist, the Alice, navigating carefully constructed compositions imbued with symmetry, balance, texture and colour theory. Using photo editing software, Lok manipulates personal and found imagery through filtering, warping, stretching and layering to invent a landscape for each Alice to discover. Influenced by academic interests tackling the human experience through social, political and art historical lenses, the work also serves as an escape from chronic pain following a 2021 workplace accident that left Lok with ruptured discs and neuropathy.
Until Sunday, 17 May | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Inhabiting Change
Fiona Heard’s exploration of impermanence invites viewers to see the present as the dynamic space between what was and what will be. Heard’s artistic process embraces the unpredictable nature of hand printing, accepting unexpected marks and reduced control to create initial imagery. The compositions are based on the landscape of southern NSW, reflecting Heard’s memory and ongoing relationship with this environment. Final artworks are built through configuration—tearing, combining and sewing images to produce the work. These pieces move beyond representation, evoking a feeling of abstracted familiarity that speaks to continuous becoming.
Until Sunday, 17 May | East Wall, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Mental Health and Nature
Jennifer Adams challenges the narrow view of mental health treatment as a clinical activity within four walls, positioning experiences of nature as vital for mental health. This is Adams’s first solo exhibition in over ten years. Mental Health and Nature celebrates nature experienced locally in Canberra, nearby farmland returned to its natural environment and other Australian locations. Adams draws out shapes, adds vibrant colours and decorative elements to express her response to the natural world. Subjects include people participating in nature and their bonds with animals. The experiential exhibition wraps viewers in colours, designs and positive imagery.
Until Sunday, 17 May | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Stained with Light
Sarah Murray brings together earlier work exploring embodied experiences of landscape with current work exploring the sublime, spirituality and sin. Murray has created a series of paintings in acrylic and oils that explore painterly dynamics of figuration versus representation, layering, shifting grounds, gestural mark-making and vibrant colour use. Using references to religious art-historical paintings as grounding, Murray creates vibrant, visceral compositions on traditional and non-traditional supports of sewn quilt-like canvases. Earlier work created embodied experiences of landscape through en-plein air painting, while current pieces translate themes of sublime versus grotesque and depictions of sin.
Until Sunday, 17 May | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.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 Sunday 17 May | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Robbie Howard at Q Gallery
Q Gallery in Ainslie opens a new exhibition this week, welcoming the paintings of Robbie Howard–an artist whose creative life has taken many rich and varied forms. Born in Goulburn with deep connections to the Collector district, Howard has worked across wallpaper design with Florence Broadhurst, fabric and interiors, and co-founded the beloved Lynwood Café before channelling that same instinct for beauty into landscape painting. Her works, often created quietly outdoors, capture the particular light, mood and character of places she knows with genuine intimacy. An exhibition shaped by a life spent paying close attention to the world around her.
Until Thursday 21 May | Q Gallery, 13A Edgar Street, Ainslie | q-gallery.com.au
STAUNCH.
The STAUNCH. Collective presents works by seven First Nations artists exploring Culture as a resistance practice. Rodriguez Nalorlman Pindiying, Georgia Hoskinson, Sandy Harvey, Shanysa Jayde McConville, Marcus Maye Wright, Nic Ingram and Maggie Douglas each bring distinct creative practices–from digital heritage and film photography to printmaking and storytelling–drawing from Country, community and collaboration.
The exhibition centres experiences of growth, connection and healing, opening space for discussion and joy. STAUNCH. invites consideration of what resistance looks like for First Peoples and how colonial structures are upheld or challenged. Entry is free.
Until Saturday 23 May, 12–4 pm | Craft + Design Canberra, North Building, 1, 180 London Cct, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Rewild: 2025 artists-in-residence exhibition
Artists Michele Grimston and Hannah McKellar present new work developed through the 2025 Craft + Design Canberra Artist-in-Residence program at Cinerea Cottage in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Framed by the theme of rewilding, the residency combined time immersed in the landscape with a research component undertaken in partnership with the National Zoo and Aquarium.
Grimston explores slow, meditative textile processes–walking, stitching and drawing–to capture layered sensory impressions of place. McKellar uses hand-embroidered sculptures, watercolour and ink drawings to reimagine conventional cartography through tactile techniques.
Until Saturday 23 May, 12–4 pm | Craft + Design Canberra, North Building, 1, 180 London Cct, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Extra Padding
‘Extra Padding’ is the third iteration of an ongoing project exploring quilting and textile art. In this exhibition, the threads of the quietly contemplative, the technically attentive, and the mysterious weave together with the radical, the interpersonal, and the exploratory.
Until Sunday 24 May | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Forrest | canberracontemporary.com.au
Pigment, Powder, Wax, Sand
Artists Dionysia Salas, Jacqueline Bradley, Roslyn Lemoh and Merryn Lloyd present Pigment, Powder, Wax, Sand at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Born from years of friendship and shared creative dialogue, the exhibition brings together four distinct practices that run in parallel yet resonate with one another in quiet, material ways.
Since 2019 the artists have met regularly to discuss their work, and this exhibition reflects that ongoing conversation–a shared site where works, ideas and vulnerabilities sit side by side. A panel discussion with all four artists takes place on Saturday 2 May at 1:30 pm. Free entry.
Until Friday 13 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery | tuggeranongarts.com
There and Back Again – Peter Bitmead
Peter Bitmead presents There and Back Again at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, an exhibition exploring his return to Canberra after 14 years farming in rural Tasmania. Working across printmaking, painting and ink, Bitmead examines the differences and surprising similarities between these two environments, past and present. The work reflects a circular journey encompassing several themes, both current and historical, united by underlying global concerns such as climate change. An artist talk on Saturday 16 May at 1:30 pm offers a chance to hear more about the ideas behind the work. Free entry to the gallery.
