Hello weekend plans! Here are 50+ things to do in Canberra
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It’s Floriade’s last hurrah and Canberra is pulling out all the stops.
This weekend is absolutely stacked – we’re talking free teddy bears at Canberra Outlet, Emma Memma getting the kids dancing, vintage guitars galore, gin served in teapots, mini golf on a rooftop, and a colour run that’ll leave you looking like a rainbow.
Add in the Arts Trail through Bungendore, secret gardens opening their gates, Katie Noonan singing Jeff Buckley, and enough markets to max out your credit card. Whether you’re after culture, chaos, or just a really good sausage sizzle, this weekend’s got you covered. The week is going out with a bang – don’t miss it.
Don’t miss…
Sly Fox Markets
Share the vibes, sell your wares, and connect with your people. The Sly Fox Markets are celebrating the best of Canberra – local food, handmade arts and crafts, books, music, and everything in between. Whether you’re a maker, a mover, or just a lover of all things local, there’s a space for you.
Buy beautiful things made by people you know. Sell that thing you’ve been making. Make that thing you’ve always wanted to – and sell it. Cook the food of your culture – and share it with the world. This is your official invitation.
Saturday 11 September, 10 am–3 pm | On the bike path, 81 MacArthur Avenue, O’Connor | facebook.com
Bears, bungee and Thomas at Canberra Outlet
Canberra Outlet transforms into a wonderland of free entertainment from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 October.
The magic begins with Build-A-Bear workshops where 100 free bears are given away daily (first in, best dressed with 50 bears per session at 11am and 1pm outside Lindt). Kids can also meet a life-sized Build-A-Bear character for the ultimate photo opportunity.
Thomas the Tank Engine offers free train rides from 11am to 2:30pm outside Freedom, while thrill-seekers can experience the Bungee Tramp Extreme outside Kathmandu from 11am to 3pm.
Keep an eye on Canberra Outlet’s social media to learn how to claim a golden ticket for a free jump.
Until Sunday 12 October, 11 am and 1 pm | Outside Lindt, Canberra Outlet, Fyshwick | canberraoutlet.com.au
New Replenish by Power Flow Wellness studio opening in Belconnen
A new wellness destination, Replenish by Power Flow CBR, is opening in Belconnen Town Centre this month. Offering yoga, mat pilates, meditation, breathwork, mindfulness, sound baths, art classes, counselling and more, Replenish will be a space to take a breath and escape the busyness of life.
To celebrate the opening day on 11 October 2025, Power Flow CBR is inviting the Canberra community to come and see the new space and meet the Power Flow team. There will be free yoga, pilates and breathwork classes throughout the day, free food and drink on offer, as well as opening deals on studio memberships. All people attending the free classes will go into a draw for some great prizes, valued at over $500.
To learn more or book your free class visit powerflowcbr.com.au.
Saturday 11 October, 10 am–2 pm | 52 Weedon Close, Belconnen Town Centre | powerflowcbr.com.au
KIDS IN CARE ACT: Toyworld Community Fun Day
Kids in Care ACT are holding their annual Toyworld Community Fun Day! Proudly supported by ACT Policing, the volunteer-run charity supports vulnerable children in crisis, out-of-home care, or involved with the care and protection system, by providing Christmas and birthday gifts, Go Bags with emergency supplies, and other comfort items throughout the year.
Enjoy a free sausage sizzle, visits from ACT Policing, Kenny Koala and the ACT Rural Fire Service, a colouring-in competition with gift vouchers to be won. 10 per cent of Toyworld Fyshwick sales are donated to Kids in Care ACT,
Saturday 11 October, 9 am–3 pm | Toyworld Fyshwick, 5 Barrier Street Fyshwick
Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail
This regional arts celebration spans three weekends across four historic towns, showcasing ceramics, glassworks, paintings, textiles, jewellery and live performances. The trail launches Thursday 2 October with First Nations Art Projections, LinQ Gallery opening and music by Jerikye Williams. Over 40 venues participate, beginning in Braidwood and Captains Flat (4-5 October), continuing in Bungendore (11-12 October), and concluding in Queanbeyan (18-19 October).
Highlights include plein-air painting at historic Bedervale Farm, street performances by The Gypsy Jazz Project, and unique collaborations between galleries and restaurants. Visitors explore artist studios, galleries and pop-up venues while experiencing regional hospitality. The trail offers hands-on experiences including mural painting and behind-the-scenes studio tours.
