Canberra Balloon Spectacular, Skyfire, The ShowRoom Canberra and more: 70+ ways to spend your weekend
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This weekend in Canberra is overflowing with things to do. How will you be spending it?
With plenty of options to choose from, read on for your curated guide for what’s hot and happening around Canberra.
Five not to miss…
The ShowRoom Canberra home and lifestyle show
Planning a renovation, refreshing the garden or simply craving inspiration? The ShowRoom Canberra brings the region’s home and lifestyle experts together under one roof at Exhibition Park. Across two days, explore home design, sustainable living solutions, outdoor spaces, décor, wellness and more. From meeting tradies to discovering new products and ideas, there’s plenty to spark creativity for your next project. With free entry available via online registration, it’s an easy way for Canberrans to connect with local industry professionals.
Saturday, 14 March and Sunday, 15 March, 9 am – 3 pm | Budawang Pavilion, Exhibition Park, Mitchell | theshowroomcanberra.com.au
Skyfire
Few events light up Canberra quite like Skyfire. Returning to Lake Burley Griffin, this free community favourite transforms the foreshore into a day-long celebration with food trucks, entertainment hubs and live broadcasts. As darkness falls, fireworks launch from barges in the central basin, perfectly choreographed to a high-energy soundtrack. Families, friends and picnic rugs fill the lawns as the sky bursts into colour in one of our city’s most iconic autumn traditions.
Saturday, 14 March, evening | Lake Burley Griffin, Parkes | seearsworkwearroundabout.com.au
Canberra Balloon Spectacular 2026
Autumn in Canberra means early alarms and awe-inspiring skies. The Canberra Balloon Spectacular sees colourful hot air balloons inflate and launch from Patrick White Lawns from around 6 am each morning. Rug up, grab a hot breakfast and watch as they drift across the city skyline. Free for spectators and entirely weather dependent, daily launch announcements are shared each morning. It’s a gentle, magical way to start the day and a seasonal ritual many locals wouldn’t miss.
Saturday, 14 March–Sunday, 22 March, from 6 am | Patrick White Lawns, Parkes | canberraballoonspectacular.com
IMPULSE Woden
An electrifying fusion of live performance, professional dancers and acclaimed musicians creates a high-energy collision of movement, music and atmosphere in the public realm. Bring your sketchbook, camera, notebook or use materials provided and let the performance spark your own artistic response through drawing, painting, poetry, photography or any medium you love. Submit your work for inclusion in a dynamic pop-up exhibition celebrating local imagination and the creative pulse of the Woden and Tuggeranong regions. Presented by Australian Dance Party supported by the Regional Arts Fund, artsACT, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Creative Australia and Quantum Leap Australia. All shows are free to attend with performances at 10 am and 12.30 pm.
Saturday, 14 March, 10 am and 12.30 pm | Woden Town Square, Woden | events.humanitix.com/impulse-woden
My Brilliant Career
Hailed as a funny, feminist triumph and earning multiple five-star reviews in its sold-out 2024 Melbourne season, the joyous My Brilliant Career arrives in Canberra for a limited run. Led by Kala Gare from SIX the Musical and featuring a dynamic cast of actor/musicians, this smash-hit musical earned five Green Room Awards including Outstanding Production. Set in 1890s Australia, this electric reimagining transforms Miles Franklin’s literary heroine into a singer-songwriter. Unapologetically ambitious, Sybylla Melvyn marches to the beat of her own drum, challenging class, gender and family. The powerhouse score blends contemporary pop, bush ballad and raucous pub rock with breathtaking design.
Until Monday 15 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Canberra Comedy Festival
Canberra Comedy Festival returns with a packed program of laughs across the capital. From the Gala and Clean Comedy Spectacular to Festival Club and headline sets from international, national and local acts, there’s something for every comedy fan. Expect sharp stand-up, clever storytelling and plenty of surprises across multiple venues. It’s a joyful celebration of live performance that brings Canberrans together for a good laugh as autumn begins to settle in.
Until Sunday, 22 March, various times | Various locations | canberracomedyfestival.com.au
Special Events and Festivals
Sunflower Maze
The Majura Valley Farm Sunflower Maze sits just ten minutes from Canberra’s CBD on the grounds of Majura House, the ACT’s oldest working farm. Each autumn, guests can wander among vibrant sunflower plantings and enjoy a rural retreat close to the city. Although this year’s bloom is smaller due to dry conditions, the visit offers lawn games, up-close animal encounters and a sculpture walk through the paddocks. Afternoon music accompanies the experience, and as the sun drops behind the mountains, guests can enjoy local wines and beers. The daily farm gate shop offers farm-fresh produce and locally crafted goods, delivering an authentic paddock-to-plate experience.
Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 March | Majura Valley Farm, 728 Majura Road, Majura | majuravalleyfarm.com.au
National Zoo & Aquarium’s Wild Winning x Wild Discoveries’
The National Zoo & Aquarium presents Wild Winning x Wild Discoveries, a family-friendly weekend of outdoor lawn games, lucky door prizes and discovery activities. Guests can explore the zoo while entering for a chance to win a day in the Zoocation school holiday program which gives children the opportunity for up-close animal experiences, arts and crafts, and playtime on Canberra’s WILDEST playground. Additional prizes include entry into the running for lucky door prizes such as an Awesome Roarsome Tour for two, animal encounters, and zoo vouchers. With educational activities, games and exciting prizes, the event offers engaging fun for all ages, included with general admission and free for members.
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March, 9:30 am–5 pm | National Zoo & Aquarium | nationalzoo.com.au
Make-A-Wish Trivia Night
Brush up on those general knowledge skills and gather your cleverest friends – Make-A-Wish Canberra is hosting a trivia night with heart. Held at The Duxton in O’Connor, this fun-filled evening promises laughs, friendly rivalry and plenty of fundraising for a meaningful cause. Pizza is included in the ticket price, drinks are available at the bar, and there’ll be prizes and a silent auction to keep things lively. Every ticket helps bring hope, strength and joy to local children and their families.
Saturday, 14 March, 6:30 pm–10 pm | The Duxton, 8 Macpherson Street, O’Connor | events.humanitix.com
Canberra Steam Train Rides
Experience the unique thrill of a heritage rail journey behind restored steam locomotives, travelling from Canberra to Bungendore and return. The journey offers views of the spectacular Molonglo Gorge, passes through three tunnels and showcases rolling country scenery from heritage carriages. The experience combines historical rail transport with scenic landscapes, providing a distinctive way to travel between the two locations. It appeals to railway enthusiasts, families and anyone interested in experiencing travel as it once was, powered by steam technology through the Canberra region’s countryside.
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March | Canberra Railway Station, Kingston | picnictrain.com.au
Balloon Spectacular Boat Cruises
Hop aboard the Canberra Party Boat for a magical Balloon Spectacular Boat Cruise during the hot air balloon festival. Enjoy front-row views of the balloons, beautiful sunrises and a delightful cruise experience. This is a chance to gather with friends or family and experience the balloons from the lake during the Balloon Spectacular. The relaxing two-hour cruise around Lake Burley Griffin offers a unique vantage point for viewing the balloons as they float overhead. The combination of being on the water and watching the balloons creates a memorable morning experience.
Saturday 14 until Sunday 22 March | Canberra Party Boat, 8 Trevillian Quay, Jetty 4, Kingston | tickettailor.com
CLIPPED Music Video Premieres
CLIPPED Music Video Premieres brings unreleased music videos to the big screen in an exclusive showcase celebrating Australia’s most exciting artists and filmmakers. Exclusive discussions with the creators give audiences insight into the creative process behind each work.
Featured videos include the ACT premiere of the documentary ‘Baker Boy – The Making of DJANDJAY,’ followed by an insightful Q&A with Danzal Baker (Baker Boy). This documentary traces the two-year creative journey behind DJANDJAY and reveals Baker Boy’s artistic growth and the collaborative team behind him. It traces the process from early writing sessions in Los Angeles to multiple music video shoots and a striking visual identity.
Music videos premiering on the lineup include: Kim Yang – Forever This Way (Dir. Sean O’Gorman), smartcasual – Give (Dir. Josh Fogarty), ND’A – Fugazi (Dir. ND’A) and more!
Saturday 14 March, 6 pm | NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
National Sheep Dog Trial Championships
The Hall Showground comes alive over the Canberra Day long weekend as the 83rd National Sheep Dog Trial Championships return. Watch Australia’s top handlers and working dogs navigate a challenging course of obstacles and narrow races, guiding three sheep with precision and calm control. With roots dating back to the 1800s, sheep dog trialling remains a proud part of rural heritage. First held more than 80 years ago as a fundraiser for returned soldiers, this much-loved annual event celebrates skill, partnership and tradition.
Until Sunday, 15 March, various times | Hall Showground, 21 Gladstone Street, Hall | nationalsheepdogtrials.org.au
Braddon Busking Festival 2026
The Braddon Busking Festival features live busking performances, Artist Gathering and community pop-ups throughout Braddon. Organised by the Braddon Collective, the event celebrates street performance and community creativity with BentSpoke Brewing Co. sponsoring the finals at their venue. Registration is open for performers, ranging from $10 for children to $50 for adult groups. The festival creates opportunities for emerging and established musicians to showcase their talents in an outdoor setting while building community connections. Volunteering opportunities are available to help before and during the festival. The event brings together music lovers, performers and local businesses for a day of entertainment and celebration.
