85+ reasons why you’ll want to spend this week out in Canberra
Posted on
Ready to shake off the mid-winter blues? This week in Canberra delivers an incredible lineup.
Gather your crew, check out our curated top picks below, and lock in your plans for this week!
Don’t miss…
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Free-Rain Theatre Company brings the second-longest-running Off-Broadway musical revue to Kingston’s ACT Hub. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change takes a hilarious, honest look at the modern dating landscape, tackling everything from awkward first encounters and wedding stress to family road trips and senior dating. Performed by a cast of six playing 58 distinct characters, this updated version features catchy songs and relatable vignettes that celebrate romantic chaos in all its messy glory.
Wednesday 19 August until Saturday 5 September | ACT Hub, Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | freeraintheatre.com
Dinners with a Difference
Dinners with a Difference brings its facilitated dinner-conversation format to Canberra for the first time, following four years of sold-out events in Wollongong. Hosted by Gretel Van-Lane, the evening centres on a guided discussion exploring what it means to live a good life, with attendees invited to reflect on values, achievement and meaning. The restaurant is exclusively reserved for the group, and guests can attend solo or with a friend. Tickets include entrees and mains, with dietary requirements catered for; drinks are available for purchase. A short questionnaire is emailed to attendees ahead of the event to help shape the discussion.
Thursday 20 August, 6.30–9.30 pm | Bar Beirut, 25 Garema Place, Canberra | events.humanitix.com
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026
Marking the final chapter of one of the Gallery’s longest-running exhibitions, the 2026 prize features finalist works alongside a curated retrospective celebrating two decades of Australian portrait photography.
Saturday 22 August until Sunday, 11 October | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Euphrates
Full Circle Collective presents Euphrates, an overnight 12-hour music, arts, and cultural gathering held inside The Circus in Mitchell. Running from Saturday evening through to Sunday morning, the immersive event features electronic music programming, art installations, and creative community showcases. Designed for fans of alternative nightlife culture, the gathering provides a unique multi-sensory environment for dance and artistic connection.
Saturday 22 August, 6 pm–8 am | The Circus, Mitchell | fullcirclecollective.com.au
Dance Canberra Festival
Canberra’s adult dance community is getting its very own two-day festival as Dance Canberra takes over the 6th Position Northbourne Studio. Designed for dancers aged 16 and up—from total beginners to seasoned performers—the weekend features high-calibre masterclasses in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Broadway Jazz, Commercial, and Contemporary. Train alongside premier local and interstate talent including Stephen Tannos, JW Murray, Matthew & Anna Bindley, Demi Jenkins, Dylan Bull, Jasmin Durham, and Halimah Kyrgios without having to leave the capital.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August | 6th Position Northbourne Studio, City | 6thposition.com.au
Saplings
Winner of the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Young People, Saplings brings a collection of raw, funny, and heartbreaking stories to Queanbeyan. Written by Yuwaalaray playwright Hannah Belanszky and directed by Kalkadoon director Abbie-lee Lewis, the play reflects the lived experiences of youth navigating the justice system. Four actors take on multiple roles against a soundtrack of original rap and hip-hop tracks created by young people. Through poetry and humor, the 80-minute performance examines survival instincts, vulnerability, and systemic challenges facing youth today. Secure tickets for an impactful day or evening performance at The Q.
Saturday 22 August, 2 pm and 7.30 pm | The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Explore the wonders of science at Canberra Centre
Canberra Centre hosts Science in the Centres across two weekends this August, presenting hands-on science activities for National Science Week.
On 15 and 16 August, the Australian National Botanic Gardens and National Seed Bank lead activities exploring seed science, including designing and testing flying seed models to demonstrate how shape and size help plants spread.
On 22 August, Robogals runs interactive robotics and engineering activities, with children building and programming robots. On 23 August, Canberra Reptile Zoo brings native reptiles, including snakes and lizards, for close-up encounters.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City | canberracentre.qicre.com
Rear Vision: The Holden Collection
Take a nostalgic drive through the history of an absolute Australian icon with Rear vision: the Holden collection at the National Archives. This fascinating exhibition traces Holden’s journey from a humble 19th-century saddlery to ‘Australia’s Own Car’ and its permanent impact on the nation’s economy, industrial landscape, and cultural identity. Visitors can explore historical archival records, rare artifacts, blueprints, and photographs that reveal the innovations, challenges, and people behind General Motors-Holden. Developed by the State Library of South Australia and expanded with national records, the exhibition also offers daily gallery talks.
Until Sunday 11 October | National Archives of Australia, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Special Events and Festivals
Carillon Concert to Commemorate the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence
The Embassy of Indonesia, in collaboration with the National Capital Authority, will host a commemorative carillon concert at the National Carillon to mark the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
The event will feature musical works performed by senior carillonist Dr Thomas Laue, alongside a special collaboration with the Indonesian Ladies Association Angklung Ensemble, led by Dr Marsia Pramono. The ensemble will perform live from within the tower, presenting the traditional sound of angklung in harmony with the carillon’s bells.
