Mother’s Day, the Canberra Cheese Festival and the final days of Hallyu! The Korean Wave: 80+ things to do this week
Posted on
Whether you’re looking for live music, theatre, markets, art exhibitions, foodie experiences or family-friendly fun, Canberra’s events calendar is never short of reasons to get out of the house.
This week, Mother’s Day, the Canberra Cheese Festival and the final days of Hallyu! The Korean Wave are just some of the things you can look forward too. Read on, pick your plans and get among it, Canberra.
Don’t miss…
Hallyu! The Korean Wave closing celebrations
The National Museum of Australia’s Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition is entering its final days, and a program of free closing celebrations marks the occasion. Visitors can drop in for K-culture-inspired craft activities, including a custom photo booth with Korean stickers and traditional paper fan making inspired by minhwa folk painting.
K-pop cover dance groups Serendipity and TODAY&ALWAYS perform and lead mini workshops throughout the day. The exhibition itself explores the global rise of Korean popular culture across music, film, fashion and beauty – and the Hallyu! shop offers Korean beauty products, clothing and accessories.
Saturday 9 May, 10 am–4 pm | National Museum of Australia, Acton | nma.gov.au
Ausdance ACT 2026 Australian Dance Week
If there’s one week in Canberra’s calendar that proves the ACT has more dance talent per square kilometre than almost anywhere in the country, it’s Australian Dance Week. Ausdance ACT’s annual celebration (the biggest in Australia) opens on International Dance Day and runs with more than 20 events across the ACT and region, spanning ballet, contemporary, folk, hip-hop, inclusive dance and much more. Workshops, classes and performances are on offer for all ages and abilities, from seasoned professionals to first-timers who’ve always wanted to try. Check the full calendar online and find something to move you.
Until Tuesday 6 May | Various locations, Canberra | ausdanceact.org.au
Canberra Cheese Festival
Canberrans who take their cheese seriously (and there are plenty) will want to clear the diary for a long weekend at the Grainger Gallery in Fyshwick. The Canberra Cheese Festival brings together Australia’s leading cheesemakers across six 2.5-hour sessions spread over three days, offering the chance to sample award-winning varieties alongside wines from the region.
Festival favourites, including raclette, Parmesan wheel pasta and caviar, add to the indulgence, while every ticket includes a branded cooler bag to carry home the evening’s best discoveries. This is a very delicious way to spend a Canberra autumn weekend.
Friday 8 until Sunday 10 May | Grainger Gallery, Fyshwick | events.humanitix.com
Footloose: The Musical
The ’80s phenomenon is back on an Australian stage for the first time in over 20 years, and after a completely sold-out Melbourne season it’s heading to Canberra with an all-Australian cast and every one of those iconic hits intact. Gabriel Tiller leads as Ren–the city kid who arrives in the town of Bomont and decides it’s time to dance–with Brittany Morton as the Reverend’s rebellious daughter Ariel and Green Room Award winner Maverick Newman bringing the laughs as the irresistible Willard. Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It for the Boy and of course Footloose itself: this soundtrack defined a generation, and hearing it live is something else entirely.
Friday, 8 May, 7.30 pm; Saturday, 9 May, 2 pm & 7.30 pm; Sunday, 10 May, 1 pm | Royal Theatre, National Convention Centre, City | footloosethemusical.com
Braidwood & District Heavy Horse Show
The Braidwood & District Heavy Horse Show returns to Braidwood Showground for a full day celebrating the region’s draught horse heritage. Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons and other heavy breeds take centre stage in showing and harness classes, with the Alma Cup–carrying a $1,000 cash prize from Community Bank Braidwood – among the keenly contested events.
The program also features Skill at Arms demonstrations and mounted archery displays. Beyond the arena, families can browse local stalls and meet the horses up close, making it a relaxed day out in one of regional NSW’s most historic towns.
Saturday 9 May, gates open 8 am | Braidwood Showground, Braidwood | braidwoodheavyhorse.com.au
Canberra’s Great LEGO Sale
Now in its fourth year, Roundabout Canberra’s Great LEGO Sale returns to Thoroughbred Park and it’s bigger than ever. Families, collectors and enthusiastic builders of all ages can browse a huge range of loose bricks, affordable sets, minifigures and themed builds spanning Star Wars, Harry Potter, Minecraft and more–all at prices that won’t require a second mortgage.
Loose LEGO is available at $30 per kilogram, Duplo at $20, and mystery pre-packed bags add a fun element of surprise. A dedicated kids’ building space, BBQ and bake sale round out what promises to be a genuinely wonderful Saturday outing for the whole family.
Saturday, 9 May | Thoroughbred Park, Canberra | roundaboutcanberra.org.au
Canberra and Region Heritage Festival
Canberra’s annual Heritage Festival returns in 2026 with a theme that feels particularly well-suited to a city shaped by bold ideas: Mid-Century–Innovation, Change and Optimism. Across a packed programme running through April and into May, the festival explores the visionary planning and mid-century architecture that defined Canberra’s emergence as the national capital, while celebrating the broader cultural, natural and historic heritage of the region. From walking tours to exhibitions and talks, there’s something to engage every kind of history enthusiast – whether architecture lovers, local historians or simply curious Canberrans wanting to see their city through fresh eyes.
Until Sunday 10 May | Various locations, Canberra | environment.act.gov.au
Your last chance to see 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
Special Events and Festivals
Sarah Wilson: I Eat the Stars
New York Times bestselling author and journalist Sarah Wilson arrives at The Street Theatre in conversation with HerCanberra’s own Emma Macdonald, discussing her thought-provoking new book I Eat the Stars.
