Hello long weekend! Here are 65+ things to do this Saturday and Sunday (and Monday)

Posted on 6 March, 2026

The Canberra Day long weekend is finally here! Here’s how you can spend it.

From the final days of Enlighten to the Fancy Women’s Ride, the French Film Festival, markets and more, you’ll need the extra day off just to recover from a jam-packed Saturday and Sunday. Read on for your curated guide.

Don’t miss…

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.

Saturday 7 to Monday 15 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Private Bin Throwback Party 2.0

After a sold-out night in 2025, the Private Bin Throwback Party returns for one night only to celebrate the Canberra Day long weekend. Taking over the Louie Louie stage at Verity Lane Market, the event brings the music, nostalgia and dancefloor energy of the iconic Private Bin back to life—with all the best bits of the 80s and 90s, minus the late-night regret. Two DJ sets start in the 80s and dance into the 90s. James Mouat (DJ INSAN3) brings the 80s and Downstairs Bin vibes, while DJ Rob B delivers pure 90s nostalgia for the Upstairs Bin crowd. Ticket holders receive an online music request form to help shape the soundtrack. Throwback cocktail specials and big dancefloor energy included.

Saturday 7 March, 7 pm – 11.59 pm | Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, City | veritylanemarket.com.au

Causeway Hall Centenary Concert

Celebrating 100 years of the Causeway Hall, built in 1925 by local volunteers with materials from the Federal Capital Commission. Created when Canberra was still taking shape, it became the first and largest purpose-built hall for the young capital, hosting concerts, dances, silent films, sporting events and countless social gatherings. The Canberra City Band performed at the hall’s first public event on 28 November 1925 and at its official opening on 6 February 1926. To mark the centenary, a special concert with the band celebrates the hall’s earliest performances and enduring cultural role. A curated display of archival photographs and stories traces its journey from entertainment hub to ACT Hub.

Saturday, 7 March, 2 pm | ACT Hub at Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au

Fancy Women’s Ride 2026

The Fancy Women’s Ride returns as part of International Women’s Day celebrations, bringing colour, confidence and community to Canberra’s streets. Part of a global movement encouraging women to cycle and highlighting visibility in public space, the ride invites riders of all ages and abilities to dress up, decorate their bikes and ride together in a joyful show of solidarity. The event features a short, inclusive ride and community gathering. Light-hearted prizes include Overall Fanciest Dressed, Most Outlandish, Most Elegant/Classic Style, Best Decorated Bike, Best Decorated Helmet, Fanciest Young Rider and Fanciest Person in Solidarity. Guest speaker Dr Marisa Paterson MLA. Registration is free.

Sunday, 8 March, 1 pm –3 pm (ride departs 2 pm) | Haig Park, Braddon | thq.fyi/se/0beb53889324

Are YOU Brave Enough to Reconnect?

Canberra Dance Theatre explores connection in this dance event featuring dance groups, guest musicians and audience participation. Through a dance collaboration in nooks and crannies near the Canberra Times Fountain, CDT asks: Are YOU Brave Enough to Reconnect? Come on an adventure, be infected by the energy of the performances, watch as dancers connect together and move from place to place. Enter into the spirit of play as the event builds to a grand finale where everyone is invited to join in. No need to prepare, just pocket your phone and join in—it will be easy and fun. Share the moment with the person beside you, have a laugh, be surprised. Be enchanted and delighted by this interactive dance experience winding through City Walk.

Sunday, 8 March, 12 pm | City Walk, Canberra | enlightencanberra.com

Enlighten Festival

Enlighten Festival returns for its 16th year, lighting up the nation’s capital with 11 nights of culture, creativity and after-dark discovery. The festival illuminates Australia’s most iconic national institutions with world-class projections, live music, immersive art and rare after-hours experiences. The program features diverse events, world premieres and Canberra-firsts, delivering a multi-sensory experience celebrating Australian stories through art, sound and large-scale installations. Original major architectural projections and creative collaborations unite the iconic institutions of the National Triangle, offering opportunities to experience celebrated cultural institutions in a new light across the precinct.

Until Monday, 9 March, 2026 | Various locations | enlightencanberra.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.