Sunday, 15 March | Braddon | braddoncollective.com/events
Leonardo da Vinci–500 Years of Genius
This immersive journey of discovery and wonder is created in collaboration with Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. Located atop the old Federation Centenary Fountain adjacent to Parkes Place lawns, the experience brings history to life in a way that captivates audiences of all ages. Leonardo da Vinci–500 Years of Genius inspires curious minds with an exploration of the greatest genius who has ever lived. Falling during the Enlighten Festival as a featured event, the activation offers a unique cultural experience. Tickets are limited with strong numbers expected, so early booking is recommended to secure preferred times.
Until Sunday 29 March | Patrick White Lawns, Parkes Place West, Parkes | immmersedevents.com
Alliance Française French Film Festival Canberra
From psychological thrillers and coming-of-age dramas to timeless masterpieces and comedic interludes, 38 films showcase the richness and diversity of French storytelling in a programme that reflects the extraordinary vitality and diversity of French cinema.
The Festival remains deeply committed to championing women on screen and behind the camera, celebrating new talents alongside cinema legends, and offering films that move, surprise and inspire. More than ever, the festival is a celebration of French storytelling in all its richness, openness and emotion.
Until Wednesday 8 April | Palace Electric Cinema Canberra, Phillip Law Street, NewActon | To view the full program or to secure tickets, visit affrenchfilmfestival.org.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave
An exhibition exploring Korea’s cultural journey to global influence through 250 objects from the V&A in London. The exhibition spans film, fashion, drama, beauty and music–from BTS to aespa, Squid Game to Parasite, glass skin to bibimbap. Visitors can discover the powerhouse behind Korea’s dramatic cultural transformation and the vibrant world of K-culture as it continues to sweep across the globe. The exhibition examines how creativity, collaboration and cultural ambition shaped Korea’s contemporary identity.
Until Sunday, 10 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au
Markets
Balloon Spectacular at The Little Burley Markets
Pair your balloon viewing with a sunrise market by the lake. Held at Commonwealth Place, these special editions of The Little Burley Market offer gourmet breakfast bites, fresh coffee, artisan produce and handcrafted goods. After watching balloons rise from Patrick White Lawns, wander across to Queen Elizabeth Terrace and ease into the morning with lakeside views and local stallholders.
Saturday, 14 March, from 6 am | Commonwealth Place, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
ACT Seasonal Antique and Collectable Fair
Browse antiques, books, art, jewellery, furniture and nostalgic treasures at this autumn fair at EPIC. With up to 22 dealers from across the region and interstate, there’s plenty to discover. Proceeds support local charities through the Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra, adding a community focus to your treasure hunting.
Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 March, various times | Quokka Pavilion, EPIC Park, Mitchell | mc-rotary.org
Harvest Stall
Stock up on homemade jams, traditional chutneys, garden-fresh herbs, preserves and seedlings made with seasonal organic produce from the Arboretum’s Kitchen Garden and fruits from the forests. The Village Centre provides a comfortable setting to purchase goods and find gifts. Visitors can explore the Kitchen Garden for inspiration on backyard growing. The garden is maintained, harvested, produced and preserved by Arboretum volunteers. This is a cashless event with card-only payments. The Arboretum Village Centre and Kitchen Garden are wheelchair accessible. All proceeds support Friends of the Arboretum projects.
Saturday 14 March, 10 am–2 pm | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
Second Life Markets
Canberra’s favourite curated vintage market is back–and this time, it’s moved into the iconic Former Transport Depot in Kingston for what promises to be its biggest outing yet. Browse rails of vintage, pre-loved, upcycled and Y2K fashion, sustainable clothing and jewellery from the city’s top slow fashion sellers, all in one seriously cool heritage space. Whether you’re hunting for a statement piece or simply love the thrill of the find, this is a full-day celebration of creativity, community and conscious wardrobing. All ages are welcome, kids under 12 enter free, and early bird VIP entry from 10:30 am gets you first pick of the good stuff.
Saturday, 14 March, 11 am–4 pm | Former Transport Depot, Kingston | universe.com
Canberra Fashion Market
From designer labels to quality pre-loved finds, the Canberra Fashion Market brings together stallholders covering the full fashion spectrum. Browse clothing, shoes, bags and accessories at the Fitters Workshop in Kingston. With free entry and plenty of parking, it’s a relaxed way to refresh your wardrobe and uncover something special.
Sunday, 15 March, 10 am–3 pm | Fitters Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston | canberramarkets.net.au
Capital Region Farmers Market
This farmers’ market is iconic for a reason.
Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
It will make you appreciate your Saturday morning shopping trip in a whole new way.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building, you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Haig Park Village Markets
Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.
It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sunday 18 and 25 January, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta, pet treats and more.