As part of the celebration, several buildings within the National Triangle, including the National Carillon, will be illuminated with red and white on the evening of 17 August, offering a visual tribute to Indonesia’s Independence Day.
This year’s concert will introduce live video streaming, allowing audiences to view the carillonist, angklung performers, and choir throughout the event. The stream will be accessible through a dedicated and free application auXync which provides live video, applause functionality, and real‑time song titles directly to smartphones, and operates across all Wi‑Fi accessible areas on Queen Elizabeth II Island.
Monday 17 August, 6-7 pm | National Carillon, Queen Elizabeth II island |
Cancer Council ACT’s Community Dip & Daffodil Day Stalls
Celebrate 40 years of growing hope this Daffodil Day by joining Cancer Council ACT and special guests, the ACT Brumbies, for a Community Cold Dip. Participants will brave the lake for a few minutes before enjoying a light morning tea and warming up at The Red Shed’s facilities. Alongside the dip, you can support the cause on Thursday 20 August by visiting one of 10 volunteer-run Daffodil Day stalls located all over Canberra. All funds raised from the daffodils and Daffodil Day events go directly back into funding local life-saving cancer research. To find a stall near you, visit the States and Territories link on the Cancer Council website.
Wednesday 19 August, 6.30 am – 8.30 am | The Red Shed, 45 John Cardiff Close, Acton | events.humanitix.com
Latin American Film Festival
The Latin American Film Festival presents a program of feature films from across the region, screening at the Kambri Cultural Centre in partnership with the Australian National University, the ANU Film Group and the ANU Latin American Students Association. The 2026 Canberra program includes thirteen films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay, spanning drama, comedy and family stories. Films screen in their original language with English subtitles, mostly in the evening, with earlier sessions on some weekend dates.
Until Thursday 27 August, various times | Kambri Cultural Centre, Tangney Road, Acton | laffcanberra2026.eventive.org/schedule
Club Art
Transform your winter evenings with Club Art, a seasonal visual arts activation bringing local creativity to city venue ONE22. Throughout August, the space showcases a rotating exhibition of contemporary works by Canberra visual artists, culminating in a special Local Artist Bonanza evening on Friday night. Attendees can hear short artist talks, enjoy live music, and celebrate the formal unveiling of new winter installations. It provides a warm, welcoming venue to connect with regional art, socialize with local creators, and support independent culture. Drop by for a drink and experience Canberra’s vibrant artistic scene in an urban setting.
Until Monday 31 August | ONE22, 122 Alinga Street, City | one22.com.au
Platypus Month
Discover one of Australia’s most unique, magical wildlife experiences during Platypus Month across the stunning Upper Murrumbidgee region. Running from late July through August, this annual celebration shines a spotlight on the iconic, elusive platypus through a diverse calendar of guided walks, citizen science surveys, family activities, expert talks, and local film screenings. The local waterways are home to highly active, healthy platypus populations, and the month offers a rare opportunity to join guided dawn or dusk platypus-spotting walks at picturesque river corridors. It’s an authentic outdoor adventure perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, and wildlife photographers looking to connect with local conservation teams.
Until Monday 31 August | Various regional waterways and locations | act.waterwatch.org.au
NFSA’s Winter Film Series
Take a cinematic journey through time and space in the Winter Film Series at Arc Cinema.
From mind-bending time travel and fractured narratives to intergalactic adventures, alien encounters and cosmic odysseys, join us for stories stretching across eras and into the far reaches of the universe.
Whether you’re drawn to contemplative tales or epic escapism, you can explore worlds reshaped by technology, desire and chance.
Until 31 August | NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Antarctica
Explore the frozen continent at the National Museum of Australia through a fascinating exhibition sharing Australia’s enduring connection to the icy south. Visitors can discover over 100 years of Antarctic science, exploration, and survival through rare artefacts, historic equipment, and first-hand accounts from researchers. Immersive displays bring polar landscapes to life with blizzards and the aurora australis, teaching families about the region’s unique wildlife and environmental significance. It’s a captivating opportunity for curious minds of all ages to journey into an extreme environment right from the comfort of our capital.
Until Sunday 11 October | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Life in the Great Barrier Reef 360° VR Documentary
Submerge yourself in a breathtaking underwater world without leaving the inner north. Premiering at the National Museum of Australia, Life in the Great Barrier Reef is an immersive 35-minute cinematic documentary utilising custom-built 8K 360° virtual reality technology. Guided by leading scientists, reef stewards, and Traditional Owners, audiences are transported to the depths of two UNESCO World Heritage sites to encounter manta rays, whales, and rare coral spawning events, while gaining a deeper understanding of current conservation efforts.