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October | Various venues across region | treasuretrail.com.au/arts
Floriade 2025
Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring returns for its 38th year with the theme ‘Science and Nature’. Transforming Commonwealth Park into a dynamic space of discovery with one million blooms, vibrant garden beds, hands-on workshops, talks and family activities, swap your gardening gloves for a lab coat and dive into nature’s laboratory while wandering through spectacular floral displays.
Until Sunday 12 October | Commonwealth Park, City | floriadeaustralia.com
Special Events and Festivals
School Holidays at Canberra Outlet
Canberra Outlet transforms into the ultimate family destination with a week of free activities designed to entertain children of all ages. The spring school holidays program includes train rides, teddy bear magic and thrilling bungee jumps. Children can unleash creativity at the Build-A-Bear workshop, making their own furry friend and meeting a life-sized bear character. Thomas the Tank Engine rolls through the centre offering free train rides, while the Bungee Tramp Extreme experience provides high-flying fun under spring sunshine. The centre combines shopping with unforgettable family experiences, ensuring every child finds something to love. A full week of excitement makes Canberra Outlet the place to be these holidays.
Until Saturday, 12 October | Canberra Outlet, 337 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick | canberraoutlet.com.au
Meet Gather Collect turns 10
Since setting up shop at Aranda 10 years ago, Meet Gather Collect has worked with hundreds of Australian artists and makers. They’ll be celebrating with lucky door prizes from Eggpicnic, Myrtle & Moss, We The Wild, Luk and Huski and a colouring competition where the kids can win a Halcyon Nights backpack.
They’ll also be running a sale storewide and even have a birthday cake that we’ll be cutting at 2:30 pm.
Saturday, 11 October, 9:30 am–4 pm | 68 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda | meetgathercollect.com.au
Chime In: A Carillon Celebration
This free community event at the National Carillon brings music, food and family-friendly fun together around Canberra’s iconic bells. Performances feature didgeridoo, marimba, saxophone and music from the Beatles, Disney & Pixar, musicals and brand-new compositions. A Jazz Band plays in Kings Park while kids enjoy carillon-inspired arts and crafts plus face painting. Everyone can sample delicious food vendors or bring picnics by the lake. Meet the carillonists, snap pictures in the photo booth and enjoy various activations throughout the day. This celebration offers a whole new way to experience this iconic Canberra landmark while enjoying the soundscape of the National Triangle in a festive community atmosphere.
Saturday 11 October | National Carillon, National Carillon, Parkes | nca.gov.au
The National Vintage Guitar Expo
Australia’s major annual vintage guitar celebration brings together over 20 exhibitors showcasing rare acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers and accessories. Two adjoining halls separate vintage guitars and amps from acoustic and luthier instruments. Exhibitors include vintage guitar dealers, luthiers and memorabilia specialists like Capital Vintage Guitars, Grubisa Guitars, Holdfast Guitars and Rick Falkiner’s Guitar Centre. The Saturday evening Vintage Sessions features talented musicians including Fiona Boyes, Skip Sail, Don Morrison and the John Thomas Band performing for an entertaining night of music. This event celebrates craftsmanship and musical heritage for vintage enthusiasts and music lovers alike.
Saturday, 11 October, 10 am–6 pm | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | bit.ly
The Traveller’s garden and Jinka Falls opening
‘The Traveller’s Garden’ in Florey and ‘Jinka Falls’ in Hawker open as part of Open Gardens Canberra’s spring program. These private gardens showcase different design philosophies and plant selections suited to Canberra’s northern suburbs. Visitors can explore both locations to see varied approaches to garden creation and maintenance. The weekend format allows plenty of time to appreciate each garden’s unique features and chat with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Entry is $10 per garden for non-members. Annual membership at $30 provides access to all ten gardens participating in the spring program, representing excellent value for keen garden visitors.
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October, 10 am–4 pm | The Traveller’s Garden, Camfield Place, Florey and Jinka Falls, Jinka Street, Hawker | opengardenscanberra.org.au
Walk for Prems and The Mighty Trek Challenge
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation presents Australia’s largest event for premature babies at Lake Burley Griffin. Families, friends and community members gather to support families of premature and sick babies while raising vital funds. The morning begins with a formal welcome and ceremony at 10 am, followed by the walk at 10.30 am where participants complete laps around the lake. Entertainment, food, music and children’s activities are featured throughout the event.