In it, Wilson confronts the cascade of crises – climate, political, technological – that make modern life feel so precarious, and makes a compelling case that what we’re experiencing is part of a recognisable pattern of systemic collapse. Far from a doom spiral, it’s an invitation to live with greater intentionality, tenderness and joy. A timely and courageous conversation for Canberrans who want to make sense of the world without losing hope.
Friday 8 May, 6.30 pm–8.30 pm | The Street Theatre, City | canberrawritersfestival.com.au
Autumn Courtyards Tour
Parliament House is spectacular in any season, but there’s something particularly satisfying about visiting in autumn when the private courtyards glow with rich reds, oranges and golds. This popular guided walking tour takes visitors through these remarkable spaces – each distinct from the next through sculpture, scale, plant selection and colour – with a knowledgeable guide sharing the stories behind the building’s extraordinary landscape design. Don’t miss the rare chance to see the iconic Budget Tree in person, and consider adding the refreshment package for a freshly baked Parliament House scone and hot drink. Accessible tours run at a more leisurely pace on select dates.
Friday 8, and Saturday 9 May | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | parliamenthouse.respax.com
Sydney Drag Queens: Wicked Drag Bingo
Prada Clutch and friends are flying in from Sydney to bring their wickedest witch energy to the Zeppelin Room at Narrabundah’s Harmonie German Club, and Friday night is about to get extremely fabulous.
Wicked Drag Bingo is exactly what it sounds like – a raucous, brilliantly hosted evening of bingo with all the theatrical drama a Sydney drag queen can bring to proceedings. Whether you’re a die-hard bingo devotee or simply someone who appreciates a genuinely fun Friday night out, this is an easy yes. Dress accordingly, arrive with an open mind and leave with absolutely no regrets.
Saturday 9 May, 8 pm–10 pm | The Zeppelin Room, Narrabundah | wickeddragbingo.com
Hoskinstown Chestnut Roast
A fun event for all the family, come along to the Hoskinstown War Memorial Hall on Mother’s Day to enjoy a feast of chestnuts. A fundraiser for the 1928 Hall, this popular event has all things chestnut, from roasted chestnuts to soups and sausages.
Enjoy live music and quality stalls, watch scones being made for a delicious Devonshire tea or enjoy the RFS BBQ – there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
Follow the red signs from the Kings Highway through to Bungendore and then south to Hoskinstown. For more details, call Rowan on 0429 979 161.
Sunday 10 May (Mother’s Day), 10 am–2 pm | Hoskinstown War Memorial Hall, 1697 Hoskinstown Road, Hoskinstown
Queanbeyan Pramathon
The Queanbeyan Pramathon is one of the region’s most charming annual events–a fun, family-friendly charity walk that winds through Queanbeyan Park in support of First Steps Pregnancy Support. Whether pushing a pram, walking alongside one or simply coming along for the community spirit, everyone is welcome to join this uniquely named fundraiser for a cause that makes a genuine difference to families in the region. Arrive at 9:30 am for the walk, then stick around for festivities in the park through to 1.30 pm. A feel-good Saturday morning outing that’s as much about community as it is about charity.
Saturday, 9 May, 9.30 am–1.30 pm | Queanbeyan Park, Queanbeyan | pramathon.com.au
Wild Africa at the National Zoo and Aquarium
The National Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating African animals with Wild Africa, a month-long program of family-friendly activities running across weekends from late April to mid-May.
Each visit brings something different–from keeper talks and animal scavenger hunts to lawn games, roving entertainment with mascots and lion cub puppets, and new menu offerings at the Rhino Bistro. The program builds to a Wild Festival weekend on 16–17 May, filling the Viewing Park with entertainment and activities.
All Wild Africa activities are included with general admission or membership, making it an easy add-on to a zoo visit.
Until Sunday 17 May | National Zoo and Aquarium, Scrivener Dam, Yarralumla | nationalzoo.com.au
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day Floral Workshop at Highball
Highball’s intimate Casita Bar in the city transforms into a floral studio for a 90-minute Mother’s Day workshop that’s equal parts creative and relaxed. Expert florist Olivia from Flora Firma guides participants through colour, texture and composition as they build their own full arrangement from scratch – no prior experience required, just a genuine appreciation for beautiful things and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty. Prosecco is on hand throughout, because what’s a Mother’s Day celebration without something sparkling? Whether gifting the experience to Mum or treating yourself, this is a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Saturday 9 May, 3 pm–4.30 pm | Highball, 75 London Circuit, City | highball.bar
Mother’s Day with Mixology Magic at The Sneaky Cauldron
Head to the warmly atmospheric Quizzic Alley in Fyshwick for a Mother’s Day mixology experience that’s all about connection, creativity and cocktails. The Sneaky Cauldron’s special Mother’s Day session guides participants through crafting two delicious cocktails (or mocktails) in a cosy, candlelit setting that feels a world away from the everyday. It’s a genuinely lovely way to celebrate the occasion–shaking and stirring your way through something indulgent together, with plenty of laughter along the way. Whether celebrating Mum, celebrating as Mum or raising a glass to the remarkable women in your life, this one’s worth booking.