Ongoing, session times vary | National Museum of Australia, Acton Peninsula | nma.gov.au
Food + Drink
Ladies Day Luncheon
Gather your friends for a relaxed winter catch-up at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden. The afternoon features a two-course long lunch alongside live entertainment, tea, coffee, and exciting door prizes.
Thursday 20 August, 12 pm–3 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Orlando Wine Dinner
Celebrate South Australia’s rich winemaking heritage with a sophisticated four-course dining experience at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong. Executive Chef Bradley Howden presents a specially crafted menu designed to pair seamlessly with a curated selection of Orlando wines.
Thursday 20 August, 6.30 pm–9 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, Corner Pitman and Holwell Street, Greenway | cscc.com.au
St Hugo Wine Dinner at the Yacht Club
Indulge in a waterfront dining experience at the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club. Executive Chef Trung Pham crafts a four-course menu tailored to pair with bold, elegant Barossa wines from St Hugo.
Friday 21 August, 6.30 pm–8.30 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla | cscc.com.au
High Tea at The Pavilion
Escape to the sunlit Atrium at the Pavilion on Northbourne for a luxurious afternoon tea. Enjoy savouries, sweet treats, loose-leaf teas, and bottomless prosecco in a lush indoor garden setting.
Saturday 22 August, 12 pm–2 pm | Atrium Restaurant and Bar, 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | atriumrestaurantandbar.com.au
The Promenade Café’s Sunday Roast
Escape the Sunday blues and embrace a beautiful new winter tradition in the elegant surrounds of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. The Promenade Café is throwing open its doors to serve up a spectacular, winter-warming Sunday Roast. Guests will be greeted by a wonderful sense of nostalgia, with fireplaces crackling in the historic lounges and the promise of exceptional, warm hospitality.
It is the perfect excuse to gather your closest friends and family for a classic cosy meal, featuring a traditional roast with all the trimmings. For a truly perfect finish to the weekend, you can stop by Speaker’s Corner Bar on your way out to enjoy a fireside cocktail or a premium whiskey. Spaces are bound to fill up fast for this comforting winter experience, so booking a table ahead of time is highly recommended.
Until Sunday 30 August | The Promenade Café, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | hyatt.com
Après QTea High Tea
As the winter chill settles over the capital, Canberrans looking for a cosy alpine escape don’t need to head all the way to the snowy slopes. The gorgeous QT Lounge is teaming up with the sweet geniuses at Space Kitchen to transform their sky-high venue into a winter wonderland filled with après-ski indulgence. It is the perfect excuse to gather your favourite local friends for a sophisticated afternoon of elevated comfort food and stunning city views.
Guests will be treated to a spectacular tiered stand showcasing savoury delights like a rich split pea and smoked ham soup alongside earthy wild mushroom croquettes. The sweet side of the mountain features freshly baked scones piled high with mountains of rosewater cream and strawberry jam, all topped off with a spiced mulled cider and a flowing white chocolate fountain. For those wanting a little extra indulgence, a roving cake trolley features toasted s’mores and chocolate caramel snowballs.
Until Saturday, 29 August | QT Lounge, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City | qthotels.com
The Brunch Club at Capitol Bar & Grill
There is nothing quite like a lazy weekend morning to reset the soul, and Capitol Bar & Grill is flipping the script on your average breakfast routine. The Brunch Club is introducing an unapologetically luxurious, all-day dining concept designed for food lovers who believe the weekend deserves a bit of theatrical flair. It is a long, decadent celebration of bold flavours that will make you want to cancel the rest of your daily plans.
The kitchen is serving up elevated favourites, from fluffy buttermilk pancakes to classic cheeseburgers slathered in a special secret sauce and savoury miso-grilled salmon. The star of the show is undoubtedly the interactive Bloody Mary cart in partnership with Ketel One Vodka. Guests can watch bartenders build their custom cocktail right before their eyes, choosing from an outrageous lineup of garnishes like crispy bacon, blue cheese olives, dill pickles, and even fresh mussels.
Until Sunday 30 August | Capitol Bar & Grill, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City | qthotels.com
Bourbon Street Sunday Jazz
Bring the soulful sounds of New Orleans straight to your winter weekends! Every single Sunday evening, Molly transforms into Bourbon Street, showcasing a fantastic, rotating lineup of local brass bands playing loose, soulful Crescent City swing. It is the absolute perfect way to escape a cold Canberra night and close out your weekend in style. You can order a delicious cheese and charcuterie platter, sit back in the cosy hidden bar, and sip on a specialised bourbon cocktail from the NOLA-themed menu. Follow the music down Odgers Lane to find the secret door.
Until Sunday 30 August, 6 pm–10 pm | Molly, Odgers Lane, Wooden Door, City| molly.bar
Markets
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
Stage and Screen
Josh Thomas: jiggle jiggle
Award-winning comedian and creator of Please Like Me Josh Thomas brings his brand-new stand-up show to Canberra. Stepping back from heavy themes, jiggle jiggle promises an hour of pure, unfiltered silliness.