Sunday 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra
Food and Wine
The Whisky Show Canberra
Whisky lovers can explore more than 100 whiskies from Australia and around the world at this tasting festival at Thoroughbred Park. Each ticket includes unlimited samples, a tasting glass to keep and a food voucher to enjoy with one of the on-site food trucks. With exhibitors showcasing both favourite labels and new releases, it’s a three-hour deep dive into distilling craftsmanship and flavour.
Saturday, 14 March, 12.30 pm–8.30 pm | Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham | thewhiskylist.com.au
Bubbly and Bites in The Patio
Indulge in an afternoon of treats and bubbles at this relaxed high tea experience in The Patio. Enjoy a generous grazing table filled with finger sandwiches, petite cakes, fresh scones and sweet delights, alongside bottomless Prosecco and three signature cocktails. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply catching up with friends, it’s a delicious way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon in comfort and style.
Sunday, 15 March, 3 pm–5 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Sport and Wellness
YOGA-W-ME
Set against the open skies of Pialligo Estate, YOGA-W-ME offers a welcoming outdoor yoga experience designed to strengthen both body and community. Delivered under the charity WITH-ME, each session creates space for movement, conversation and connection. Suitable for seasoned yogis and curious beginners alike, tickets include a yoga mat, hydration and a post-session coffee. With 50 to 100 participants per class, the atmosphere feels vibrant yet personal – a relaxed way to start the day and meet like-minded Canberrans.
Saturday, 14 March, various times | Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | @yoga_w_me_
Black Dog Ride
Starting important conversations around depression and suicide prevention, the Black Dog Ride ‘One Dayer’ brings together riders, volunteers and supporters across Australia. The Canberra ride will depart from the National Museum of Australia, with the full route to be announced closer to the day. Funds raised go directly back into regional communities, supporting connection, compassion and mental health awareness.
Sunday 15 March, 7.30 am – 12 pm | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Register here.
Ramsay Health Care Triathlon Pink
Designed for women of all fitness levels, this supportive triathlon at Stromlo Forest Park combines fun and fitness in a sea of pink. With pool swim, closed roads and relay options available, it’s an empowering way to challenge yourself alongside friends. Fun run options welcome all ages and genders.
Sunday, 15 March, 5 am–12 pm | Stromlo Forest Park, Uriarra Road, Stromlo | theeventcrew.com.au
Music
Gesualdo Tenebrae II – Duntroon
Luminescence continues its exploration of Renaissance master Carlo Gesualdo with the second instalment of its Tenebrae series. Performed in the atmospheric ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul at Duntroon, this haunting work delves into themes of betrayal, suffering and redemption. Written more than four centuries ago, Gesualdo’s harmonies remain strikingly modern, layered and emotionally charged. Directed by Roland Peelman, the performance invites audiences into an intense and immersive musical experience that lingers long after the final note.
Saturday, 14 March, 7.30 pm–8.30 pm | ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul, Duntroon | luminescence.org.au
Pink Floyd’s Great Gig in the Sky
Including favourites from Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, A Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell, plus the epic Echoes and other songs featured in Live at Pompeii. Performed by six-piece band Run Like Hell accompanied by a visceral video, lights and laser show. The production allows audiences to bask in the iconic soaring guitar solos and rainbow of keyboard colours that made Pink Floyd instantly identifiable. Formed in early 2020, the members spent COVID lockdowns meticulously recreating every sound, nailing every note and perfecting every pitch bend before bringing their lovingly crafted show to sell-out audiences.
Saturday, 14 March, 8 pm | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Two Fires–Chisel & Barnes Tribute
Led by powerhouse Tina Garufi, this high-energy tribute delivers the grit, passion and raw intensity of Australia’s rock icons. Audiences can expect timeless Cold Chisel classics including Khe Sanh, Flame Trees, Cheap Wine and Bow River, alongside Jimmy Barnes anthems such as Working Class Man and Ride the Night Away. Whether you’re a lifelong fan who knows every lyric or a newcomer discovering this legendary music, the show promises hit after hit. The performance captures the essence of Cold Chisel and Jimmy Barnes’ extensive catalogue, recreating the energy and emotion that made these artists Australian rock royalty.
Saturday, 14 March, 8 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Stage and Screen
E.T.
After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, young boy Elliott discovers and befriends it. He brings the extraterrestrial, dubbed E.T., into his suburban California home and introduces it to his brother and little sister, Gertie. The children vow to keep E.T.’s existence secret, but when the alien falls ill, government authorities intervene, placing both Elliott and his otherworldly friend in a dire situation. This classic film screening offers families and film enthusiasts the opportunity to experience Steven Spielberg’s beloved story on the big screen. The film contains frightening scenes, mild coarse language, substance use and intense emotional moments. Recommended for ages 13-plus.
