Don’t know what to do this weekend in Canberra? Here’s all the inspiration you need
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It’s finally the weekend! How will you be spending it?
From watching Bangarra Dance Theatre’s stunning new production to attending the Canberra Fair, here’s all the inspiration you need for a fun-filled two days in Canberra.
Don’t Miss…
Illume
Experience Bangarra Dance Theatre’s stunning exploration of light through dance, music and visual arts, examining Indigenous sky country connections and light pollution’s devastating impact.
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Junior Zoo Keeper Conservation Celebration Days
Join the National Zoo and Aquarium for a special weekend celebrating our Junior Zoo Keepers and their conservation efforts! This family-friendly conservation celebration features special-priced animal encounters throughout both days, including shark pats, cheetah feeds, giraffe feeds, tiger feeds, and much more. Book animal interactions here.
Browse the handmade market stall showcasing animal-themed merchandise created by the Junior Zoo Keeper community, enjoy cake cutting at 12:45pm with competition winners, and participate in this year’s “Population Peril” scavenger hunt around endangered species exhibits. A perfect weekend to learn about conservation while having fun with the whole family supporting these young wildlife champions.
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July, 10 am–3 pm | National Zoo & Aquarium, Canberra | nationalzoo.com.au
The Canberra Fair
Step into the historic elegance of Old Parliament House for a spectacular celebration of weddings, events, and lifestyle inspiration. This curated showcase transforms the heated Members’ Dining Rooms into a premium marketplace featuring the region’s finest venues, stylists, photographers, caterers, and planners.
Whether you’re newly engaged, planning a corporate event, or simply love fashion and fine living, discover everything under one iconic roof. Enjoy roving fashion models, tasting stations, live music, a luxe Bloom Bar, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments.
Plus, interactive experiences, insider photography tips, and the chance to win a statement piece from Chandeliers To Die For make this the ultimate day out for event enthusiasts.
Sunday 27 July | Old Parliament House, 8 King George Terrace, Parkes | canberrafair.com.au
Curated – A Community Walk for a Cause
This Sunday 27 July, Curated will host its first community-wide event to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation as part of DonateLife Week. Held at Jack Ross Park, the event includes a short talk from the Organ and Tissue Authority followed by a 30–40 minute lakeside walk. Open to everyone, including kids and puppies, attendees are encouraged to wear pink in support. A charity raffle supported by Love Boats Canberra will offer a two-hour sail on their pink party boat, with proceeds going to the Canberra Hospital Foundation. The event reflects Curated’s mission to build genuine community, connect Canberra and give back to a meaningful cause. Free of charge – just rock up!
Sunday 27 July | Jack Ross Park, 19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston | eventbrite.com.au
21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke
Witness a compelling true story celebrating women’s strength and hope through the eyes of a wartime atrocity’s only survivor.
In one of the most atrocious acts of war crimes in history, 22 nurses were forced to march into the sea where they were callously machine gunned. The only survivor and witness, Vivian spent the rest of the war in a prison camp before liberation, and her remaining years fighting for recognition of the bravery of her friends and colleagues; their strength and courage in the face of death sustaining her for the rest of her illustrious life.
Until Sunday 3 August | Australian War Memorial Theatre, Campbell | awm.gov.au
Special Events and Festivals
THE FOLD
From the visionary creators of award-winning contemporary dance productions, Unveiled, Unravel, Unhinged and Wired – The Training Ground’s Suzy Piani and Bonnie Neate – THE FOLD plunges audiences into a hypnotic realm where industrial grind meets ethereal grace.
This boundary-pushing dance experience shatters conventions and defies expectations—bold, visceral, and unlike anything you’ve witnessed before.
THE FOLD unravels the moment where existence creases – where life folds into death, where memory intersects with prophecy, and where the threads of dual realities become hopelessly entangled.
With a cast of elite dancers from the ACT and surrounding areas, this production showcases the remarkable talent emerging from a rigorous six-month contemporary dance training program. Bridging the gap between studio-based training and professional dance courses, THE FOLD represents the pinnacle of artistic development—providing dancers with a company-like experience while empowering them to dream beyond boundaries.