Saturday 9 May, 5 pm–7 pm | Quizzic Alley, Fyshwick | quizzicalley.com
Mother’s Day High Tea at The Tea Lounge
There are few settings more perfectly suited to Mother’s Day than The Tea Lounge at Hyatt Hotel Canberra in Yarralumla. This year’s celebration brings all the elegance you’d expect–delicate savouries, house-made desserts and cakes–alongside the gentle backdrop of live piano music. A decadent gateau station adds an indulgent flourish, and a pop-up gelato cart by Mellabella Gelato makes the whole occasion feel genuinely special. Whether treating Mum to something memorable or gathering the women who matter most, this is a beautifully appointed way to mark the occasion in true Canberra style.
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May | The Tea Lounge, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Yarralumla | hyatt.com
Scent and Sip: QTea High Tea
This Mother’s Day, spoil your mum with a decadent sensory experience at QT Canberra. Scent and Sip: QTea High Tea blends fragrance, flavour and celebration in one indulgent sitting. Guests are guided through a curated scent and sip bar experience, pairing Mumm sparkling wine with a bespoke fragrance journey. Notes of honey, apple and delicate florals inspire your custom scent, created with guidance from a fragrance expert. Enjoy a luxurious high tea while designing a personalised perfume to take home, making it a memorable gift experience. Swap ordinary gifts for something truly extraordinary this Mother’s Day.
Sunday, 10 May| QT Canberra, 1 London Circuit, City | sevenrooms.com
High Tea at Capitol Bar & Grill
This Mother’s Day, treat Mum to an indulgent high tea at Capitol Bar & Grill at QT Canberra. Settle into the award-winning restaurant for a lavish spread of savoury bites and sweet treats, paired with a glass of Mumm sparkling wine. Designed to celebrate the queens of the family, this high tea offers elegance with a playful twist, including a dedicated cake table and the option to select fresh blooms from an exclusive flower bar. It’s a relaxed yet refined way to celebrate, with generous hospitality and plenty of sparkle. Price $90 per adult. Celebrate Mum in style.
Sunday 10 May | Capitol Bar & Grill, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City| capitolbarandgrill.com
Mother’s Day Long Lunch at the Yacht Club
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a lakeside dining experience that brings together good food and relaxed surroundings. Set at the Yacht Club, the long lunch features a three-course menu centred on fresh Australian seafood, paired with views across the water. With a focus on creating an easy, enjoyable afternoon, it’s designed for gathering with family and marking the occasion in a meaningful way.
Sunday 10 May, 12 pm–3 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club, Yarralumla | cscc.com.au
Mother’s Day High Tea To You
For those celebrating at home, this thoughtfully prepared high tea offers a convenient way to mark the occasion. Designed for sharing, the menu includes a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and cream, and a range of petite sweets. Paired with a curated tea selection, it’s an easy way to create a special moment without the need for planning from scratch.
Sunday 10 May | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Mother’s Day High Tea at natural nine
Elevate Mother’s Day with a refined high tea experience at natural nine. The menu blends savoury and sweet elements, from roast duck pancakes to delicate desserts, all complemented by an extensive tea list and curated cocktails. Set within a stylish venue, the experience offers a more contemporary take on a classic celebration.
Sunday 10 May, 12 pm–3 pm | natural nine at Casino Canberra, Canberra City | casinocanberra.com.au
Mumfest at Haig Park Village Markets
Haig Park Village Markets transforms into a vibrant Mother’s Day celebration with a day designed for the whole family. With more than 100 stalls to explore, the market offers everything from fresh produce to locally made gifts. Alongside shopping, there’s live music, workshops and activities for kids, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere under the pines.
Sunday 10 May, 8 am–2 pm | Haig Park, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Mum’s Day Bliss: Restore Yoga and Healing Sound
Create space to slow down this Mother’s Day with a restorative yoga and sound session focused on relaxation and reflection. Guided through gentle movement and supported by the calming tones of crystal bowls, participants are encouraged to unwind and reconnect. The experience concludes with tea and time to pause, offering a thoughtful way to spend the day.
Sunday 10 May, 4 pm–5.30 pm | Flow and Food, Lyneham | flowandfood.com.au
Mother’s Day Rosé Seafood Buffet at the Promenade Cafe
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a seafood-focused buffet in an elegant setting. Featuring fresh oysters, prawns and seasonal dishes, the menu is paired with chilled rosé and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s an occasion designed for gathering, sharing and enjoying a leisurely afternoon together.
Sunday 10 May | Promenade Cafe, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Yarralumla | hyatt.com
Mother’s Day Bottomless Brunch at Mercure Canberra
A relaxed brunch with a celebratory twist, this Mother’s Day event pairs a generous buffet with bottomless drinks in a garden-view setting. Designed for easy, social dining, it’s an inviting way to spend time together and mark the occasion without fuss.
Sunday 10 May, 11.30 am–2 pm | Mercure Canberra, Braddon | mercurecanberra.com.au
Mother’s Day Bubbly and Brunch at Woden
Celebrate the day with a laid-back brunch featuring classic favourites and a touch of sparkle. With a generous buffet and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a simple way to gather and enjoy time together over good food.
Sunday 10 May, 11 am–1 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, Phillip | cscc.com.au
Mother’s Day Breakfast at National Zoo & Aquarium
Breakfast and baby animals – hard to top that combination. The National Zoo & Aquarium is hosting a Mother’s Day Champagne Breakfast at the Rhino Bistro, with a full buffet spread and early entry to the zoo included in every ticket.
After breakfast, stick around for a series of keeper talks celebrating the mums of the zoo. From 9 am, the education team will introduce guests to cheetahs Ailsa and Zingula, zebras Johari and Kiva, Tunku the siamang, Oumak the tree kangaroo and Nairibi the lioness, with each session exploring how the zoo’s breeding programmes are helping protect endangered species.