Special Events and Festivals

Music at Dusk on the Forecourt

Begin your Enlighten adventure at the Australian Parliament House where Canberra’s choirs fill the air with melodies. Bring a picnic and blanket to enjoy music as the sun sets before the spectacular illumination inspired by Philip Bunting’s book, Democracy. Suitable for the whole family, this event offers a relaxed way to start your festival evening. No food or beverage will be for sale at the venue. Free parking is available in the underground car park from 5 pm to midnight during Enlighten, subject to availability. This event is subject to change at short notice.

Until Saturday 7 March | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | enlightencanberra.com

Girl Groups Belco Bike Party

Celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 with a Lake Ginninderra bike party honouring Girl Groups of the past 70 years. From the Chordettes’ Mr Sandman in 1954 to the Supremes, Bananarama, Spice Girls and today’s K-pop giants Blackpink, Girl Groups have soundtracked life for decades. Grab people you care about, choose songs for the playlist and roll beside Lake Ginninderra as music blasts from a Partybox on a cargo bike. Participants must bring their own lights and have a plan for mechanical faults. Bring something warm as it can get cold beside the lake. All people on all cycles, scooters and skates are welcome.

Saturday, 7 March, 7 pm –9 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, Belconnen | events.humanitix.com/girl-groups-belco-bike-party

Cocktails with The Female Leader

The Female Leader invites women to an afternoon of connection, conversation and reflection. Balancing ambition with wellbeing, leadership with authenticity and progress with purpose, the event creates space to pause, connect and acknowledge the collective work still required to achieve equity while celebrating progress and the leaders shaping what’s next. Over cocktails on a Sunday afternoon, attendees can engage with fellow women in a relaxed setting. The format encourages meaningful conversation and reflection on both personal and collective journeys toward gender equity. It’s designed as an opportunity to connect with purpose while marking International Women’s Day.

Sunday, 8 March, 2 pm –4 pm | Public, Griffith | eventbrite.com.au

International Women’s Day Circle–Stories to celebrate women

Manning Clark House hosts a creative storytelling circle celebrating International Women’s Day. The event invites people keen to share stories about the wonderful women in their lives. In this circle, everyone gets an opportunity to stop, reflect, write and share in creative ways about the many women who have provided support and helped along the way. Dr Claire Manning facilitates, bringing her expertise in arts-based and creative practices that enhance learning experiences and build understanding. With over 20 years of experience in research, program development and community sector work, Claire specialises in how creative practices can strengthen knowledge and connection.

Sunday, 8 March, 10.30 am–12.30 pm | Manning Clark House, Forrest | trybooking.com/DJJSR

Markets

The Little Burley Market

The Little Burley Market is a beautifully curated lakeside market held on the first Saturday of every month. Set along the water’s edge, it’s the perfect place to relax, soak up the views and enjoy a leisurely day out. Wander through locally handmade stalls, grab pastries to take home after a lap of the lake, or settle in with delicious gourmet food and live local music while the kids enjoy free arts and crafts. The market combines quality local products with a relaxed atmosphere, making it suitable for families, couples or solo visitors seeking a morning by the water.

Saturday, 7 March, 9 am–2 pm | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au

South Canberra Community Markets

The South Canberra Community Markets return with delicious food, local products, live music and kids’ craft sessions. Visitors can win great prizes in the Canberra Day Appeal raffle, with tickets on sale at the markets. Set on a beautiful rural location at the Lions Youth Haven working farm, the markets offer a backdrop of the Brindabellas. The working farm setting creates a distinctive atmosphere, combining community market culture with rural surroundings. It’s an opportunity to support local producers and makers while enjoying entertainment and activities for all ages in a scenic environment outside the city centre.

Saturday, 7 March, 10 am–2 pm | Lions Youth Haven, 244 Kambah Pool Road | commsatwork.org/galilee-school/south-markets

The Canberra Antiques Autumn Market Day

Step into a world of timeless charm and unique treasures at the Canberra Antiques Seasonal Market Day. Explore a curated selection of antique, vintage and retro finds—perfect for collectors, vintage enthusiasts and curious browsers alike. Sip on freshly brewed coffee from the on-site cart as you wander through stalls filled with history, character and one-of-a-kind pieces. The seasonal celebration of all things antique and vintage offers opportunities to discover items with stories to tell. Bring friends and family for a morning of shopping among carefully selected pieces that span different eras and styles.