Sunday, 15 March, 4 pm | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, this wildly funny and touching musical has charmed audiences across the country. Six mid-pubescent spellers vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime, candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives as they spell their way through a series of potentially made-up words. Each contestant hopes to avoid the soul-crushing ding of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Featuring a fast-paced book by Rachel Sheinkin and vibrant score by William Finn, this riotous ride includes audience participation. Six spellers enter; one leaves a champion. At least the losers get a juice box. A delightful den of comedic genius and an instant theatre patron favourite.
Until Sunday 29 March, 7.30 pm | ACT Hub at Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.littleboxoffice.com/events/142356
NFSA’s Autumn Film Series
Reality meets imagination this season at the National Film and Sound Archive. The Autumn Film Series presents powerful storytelling and big-screen spectacle, inviting audiences to question reality, explore new perspectives and enjoy cinema that lingers after credits roll. Magic realism, social realism and Cinema Verité explore the tension between fantasy and reality. Community-focused festivals and partnerships include the Sign on Screen Film Festival presenting sign language cinema, Upstaging Canberra screenings, Trans Day of Visibility with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Book Club at NFSA, First Nations stories, CLIPPED Music Video Festival, documentaries, Science.Art.Film series and Cult Classics. Varied dates throughout autumn.
Until Sunday 31 May | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Workshops
Basketry Beginner Basics Workshop – Waveform Taking Shape
In this three-hour workshop, learn the beginner basics of the hidden coil weaving technique. Create a shallow trinket dish or small bowl to hold your treasures. This workshopis suitable for complete beginners or those wanting to revise foundation techniques before progressing to more complex projects.
Saturday 14 March, 9:30 am–12:30 pm | Mingle Community Space, 3 Klaus Moje Street, Whitlam | events.humanitix.com
Find your voice: You’re On Mute workshop comes to Canberra
If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation wishing you’d spoken up, this one’s for you. Speaking coach Annelise is bringing her You’re On Mute workshop to the iconic surrounds of Old Parliament House, and it promises to be a genuinely transformative day for women ready to activate their voice with confidence. The full-day program includes live coaching, Q&A, dedicated networking, a catered lunch and a workbook packed with practical tools and frameworks. There’s even a bonus online training library valued at over $1,200 included in the ticket price. As a bonus, 5% of every ticket sold supports the Harding Miller Foundation’s educational scholarships for young women.
Saturday, 14 March, 10 am–5 pm | Old Parliament House, Canberra | herspeakingcoach.com
Young Rangers Program
The Young Rangers Program is provided by ACT Parks Rangers for young nature enthusiasts between seven and 15 years old who wish to develop knowledge and skills in the natural environment. Children join a ranger or special guest to explore nature-based topics, make friends and ask questions. The program runs on the third Sunday of each month from 10am to 12pm between February and November. Evening activities are held on the Saturday night prior. Activity prices are on the website. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend free of charge. Visit the website to check upcoming activities and make bookings.
Sunday, 15 March, 10 am–12 pm | Jerrabomberra Wetlands Office, 2 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | actparks.bookeasy.com
Paws N Paintz
Paws n Paintz brings people and puppies together through meaningful events—boosting wellbeing and creating lasting memories. Founded by Natalie Pilato, an experienced breeder with a passion for animals, this one-of-a-kind socialisation program explores art and pet therapy. The 50-minute session combines the calming presence of puppies with creative painting activities. It’s designed to promote relaxation, social connection and stress relief through the proven benefits of animal-assisted activities and creative expression. All materials are provided. Perfect for animal lovers seeking a unique, uplifting experience that combines wellness with hands-on interaction with adorable puppies and artistic expression.
Sunday, 15 March, 1 pm | Dance Til Dawn Dance Studio, G07/42 Mort Street, Braddon| pawsnpaintz.com
Beginners Watercolour
A relaxed introduction to using watercolour paints on a Sunday afternoon. This one-off workshop covers essential techniques, colour theory and experimentation in a relaxed, supportive environment. All materials are provided for this 3.5-hour session with breaks. Taught by local artist Eliott June O’Dowd, the workshop is designed for anyone interested in watercolours, with or without experience. Go through the steps needed to create a stunning work of art, covering techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry, colour mixing, water to pigment ratios and layering through experiments, still life studies and a landscape painting. Tea provided. Leave with foundational skills and confidence to continue at home.
Sunday, 15 March, 1 pm – 4.30 pm| 13a Edgar Street, Ainslie | eventbrite.com.au
Fortnightly Crafternoon @ Strathnairn
Pop along every Sunday fortnight for a free afternoon of creativity and community at our Strathnairn cafe. Our Crafternoon sessions are the perfect escape into the world of arts and crafts. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this event is for you!
Sunday 15 March, 2 pm to 4 pm | Café Stepping Stone, Gullifer Street, Strathnairn | More information here.