These rising stars bring raw intensity and technical brilliance to a story that demands both emotional depth and physical virtuosity. Working alongside industry professionals in its creation, this ensemble transforms the factory floor into a mesmerising landscape where movement becomes memory, and gesture speaks what words cannot.
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July | Erindale Theatre, McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa | stickytickets.com.au
Hotel Kurrajong’s annual Great Gatsby Gala
Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties as Hotel Kurrajong Canberra brings back its night of nights full of glitz, glamour, and Gatsby-inspired elegance.
The hotel’s annual Great Gatsby Gala returns on Saturday 26 July, promising an unforgettable evening set against the backdrop of Hotel Kurrajong’s beautifully preserved art deco interiors – complete with a grand ballroom, crackling fireplace, classic library, and historic photographs – that transports guests back to a time of vintage charm, and wild parties.
From feather boas and pearls to top hats and cigars, guests are encouraged to dress in their 1920s best to fully immerse themselves in one of Canberra’s most stylish soirées of the year.
The gala event kicks off at 7pm with a welcome cocktail and canapes before sitting down to a delicious two-course meal and beverage package. Canberra’s finest 30-piece swing band – Spectrum – will hit the stage while the Swing Katz will dazzle with live performances.
And when the last champagne glass is emptied, guests can retire upstairs just like Gatsby himself with a stay in one of Hotel Kurrajong’s historic rooms from just $199.
Saturday 26 July , 7–11 pm| Hotel Kurrajong, 8 National Circuit, Barton | hotelkurrajong.com.au
Birthing Kit Packing Day
Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast invites the community to join their Birthing Kit Packing Day, a meaningful volunteer opportunity to help mothers and babies in developing countries. Participants will pack essential birthing supplies into kits that provide clean, safe birthing conditions where medical facilities are limited. This hands-on community service event offers two convenient sessions to accommodate different schedules. Free parking and refreshments are provided, making it easy for volunteers to contribute to this important humanitarian cause. All ages and skill levels welcome – no experience necessary, just willingness to help make a difference globally.
Saturday 26 July | Church of Jesus Christ Latterday Saints, 102 Wattle Street, O’Connor | tinyurl.com
Fireside Festival
Your cosy winter wine escape is nearly here! Fireside Festival lights up the Canberra Wine District from 21 July to 3 August.
Head to the Canberra Wines website to discover all the events, experiences and special offers our region’s winemakers have lined up for you.
Until Sunday 3 August | various venues | canberrawines.com.au
Warm Trees at the Arboretum
The Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra are pleased to announce the return of Warm Trees, and this year, they are partnering with the Republic of Korea. Did you know the Arboretum is home to eight forests of trees native to Korea?
Pop along to see trees wrapped in vibrant scarves, bringing warmth and colour to the winter landscape. The Visitor Centre will also be adorned with beautiful decorations inspired by Korean heritage.
Plus, don’t miss the children’s activities hosted by the Korean Embassy, celebrating Korean culture through fun and creative workshops.
Until Sunday 10 August | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Canberra | bit.ly/ArboretumWhatsOn
Food and Wine
Champagne and Fried Chicken
Who knew fried chicken and champagne were a match made in flavour heaven? The crisp bubbles cut through the golden crunch, creating the ultimate indulgent pairing you didn’t know you needed.
Taste four champagnes – Louis Roederer Collection 245, NV Piper-Heidsieck Brut, NV Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label and NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve – each expertly paired with a unique take on fried chicken, as you’re guided through the tasting experience.
This deliciously unexpected duo is worth the hype. $95PP
Every Saturday in July, 3:30–5:30 pm | Leyla Bar, Burbury Close, Barton | Book tickets here.
Truffle Infused Winter Tastings at Mount Majura Vineyard
It’s truffle season again! And Mount Majura Vineyard knows the most delicious way to enjoy truffles is with their wines. Fresh truffle from neighbour Jayson at The Truffle Farm is used to infuse a deliciously rich triple-cream brie-style cheese. With this, they pour a flight of three 80ml glasses matched to the truffled brie. Hungry yet?