Sunday 10 May, 8 am and 8.30 am | Lady Denman Drive, Weston Creek | Book here.
Food + Drink
De Bortoli Wine Dinner at Tuggeranong
Executive Chef Bradley Howden has crafted a four-course menu for this elegant De Bortoli Wine Dinner at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong in Greenway, with each dish carefully paired to showcase exceptional wines from the Rutherglen region. It’s a Thursday evening designed entirely around the pleasure of slowing down – good food, thoughtfully matched wines and the kind of unhurried conversation that only a long table allows. A mystery wine game and lucky door prizes add a playful touch to what promises to be a genuinely special night. Book ahead – this one’s worth marking in the diary.
Thursday, 7 May, 6.30 pm–8.30 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, Greenway | cscc.com.au
Gala Dinner: La Finale
The final chapter of Viva Italia arrives at the Realm Hotel Ballroom in Barton with an evening of Italian elegance, dance and extraordinary generosity. La Finale brings together the talent of Debora Di Centa and her fellow dancers for a spectacular journey inspired by the Italian Renaissance, before DJ Joe Pelle takes the floor through Italy’s most beloved songs. Silent and live auctions add excitement throughout the night – with items including a week’s vacation in Tuscany’s Chianti wine region, artworks and a wine tour for ten. All funds raised support an ANU scholarship for students of Italian language and culture.
Saturday 9 May, 6 pm–11 pm | Realm Hotel Ballroom, Barton | vivaitaliaincanberra.com.au
Markets
Pandoras Recycled Fashions O’Connor – Everything Half Price Sale
Pandoras recycles high-end designer clothes, shoes, handbags, hats & jewellery. Top quality fashions at reasonable prices Everything you need to refresh your wardrobe from casual, work, evening or wedding. As the season changes Pandoras is having a half price sale to make room for all the fabulous Winter clothes we have ready to go.
Pandoras is based at St Philip’s Church in O’Connor and proceeds support local Canberra charities.
Half price sale dates are for three weeks on Saturday 18 and 25 April and 2 May. This is followed by the Winter launch on Saturday 9 May.
Pandoras is open every Saturday, 10 am–1 pm | Lamerton Centre, St Philips Church, Cnr Moorhouse and Macpherson Streets | facebook.com
Capital Region Farmers Market
This farmers’ market is iconic for a reason.
Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
It will make you appreciate your Saturday morning shopping trip in a whole new way.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building, you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta, pet treats and more.
Sundays, 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra
Haig Park Village Markets
Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.
It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Sport and Wellness
Fitness in The Park
Fitness class for all levels of fitness for the whole community. Join Ginninderry local Vince as he takes you through a group fitness class in the fresh air at Paddys Park.
Every Wednesday, 7.30 am to 8.30 am, Paddys Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | Find out more here.
Yoga at Ginninderry
Get bendy on Thursday evenings at a yoga class! You don’t need any experience – just head along for the slow-flow class that will help melt away tension, build strength and mobility, and give you a chance to recharge. Take along a yoga mat, water bottle, and comfy clothes.
Every Thursday, 6.45 pm to 7.45 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.
Go Girls Floorball series
Floorball ACT’s Go Girls series offers a free four-week come-and-try course for women and girls aged 12 and over. Running on Saturdays from 2–23 May at the Tuggeranong Archery Centre, the program introduces participants to floorball–a fast-paced indoor sport often described as ice hockey without the ice.
Sessions cover passing, shooting, positioning and goalie skills in a low-pressure, supportive environment. The series is designed and run by former Australian Women’s team representatives. Floorball ACT provides sticks and goalie equipment, so participants just need to bring comfortable clothes and a water bottle.
Saturdays until 23 May | Tuggeranong Archery Centre | floorballact.org.au
2026 UniSport Nationals 3×3 Basketball
Three-on-three basketball is fast, exciting and utterly watchable, and the 2026 UniSport Nationals brings the best student-athletes from universities across Australia together at the University of Canberra in Bruce to compete for the national title. Both men’s and women’s competitions run across three days, with more than 120 students expected to take the court. Whether coming along to cheer on a favourite university or simply discovering a sport that rewards skill, athleticism and team chemistry in equal measure, this is a free, exciting event that Canberra is lucky to be hosting.
Wednesday 6 until Friday 8 May | University of Canberra, Bruce | unisport.com.au
ACT Brumbies vs Western Force–Super Rugby Pacific Round 13
There’s unfinished business in Bruce this Saturday, as the ACT Brumbies host the Western Force at GIO Stadium in Round 13 of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. The Brumbies are hungry for redemption after going down to the Western side in their Round 2 clash last year, and a fired-up home crowd under the stadium lights promises to add real atmosphere to proceedings. With plenty of entertainment on and off the field, this is a superb Saturday night out for rugby fans of all ages. Kick-off is at 7:15 pm–get there early and settle in.
Saturday 9 May, 7.15 pm–9.35 pm | GIO Stadium, Bruce | brumbies.rugby
Canberra Brave vs Sydney Ice Dogs
The Canberra Brave return home to AIS Arena in Bruce for their first home game of the 2026 season, hosting the Sydney Ice Dogs in what promises to be a fiercely contested match from the first whistle. After three weeks on the road, the crowd’s energy will be electric – and with interesting roster changes across both sides since last season, this is a particularly intriguing match-up to watch. Fast, physical and genuinely gripping, ice hockey at AIS Arena is one of Canberra’s most underrated live sport experiences. Come early, find your seat and get ready to cheer.