Friday 21 August, 7 pm–8 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Girl on the Train
Mockingbird Theatre Company presents the Canberra premiere of the stage thriller The Girl on the Train, adapted from Paula Hawkins’ best-selling novel and the hit DreamWorks film. Directed and designed by Chris Baldock, this psychological drama follows Rachel Watson, who becomes entangled in a dangerous missing-persons mystery involving a couple she observes daily from her commute. Featuring a strong local cast, this gripping 140-minute production delivers twists, secrets, and high-stakes tension in the intimate Mockingbird Studio at Belconnen Arts Centre.
Until Saturday 22 August, 7.30 pm (Matinees 2 pm) | The Mockingbird Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Heathers the Musical
Direct from West End and Broadway success, the wickedly entertaining Heathers the Musical arrives in Canberra to light up the stage. Based on the cult classic film, this dark comedy follows Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the perilous social hierarchy of Westerberg High. When she catches the eye of the mysterious rebel J.D., popularity quickly becomes a matter of life and death. Packed with sharp wit and a high-energy soundtrack, it offers an unforgettable theatrical experience. Gather your crew for a night of big tunes, bold drama, and deliciously dark humour that will leave you humming all week.
Until Sunday 23 August | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Dish + Q&A
Celebrate National Science Week with a special screening of the classic Australian comedy-drama The Dish at the NFSA’s Arc Cinema. Directed by Rob Sitch, the film follows the quirky team of Australian scientists at the Parkes Observatory as they overcome technical mishaps and rural weather to broadcast the Apollo 11 moon landing to the world. Following the digital screening, stay for an exclusive Q&A with radio astronomer Mark Price, who worked at the Parkes Radio Telescope during the historic 1969 landing.
Sunday 23 August, 2 pm | Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival
Celebrate sci-fi, space exploration, and optimistic cinema at Dendy Canberra. The day includes pitch workshops, short film screenings, keynote talks, and networking sessions for film and science enthusiasts.
Sunday 23 August, 10 am–6 pm | Dendy Cinemas Canberra, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra | sfcfilms.com
National Science Week: Apollo 11 Q&A
Step back to 1969 at the NFSA with a special National Science Week screening and Q&A featuring radio astronomer Mark Price, who worked at the Parkes Radio Telescope during the Moon landing.
Sunday, 23 August | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.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.
Raiders v Broncos – NRL Round 25
Head to GIO Stadium for the Canberra Raiders’ final regular home game of the season. In a high-stakes 2025 finals rematch against the Brisbane Broncos, fans can enjoy family-friendly entertainment around the precinct before taking part in the signature Viking Clap as the team takes the field.
Friday 21 August, 6 pm–9 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | raiders.com.au
Recharge in Nature: Forest Therapy Immersion
Experience a deeply restorative morning with a three-hour forest therapy immersion guided by Japanese shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) principles. This slow, sensory-based journey invites participants to awaken their senses, recharge, and connect with the natural world through a series of gentle observations and activities. Intimate and limited to 10 participants, the session concludes with a shared reflection circle, light snacks, and a traditional tea ceremony.
Sunday 23 August, 10 am–1 pm | Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Tidbinbilla Reserve Road, Paddys River | latitude55.com.au
Breathwork and Sound Healing
Reset your nervous system during a soul-nourishing healing session at Soma Woman’s Wellness. Combines 15 minutes of guided breathwork with a sound bath featuring didgeridoo, crystal bowls, and shamanic drums.
Sunday 23 August | Soma Woman’s Wellbeing, 3 Dickson Place, Suite 2/3, Dickson | lawenhealingrituals.com
Music
Liszt Piano Sonata at Wesley Music Centre
The Wesley Lunchtime Concert series welcomes back pianist Sam Row for a performance of Franz Liszt’s masterwork, the Piano Sonata in B minor. Composed in 1854, this monumental piece condenses the composer’s dramatic personality and technical brilliance into a single sweeping movement. Tickets include a concert program and light refreshments following the performance.
Wednesday 19 August, 12.40 pm – 1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | wesleycanberra.org.au
The High Kings: Rocky Road To Dublin Tour
Ireland’s premier folk group, The High Kings, returns to Canberra with their signature blend of traditional heritage and modern energy. Expect a high-octane evening of classic Irish storytelling, soaring harmonies, and beloved folk anthems.
Saturday 22 August, 8 pm–9.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Baggy Trousers: UK Party Classics
Get ready for non-stop skankin’ as Australia’s premier Madness tribute band, Baggy Trousers, hits the stage at the Zeppelin Room. Delivering the energetic sounds of 80s two-tone ska, the night features anthems from Madness, The Specials, and Bad Manners.
Saturday 22 August, 7.30 pm–10 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com
Dancing in the Shadows of Motown
Experience a dynamic, all-singing, all-dancing tribute to the legendary Motown era. Featuring hits from Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and The Supremes, this world-class live band recreates the iconic sound of Detroit.