Until Sunday 31 August | Mount Majura Vineyard, 88 Lime Kiln Road, Majura | mountmajura.com.au
Merrick Watts ‘An Idiot’s Guide To Wine’
Experience wine masterclass meets comedy with six handpicked Australian wines, tasting notes, snack pairings and Merrick’s questionable wisdom.
Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just in it for a laugh, this show has something for everyone.
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July | Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | grapesofmirth.com.au
Christmas in July at The Promenade Café
Experience the magic of a Northern Hemisphere Christmas at Hyatt Hotel Canberra’s elegant The Promenade Café. This festive buffet dinner features all the classic Christmas favourites—traditional roasts, rich puddings, and seasonal delights—served in true holiday spirit. The winter feast includes a complimentary glass of mulled wine on arrival for adults, creating the perfect atmosphere to warm up during Canberra’s coldest months. Bookings are essential as seating is limited for this special two-night celebration. Adults $129, children (6-12) $64.50. A festive feast to remember in one of Canberra’s most prestigious dining venues.
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July | The Promenade Café, Hyatt Hotel, Yarralumla | hyatt.com
Campbells Canberra Wine Lunch
Join the Campbell family for four courses matched with current release and back vintage wines overlooking beautiful Lake Burley Griffin.
Saturday 26 July | The Boat House, Menindee Drive, Barton | campbellswines.com.au
The Whisky Show Canberra
Go along to sample over 80 whiskies from Scotland, USA and Australia with food trucks, $20 food voucher, a popup bottle shop and your own keepsake tasting glass.
Saturday 26 July | The Fitter’s Workshop, Kingston | thewhiskyshow.com.au
Markets
Capital Region Farmers Market
Sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra. Speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Haig Park Village Markets
Browse delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities. It’s the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.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. 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
Stage and Screen
ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen)
For those who enjoy beautiful storytelling with a touch of intrigue, ECHO promises a night of suspense, surprise, and something truly one-of-a-kind.
This is a bold theatrical mystery where different actors perform with sealed scripts, creating raw, unpredictable theatre from acclaimed Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour. Past performances overseas have seen the likes of Emilia Clarke, Meera Syal, Fiona Shaw and Benedict Wong take the stage. Who will take on the challenge, next?
This is a bold theatrical mystery where different actors perform with sealed scripts, creating raw, unpredictable theatre from acclaimed Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour.
Thursday 24 until Saturday 26 July | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Julius Caesar
Shakespeare’s bloodiest political tragedy storms into Canberra with chilling contemporary relevance. Chaika Theatre’s gender-blind production reimagines the assassination of Caesar in modern dress, transforming suits for togas and placing audiences in the heart of Rome’s political machinations.
With Canberra’s corridors of power just beyond the theatre doors, this stripped-back adaptation finds eerie resonance as it explores themes of manipulation, democratic crisis, and the brutal cost of political ambition. Director Caitlin Baker leads a dynamic cast of 11, including Michael Sparks as Caesar and Lachlan Ruffy as the conflicted Brutus, in a production that reflects our turbulent political landscape.
Until Saturday 2 August, various times | ACT Hub, Kingston | acthub.com.au
Spider’s Web
Unravel Christie’s secrets in an English country manor where truth becomes lies and lies become truth in this wickedly entertaining mystery.
Until Saturday 9 August | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, City | canberrarep.org.au
Enron
An exhilarating business thriller, Enron exposes corporate greed through Lucy Prebble’s razor-sharp business thriller. Blending tragedy with savage comedy in this high-stakes political theatre production, it will take you inside the most infamous corporate scandal in history.
Until Saturday 9 August | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Building 3.3, Fyshwick | milltheatreatdairyroad.com
2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival
Discover the best of Nordic cinema at the 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival, featuring diverse films from across Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The festival’s unmissable centrepiece is SENTIMENTAL VALUE, this year’s Cannes Grand Prix winner starring Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård.