Saturday 9 May, 4.45 pm–7.30 pm | AIS Arena, Bruce | canberrabrave.com.au
Fox Superflow® Stromlo Mania Gravity Enduro Stage Race
UC Stromlo Forest Park is the backdrop for one of the most anticipated mountain biking events on the NSW/ACT calendar – the Fox Superflow® Stromlo Mania Gravity Enduro Stage Race. Spread across Saturday and Sunday with six stages in total, the event’s signature relaxed approach means no fixed start orders and flexible transitions, letting riders dial in the experience to their own schedule and style. Whether tackling all six stages across the weekend or picking a single day, the technical rock gardens and high-speed berms at Stromlo are in superb form. From juniors to seasoned pros, this is the place to be.
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May, 9 am–2 pm | UC Stromlo Forest Park, Dave McInnes Road, Stromlo | rockytrailsuperflow.com
WALK-W-ME
This community-led walking initiative offers a relaxed way to connect with others through shared movement. Designed to be inclusive and welcoming, the experience focuses on conversation and building connections at a comfortable pace.
Sunday 10 May | Lake Burley Griffin, Parkes | with-me.co
Recharge In Nature – A Mindful Guided Walk
Reconnect with the natural world through this guided mindfulness walk at Mulligans Flat. Combining gentle movement with reflective prompts, the experience encourages participants to slow down and tune into their surroundings. It’s a calming way to spend time outdoors and reset.
Sunday 10 May, 10 am–12 pm | Wildbark at Mulligans Flat, Throsby | latitude55.com.au
Raiders v Panthers – NRL round 10
A must-watch rematch returns to GIO Stadium as the Canberra Raiders take on the Penrith Panthers. With last year’s dramatic result still fresh, this clash brings added anticipation as both teams step onto the field. Expect a lively crowd, the familiar Viking Clap and a range of activities around the ground to keep all ages entertained.
Sunday 10 May, 4.05 pm–7.05 pm | GIO Stadium, Bruce | raiders.com.au
Steins and Steel: Medieval Combat Cage Fights
Step into a world of clashing steel and medieval spectacle as the Canberra Burly Griffins bring their combat skills to the arena. This high-energy event sees armoured fighters go head-to-head in a series of intense bouts, complete with the sounds of steel, cheers from the crowd and a lively atmosphere. With interstate challengers joining the lineup, there’s plenty of action to keep audiences engaged. It’s a unique night out that blends history, performance and adrenaline in a way that feels both theatrical and thrilling.
Sunday 10 May, 6.30 pm–10 pm | The Zeppelin Room, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com
UFC 328: Chimaev v Strickland
Catch every moment of this highly anticipated UFC showdown on the big screens at Casino Canberra. With Chimaev and Strickland facing off in a high-stakes bout, the atmosphere is set to build with each round. Watching live and loud alongside fellow fans adds to the intensity, turning the match into a shared experience. Whether following the fighters closely or just enjoying the spectacle, it’s an easy way to tap into the excitement of fight day right here in Canberra.
Sunday 10 May, 12 pm–3 pm | Onyx Sports Lounge, Canberra City | casinocanberra.com.au
Feel the Forests
Canberra Tree Week takes root at the National Arboretum in Molonglo with Feel the Forests, a free sensory experience that brings the wonders of the Arboretum’s extraordinary living collections directly to visitors. Pods, leaves, bark, fronds and flowers collected from across the Arboretum’s forests and gardens are laid out for visitors to touch, smell, see and explore – all within the warmth of the Village Centre. Knowledgeable volunteers are on hand throughout to share stories and insights about the remarkable variety and ingenuity of trees. Accessible and suitable for all ages, it’s a genuinely lovely way to connect with nature without braving the autumn chill.
Until Sunday 10 May | National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
Music
Canberra Youth Concert Band Open Day
Wind, brass and percussion players in Years 6 to 12 are invited to come and experience what it sounds like (and feels like) to be part of a full concert band at the Canberra Youth Concert Band’s Open Day at Ainslie Arts Centre in Braddon. It’s a hands-on open rehearsal where participants sit in with the ensemble, play through music together and discover the particular joy of woodwind, brass and percussion in full collective sound. No auditions, no pressure – just the warmth of a welcoming musical community ready to make some noise together.
Monday 4 May, 5.15 pm–6.45 pm | Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon | musicforcanberra.org.au
From Storm to Serenity
The Wesley Lunchtime Concert series welcomes gifted young pianist Ryan Xing to the Wesley Music Centre stage in Forrest for his debut performance at the series–and what a programme he’s bringing. Spanning Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Miriam Hyde, this is a recital that moves through the full emotional spectrum of the Romantic piano canon, from turbulent drama to moments of profound stillness. At $15 including programme and refreshments, the Wesley Lunchtime Concert series offers one of the most quietly wonderful musical experiences in Canberra, and this one promises to be a particularly memorable addition to the 2026 season.
Wednesday, 6 May, 12.40 pm–1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, Forrest | trybooking.com/DIJJK
Beethoven’s Ghost: Musica Viva Australia
Musica Viva Australia brings together three of the country’s most celebrated chamber musicians at Llewellyn Hall for an evening of extraordinary repertoire. Pianist Aura Go joins cellist Timo-Veikko Valve and violinist Kristian Winther for a programme anchored by Beethoven’s haunting Piano Trio in D, the Ghost, and Ravel’s stormy Piano Trio. Alongside these towering works, the trio performs a luminous miniature by Lili Boulanger and the world premiere of a new work by Australian composer Melody Eötvös, commissioned specifically for this ensemble. An unmissable night of chamber music in one of Canberra’s finest concert halls.