Until Friday 13 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery | tuggeranongarts.com
Nature Speaks – Vladimir Gottwald and Kate Shaw
Nature Speaks at Tuggeranong Arts Centre pairs stone sculptures by Vladimir Gottwald with a large-scale drawing by Kate Shaw. Gottwald’s works are fashioned from found black limestone, shaped by nature over time into expressive zoomorphic and anthropomorphic forms. Shaw’s expansive drawing serves as a counterpoint to the sculptural pieces, creating a dialogue between two- and three-dimensional responses to the natural world. The exhibition sits alongside the centre’s other current shows, Pigment, Powder, Wax, Sand and There and Back Again, as part of TAC’s autumn gallery program. Free entry.
Until Friday 13 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery | tuggeranongarts.com
BLAZE
BLAZE is an exciting group exhibition at Canberra Contemporary, featuring 8 emerging artists from the Kamberri/ Canberra region and beyond. Working across diverse mediums to address various themes ranging from identity and autonomy to the significance of today’s algorithmic culture and its effect on socialisation – the artists in BLAZE signal an exciting direction in contemporary visual arts practices today.
Until Saturday 20 June | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au
Group Exhibition: Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Jordan Benson
A remarkable cross-cultural dialogue opens at Canberra Glassworks in Kingston, bringing together Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre artists Vanessa, Kathy, Dellina and Raelene Inkamala from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) alongside Melbourne-based artist Jordan Benson. The exhibition celebrates the enduring watercolour legacy of Albert Namatjira while placing it in conversation with Benson’s contemporary approach to traditional stained glass techniques. Together, they explore light, colour and transparency across two very different mediums – an expansion of their celebrated collaboration for the National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia. A genuinely special and culturally rich exhibition.
Until Friday 26 July | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Good Neighbour
Belconnen Arts Centre presents an offsite group exhibition at SLA Display Village and Innovation Precinct, Whitlam, curated by Brooke McEachern. A printmaker, glass blower, ceramist, mark maker and knifemaker come together celebrating local makers and quiet creative lives unfolding around us. Estelle Briedis, Hugo Curtis, Jacky Lo, Isobel Rayson and Dan Venables live and work in our neighbourhoods as familiar dog-walkers, corner café regulars or simply good neighbours. Through functional objects and considered craftsmanship, the exhibition presents works feeling personal and lived-with, as though gathered over time from friends and neighbours. The collaboration highlights the creative talent existing within everyday community spaces, making visible the artistic practice happening in homes and studios throughout Canberra’s suburbs.
Until Sunday, 13 July | SLA Display Village, Whitlam | belcoarts.com.au
Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country
One of the most ambitious exhibitions to open at the National Gallery of Australia this year, Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country showcases major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the APY Lands, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide. These large-scale paintings depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa–the law and cultural stories–that lies within, rendered sometimes in explosions of colour, sometimes in muted, contemplative palettes. From the beginning of the APY art movement, these artists have embraced monumental works as the ultimate expression of cultural freedom. The result is an exhibition that is genuinely epic in both scale and significance.
Until Sunday, 23 August | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | nga.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
Wangka Wakaṉutja: the story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre
Between 1979 and 1990, the Papunya Literature Production Centre produced hundreds of illustrated bilingual books–funny, moving, extraordinary documents of Pintupi-Luritja language and culture, guided by community Elders who were also pioneers of the Western Desert art movement. Many of those books have been held in the National Library’s collections ever since, and this landmark new exhibition finally brings them to life. Featuring stories, drawings, photographs, manuscripts, and oral histories drawn from multiple collections, it’s a profoundly significant celebration of Aboriginal literary culture, collective creativity, and the remarkable human effort to keep language alive across generations.
Until Sunday, 11 October | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/wangka-wakanutja
Hop In! an immersive world of play
Canberra Museum and Gallery launches one of its most delightful exhibitions this April–and it’s designed for the youngest visitors. Hop In! turns the familiar family home inside out, shifting rooms in scale and perspective to invite children aged 3–12 to move, build, crawl, splash, and imagine in surprising new ways. Stretch out beneath a sky of clouds, create secret worlds under oversized furniture, or wander through reimagined kitchens and backyards where creativity has completely taken over. At the heart of the experience is Bunny Dearest, a gentle guiding companion created by artist Beci Orpin.
Until Sunday, 11 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light
Questacon presents an interactive exhibition exploring the science of light through 13 hands-on exhibits. Visitors can experiment with light refraction, colour blending, shadow manipulation and reflection across multiple activity stations. The exhibition demonstrates how light travels, reflects and refracts, alongside displays of tools humans have developed to harness light. Activities include bending light, using sensors to create music, and working with lenses. The exhibition is designed for hands-on engagement with scientific concepts. Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light is a Museums Victoria Touring Exhibition running until November 2026.
Until Sunday, 22 November | Questacon–The National Science and Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.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
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
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
Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years
Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years is a permanent portrait exhibition celebrating 50 years of women as residents at John XXIII College. Featuring fifty alumni, the exhibition pairs portraiture with personal reflections to capture the evolving experience of women across five decades. Photographed by ANU School of Art graduate Bronte Morel across Australia and internationally, each work is set in a location of personal significance. Together, the collection forms an intergenerational narrative of leadership, identity and community, recognising the enduring contribution of women to the College and beyond.
Permanent exhibition, open 9 am–5 pm daily | Front foyer, John XXIII College, 51 Daley Road, Australian National University, Canberra | johnxxiii.anu.edu.au
Feature image: Creswick Collective.