From gripping wartime drama NUMBER 24 to Iceland’s black comedy hit GRAND FINALE, there’s something for every taste. Highlights include visually stunning THE MOUNTAIN featuring Björk’s daughter, compelling healthcare drama SECOND VICTIMS, and the 25th anniversary screening of beloved romantic comedy JALLA! JALLA!
Experience authentic Nordic storytelling from Scandinavia’s most exciting contemporary filmmakers.
Until Sunday 10 August | Palace Electric Cinema, 2 Phillip Law Street, Acton | scandinavianfilmfestival.com
Music
Mozart’s Clarinet
Join a triumvirate of Australia’s finest early music specialists — historical clarinettist Nicola Boud, Associate Principal Cellist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Simon Cobcroft, and Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera, Erin Helyard, playing the fortepiano— as they explore the sounds of eighteenth-century Vienna. Audiences will have the unique opportunity to listen to Mozart as if for the first time.
Saturday 26 July | Llewellyn Hall, ANU, City | musicaviva.com.au
10cc The Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour
Sing along to the UK legends’ incredible hits including “I’m Not In Love,” “Dreadlock Holiday” and “The Things We Do For Love.”
Sunday 27 July | Canberra Theatre Centre, City| canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Composer + Performer Night 2
Smith’s Alternative presents an extraordinary evening of original music by Canberra’s most exciting emerging composers and performers. This vibrant concert showcases a rich spectrum of sound, from contemporary classical to experimental, acoustic ballads to jazz grooves. The unmissable lineup features works by Laura Harris, Madi Creecy, Lee Francis Evatt, and more talented local artists. An unforgettable celebration of bold new music in one of Canberra’s most beloved live venues, this captivating night promises to highlight the depth and diversity of the capital’s creative music scene. General admission $15, students $10.
Sunday 27 July | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, City | smithsalternative.com
Exhibitions
PARADISE*
This exhibition investigates the idea of the Pacific region still being thought of as a ‘paradise’, and the complex underbelly that actually exists. Through ceramics, painting, installation and photography, the artists included in this exhibition interrogate identity, queerness, connection, representation, and what it means to be Pasifika in today’s context of globalism, diaspora, migration and diversity. Ultimately, Paradise* is a vehicle for Pasifika/Australian artists to explore living between two (or three, or multiple) worlds, and is about (re)indiginisation, cultural revival, and strength in community.
Curated by Dan Toua and featuring work by Tivien Andrews-Homerang, Grace Hasu Dlabik, Sione Monū, Alexander Sarsfield, and Tearia Teaiwa Mortimer, Nicholas Mortimer & Katerina Teaiwa.
Saturday 26 July until Sunday 4 October | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au
Precarious Proximity
An exploration of the dynamic relationship between glass and porcelain by artists Jo Victoria, Robyn Campbell, and Julie Bartholomew. The exhibition celebrates the interplay of solidity and openness, reflection and refraction, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and environment through contrasting materials.
Until Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
UNRESOLVED watching…waiting…
A collaboration between Maggie Douglas, Nicola Ingram and Shanysa McConville reimagining ideas surrounding trust, allyship and expectations. A call to action.
Until Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Honouring Country
Honouring Country brings together First Nations artists from traditional countries all around Australia who now live and create on unceded Ngunnawal/Ngambri lands. These artists came together for two workshops in February 2025 with renowned Biripi jeweller Wayne Simon to develop their skills in silversmithing and metalsmithing and create a series of wearable artworks inspired by Country.
Until Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Resonance – Art as the Voice of Nature
This exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) showcases art from the NatureArt Lab teaching team and community, nature journals and natural history objects collected over our eight years of operation.
Celebrating the richness of biodiversity and the deep connections between art and the natural world, the exhibition extends beyond visual art, incorporating community engagement, school programs, and international nature tours spanning Borneo, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador, and Peru.
Until Sunday 27 July | 176 London Circuit, City | More information here.
Reflection: 50 Years of the Australian Honours System
Discover the remarkable story of Australia’s honours system through a fascinating exhibition at the Royal Australian Mint. “Reflection” celebrates five decades of recognizing extraordinary Australians, featuring original medal sketches by Stuart Devlin, finished medals, and commemorative coins from the National Coin Collection.