The Mighty Trek Challenge includes the symbolic pushing of an incubator around the course. Families celebrate and remember their journeys with premature babies. The family-friendly event concludes by 12.30 pm, bringing together the community in support of life’s little treasures.
Sunday 12 October, 7.30 am–3 pm | Rond Terrace, Lake Burley Griffin, Acton | walkforprems.org.au
Canberra Southern Cross Club family fun day
Canberra Southern Cross Club hosts a free community celebration on the lawns of the Yacht Club. The afternoon features live music, face painting, and footy games with AFL Canberra. Children can meet reptiles from Canberra Reptile Zoo and enjoy complimentary activities with Kidtastic. Food stalls offer tacos, sausage sizzle, parrilla burgers and soft drinks, while Snapper & Co. serves fish and chips throughout the day. Community partners including AFL Canberra, Canberra Veterans Music Group, St John Ambulance, Tennis ACT and Woden Valley Youth Choir will be present. Families are encouraged to bring picnic blankets for an afternoon of entertainment and community connection. Parking is available at the Yacht Club and surrounding areas.
Sunday 12 October, 11 am–3 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club | cscc.com.au
Earth Science Week
Geoscience Australia celebrates Earth Science Week with the theme ‘Earth Science Everywhere’, encouraging all Australians to learn about and engage with Earth science. As the nation’s trusted source of Earth science data and information, Geoscience Australia offers events for everyone whether hosting your own event, attending events or showing support online. Earth science plays a critical role in Australia’s future, and this global movement aims to increase understanding and awareness of its importance to daily life. The week provides exciting opportunities to deepen understanding of the world and discover how Earth science really is everywhere in our lives.
Sunday, 12– Sunday, 19 October | Geoscience Australia, 101 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | ga.gov.au
Floriade Rooftop Spring Putt Putt
This year for Floriade About Town, South.Point rooftop transforms into Spring Putt Putt — a custom-built, open-air mini golf course you won’t find anywhere else in Canberra. Designed exclusively for Floriade About Town, it’s a colourful, floral, spring-themed activity where every putt is part competition, part photo opportunity.
From blooming backdrops to playful obstacles, each hole brings its own spring-inspired twist. Whether you’re a first-timer or a mini golf pro, the focus is on fun, friendly rivalry, and soaking in the season.
The full course takes around 20 minutes to complete, making it an easy and exciting add-on to your day. You’ll find it on the Rooftop Car Park at South.Point, with travellator and stair access from the main shopping levels and signage to guide you straight to the action.
Spring Putt Putt is made for everyone — families, friends, dates, and even that one mate who insists on keeping score. When you’ve finished your round, the fun doesn’t have to end. Explore over 180 retailers, savour great dining along Anketell Street, or catch live sport and entertainment at The Point.
Make the trip south, putt among the petals, and enjoy a Floriade experience you won’t forget.
Until Sunday 12 October, 10 am–2 pm | Rooftop Car Park, South.Point Tuggeranong | southpointcanberra.com.au
Play at Dairy Road
Play is a free, family-friendly event held every Sunday from September to December at Dairy Road.
Designed for kids of all ages, Play features live performances — including music, circus, puppetry, and poetry — at 1pm and 3pm, alongside creative workshops, and the water play at LESS and the Stream.
Sundays until 7 December, 12–4 pm | Dairy Road, LESS garden, near Capital Brewing | dairyroad.com.au
Food & Drink
New Zealand wine dinner
Discover the wines of New Zealand through an exquisite four-course dinner experience at Jamison. This unique evening features carefully selected New Zealand wines paired with each course, creating memorable flavour combinations that showcase the country’s diverse wine regions. The dinner offers an opportunity to explore New Zealand’s distinctive wine-making traditions while enjoying exceptional cuisine. Each course has been designed to complement the characteristics of the paired wines, from crisp Sauvignon Blancs to robust Pinot Noirs. Wine enthusiasts and food lovers will appreciate this guided journey through New Zealand’s celebrated wine offerings in a convivial dining atmosphere.