Talks and programs
Launch of ‘Alight on all things precious’
Prize-winning Canberra poet/artist Sarah Rice launches her new collection of poetry in response to visual art, published by Liquid Amber Press. Distinguished Professor Emerita Jen Webb will launch the book, with readings and projection of images including work by many local artists. Sarah Rice is a poet, artist, lecturer and theorist at the intersection of word, image, music and philosophy. Widely published, her poetry has won or been shortlisted in numerous national and international awards. She lectures in poetry and art theory, teaches visual art, and her artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally. The collection represents a constantly engaging journey across Rice’s unique creative output, demonstrating her distinctive voice and vision. This free event requires registration.
Saturday, 14 March, 1.30 pm for 2 pm start | Canberra Museum and Gallery, City | liquidamberpress.com.au/events/#Alight_Canberra
Exhibitions
Enita Luhtaniemi – Interlumen
Just a scenic 50-minute drive from Canberra, Tyger Gallery in Yass is hosting Interlumen, a solo exhibition by Finnish-Australian artist Enita Luhtaniemi. Working from her studio on Ngunnawal Land in the ACT, Luhtaniemi creates contemporary impressionist acrylic paintings that explore the interplay between light, nature and intergenerational memory. The show embraces her Finnish heritage alongside the landscapes that surround her, with both petite and larger-scale works playing with shadow and duality. Free to view and with works available for purchase, this is a beautiful excuse to hit the road and discover one of the region’s loveliest regional galleries.
Until Sunday, 15 March, 10 am–2 pm | Tyger Gallery, Yass | tygergallery.com.au
50 Years on the Beat: The Legacy of Constable Kenny Koala
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Constable Kenny Koala, the AFP Museum presents a major temporary exhibition honouring the iconic community policing mascot held at the National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point.
Known for educating children about safety since 1975, Kenny Koala is beloved by generations of Canberrans. This exhibition captures his origins, evolution, and ongoing impact on public trust and community engagement. Visitors will experience five decades of memorabilia, puppets, costumes, media, and interactive learning tools that showcase the enduring values of kindness, education, and public service.
Until Wednesday 18 March 2026 | National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point | nca.gov.au
Art in Miniature–25 Years in Australia’s Tiniest Gallery
What happens when 51 miniature paintings by 17 artists take over Australia’s tiniest gallery? GOST’s latest group exhibition celebrates 25 years of the Canberra collective AIM, showcasing works that embrace the spirit of miniaturisation—each no larger than 40 centimetres. Opening the 2026 exhibition program, this intimate show explores the preciousness of small-scale art, echoing the quiet joy of holding a book in your hands. The exhibition opens to the public and online at 11am on Thursday 5 March, with the catalogue going live the same day. It’s a celebration of detail, craft and the enduring appeal of art at human scale.
Until Monday 16 March | GOST – Gallery of Small Things | galleryofsmallthings.com/exhibition
Meanwhile in Canberra
A collection of seven prints celebrates Canberra landmarks through lino, risograph and mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock) printmaking techniques. The exhibition features interpretations of Telstra Tower, Lake Burley Griffin and the Powerful Owl in visual styles inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e traditions. The prints respond to Canberra’s natural and built environment, drawing parallels with thematic print series such as Hokusai’s 100 Views of Mt Fuji. Each composition uses distinct printmaking methods to create connected works exploring the city’s character. The exhibition runs from early February through late March at Belconnen Arts Centre.
Until Sunday, 22 March | East Wall, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Over Seas II
Belconnen Arts Centre presents an open exhibition exploring migrant and refugee perspectives within the Canberra community. Displayed in the Generator Gallery, the exhibition ranges from political to personal narratives, offering diverse viewpoints on the migrant experience. Works examine themes of displacement, belonging, identity and cultural transition through various artistic mediums. The exhibition provides a platform for voices often underrepresented in mainstream arts spaces, celebrating the rich cultural diversity that shapes contemporary Canberra. From memory and loss to hope and resilience, the artworks reflect the complex realities of building new lives in Australia. Opening night reception occurs on Friday 6 February at 6 pm, with the exhibition continuing through 22 March, inviting community dialogue and understanding.
Until Sunday, 22 March | Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Seasons, Tides, and Lunar Cycles by Andrew Totman
Andrew Totman presents a fresh artistic direction in the Pivot Gallery, developed from memories of the natural world. The series demonstrates awareness of environmental influence, weather patterns and the unfathomable depth of galaxy. Works explore the interconnected rhythms governing natural phenomena, from seasonal changes to tidal movements and lunar phases. Totman’s practice reflects deep observation of cosmic and earthly cycles, translating these vast concepts into visual form. The exhibition invites contemplation of humanity’s place within larger natural systems. Opening night reception takes place Friday 6 February at 6 pm. An artist talk with Totman in conversation with Akky van Ogtrop, President of AU Print Council and Curator of Sydney Contemporary’s Paper Section, occurs 2 pm Saturday 28 February.