Explore the journey from design concept to final recognition, including the 2003 Volunteers Fine Silver Proof Set, Afghanistan Medal displays, and stunning wattle-themed collectibles. This free exhibition honors over 500,000 Australians who have contributed to our nation’s spirit.
Now open | Royal Australian Mint, Deakin | Free entry | ramint.gov.au
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay showcases two of Australia’s leading fashion designers: Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, in conversation with international, multidisciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979).
The iconic and vibrant early designs of Kee and Jackson from the 1970s and early 1980s were directly inspired by the dynamic legacy of Delaunay, who was a member of the School of Paris and co-founder of Orphism, an art movement noted for its use of intense colours and abstract, geometric forms. As well as working in traditional mediums such as painting and printmaking, Delaunay’s practice also included textile, fashion, and theatre design.
For Jackson and Kee, who were beginning their shared journey in creating clothes as works of art, the discovery of Delaunay was revolutionary. This powerful display feature a rarely-seen collection of Kee and Jackson’s garments from their archives and are shown with the National Gallery’s collection of Delaunay’s prints, drawings, textiles and costumes.
Showing now | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
INTO THE VOID
This presents surreal digital collages exploring physical, intellectual and emotional boundaries through imagined spaces featuring a common female figure caught between reality and fantasy, trauma and healing.
Until Sunday 3 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Inside the Outside
This showcases 30 years of natural environment paintings through oil paintings, charcoal drawings and mixed media studies encouraging appreciation of the Australian bush.
Until Sunday 3 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com
The Space and Time Continuum Project
This exhibition unites long-time friends in their first collaborative exhibition, bridging distance through small paintings and sculptures and exploring connections across time and geography.
Until Sunday 3 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Under Stories
Nicola Dickson’s first solo exhibition with Grainger Gallery explores the complex histories of the Box Gum Grassy Woodland ecosystem on Ngunnawal Country. Inspired by daily walks through Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve, the exhibition features paintings of elusive woodland birds and their habitats, highlighting fragile biodiversity. The works examine shifting human interactions with the landscape, from Indigenous connections to European settlement impacts. Dickson juxtaposes native plants with weeds in drawings that become digitally printed wallpaper and fabrics, incorporated into installations that speak to colonial transformation of these woodlands. Some paintings re-ascribe Wiradjuri names to understorey plants, exploring alternate understandings of Country.
Until Sunday 3 August | Grainger Gallery, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize 2025
The opening of the Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize 2025 celebrates the breadth of photo media practice in Australia. This annual exhibition and competition showcases works by 40 artists from across the country, offering a compelling window into the realities that have shaped our world over the past two years. The exhibition demonstrates the diverse forms and methods of contemporary photographic practice, from traditional techniques to cutting-edge digital approaches.
Until Saturday 9 August | photo access, 30 Manuka Circuit, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
The Land Remembers
The Land Remembers celebrates the poetic bond shared with the earth through works by twelve artists including Alex Ash, Millie Black, Mariana Del Castillo, and Anna Fitzpatrick. Across mountains, valleys, deserts and gardens, the exhibition explores how land holds our footsteps, whispers and dreams long after we are gone. The artists translate the quiet power of landscape into works that invite viewers to slow down, breathe, and listen. Each piece serves as a love letter to place—capturing shifting light at dusk, gentle curves of distant hills, and endless horizons that stir something ancient within us. The exhibition invites reconnection with timeless memory and the romance of being part of something enduring.
Until Saturday 9 August | Grainger Gallery, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Wish You Were Here – Community Exhibition
Discover the beauty and uniqueness of Canberra’s South through this community exhibition curated from an open call for small works. Local artists reflect on the Tuggeranong Valley and South Canberra environment, sharing what makes their region special through diverse artistic expressions.
From everyday joys to memorable moments, this collection celebrates the things that bring delight to those who live, work, and visit this vibrant part of the capital. A heartfelt tribute to community connection and place, showcasing the artistic talent flourishing in Canberra’s southern suburbs.