Saturday, 7 March | The Auction Barn, 10 Wiluna Street, Fyshwick | theauctionbarn.com.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

Sport and Wellness

ACT Brumbies vs Queensland Reds

The ACT Brumbies take on the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium. The round 4 clash is set to ignite as the home team defends their winning streak against the Queensland side. The match represents a significant test for both teams as they build momentum in the Super Rugby Pacific season. Fans can be part of the action and settle in for a night of rugby featuring two competitive Australian sides. The GIO Stadium atmosphere promises to deliver as the Brumbies host their northern rivals in what shapes as a physical, high-stakes encounter with implications for the ladder and bragging rights across the border.

Saturday 7 March, 7.15 pm –9.35 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | brumbies.rugby

Guided Walks through the Conservation Corridor 

Reconnect with nature and explore the beauty of the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor with a guided walk.

Led by a knowledgeable ranger, these walks offer a great opportunity to learn about the Corridor’s wildlife, ecosystems, and the current conservation efforts in the area. Not to mention you’ll get a front-row seat to stunning views of the Murrumbidgee River, Brindabella Mountains, and surrounds.

Saturday 7 March 9 am to 11 am | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Music

Harpsichord Divas

A powerful evening of J.S. Bach features his monumental harpsichord concertos, performed by some of Canberra’s finest musicians in celebration of the life and legacy of Garth Mansfield. The program showcases Bach’s compositional brilliance through works that highlight the harpsichord’s distinctive voice within the baroque ensemble. The concert honours Mansfield’s contributions to Canberra’s music community while presenting technically demanding and emotionally resonant works. The combination of skilled local musicians and this significant baroque repertoire creates an evening of substance and artistry. The Wesley Music Centre provides an intimate setting suited to the clarity and detail of baroque performance.

Saturday, 7 March, 5 pm – 6 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest | wesleymusiccanberra.org

Scenery

Slow-burning sonic landscapes comprised of tones and textures that drift and settle shape an immersive world for the listener. This special Enlighten: Beyond edition, located for the first time at the Canberra Theatre Centre, brings together three cutting-edge musical talents. Sia Ahmad draws on archival cassette recordings weaving them with live electronics, Marlene Claudine Radice takes audiences on sonic excursions with the clarinet, and Sebastian Field returns with processed ambient guitar, shaping layered atmospheres and subtle harmonics. The musicians will be accompanied by live projections by award-winning visual artist Nicci Haynes. Come and tune in or zone out—pause, breathe and experience music as an environment.

Saturday 7 March, 7.30 pm –9.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Harpsichord Divas

When was the last time you heard four harpsichords played together in a live performance? This very special coming together of harpsichords and harpsichordists presents JS Bach’s Concerto in a minor for four harpsichords (BWV 1065) plus two Bach concertos for two harpsichords (BWV 1060 and 1062, both in c minor). Backed by a string ensemble led by John Ma and including instrumental works by Telemann and Solnitz, this concert celebrates the life of Garth Mansfield and his contribution to the Canberra music community. The four harpsichordists—Callum Tolhurst-Close, Marko Sever, Marie Searles and Ariana Odermatt—are established performers based in Canberra and Sydney.

Saturday, 7 March, 5pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | wesleycanberra.org.au/music

SummerSalt presents Ocean Alley

Globally renowned Australian rockers Ocean Alley hit Exhibition Park as part of their biggest Australian tour to date in celebration of their latest album, Love Balloon. The stacked, sun-drenched line-up features Skeggs, Allah-Las, Babe Rainbow, Mid Drift, Le Shiv and Seaside. The outdoor festival format brings together multiple acts for a day of Australian rock music spanning different styles within the genre. Ocean Alley’s distinctive sound and growing international profile make this a significant addition to their touring schedule. The Exhibition Park venue provides space for the large-scale production and crowd this tour is drawing across the country.