Thursday 7 May, 7 pm–9 pm | Llewellyn Hall, ANU | musicaviva.com.au
Michael Paynter: Great Australian Songbook
Michael Paynter has spent more than two decades at the heart of the Australian music industry, racking up international recording credits, multi-platinum hits and tours alongside the likes of Miley Cyrus, The Script and Seal. Now he returns to Canberra Theatre Centre with Great Australian Songbook–a show that puts the focus firmly on the extraordinary depth of homegrown musical talent. With a voice that has earnt him a place alongside icons including John Farnham, Hall & Oates and Vanessa Amorosi, Paynter’s performance promises to be a warm, generous and genuinely moving celebration of Australian music.
Friday 8 May, 8 pm–9.15 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Bon Jovi Legacy
Narrabundah’s Zeppelin Room is about to get a whole lot louder. The Bon Jovi Legacy rolls into the Harmonie German Club for a night of stadium-sized rock anthems, big hair energy and the kind of fist-pumping chorus lines that have united crowds for four decades. Expect roof-raising renditions of Livin’ On A Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive and You Give Love a Bad Name, all delivered with the full-tilt conviction these songs deserve. Seating is limited, so arrive early and claim your spot before the opening riff kicks in. Glam up–this is one for the believers.
Friday 8 May, 8 pm–11 pm | The Zeppelin Room, Narrabundah | bit.ly
The Whitlams with Canberra Symphony Orchestra
When The Whitlams became the first Australian indie band to perform with the nation’s orchestras back in 2004, something genuinely magical was set in motion. Two decades later, the collaboration between Tim Freedman and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra has deepened into something richer still–a retrospective spanning the band’s full career, with symphonic arrangements by some of Australia’s finest composers. Freedman’s friendship with the late Peter Sculthorpe is honoured through two gorgeous arrangements, while the CSO brings full orchestral colour to a remarkable catalogue. Two nights only at Canberra Theatre Centre – don’t miss either.
Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Smith’s@Belco: Katy Steele
One of Australia’s most distinctive voices comes to Belconnen Arts Centre for an intimate, stripped-back evening that puts the song front and centre. Katy Steele’s undressed tour pairs Little Birdy favourites with tracks from her solo catalogue and reimagined covers including Because the Night and Perfect Day, all performed in a raw, emotionally resonant duo format that strips away everything but what matters. It’s a rare opportunity to experience Steele’s artistry up close, in a venue perfectly sized for the occasion. A limited edition undressed vinyl will also be available. This is the kind of show you’ll be talking about for a while.
Saturday 9 May, 7 pm–9.20 pm | The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Josh Cohen: Radiohead for Solo Piano II
Berlin-based Australian pianist Josh Cohen has amassed over ten million YouTube views with his extraordinary solo piano interpretations of Radiohead’s iconic catalogue – and with the band’s own blessing, no less. Now he brings Radiohead for Solo Piano II to Canberra Theatre Centre, a live show that draws on his idiosyncratic approach to improvisation, navigating fluidly between the classical and jazz traditions. Cohen’s ability to elevate these beloved songs into something entirely new while keeping their emotional core intact is genuinely remarkable. An evening of audacious musical reinvention that will leave Radiohead fans and newcomers alike questioning everything they thought they knew.
Saturday 9 May, 7 pm–9 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Stage and Screen
Speed-the-Plow
David Mamet’s razor-sharp Hollywood satire comes to The Mill in a bold new Canberra production with a twist – this one has been given special permission by Mamet himself to gender-flip two of its central characters. Film producers Bobby Gould and Charlie Fox have clawed their way to the top of the movie industry together, but when a temporary secretary named Kevin arrives with a radically different vision, everything begins to unravel. Starring Jay James Moody, Lexi Sekuless and recent VCA graduate Joe Pike, and directed by Moody, this wickedly funny and unsettling examination of ambition, power and desire is Mamet at his most electrifying.
Wednesday 6 until Saturday 30 May | Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | milltheatreatdairyroad.com
The premiere screening of The Bullwinkel Project documentary
The Australian College of Nursing Foundation presents the premiere screening of The Bullwinkel Project, a documentary honouring Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO MBE ARRC ED FNM FRCNA and the 21 Australian nurses killed at Radji Beach, Sumatra, during World War II. The film explores the sinking of the Vyner Brooke, the tragic massacre that followed, and the Foundation’s mission to raise funds for the Bullwinkel Project. That effort culminated in the unveiling of the Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel Statue at the Australian War Memorial and the launch of the Bullwinkel Scholars Program.
Saturday 9 May, 2:30 pm | Australian War Memorial Theatre, Canberra | acn.edu.au/bullwinkeldocvip
Adventures of Captain Marvel + Orphan of the Wilderness
Friends of the NFSA recreate a 1950s Saturday children’s matinee at the Arc Cinema with a curtain-raising serial followed by a classic Australian feature. The program opens with Episode 12 of Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941), the action-packed Republic Pictures serial directed by William Witney and John English, screening on 16mm. The main feature is Ken G. Hall’s Orphan of the Wilderness (1936), a landmark of early Australian cinema following Chut, a baby kangaroo orphaned by hunters who finds refuge at a homestead before a quest for freedom unfolds. Friends of the NFSA members introduce the collection backstory and host a Q&A afterwards.