Friday 10 October, 6.30–8.30 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison, Macquarie | cscc.com.au
Pup High Tea at QT Canberra
QT opens its doors to both you and your pup, making them the cutest plus one you could ask for. While you enjoy scones, sandwiches, and sweets, you four-legged friend is treated to their own exclusive menu of pup-friendly treats. Hosted on the QT deck, it’s a high tea experience that’s indulgent and playful. The perfect event for dog lovers who want to spoil their best friends while treating themselves, it’s bound to get tails wagging.
Saturday 11 October | QT Canberra | Book here.
Floriade at Chifley’s High Tea
This is a traditional High Tea with floral Floriade twist featuring petite scones, mini quiches, finger sandwiches and sweet treats. Accompanied by herbal teas, and barista-made coffee, it also includes a Floriade cocktail. Expect a sumptuous dining experience celebrating the city’s premier floral festival in the elegant Barton setting.
Until Saturday 11 October | Chifley’s Bar & Grill, Barton | hotelkurrajong.com.au
Underground Spirits Gin Garden at Floriade
Step into springtime indulgence at Floriade’s most enchanting experience. The Underground Spirits Cocktail High Tea features expertly crafted gin cocktails served in teapots, paired with seasonal sweet and savoury delicacies from L’epi Bakery. Hosted within an elegant tent with Discovery Tables for up to eight guests, it combines premium local spirits with immersive storytelling.
Until Sunday 12 October | Commonwealth Park, Commonwealth Aveneu, City | undergroundspirits.com.au
Midnight Bar blooms for Floriade
Midnight Bar transforms into The Springtime Gin Garden during Floriade, collaborating with Underground Spirits to create a floral celebration worthy of Floriade 2025.
The $30 Springtime Gin Garden Experience includes their signature colour-changing Illusionist cocktail and shared antipasto board. Cocktail teapots, gin tasting flights, and limited-edition drinks round out the seasonal menu.
Until Sunday 12 October | Midnight Bar, Ground Floor, Midnight Hotel, 1 Elouera Street, Braddon | midnightbar.com.au
Sunday Family Buffet Lunch
Gather friends and family for a buffet lunch feast at Pavilion on Northbourne’s leafy Atrium Restaurant & Bar. This monthly foodie experience offers the perfect way to spend a relaxed Sunday together with someone else doing the cooking. Enjoy a generous spread featuring fresh salads, premium cold cuts, hearty hot dishes, indulgent desserts and more. The hotel setting provides elegant dining while maintaining family-friendly accessibility. Come hungry, leave happy knowing you’ve experienced quality dining without the preparation stress. Limited seats are available, so booking online is essential to reserve your table. This buffet combines convenience with quality, making it ideal for family gatherings and special occasions.
Sunday, 12 October, 12 pm–3 pm | Pavilion on Northbourne, 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | pavilioncanberra.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
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
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
Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party Tour
ARIA award-winning children’s entertainer Emma Memma brings her brand-new show Dance Island Party to Canberra, giving Australian families chances to dance, sing and party. Join Emma Memma, Elvin Melvin, BB Butterfly and Waffles the Wombat on an underwater adventure filled with dancing, bubbles, audience interaction and fun for the whole family. This energetic performance combines music, movement and storytelling in an engaging format designed specifically for young audiences. The interactive show encourages participation while delivering high-quality children’s entertainment that parents and children can enjoy together. Emma Memma’s proven track record in children’s music ensures a memorable experience for families.
Saturday 11 October | The Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra | livenation.com.au
Keyamura (毛谷村)
ANU Za Kabuki is the longest running traditional Japanese kabuki troupe in the Southern Hemisphere! This year’s production, Keyamura, weaves together themes of betrayal, hidden identities, and revenge. With its bold characters, stylised fight scenes, and moments of both intensity and humour, Keyamura embodies everything that makes kabuki such a distinctive and thrilling art form.
Performed entirely in traditional Japanese, the production preserves the authenticity and beauty of classical Kabuki. To make the experience accessible, ANU Za Kabuki provides live English subtitles, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the rhythm and atmosphere of Kabuki theatre while following the story with ease.
Whether you are a long-time lover of Japanese theatre or discovering kabuki for the first time, Keyamura promises an evening of culture, drama, and unforgettable storytelling!
Until Sunday 12 October | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton | canberrarep.org.au
A Chorus Line
It’s one singular sensation! The ground-breaking, Pulitzer Prize-winning concept musical set a new standard for Broadway when it first appeared in 1975 and remains relevant, poignant, provocative, and highly entertaining. Among its many gongs are Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Olivier Award for Best Musical and the Helpmann Award for Best Musical.