Saturday 7 March | Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell | ticketmaster.com.au

Stage and Screen

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

Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce

Canberra REP Theatre presents Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy exploring relationships and family dynamics across one evening. The production follows four couples and their interactions across three bedrooms, examining conflicts within and outside relationships. The play uses physical comedy and observational humour to depict domestic situations. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with ORIGIN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Inc, a Concord Theatricals Company. The show runs for multiple performances across three weeks in February and March. Performance times and ticket information are available on the Canberra REP website.

Until Saturday, 7 March, 2026 | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Canberra | canberrarep.org.au

Workshops

Luminous Life: After Dark

Unlock the Gardens gates for an exclusive After Dark experience in the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Join rangers to explore what grows and what glows using spotlight and UV torches to reveal plants, fungi and nocturnal animals in a whole new light. The guided night walk offers a distinctive perspective on the Gardens, showcasing elements invisible during daylight hours. Rangers share knowledge about the Gardens’ nocturnal ecology and how different light spectrums reveal hidden aspects of plant life and fungi. The experience combines education with adventure, allowing participants to discover familiar spaces transformed by darkness and specialised lighting techniques. Bookings are essential.

Until Saturday 7 March | Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | visit.anbg.gov.au

Paint It Slow

Paint It Slow invites you to slow down and focus on one painting over four weeks, developing depth, intuition and your creative voice. Work on one major painting, allowing it to develop slowly and intuitively with guidance from tutor Eliott O’Dowd. This course focuses on depth rather than speed—refining composition, colour and detail while learning to trust the painting process and your own creative voice. All materials are supplied.

Saturday 7 March, 3 pm–5.30 pm | Q Gallery, 13a Edgar Street, Ainslie | eventbrite.com.au/e/paint-it-slow-march-painting-course-tickets

Up-cycled Puppetry: From Object to Moving Sculpture

Transform everyday objects into expressive, character-filled puppets in this free hands-on workshop with internationally trained puppeteer Marianne Mettes.

Perfect for adults of all skill levels, from curious beginners to experienced makers, this three-hour session explores how to reimagine discarded or ordinary items as puppet materials, build simple yet evocative creations, and bring them to life using foundational puppetry techniques.

Learn to treat your puppet as a moveable sculpture that lives and breathes, using movement, voice, and character work. No prior experience or fancy equipment required. All you need is curiosity, a sense of play, and perhaps an interesting item from your recycling bin.

Three sessions are available across Belconnen, Gungahlin, and Whitlam. Places are limited, so book early!

Saturday 7 March, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Generator Gallery, Belco Arts |  More information here

Silent Book Club @ Café Stepping Stone

Taking place fortnightly on Sundays, this Silent Book Club is open to everyone, with no fees or age limits. You can engage with others as much or as little as you like! Unlike traditional book clubs, there’s no assigned reading or discussion, just a peaceful space to read your book among fellow book lovers.

Here’s how it works: arrive, settle in with a drink, and maybe share what you’re reading, spend a quiet, undisturbed hour reading, and then socialise (or continue reading if you prefer). Bring your current read, order your favourite beverage, and enjoy some uninterrupted reading time.

Saturday 7 March, 2 pm to 4 pm | Café Stepping Stone, Gullifer Street, Strathnairn | More information here.

Talks and programs

Causeway Hall Centenary Celebration

Celebrating 100 years of the Causeway Hall, built in 1925 by local volunteers with materials from the Federal Capital Commission. Created when Canberra was still taking shape, it became the first and largest purpose-built hall for the young capital, hosting concerts, dances, silent films, sporting events and countless social gatherings. The Canberra City Band performed at the hall’s first public event on 28 November 1925 and at its official opening on 6 February 1926. To mark the centenary, a special concert with the band celebrates the hall’s earliest performances and enduring cultural role. A curated display of archival photographs and stories traces its journey from entertainment hub to ACT Hub.

Saturday, 7 March, 2 pm –5 pm | ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au

Artists’ talks: Corey Black and Lisa Stonham

Gain deeper insight into two current exhibitions at PhotoAccess through a morning of informal artist talks. Corey Black will discuss the material processes and conceptual ideas behind his sculptural image works in conversation with curator Alanna Frances O’Riley, followed by Lisa Stonham sharing the thinking and experimentation that shaped her installation. Presented within the exhibition space, these conversations offer a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their approaches to time, perception and materiality, and to engage more closely with the ideas shaping their contemporary photographic practices.