Saturday 9 May, 2 pm | Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Book Club at the NFSA
Combine reading and film in this monthly book club experience at the NFSA. After exploring the selected novel, participants gather to watch its big-screen adaptation before joining a guided discussion. It’s a thoughtful and social way to engage with storytelling across different formats.
Sunday 10 May, 2 pm–4 pm | National Film and Sound Archive, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Talks and Workshops
Spellbound: Readings and Music
Canberra’s creative community turns its gaze toward the mystical at Gang Gang Café in Downer for Spellbound: Readings and Music, an evening of fiction, poetry and folk music inspired by the centuries-old tradition of the coven. Authors Americo Alvarenga and C. H. Pearce share works exploring benevolent authority and the morbid curiosity of hearing voices from the dead, while Megan Cook reflects on why everyday rituals of magic matter and Imogen Wall recites poetry about how we make sense of the mysterious. Dark, country-inspired folk music from Maddie Jiang weaves through the evening, which also marks the launch of Lost Souls Magazine Issue 03.
Thursday 7 May, 6.30 pm | Gang Gang Café, Downer | events.humanitix.com
Postscript: letter writing workshop
The National Library of Australia hosts a creative morning workshop celebrating one of life’s most enduring pleasures: the handwritten letter. Guided by the world-famous (and wonderfully theatrical) Ms Constance Spry’s Letter Writing Service, participants explore old-fashioned correspondence with some unexpected creative twists along the way. Impressive stationery, vintage tools and typewriters are provided, and dressing to impress is actively encouraged. Every ticket includes a copy of the National Library’s newest publication, Postscript: Life, Love and Loss in Australian Letters–making this a genuinely thoughtful and beautifully packaged Mother’s Day activity for the letter lover in your life.
Saturday 9 May, 10 am–12 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au
Experimental Photograms Workshop
PhotoAccess in Griffith opens its darkroom for a full-day workshop with artist Simone Darcy, exploring the fascinating camera-less world of photogram making. Working with the body, found materials and chemical painting techniques, participants create finished prints directly on photographic paper–watching abstract forms, textures and layered motifs emerge through light, chemistry and physical gesture. Drawing on Darcy’s deep interest in art, science and photographic history, the session introduces alternative processes that respond to both physical and psychological dimensions of the body. Places are limited, all materials are provided, and some prior darkroom experience is preferred. This is photography as pure experimentation.
Saturday, 9 May, 10 am–4 pm | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circuit, Griffith| photoaccess.org.au
Mosaic Art Classes Canberra: Turkish lamp workshop
There’s something deeply satisfying about creating something beautiful with your own two hands, and this Turkish lamp workshop at the Coombs Community Centre delivers exactly that. Participants spend the session assembling intricate geometric patterns and laying tesserae, guided by instructors who make the process accessible and enjoyable regardless of prior experience. The workshop wraps up with an apple tea service and Turkish delights–a lovely touch that makes the whole morning feel like a mini cultural escape. Head to the website to check available session times and secure a spot; this one fills up fast.
Sunday 10 May, 10 am–8 pm | Coombs Community Centre, Coombs | artmasterclass.com.au
Ceramic Painting Class in Canberra
Get creative with a hands-on workshop that invites participants to design and paint their own ceramic bowl. With guidance from experienced instructors, the session offers a relaxed environment to experiment with colour, pattern and technique. Alongside the creative process, a Turkish tea service adds a thoughtful touch, making the experience feel both social and immersive. Suitable for all skill levels, it’s a simple way to spend a day exploring creativity and leaving with a personalised piece to take home.
Sunday 10 May, 10 am–8 pm | Coombs Community Centre, Coombs | artmasterclass.com.au
Exhibitions
Group Exhibition: Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Jordan Benson
A remarkable cross-cultural dialogue opens at Canberra Glassworks in Kingston, bringing together Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre artists Vanessa, Kathy, Dellina and Raelene Inkamala from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) alongside Melbourne-based artist Jordan Benson. The exhibition celebrates the enduring watercolour legacy of Albert Namatjira while placing it in conversation with Benson’s contemporary approach to traditional stained glass techniques. Together, they explore light, colour and transparency across two very different mediums – an expansion of their celebrated collaboration for the National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia. A genuinely special and culturally rich exhibition.
Thursday 7 May until Friday 26 July | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Robbie Howard at Q Gallery
Q Gallery in Ainslie opens a new exhibition this week, welcoming the paintings of Robbie Howard–an artist whose creative life has taken many rich and varied forms. Born in Goulburn with deep connections to the Collector district, Howard has worked across wallpaper design with Florence Broadhurst, fabric and interiors, and co-founded the beloved Lynwood Café before channelling that same instinct for beauty into landscape painting. Her works, often created quietly outdoors, capture the particular light, mood and character of places she knows with genuine intimacy. An exhibition shaped by a life spent paying close attention to the world around her.
Friday 8 until Thursday 21 May | Q Gallery, 13A Edgar Street, Ainslie | q-gallery.com.au
Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years
Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years is a permanent portrait exhibition celebrating 50 years of women as residents at John XXIII College. Featuring fifty alumni, the exhibition pairs portraiture with personal reflections to capture the evolving experience of women across five decades. Photographed by ANU School of Art graduate Bronte Morel across Australia and internationally, each work is set in a location of personal significance. Together, the collection forms an intergenerational narrative of leadership, identity and community, recognising the enduring contribution of women to the College and beyond.