A Chorus Line captures the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another. But this is a show about everyone’s dreams, not just a group of dancers auditioning for eight places in a musical theatre chorus. Come along and be uplifted by the ambition, heart and mesmerising talent of these hard-working triple-threats.
Until Sunday 19 October | The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Music
Luminescence Chamber Singers – Garden of Earthly Delights
Luminescence Chamber Singers transform Hieronymus Bosch’s enigmatic 500-year-old triptych “De tuin der lusten” into an aural tapestry of pleasure and peril. This one-hour concert without interval explores the surreal world of Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights through vocal music. The program draws from Renaissance compositions and daring modern works, including pieces by Hildegard von Bingen, Josquin des Prez, Philippe Verdelot and Gavin Bryars, alongside newly commissioned works by Nicole Murphy and Archie Tulk. Conducted by Roland Peelman AM, the performance offers a vocal cornucopia of surprise and cheeky delight. Note: contains adult themes and explicit language; may not suit children under 15.
Sunday 12 October, 6 pm | Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest | luminescence.org.au/earthlydelights
Katie Noonan – Jeff Buckley’s Grace
Five-time ARIA award-winning artist Katie Noonan embarks on a 20-date headline tour across Australia, performing works from Jeff Buckley’s iconic album Grace with special guest Jack Carty. Celebrating one of music’s most notable albums, Katie brings her mind-blowing live show to metro and regional areas. With over 25 years in the industry, Katie has proved herself as one of Australia’s most hardworking, versatile and prolific artists. Named one of the greatest Australian singers of all time by the Herald Sun, she has produced 29 albums with seven times platinum record sales and 29 ARIA nominations spanning diverse genres. In 2023 Katie was awarded ‘Best Live Voice QLD’ in the National Live Music Awards.
Sunday 12 October, 8 pm–10 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Garden of Earthly Delights
Luminescence Chamber Singers transform Hieronymus Bosch’s 500-year-old triptych “De tuin der lusten” into an aural tapestry as pleasurable and perilous as Bosch’s vision. This surreal feast for the senses draws from Renaissance raunch, Medieval monasterian excess and daring modern transgressions. Garden of Earthly Delights offers a vocal cornucopia of surprise and cheeky delight, probing the pleasures and perils of excess. The program includes music by Josquin, Banchieri, Gallus and new works by Nicole Murphy and Archie Tulk. This concert celebrates the voice’s capacity for expressing temptation, desire and moral complexity through centuries of choral literature inspired by art history’s most enigmatic masterpiece.
Sunday 12 October, 6 pm–7 pm | Wesley Uniting Church, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest | luminescence.org.au
Requiem Llewellyn Choir
The Llewellyn Choir performs Maurice Duruflé’s beautiful “Requiem” alongside Arvo Pärt’s “The Beatitudes” in this afternoon of fine choral music. Featuring soprano soloist Sonia Anfiloff, baritone soloist Rohan Thatcher, James Porteous on organ and Clara Teniswood on cello, this performance combines sacred choral traditions with contemporary compositional approaches. Duruflé’s Requiem represents one of the 20th century’s most beautiful sacred choral works, while Pärt’s Beatitudes showcases the Estonian composer’s distinctive tintinnabuli style. This concert offers audiences an opportunity to experience both traditional and modern approaches to sacred music performed by accomplished local musicians in an intimate setting that enhances the spiritual and emotional impact.
Sunday 12 October, 2 pm–4 pm | Anzac Memorial Chapel of St Paul, Robert Campbell Road, Campbell | llewellynchoir.org.au
The Lex Man at Play Day!
Get ready for an unforgettable musical adventure with The Lex Man, a local children’s music artist with a mission to create silly, educational and fun songs that ignite love for music and life. His live show provides perfect family entertainment with singing, dancing and learning opportunities. The interactive show offers children experiences with live music while inspiring creativity in LESS gardens at Dairy Road. Play Day is a free family-friendly afternoon where families sit on grass, enjoy the precinct’s great vibes and businesses including Capital Brewery beer and Jasper and Myrtle ice cream. Children play with building props and LESS water features, so bringing spare clothes is recommended for maximum fun.