Until Sunday, 22 March | Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Lines of Landscape by Kym Brookes
Far South Coast fibre artist Kym Brookes presents a tactile exploration of place, memory and transformation in the West Gallery. Drawing deeply from textures, tones and rhythms of the landscape surrounding her, Brookes creates works that blur boundaries between textile art and landscape interpretation. The exhibition demonstrates sophisticated understanding of fibre as medium for expressing connection to country. Through weaving, stitching and material manipulation, the artist translates environmental experiences into tangible form. Works evoke weathered surfaces, organic patterns and the passage of time across land. The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider landscape representation beyond traditional painting and photography. Opening night reception occurs Friday 6 February at 6 pm, continuing through 22 March at Belconnen Arts Centre.
Until Sunday, 22 March | Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
On Reimagined Wings
Beth Harcourt presents sculptural birds created from recycled and found objects at Belconnen Arts Centre. The exhibition explores character and personality through assemblages of disparate materials that would otherwise end up in landfill. Each bird sculpture combines sustainability themes with whimsical interpretations of native species. The works invite viewers to engage with wonder and introspection through Harcourt’s creative reuse of materials. The Window Gallery exhibition runs from early February through late March. The display demonstrates how art can transform waste materials into expressive sculptural forms.
Until Sunday, 22 March | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Sculpted By Lifestyle
Craft + Design Canberra presents ceramic works by Lee Nelms reimagining the seven sins through an Australian cultural perspective. The exhibition features “before” and “after” pieces exploring how behaviour is shaped by experience, consequence and time. Hand-built and altered wheel-thrown ceramic forms incorporate expressive marks and creature-like features representing flaws, humour and vulnerability. Nelms works across various clay types fired in electric, oil and wood kilns. Her practice focuses on the human face and sculptural expression, translating emotional experiences into physical forms. The exhibition runs from mid-February through late March.
Until Saturday, 28 March, 2026 | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, City| craftanddesigncanberra.org
Catherine Kingham | Light Journeys
Light Journeys is a reflective exhibition by Canberra-based artist Catherine Kingham, inspired by dawn walks through familiar suburban landscapes. Created during the quiet hours of early morning, the works explore light as a symbol of resilience, gratitude and renewal, shaped by lived experience of illness, loss and recovery. Blending place with inner emotional landscapes, the exhibition invites visitors to slow down and see the world afresh through moments of stillness and transformation. Kingham’s practice demonstrates how daily observation and personal experience can inform artistic expression, creating work that speaks to both specific and universal experiences of healing and noticing.
Until Sunday 29 March | Strathnairn Arts Homestead Gallery 2, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | strathnairn.com.au
A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited
A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited explores love, identity and resilience within Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ community. In 2017, photographer Jane Duong and producer Victoria Firth-Smith created Queerberra to document queer Canberrans during the national postal vote on marriage equality. Over 100 portraits captured moments of pride, exhaustion, defiance and hope when love itself was publicly debated. Eight years later, this exhibition returns to those portraits to reflect on personal growth, community strength and the enduring power of love. The exhibition invites visitors to consider progress made and work remaining in the city that voted yes more strongly than any other in Australia.
Until Saturday, 5 April | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Flora – Ruth Ju-Shih Li
Grainger Gallery presents Flora, a new exhibition by Taiwanese-Australian artist Ruth Ju-Shih Li, whose sculptural works explore memory, transformation and the fragile beauty of the natural world. Working across materials including porcelain, wax and clay, Li creates intricate forms inspired by flowers, birds and organic structures, reflecting cycles of renewal, impermanence and cultural connection.
Visitors can join the artist for drinks and an artist talk at the opening event, offering insight into her practice and the ideas behind the exhibition’s delicate and meditative works .
Until Sunday 5 April 2026 | Grainger Gallery, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Traces
Tuggeranong Arts Centre presents work by five artists with connections to Ngunnawal and Ngambri land. Alexander Sarsfield, Bridget Baskerville, Clementine McIntosh, Gemma Brown and Sarah Murray work across ceramics, textiles, printmaking, drawing, weaving and community-based practices. The exhibition explores material processes and connections to place and people. Brown utilises experimental processes with industrial waste and commercial ceramic materials. Baskerville submerges metal plates in bodies of water to create corrosion marks. McIntosh uses site-responsive techniques including buried textiles and plant dyes. Sarsfield shares Māori culture through communal raranga weaving practices. Murray creates large-scale gestural paintings challenging colonial landscape ideals through embodied experiences of place.
Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Bean Soup
Canberra glass artist Bailey Donovan presents an immersive exhibition centred on recurring glass bean forms. The installation includes blown sculptures, wall-mounted works and colour compositions exploring relationships between domestic craft, queer identity and glass’s expressive nature. Donovan’s signature bean shapes embrace irregular silhouettes and uneven contours, offering alternatives to traditional glassblowing aesthetics focused on symmetry and technical refinement. The work references domestic textiles including gingham and crochet through cane work, colour overlays and patterning techniques. Bean clusters vary from small collectible-sized pieces to larger abstract blown forms arranged in compositions referencing kitchen jars and fabric scraps. The exhibition celebrates material exploration through humour and comfort.
Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
The Long Look
Five printmakers who met at the Canberra School of Art Printmaking Workshop in the late 1990s reunite for an exhibition celebrating innovative practices. Cecile Galizzo, G.W. Bot, Lizzie Hall, Craig Cameron and John Pratt share material-based approaches where etching plates and woodblocks become artworks, metal becomes drawing, and repetition transforms into methodology. The exhibition references deep consideration needed during uncertain times, bringing together old friends to celebrate making art. Works in wood, metal and paper distil years of observing and inhabiting natural landscapes and internal landscapes of myth and memory. The exhibition functions as a conversation between artists reflecting their longstanding friendships.
Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
DEEP END BY AMY CLAIRE MILLS
Deep End is an immersive sensory installation inviting exploration through touch, sight, and sound. The project explores the concept of accessible and adaptive ‘third spaces’. Third spaces, beyond home and work, are informal social environments that foster community and connection (Oldenburg, 1989).
However, for many Disabled people, third spaces often default to medical environments like doctors’ waiting rooms and outpatient clinics. Public pools have long served as adaptive third spaces existing somewhere between the social and the medical. Deep End invites you to wade into a future in which care, access, and disability culture are embedded in the design from the very beginning.
Until Sunday 12 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au/current
WATER BY HANDS ON STUDIO
The artworks in Water have been developed by artists from Hands On Studio, Canberra, whose practices foreground process, material engagement, and embodied ways of making.
Through diverse approaches and mediums, the artists examine water as a mutable substance that exists across multiple states — liquid, solid, and vapour — and across varied registers of meaning. Rain, sea, ice, and tap water are considered not only for their physical properties, but for the social, political, and environmental contexts in which they are encountered.
Until Sunday 12 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au/current
In Bloom
In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, you will discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The show is a weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that includes much-loved and lesser-known works from the collection. See socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, doctors and politicians who are all unified by their accompanying floral markers.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 years of Independence
Bilong Papua New Guinea marks the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence and the birth of a new nation on September 16, 1975. The National Gallery holds the largest collection of Papua New Guinea urban art outside the country. Each of the works selected for Bilong Papua New Guinea presents a story, reflecting on cultural heritage, historical moments, the influence of ancestors, Christianity, kastom, societal changes and new technologies.
Until Sunday 19 April | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
5th National Indigenous Art Triennial
The National Indigenous Art Triennial brings together commissioned work by established and emerging First Nations artists from across Australia. Artistic Director Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples), one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, leads this iteration. After the Rain presents new immersive projects resonating with ideas of rebirth and cycles of cleansing, celebrating inter-generational legacies and cultural warriors of past, present and future. Made possible through the continued generosity of Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters, the Triennial creates an important platform for art and ideas. Following its Kamberri/Canerra presentation, After the Rain will tour nationally.
Until Saturday, 26 April 2026 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Hallyu! The Korean Wave
An exhibition exploring Korea’s cultural journey to global influence through 250 objects from the V&A in London. The exhibition spans film, fashion, drama, beauty and music–from BTS to aespa, Squid Game to Parasite, glass skin to bibimbap. Visitors can discover the powerhouse behind Korea’s dramatic cultural transformation and the vibrant world of K-culture as it continues to sweep across the globe. The exhibition examines how creativity, collaboration and cultural ambition shaped Korea’s contemporary identity.
Until Sunday, 10 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au
In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists
Celebrate Australian innovation at National Archives’ latest exhibition in Canberra, In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists. Explore the history of Australian invention, from First Nations creativity to 150 years of patents, designs and trademark registrations.
See life-changing inventions, iconic designs and household brand names with original design drawings and trademarks from the national archival collection alongside their real-life counterparts.
Australians from all walks of life have pursued their ideas in the laboratory, at the drafting table and in the humble backyard shed. Learn about the innovators behind advances such as the baby capsule, spray-on skin and the stump-cam. Discover the origins of everyday products and national icons such as the Victa lawnmower, Hills Hoist and ‘goon bag’.
From pedestrian crossing buttons to dual flush toilets, see how the Australian Government played a vital role in supporting inventions and designs that you regularly see, hear, use – and flush. Spark your own imagination and be inspired by stories of bold dreams, determination and Australian ingenuity.
Until 17 May | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
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
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
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
Feature image: Snaps by Sal.