Saturday 22 August, 5.30 pm–7.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Living End: I Only Trust Rock n Roll Tour
Australian punk-rock icons The Living End are taking over the UC Refectory for a raw, high-energy live show. Catch new tracks alongside classic anthems like ‘Prisoner of Society’, ‘White Noise’, and ‘Roll On’.
Saturday 22 August, 7 pm–11.30 pm | UC Refectory, 11 Kirinari Street, Building 1, Bruce | moshtix.com.au
Tapestry: The Carole King Experience
Revisit Carole King’s legendary 1971 album Tapestry in this seated theatre-style live concert. Featuring a live four-piece band and a special tribute performance to James Taylor, hear classics like ‘It’s Too Late’ and ‘You’ve Got a Friend’.
Sunday 23 August, 2 pm–5 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | tickets.oztix.com.au
Vera Blue: Modern Rituals Tour
ARIA-nominated indie-pop powerhouse Vera Blue takes the stage at UC Refectory. Performing tracks from her new album Modern Rituals alongside fan favorites like ‘Regular Touch’ and ‘Rushing Back’, her electrifying voice is set to captivate.
Sunday, 23 August | UC Refectory, 11 Kirinari Street, Building 1, Bruce | moshtix.com.au
Children’s Concert: Musette
Introduce young children to classical music in a 30-minute interactive showcase featuring presenter Simon Rickard, who demonstrates curious Baroque wind instruments in a friendly environment.
Sunday, 23 August, 3 pm | Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | apeiron-baroque.com
The Green Piper: Baroque & Botany
Musician, gardener, and author Simon Rickard joins Apeiron Baroque for a unique performance blending gardening lore with 18th-century compositions on rare historic instruments.
Sunday 23 August, 4.30 pm–5,30 pm | Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | apeiron-baroque.com
Talks and Workshops
In conversation: Syaman Rapongan & Si Rapongan
Delve into modern Indigenous literature and maritime heritage during a special evening hosted at The Australian National University. The event features a pre-recorded dialogue with acclaimed Tao writer Syaman Rapongan, alongside an in-person appearance by cultural documentarian Si Rapongan. Following a screening of the evocative film I Dream Of The Ocean, guests can participate in an insightful Q&A session exploring island traditions, ancestral knowledge, and deep connections to the sea. It stands as an enriching cultural experience for anyone interested in global cinema, storytelling, and First Nations heritage. Free reservations can be secured online before attending.
Monday 17 August, 6.30 pm–8,45 pm | CIW Seminar Room, ANU, Fellows Lane, Acton | taiwanfilmfestival.org.au
Shane Rattenbury | Dr Hugh Saddler Memorial Lecture 2026
Gain an insider perspective on environmental policy as former ACT Minister Shane Rattenbury delivers the annual Dr Hugh Saddler Memorial Lecture. Reflecting on the territory’s milestone transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity, the discussion explores the political leadership, community engagement, and collaborative decision-making that drove ambitious climate action. Following the lecture, Australia Institute co-CEO Dr Richard Denniss leads an interactive Q&A session, offering attendees a chance to engage with key ideas shaping Australia’s energy future. Held at the National Film and Sound Archive, it promises a thought-provoking evening for anyone passionate about sustainability and local history.
Monday 17 August, 6 pm–7 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | events.humanitix.com
Researching your roots: getting started with family history
Uncover the fascinating stories woven into your ancestry with a practical beginner’s workshop at the National Archives of Australia. Timed for Family History Month, this informative session guides participants through national archival collections, offering practical tools to begin tracing family lineages. Knowledgeable staff share tips on navigating records, deciphering historical documents, and building research confidence. The workshop concludes with a guided gallery tour highlighting significant moments, places, and figures from Australia’s shared past. It offers an engaging, accessible gateway for anyone eager to discover the people and events that shaped their own family story.
Monday 17 August, 11 am–12 pm | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | eventbrite.com.au
Creative Maker Business Skills with Lea Durie
Turn your creative passion into a sustainable business with this practical, insight-packed workshop series led by ceramic artist Lea Durie. Across three sessions, you’ll explore everything from building a business strategy and understanding your audience to marketing your work and generating income. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your practice, you’ll gain valuable tools, industry know-how and the confidence to take your creative career to the next level.
Wednesday 19 August, 5.30 pm–8 pm | Craft + Design Canberra, City | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Rebus Theatre’s Resilience Workshops
Rebus Theatre presents Resilience Workshops, a five-part series for performers, actors, community artists and facilitators, led by Koko Shie and Lucien Simon. Designed to support sustainable creative practice, the workshops explore practical strategies for building resilience, strengthening wellbeing and fostering connection within Canberra’s creative community. Sessions run across five evenings from 12 August to 2 September at the Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, offering a supportive, inclusive environment for learning, reflection and collaboration. Full-price and concession tickets are available, along with a limited number of scholarships for those needing financial support to attend the series.