Until Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
True: Kevin Gilbert (1933-1993)
Celebrate the life and legacy of Kevin Gilbert through this powerful exhibition of prints and poetry marking what would have been his 92nd year. Featuring images and poetry created during his lifetime alongside works edited for the first time, this tribute explores Gilbert’s core themes of spiritual presence and cultural survival.
Through lino prints, poetry, and photography, witness how Gilbert’s work enhanced the cultural survival of his people against colonial oppression. A moving testament to an artist, writer, and activist whose vision continues to inspire and educate.
Until Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
From Country – Rechelle Turner & Megan Daley
Experience the deep-rooted connection to Country through this collaborative exhibition by Megan Daley (Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri) and Rechelle Turner (Wiradjuri). “From Country” explores timeless stories, heritage, and identity through the lens of their artistic partnership that also birthed their fashion label, Corella & Crow.
This celebration of Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri cultures invites audiences to experience layers of belonging, wisdom, and spirit that inspire their creative journey. Discover how landscapes, cultural knowledge, and ancestral connections shape and sustain contemporary Indigenous artistic practice.
Until Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Fulcrum
Discover powerful contemporary Indigenous art at Canberra Glassworks as Walgalu/Wiradjuri artist Aidan Hartshorn explores colonial disruptions to ancestral land connections. Raised in Tumut where the Murrumbidgee and Tumut Rivers converge, Hartshorn examines how the Snowy Hydro Scheme development in the 1960s restricted his family’s cultural connections.
Using industrial materials including glass, concrete, steel rebar, and water – all linked to hydro construction – he creates striking works where glass is symbolically pierced and severed by fluorescent tubes. This compelling exhibition investigates themes of disconnection, destruction, and degradation while showcasing Hartshorn’s journey of crafting cultural objects, building on his acclaimed work “These Violent Delights.”
Until Sunday 10 August | Canberra Glassworks Main Gallery | canberraglassworks.com
BACKBONE
BACKBONE celebrates the creative work of ANU School of Art & Design’s technical staff – the quiet workforce behind the creative studios who share knowledge, ensure process integrity, and provide fundamental support for artistic exploration. This group exhibition features nine technical staff members who are makers, artists, and creatives in their own right.
The exhibition showcases work by Emma Beer, Estelle Briedis, Sean Booth, Chris ‘Walrus’ Dalzell, Louis Grant, John Hart, Mahala Hill, Catherine Newton, and Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan. These professional creative practitioners form the backbone of the School, supporting students and faculty while pursuing their own artistic practices.
BACKBONE highlights the often-overlooked contributions of technical staff who enable artistic education and research.
Until Friday 8 August | School of Art & Design Gallery, Corner Liversidge Street & Ellery Crescent, Acton | soad.cass.anu.edu.au
The Philosopher’s Stone by Michael Desmon
In The Philosopher’s Stone, Michael Desmond draws an analogy between the pursuits of ancient alchemists—who sought to transform base metals into gold—and the artist’s own practice: attempting to elevate humble materials, such as fabric and coloured muds, into something more enduring and meaningful.
Desmond’s paintings do not depict his personal philosophies literally, but rather approach them through parable, metaphor, and visual simile. Themes such as chance, existence, society, divinity, violence, and human nature thread through the works—not as declarations, but as contemplative gestures shaped by time, introspection, and the social fabric we share.
The resulting images function as talismans more than treatises: suggestive rather than didactic, and open-ended rather than definitive. While they engage with weighty subjects, their tone leans toward wit and charm over provocation or profundity. Emerging from questions raised during lockdown and its aftermath, these paintings are intimate in scale and framed in elaborately hand-painted borders that evoke devotional icons, domestic fetishes, or even stray thoughts made tangible.
Though Desmond eschews the role of philosopher, this body of work is a painter’s playful engagement with the alchemical potential of image-making—seeking, if not gold, then something enduringly reflective.
Until Sunday 10 August | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Shining: James Lieutenant and Kate Vassallo
Discover the beautiful artistic partnership of James Lieutenant and Kate Vassallo, who have shared a studio since graduating from ANU School of Art in 2010. “Shining” brings together their individual practices, united by shared passions for conceptually rigorous abstraction, process-driven making, and contemporary art. Lieutenant’s paintings explore art historical approaches with honest experimentation, balancing creation and illusion, while Vassallo’s intricate coloured pencil drawings build composition through controlled material density and complex rule systems. Both artists embrace repetitious, slow-moving creative processes that reveal the beauty of colour, light, time, and materiality working in harmony.