Saturday, 7 March, 11 am–1 pm | PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au

Exhibitions

A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage

Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.

Until Sunday 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.

Super Kaylene Whiskey

Super Kaylene Whiskey celebrates one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, proud Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey. This major survey brings together works from across Whiskey’s career, showcasing her dynamic practice that is grounded in stories of First Nations joy and strength. Drawn from public and private collections, the exhibition features over 80 paintings, video work and installation from her early career to now, as well as a newly commissioned portrait.

With irreverent humour, Whiskey playfully combines everyday life, Aṉangu culture and beloved pop culture icons in her work. Dolly Parton, Cher and Wonder Woman share centre stage with Whiskey and other strong kungkas (women) as together they hunt and collect bush tucker. Through her rich visual stories, Whiskey joyfully connects cultures, Country and celebrity and invites us along for the ride.

Until Monday 9 March | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.au

Songbird – Exhibition Derryth Nash

Local artist Derryth brings together two of her greatest passions, nature and music, in this captivating dual exhibition at The Link Gallery throughout February. The first series features small sculptures crafted from recycled guitar strings, feathers, and found objects, each piece celebrating birds and the natural world with creativity and resourcefulness.

The second series showcases contemporary acrylic wildlife paintings with a particular focus on our feathered friends, capturing the beauty and character of Australian birdlife. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how music and nature intertwine through art, and perhaps find that perfect piece to take home.

Until Monday 9 March | The Link Gallery, Strathnairn | Free entry | Open during Link hours | More info here

1975: Living in the Seventies

Step back 50 years and immerse yourself in the unforgettable year that was 1975! The National Library of Australia’s fascinating new exhibition explores what it was truly like to live in the seventies, from the dramatic political upheaval of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal to the cultural phenomena that defined the decade.

Discover iconic fashion like flared jeans and platform shoes, relive the magic of Countdown’s glam rockers Skyhooks and ABBA’s infectious pop, and explore groundbreaking Australian films like Picnic at Hanging Rock. This colourful celebration brings together objects exploring politics, conflicts, popular culture, food, fashion, and sport in iconic seventies design, revealing a complex story beyond Baby Boomer nostalgia.

Until Monday 9 March | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra | library.gov.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inside the empty interval: Lisa Stonham

This contemplative exhibition explores photography beyond the single captured moment, inviting viewers to experience images as objects shaped by time, space and movement. Lisa Stonham reimagines the photograph as a sculptural form, layering reflective surfaces and spatial arrangements that shift with the viewer’s presence. The installation encourages slow looking, where perception unfolds and multiple perspectives emerge. Rather than a fixed record of the past, each work becomes a site of temporal negotiation, exploring instability, materiality and the way light, memory and bodily experience shape how we see and understand the world.

Until Saturday, 11 April| PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au

Narcotics, preservatives, skeptics: Corey Black

In this new body of work, Corey Black explores the shifting boundaries between image, material and viewer. Using perspex and timber structures, found and manipulated media are cut, layered and transferred to create sculptural image-objects that feel both contained and expansive. Drawing from personal archives, medical imagery and digital sources, the works investigate how surfaces hold meaning and transmit emotional impact. Each piece operates as a self-contained network while extending into the surrounding space, inviting close attention to the thresholds between transparency, opacity and perception.

Until Saturday, 11 April | PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au

Ambient, aberrant (homecoming edition): Sonia Mangiapane

This immersive photomedia exhibition examines how our experiences of the natural world are shaped through tourism, culture and the camera’s gaze. Working in the colour darkroom, Sonia Mangiapane creates handprinted and cameraless works that question ideas of authenticity, the pursuit of the sublime and the constructed nature of sightseeing. By revealing photography as a process of making rather than simply capturing, the exhibition invites audiences to reflect on how images shape our understanding of nature, memory and place, and how all encounters with the world are mediated through perception and expectation.

Until Saturday, 11 April, gallery hours | PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au

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: @snapsbysal.