Wednesday 19 August, 5.30–7 pm | Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Braddon | events.humanitix.com/resilience-workshops
Dr Isobel Bennett & the Secrets of Australia’s Seashores
Join 2026 NLA Fellow Dr. Joy McCann as she explores the legacy of pioneer marine scientist Dr. Isobel Bennett. Grounded in research on Australia’s role in postwar marine expansion and timed with 50 years of women in Antarctica, this public talk highlights Bennett’s life, discoveries, and dedication to conserving Australia’s seashores.
Thursday 20 August, 12.30 pm–1.30 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
The Memory Collectors: Conversations with Oral Historians
Discover the art of listening and the power of personal storytelling with Dr. Barbara Lemon, Dr. Shirleene Robinson AM, MC Trey, and Dr. Barry York. Reflecting on Australia’s largest oral history archive, the panel shares moving, surprising interview moments that have shaped our cultural understanding.
Thursday 20 August, 6 pm–7 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Painting Your Way with Jenny Adams
Refine your artistic practice in this four-hour advanced painting workshop with self-taught Canberra artist Jenny Adams. Designed for experienced painters, the session focuses on colour, composition, and developing a personal visual language inspired by nature. All materials provided.
Saturday 22 August, 10 am–2 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, Barrine Drive, Parkes | visitcanberra.com.au
Recording Drums Workshop
Join producer Matt Barnes at the ANU School of Music for a technical masterclass on drum recording. Learn minimalist and comprehensive mic setups, studio strategies, and post-production mixing tools to elevate your drum tracks.
Saturday 22 August, 1 pm–4 pm | ANU Recording Studio, ANU School of Music, Canberra | music.cass.anu.edu.au
Sandcasting Glass Workshop
Discover the art of hot glass casting with glass artists Nadina Geary and Olivia Gates at the Canberra Glassworks. In this hands-on workshop, participants learn to press textured objects into sand and carve custom designs to create unique casting molds. Once your design is set, watching molten glass poured directly into your mold brings your custom sculpture to life.
Sunday 23 August, 1 pm–4 pm | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Exhibitions
Flutterbry: Worlds Beyond Waste
Worlds Beyond Waste invites viewers into a surreal ecosystem built entirely from discarded plastic laundry hamper lids.
Flutterbry transforms everyday waste into mesmerising sculptural forms that feel both organic and architectural, creating a world suspended between the deep ocean and the outer cosmos.
The exhibition will be visible 24/7, offering a different experience by day and by night, with creative lighting and dramatic shadows bringing the works to life.
Based in Canberra, Flutterbry is a visual artist also known to many locals as the former owner of the iconic Toast Bar nightclub (2001–2007).
Until Monday 17 August | Canberra Museum + Gallery, Civic Square | cmag.com.au
Weaving the Coast by Christiane Keller
Opening at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Weaving the Coast is a new solo exhibition by Canberra-based fibre artist Christiane Keller. Featuring fifteen sculptural works crafted from natural fibres, recycled materials, and salvaged beach debris, the collection translates the distinct geological patterns and sediment layers of coastal rock formations into intricate, three-dimensional woven forms. Informed by her decades spent working alongside Indigenous fibre artists across Arnhem Land and Central Australia, Keller’s sustainable practice creates a deeply tactile connection to place and Country.
Friday 21 August – Saturday 17 October (Official Opening Friday 21 August, 6 pm) | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Glad Tidings: Susan Chancellor
Step into the serene, shifting environment of a coastal estuary with Glad Tidings, a multi-media solo exhibition by Susan Chancellor. Grounded in the visual wonders of the transition zone where land meets sea, this exhibition features vibrant works alongside a mesmerizing digital installation capturing the rhythmic movements and reflective surfaces of tidal flows.
Until Sunday 23 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Position/Trajectory: Matthew Freeman, Anne Pyne Irving & Tristan Ouweleen
Position/Trajectory brings together three distinct drawing practices that explore drawing as a tool for connection and meaning-making. Through varied techniques, artists Matthew Freeman, Anne Pyne Irving, and Tristan Ouweleen navigate the fleeting and the luminous, mapping how movement, memory, and change shape our experience of the world.
Until Sunday 23 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
UNRuly: Catherine Anselmi, David Helmers, Ro Murray & Mandy Burgess
In UNRuly, four artists embrace unruliness as a creative catalyst across sculpture, ceramics, and collaborative drawing. Through raw, expressive installations, Catherine Anselmi, David Helmers, Ro Murray, and Mandy Burgess challenge traditional form while exploring themes of material flux, transformation, and female determination in old age.