Until Friday 15 August, 9 am-5 pm weekdays | COX Gallery, 1/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston | coxarchitecture.com.au
Intentos de procesar una(s) vida(s) – Attempts at processing a life(s)
Experience the deeply personal artistic journey of mid-career artist Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts in her powerful dual-titled exhibition, Intentos de procesar una(s) vida(s) – Attempts at processing a life(s). This compelling collection of drawings and gestural printmaking explores different moments and emotive phases from the artist’s life over the past three years.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness raw artistic expression that transforms personal experience into universal emotional resonance.
Until Saturday 16 August | Megalo Print Studio + Gallery, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | megalo.org
Exhibition: 10 years of NAIDOC in the North
Celebrates a decade of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture presentations, showcasing special moments captured through performance, creativity and community engagement.
Until Sunday 24 August | The Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Djinindira (Ginninderra) by Bradley Mapiva
This exhibition reflects the Ngunnawal meaning “sparkling ray of light”, capturing the cultural significance of Ginninderra through patterns echoing riverlines, pathways and shimmering reflections.
Until Sunday 24 August | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Footsteps Through Country by Wilay Designs
This exhibition celebrates connection, growth and cultural strength through personal and collective journeys shaped by Country, guided by Old People and inspired by lived experiences.
Until Sunday 24 August | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Home by Dominika Cady, Shawnah Cady, Hannah Langford & Eva-Lee Williams
Explore the varied meanings of “home” through four aspiring CIT Cultural Arts students’ interpretations ranging from physical spaces to childhood memories.
Friday 11 July until Sunday 24 August | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com.au
Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie
Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie marks the first time works from this internationally significant collection will be seen in Australia. The exhibition presents a journey through the dynamic changes in European and Australian art in the twentieth century. Don’t miss it.
Until Saturday 21 September | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts
Play and create in The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts, a dedicated interactive space created by artist Sanné Mestrom. Building on artistic dialogues initiated by the exhibition Cézanne to Giacometti, Mestrom transforms abstract cubist forms into a playable adventure.
Until Saturday 21 September | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington
Meet beloved puppet Mr Squiggle and iconic characters in this free exhibition exploring 40 years of Australian children’s TV history and creative magic.
Until 13 October | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Camel trains to steel wheels
Explore a colourful chapter of Australia’s history at National Archives’ exhibition Camel trains to steel wheels: life on the Trans-Australian Railway.
This exhibition features fascinating archival records, photos and footage that captured the events and challenges from the railway’s first 60 years, including its impact on First Nations people.From the construction effort and its diverse workforce to the unique lives of communities that sprang up along the line, this is a must-see exhibition for those who revel in Australia’s railway history through time and place.
Until 19 October | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
Celebrating 100 years of Mount Stromlo Observatory, this interactive exhibition highlights groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and the vibrant community of scientists and families behind them. Features immersive installations, historical objects, and interactive activities perfect for all ages.
Until 16 November | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Taglietti: Life in Design
Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019), a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti’s birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia’s most original architects.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
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
Sport and Wellness
Rise and Release: Menopause Yoga Workshop
Find emotional balance through this nurturing yoga practice and supportive women’s circle designed for navigating perimenopause and menopause challenges.
Saturday 26 July| Balanced Yoga, Kingston | thisyogabliss.com
Raiders v Knights
Cheer on the Canberra Raiders against Newcastle Knights and star playmaker Kalyn Ponga in Sunday afternoon NRL action.
Sunday 27 July | GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce | raiders.com.au
Workshops, Talks and Programs
2025 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Challenge
Explore daily creative practice throughout July with the theme “Rewilding” to support wellbeing and contentment in this evolving community program.
Every day in July | Online | events.humanitix.com
Feature image: Daniel Boud.