Sunday 12 October, 12 pm–4 pm | Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | dairyroad.com.au
Sport and Wellness
Top Dog 24 Adventure Race
Calling Head Honchos, Top Brass, Big Cheeses, Top Bananas and Big Kahunas – the Top Dog 24 is this year’s ultimate adventure race. The Top Dog Full Course is a classic non-stop 24-hour adventure race involving trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and other adventure disciplines. Teams of two or four navigate unsupported through an epic 120+ kilometre course revealed only hours before the race. The Little Dog covers just over half the distance, open to teams of two and four with 24 hours to complete the epic course. While legs are challenging, the shorter distance gives teams greater chances to reach the finish line in this ultimate test of endurance and navigation skills.
Friday, 10 –Saturday, 11 October, 11 am–12 pm | Stromlo Forest Park, Dave McInnes Road, Uriarra Village | topdog24.com.au
Spring wildflower ramble on Black Mountain
Join experienced guides for a social ramble celebrating Black Mountain’s spring flowering season, following the tradition established by botanist Nancy Burbidge. This gentle bush walk explores the surprising diversity of tiny orchids, bush peas, wattles and billy buttons along easy tracks. After this year’s weather patterns, guides anticipate a special display of flowers. The ramble welcomes everyone from experts to newcomers discovering the mountain’s cryptic diversity. Multiple guides will take different directions across the mountain. Books including ‘Black Mountain: a natural history of a Canberra icon’ will be available for purchase. Bring morning tea, water, hat, sunblock and sturdy shoes.
Saturday, 11 October, 9.30 am–12 pm | Black Mountain, Belconnen Way entry | trybooking.com/DEWYB
Canberra Colour Frenzy 5k Fun Run
Join Canberra Colour Frenzy at Weston Park for this bright 5k colour fun run welcoming all ages and fitness levels. Walk, jog, run, dance or crawl your way through a colourful course featuring vibrant colour stations, bubbly foam station and inflatable crawl obstacles. Go at your own pace and soak up the fun while exploring food market stalls, giveaways and festive atmosphere. This event creates lasting memories for families, friends and individuals, welcoming all abilities with free entry for companions and carers. Dogs are welcome too, adding extra fun for everyone. Colour Frenzy supports local animal rescues with proceeds going to good causes, mixing fun with purpose while using safe, eco-friendly materials.
Sunday 12 October, 9 am–11:30 am | Weston Park (past the train cafe), Weston Park Road, Yarralumla | colourfrenzy.com.au
Exhibitions
Ken Knight and Judy Drew dual exhibition opening at Aarwun Gallery
Aarwun Gallery presents two distinctive exhibitions running simultaneously.
Ken Knight’s Land, Air and Sea – An Artist’s Perspective showcases four decades of landscape paintings capturing Australia’s diverse terrain from eucalyptus forests to Antarctic wilderness. His bold, gestural works balance Impressionist traditions with abstract elements, conveying emotional responses to place through extensive travels across the country’s backroads.
Judy Drew’s Perceptions in Pastel features luminous figurative and still-life works demonstrating technical mastery with pastels. Drew’s distinctive style, influenced by masters including Degas and contemporary artists like Jenny Saville, creates dynamic mark-making that captures both delicate light and rich texture.
Exhibitions run until Sunday 12 October | Aarwun Gallery, Shop 11 Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | aarwungallery.com.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 Monday 13 October | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Structured Connections exhibition
Three artists trace almost two decades of creative dialogue and collaboration in this thoughtful exhibition. Alison Jackson, Ingrid Lockley Penc and Sarah Murphy’s practices have evolved in parallel, intertwined through shared university workshops and ten years exhibiting at KIN Gallery. The exhibition reflects on how shared environments have shaped their artistic identities, fostering both individual expression and collective growth.
Structured Connections celebrates the enduring ties between makers and the structures that sustain them. Visitors discover rich intersections where creative paths continue to meet. The work demonstrates how artistic relationships develop over time, creating meaningful dialogues between different practices while maintaining individual artistic voices.
Until Saturday 15 November | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit | craftanddesigncanberra.org
DRAWN TO THIS MOMENT
A Group Exhibition by Jennifer Baird, Valentyna Crane, Kylie Fogarty. Artists, Baird, Crane and Fogarty share a great love of the landscape. Each artist revels in the nuances of location, light, atmosphere, and time. A natural progression of their fellowship has led to exhibiting as a trio, as they explore their relationship with the Australian landscape.