Until Sunday 23 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Ngurumbang-dhi Fashion Exhibition
Discover Ngurumbang-dhi, a striking collection by First Nations fashion label Corella & Crow, founded by talented designers Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley. On display in the Window Gallery at Belco Arts, these beautiful works were originally created for the 2025 Country to Couture runway. Exploring the deep connection between fashion, Country, and community, the collection highlights slow fashion processes, upcycled textiles, and stunning hand-worked surfaces. Through specialiSed dyeing, mark-making, layering, and reconstruction, each garment speaks beautifully to cycles of renewal and environmental care, honoring the stories and relationships that shape First Nations creative practice.
Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
My Country, My Connection exhibition
Experience Full Circle, a deeply personal solo exhibition by a proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman at the Belconnen Arts Centre. This evocative showcase explores the artist’s unique journey and enduring cultural links, having been fortunate enough to live on both her grandmother and grandfather’s traditional countries for most of her life. Now living on beautiful Yuin Nation country—a place where her mother also lived for two decades while maintaining her traditional connections—the artist brings these three distinct regional relationships full circle through her creative practice. Step into the Pivot Gallery to witness this beautiful celebration of identity.
Until Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Ngiaga Art Exhibition
Step into the West Gallery at Belco Arts to experience Ngiaga, an extraordinary collaborative exhibition of mixed-media works created by First Nations artists. Grounded in spirituality, Country, and genealogy, this deeply autobiographical series explores the interconnected stages of life through ten powerful themes, including birth, heritage, society, and purpose. Each piece draws beautifully from lived experience and cultural knowledge, showing how we move through the world both as individuals and as part of a collective experience. Audiences are warmly invited to witness, reflect, and connect with this stunning, interwoven cultural map.
Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Yawarj Mara Young Men’s Art Exhibition
Belconnen Arts Centre proudly presents the Yawarj Mara – Strong Pathways Young Men’s Group Art Exhibition. Led by proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri man Mitchell Daley, this vital program regularly engages over forty Aboriginal young people aged ten to eighteen from across North Canberra. Because creative arts are a core part of their program, this unique showcase in The Nook highlights beautiful artworks and cultural artifacts designed by the participants. Reflecting individual and collective journeys, identity, and connection to culture, these rare works aim to inspire the next generation with strength, vision, and a lasting legacy.
Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | 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
Tamara Henderson: The Gardener’s Bar
Tamara Henderson presents The Gardener’s Bar, an exhibition centred on compost as material, method and model of transformation within her practice. Drawing on processes of decomposition and regeneration, Henderson builds an ecology where sculpture, painting, film and sound emerge through shared cycles of accumulation, decay and renewal, guided by four recurring archetypes: The Gardener, The Director, Light and Sound. First realised in London in 2023, the work responds to Henderson’s Kamberri/Canberra shed and operates as a site of cultivation, production and exchange. New glass panels for this iteration were produced at Canberra Glassworks. The exhibition is accompanied by a newly commissioned collection of texts by Henderson’s collaborators.
Until Saturday 29 August | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT | canberracontemporary.com.au
Spirit Dwellings by Sarah Hickey
Brisbane artist Sarah Hickey brings her latest solo exhibition, Spirit Dwellings, to Grainger Gallery. Developed following an artist residency in County Cork, Ireland, the collection explores ancestry, folklore, and the quiet memory contained within ancestral landscapes. Featuring large-scale figurative paintings inhabited by blue-faced figures, botanical motifs, and animal companions, Hickey’s richly layered work examines the unseen threads connecting past and present.
Until Sunday 30 August, 11 am – 5 pm | Grainger Gallery, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Afternoon of the Harpies
Grainger Gallery presents Afternoon of the Harpies, a joint exhibition by Canberra-based photographic artist Judith Nangala Crispin and sculptor Stephen Harrison. Crispin’s Lumachrome glass prints are made through a camera-less process she developed while living and working with Warlpiri communities in the Tanami Desert, combining images of roadside-found animals and birds with local plant matter, ochre and clay on light-sensitive paper exposed to the sun. Harrison, a Canberra School of Art graduate whose work has featured at Sculpture by the Sea, contributes bronze figures including sphinxes, harpies and heads. Together the works explore themes of mythology, mortality and transformation.
Until Sunday 30 August | Grainger Gallery, 1/34 Geelong St, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Elisa Crossing: Move Me!
Discover Move me!, a striking solo exhibition by Canberra artist Elisa Crossing that champions the practice of “slow looking.” Countering the fast-paced, frictionless nature of the digital age, Crossing’s oil paintings explore the active, embodied relationship between the viewer, the studio, and the canvas. Moving between intimacy and distance, her works dissolve into abstract textures up close while revealing rhythmic structural scenes from afar, reminding us that seeing is never static.