Preview Evening Friday 10 October, 6–7.30 pm. Gallery open Thursday to Monday 10 am–3 pm, Sundays 11 am–3 pm | 84 Comur Street, Yass | tygergallery.com.au
Liminal Lines
Suki & Hugh Gallery presents an exhibition pairing South Coast artists Amy Schleif and Jo Victoria. Schleif works in glass, exploring themes of fragility and perception through lines, light, reflection and shadow. Her drawn lines examine daily opportunities to consider reality and the impact of behaviour.
Victoria creates translucent porcelain works inspired by the ephemeral creek systems of the South Coast, particularly Bengello Creek at South Broulee Beach. Her delicate porcelain cliffs trace waterway trajectories and shifting sands, evoking the cycle of collapse and renewal in coastal ecosystems affected by development and climate change. The exhibition includes collaborative pieces combining etched glass and landscape-influenced porcelain, where lines and shadows interact. Opening drinks and artist talk are on 11 October.
Saturday 11 October to Sunday 9 November | Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore | sukihugh.com.au
From My Inner World | Jeremy Barrett
Jeremy Barrett surveys five decades of artistic exploration in this solo exhibition that demonstrates how traditional tools and techniques can create works carrying both aesthetic and critical resonance.
Until Sunday, 26 October | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Six Degrees | Chezqah Agnir, Sophia Gawan-Taylor & Zair Ahmed
Three young emerging artists explore the interconnectedness of human experience through diverse artistic lenses that capture the nuances of their changing worlds. Curated by Angelina Allen, this group exhibition platforms the expanding social networks and relationships that shape contemporary artistic practice, demonstrating how creative communities form and influence each other.
Until Sunday, 26 October | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Questacon Presents: ZAP! CLANK! POW!
Featuring a new take on some old favourites from the past three decades, this exhibition might have been designed with little scientists in mind, but trust us when we say everyone will enjoy a visit to ZAP! CLANK! POW! at Questacon.
Featuring 17 highly interactive exhibits, you’ll get hands-on as you explore the exciting world of electricity, machines, and motion. And with a comic book theme running throughout, it will keep all ages entertained.
Until Sunday 1 February 2026 | Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
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 Saturday 1 February 2026 | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra | library.gov.au
Inferno by Mikaela Stafford at the NFSA
Preview the immersive installation by internationally recognised Australian artist Mikaela Stafford before it opens to the public. This free audiovisual experience blends monumental 3D motion graphics, kinetic sculpture and dynamic lighting with a powerful soundscape by composer Kate Durman.
The sci-fi-infused world explores identity, memory and matter through a hyperreal journey anchored by a large-scale resin sculpture emerging from a 12-metre digital screen.
Until 16 November | NFSA Gallery & Courtyard, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Packed Lunch by Adina West
Drawing on the luxury and/or personalised car as a symbol of material identity in the domestic suburban landscape, Packed Lunch offers up questions surrounding self-concept and the self-attribution phenomenon. The work presented probes how material possessions—cars, homes, perfect lawns—shape identity and symbolise economic status. These domestic luxuries, once symbols of aspiration, increasingly highlight social and economic disparities, anchoring self-perception to societal hierarchies.
Until Sunday 12 October | PLATFORM, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
50 Years on the Beat: The Legacy of Constable Kenny Koala
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Constable Kenny Koala, the AFP Museum presents a major temporary exhibition honouring the iconic community policing mascot held at the National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point.
Known for educating children about safety since 1975, Kenny Koala is beloved by generations of Canberrans. This exhibition captures his origins, evolution, and ongoing impact on public trust and community engagement. Visitors will experience five decades of memorabilia, puppets, costumes, media, and interactive learning tools that showcase the enduring values of kindness, education, and public service.
Until Wednesday 18 March 2026 | National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point | nca.gov.au
The Essence of Canberra
On 11 September 1945, a meeting was held in the then 2CA Theatrette in Civic. It decided to form the Canberra Photographic Society. To celebrate the Society’s 80th anniversary, an exhibition of members’ images on the theme of The Essence of Canberra. There will be 40 framed prints by current members and a video showing historical images of Canberra by current and past members.
The exhibition will be officially opened by ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr at 2 pm on Thursday 11 September (exactly 80 years from the society’s first meeting). All are welcome to attend. Free admission. No tickets required.