Until Monday 31 August | Civic Art Bureau, Level 1, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra | civicartbureau.com
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
2XX People-Powered Radio: Celebrating 50 Years
For five decades, 2XX has carried the distinct voices, grassroots politics, and community stories of the capital over the airwaves. This winter, the Canberra Museum + Gallery (CMAG) is marking this massive milestone with a brand-new exhibition celebrating Canberra’s very first community radio station and the passionate people who shaped it. Tracing its evolution from its early beginnings as Radio ANU in 1976 to a modern broadcasting pillar, the exhibition brings together archival audio, vintage equipment, photographs, and vibrant, screen-printed posters made in collaboration with Megalo. Visitors can even step back in time inside a faithfully recreated 1970s and 1980s radio studio to listen to historic broadcast excerpts. It is a nostalgic, physical celebration of local music, multicultural programming, and the independent media movements that helped define modern Canberra.
Until Sunday 6 September | Canberra Museum + Gallery, Civic Square | cmag.com.au
Vessels of Dialogue: Sarit Cohen
Influenced by Bauhaus architecture and early 20th-century Decorative Arts, Vessels of Dialogue presents whimsical ceramic sculptures by Sarit Cohen. Crafted from delicate porcelain clay, these serene, minimal forms use subtle linear rhythms and a muted color palette to explore architectural memories and space.
Until Saturday 12 September | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Correspondence: Jude Muduioa
Celebrating patience and sustained craft, Correspondence showcases Jude Muduioa’s exploration of ceramic accumulation. Each delicate element is individually shaped by hand before joining a larger structure. With restrained surfaces, the exhibition invites viewers to focus on rhythm, subtle detail, and the interplay of light and shadow.
Until Saturday 12 September | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Dwell: Suzanne Knight
Through intricately woven tapestry forms shaped like discarded plastic bottles, Suzanne Knight’s Dwell examines the complex interplay between migration, consumer culture, and ecological change. The exhibition reflects on how introduced materials and settler traditions have permanently reshaped Australian landscapes.
Until Saturday 12 September | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Fragile Structures: The Architecture of Decay
Step into a captivating collaborative exhibition by visual artists Madeline Cardone and Fran Romano. Working across glass and ceramics, the duo explores the built environment, ruins, decay, and architectural space through the deconstruction and abstraction of form. Their sculptural works examine dualities of strength and fragility, permanence and transience, creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Until Saturday, 12 September (Opening night & artist talks Thursday, 30 July from 5.30 pm) | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
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
GR’AFT: solo exhibition by Lynda Draper
Explore innovative contemporary sculpture at Canberra Glassworks with GR’AFT, a solo exhibition by artist Lynda Draper. Developed during a residency at the Kingston precinct, the body of work blends glass, ceramics, and bronze through skilled collaborations with local artisans and foundry specialists. Drawing inspiration from botanical grafting techniques, the tactile sculptures feature wax-like surfaces, biomorphic forms, and funnel shapes that evoke natural growth and transformation. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to contemplate material exchange, layered artistic histories, and collaborative craft. Drop by this iconic lakeside venue to experience stunning contemporary art firsthand.
Until Monday 26 October | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
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
Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures
Step into a vibrant, near-future Australia where once-impossible technologies transform how we live, work, and play. Questacon’s latest immersive gallery, Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures, makes the complex world of quantum physics accessible, playful, and incredibly fun.
Developed in collaboration with Canberra illustrator Paul Summerfield, the exhibition brings tomorrow’s tech to life through colorful, highly detailed illustrations, giant airborne sculptures, and a mesmerizing cloud chamber that reveals the invisible world of tiny particles. Along the way, visitors can meet the pioneering Australian researchers who are harnessing the unique behaviors of quantum objects to solve some of the world’s most critical challenges. From un-hackable communications and personalized medicine to ultra-responsive prosthetics, you’ll discover how a quantum future promises to make ordinary lives extraordinary.
Open daily through 30 June 2027 | Gallery 8, Questacon, Parkes | questacon.edu.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
Yarning: Sharing Stories, Celebrating Culture
Explore Yarning, a vibrant new exhibition at Australian Parliament House showcasing the creative voices and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students from across the nation. Featuring artworks from over 70 young artists, the display showcases entries from the Yarning competition exploring themes of Country, identity, family, and reconciliation—including the three winning pieces. Located in the public area on the Level 1 Senate side, this inspiring collection offers a powerful platform for young First Nations storytellers.
Open daily until February 2027 | Australian Parliament House, Capital Hill | aph.gov.au
Floral Impressions: Coins in Bloom
The Royal Australian Mint’s exhibition Floral Impressions: Coins in Bloom draws on never-before-seen objects from the National Collection to explore the rich symbolism of flowers on coins from around the world. The exhibition traces how floral designs struck into metal carry stories of national identity, cultural heritage and remembrance — from Australia’s kangaroo paw and the South African protea to the Western Samoan Teuila.
Decorative motifs such as laurel, olive and oak wreaths, used for centuries as symbols of victory, peace and strength, also feature. Commemorative coins in the exhibition show how flowers have honoured significant historical moments and individuals across cultures.
Until March 2027 | Royal Australian Mint, 62–114 Denison Street, Deakin | ramint.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