Until Saturday 11 October | Civic Library, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra City | cpsgallery.smugmug.com
Four New Exhibitions at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Discover four compelling exhibitions exploring art, mental health, and creative expression opening at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. “Patternmakers” features Vivienne Binns, Richard Blackwell, Ham Darroch, and Al Munro investigating pattern as visual phenomena and cognitive tool for processing complex problems. EASS Award winner Melanie Olde presents “Forest Growth,” woven artworks exploring emergence through plant growth algorithms and human-technology connections. Hank Reynolds’ debut solo show “Remedies” (curated by Christian Sirois) showcases his creative process as catharsis and mental health management tool. Vijaya Sen’s “Presence of Mind” features therapeutic works on paper including poetry, watercolour, and drawings from memory and dreams supporting her mental health recovery journey.
Until Saturday 11 October | Tuggeranong Arts Centre | tuggeranongarts.com
Whirlygig and the Book by Heidi Smith
This is an experimental project consolidating multiple aspects of Smith’s art making, generating interconnected textiles, drawings and sculptural objects. The exhibition resembles an uncanny loom weaving ideas, tatterdemalion costumes and expressing the experience of advanced illness and disability. Viewers consider creative pursuits’ benefits for wellbeing, mental health support and regenerative interactions through multidisciplinary making.
Until Sunday 12 October | The Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Rescue by Lisa Jose
Go along to see sensitive portraits celebrating the compassion of rescue organisations and individuals caring for vulnerable animals. Lisa’s lifelong experience with rescue dogs and cats informs this exploration of the complexities in human-animal relationships. The exhibition invites contemplation of animal resilience and enduring trust while honouring the generosity embodying humanity’s best qualities.
Until Sunday 12 October | The Nook, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Aware by Savanna Storm
In this exhibition, you’ll see unique jewellery telling environmental stories and the imperative to repair our Earth. It will inspire you to move beyond gemstones as mere aesthetics to consider layered meanings inviting social, political and ethical dialogue. Each piece carries titles evoking positive connotations while revealing deeper backstories. Acquiring a piece makes you a custodian – passing the story on honours our Earth.
Until Sunday 12 October | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Around the Shimmering Lake by Rowena Evans
EASS Award recipient Evans investigates Lake Ginninderra’s shore and parkland, sharing place through sounds, sights, ambiences and impressions. Her research involves walking the lakeshore, observing, listening, drawing and collecting. The artwork considers relationships between theories, observations, distant hills and the physical satisfaction of making art, using materials from sites to link artwork to places.
Until Sunday 12 October | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Light Source
Phenomenological experience of expanded cinema meets the immersive possibilities of light projection. The utopian opportunities opened up by Len Lye’s 1935 hand-painted film A Colour Box are taken up with gusto by a multi-generational pool of artists including Len Lye, Dirk de Bruyn, Mike Leggett, Joan Brassil, Taree Mackenzie, Deirdre Feeney, Ellis D Fogg, Pia van Gelder, Hannah Gason, Ross Manning, Nicci Haynes and Teaching and Learning Cinema.
Together these artists celebrate the role of light, projection and performance in connection to the history and continuity of abstract and expanded cinema.
Curated by Associate Professor Martyn Jolly and Tony Oates.
Until Sunday 19 October | Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, Acton | dhg.anu.edu.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
rising tide (marea crescent)
In conjunction with Light Source, the Riverbend Room will feature rising tide (marea crescente), by NOT.
In his 2025 installation rising tide (marea crescente), the coloured glass that has made Murano famous since the Renaissance is infused with uranium. When lit with blacklight, the work glows with a petrochemical luminosity suggesting something toxic at play beneath its watery surface.
The city of Venice is famously sinking. In its fluctuating lagoons is a world of human debris linking to the earliest examples of human settlement in the region – all forming the basis of rising tide. In blown fluorescent aqua vessels swirled with specks of bronze and Italian marble clinging to ancient forms, the artist dredges up memory and plumes of hope.
Until Sunday 19 October | Riverbend Room, Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, Acton | dhg.anu.edu.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.
Australia’s Home Front: 1939-1945
Explore everyday Australians’ vital role during WWII on the home front, from “make do and mend” to war bonds and women’s auxiliary work. Features unique objects and stories from Canberra and beyond, including the city’s surprising Manhattan Project connection. Presents resilience, innovation, and quiet heroism of those who supported the war effort, marking 80 years since the conflict’s end.
Until 1 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
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
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
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
Feature image: VisitCanberra.