Permanent exhibition, open 9 am–5 pm daily | Front foyer, John XXIII College, 51 Daley Road, Australian National University, Canberra | johnxxiii.anu.edu.au
Sentient | Elliott Fox
Following a spectacular debut exhibition on greyhound advocacy that raised over $8,000 for charity, emerging Canberra artist Elliott Fox returns to M16 Artspace with Sentient–a powerful new body of work examining the sentience of all non-human animals as deserving of the same care and protection as any family member. Working across impasto paintings, screen prints, and installation, Fox creates work that is as visually striking as it is ethically urgent. Opening alongside three other new exhibitions at M16: Shorelines, Bloom by Eggpicnic, and Partial Index by Dörte Conroy.
Until Sunday, 10 May | M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Bloom | Eggpicnic
In a world shaped by colonisation, conflict, and climate change, what does it mean for life to persist? Bloom, a new exhibition by Eggpicnic at M16 Artspace, brings together works centred on animals that survive within fragile and changing environments–honouring their lives while holding space for hope and examining the profound responsibility humans carry to protect the conditions for life to flourish. Rich, considered, and quietly urgent, Bloom opens alongside Sentient by Elliott Fox, Shorelines, and Partial Index by Dörte Conroy. Visit the M16 website for opening details.
Until Sunday, 10 May | M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Partial Index | Dörte Conroy
Dörte Conroy’s new body of work at M16 Artspace draws on a personal collection of documentary photography spanning the late nineteenth century through to the 1990s, removing images from their original contexts and combining them with vivid blocks of colour in large paper collages. The result is a layered surface where past and present, image and pigment coexist in quiet dialogue–historical fragments softened and interrupted by saturated colour, creating a subtle physical texture that invites slow looking. Opening alongside Sentient, Bloom, and Shorelines as part of M16’s April program.
Until Sunday, 10 May | M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Shorelines | Helen Brancatisano, Miriam Cullen, Trish Yates
Three artists. Two years. One stretch of NSW Central Coast coastline, observed across all its changing moods. Shorelines at M16 Artspace brings together works on paper by Helen Brancatisano, Miriam Cullen, and Trish Yates–linocuts, Mokuhanga, monotypes, ink drawings, artist books, and paper sculptures developed from preparatory drawings made on site. Three very different artistic responses to the same landscape, united by a shared attentiveness to what can be seen, heard, touched, and smelled at the shoreline. Opening alongside Sentient, Bloom, and Partial Index.
Until Sunday, 10 May | M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Between What Remains
Belconnen Arts Centre hosts this creative reunion between David Manley and Hilary Wardhaugh. Through photography and post-documentary urban landscapes, the exhibition explores trauma, memory and disconnection. Conceptually aligned yet distinct, their works invite quiet reflection on time, place and shared histories.
Until Sunday, 17 May | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Witness
Reef and coastal ecosystems are environments of inspiration where many escape to rejuvenate, enveloped in the natural world. These teeter on the edge of flourish and destruction, resilience and fragility. Witness focuses on the pursuit to explore, experience and bear witness to these ecosystems undergoing critical change in the artist’s lifetime—with a wavering mix of awe, grief and hope. The exhibition examines environments that serve as sources of renewal while simultaneously facing unprecedented pressures. It documents the tension between beauty and vulnerability in marine and coastal landscapes.
Until Sunday, 17 May | The Nook, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Chasing Alice
Annie Lok’s exhibition features the latest works in her ongoing Rabbit Holes series. Each piece features a female protagonist, the Alice, navigating carefully constructed compositions imbued with symmetry, balance, texture and colour theory. Using photo editing software, Lok manipulates personal and found imagery through filtering, warping, stretching and layering to invent a landscape for each Alice to discover. Influenced by academic interests tackling the human experience through social, political and art historical lenses, the work also serves as an escape from chronic pain following a 2021 workplace accident that left Lok with ruptured discs and neuropathy.
Until Sunday, 17 May | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Inhabiting Change
Fiona Heard’s exploration of impermanence invites viewers to see the present as the dynamic space between what was and what will be. Heard’s artistic process embraces the unpredictable nature of hand printing, accepting unexpected marks and reduced control to create initial imagery. The compositions are based on the landscape of southern NSW, reflecting Heard’s memory and ongoing relationship with this environment. Final artworks are built through configuration—tearing, combining and sewing images to produce the work. These pieces move beyond representation, evoking a feeling of abstracted familiarity that speaks to continuous becoming.
Until Sunday, 17 May | East Wall, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Mental Health and Nature
Jennifer Adams challenges the narrow view of mental health treatment as a clinical activity within four walls, positioning experiences of nature as vital for mental health. This is Adams’s first solo exhibition in over ten years. Mental Health and Nature celebrates nature experienced locally in Canberra, nearby farmland returned to its natural environment and other Australian locations. Adams draws out shapes, adds vibrant colours and decorative elements to express her response to the natural world. Subjects include people participating in nature and their bonds with animals. The experiential exhibition wraps viewers in colours, designs and positive imagery.
Until Sunday, 17 May | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Stained with Light
Sarah Murray brings together earlier work exploring embodied experiences of landscape with current work exploring the sublime, spirituality and sin. Murray has created a series of paintings in acrylic and oils that explore painterly dynamics of figuration versus representation, layering, shifting grounds, gestural mark-making and vibrant colour use. Using references to religious art-historical paintings as grounding, Murray creates vibrant, visceral compositions on traditional and non-traditional supports of sewn quilt-like canvases. Earlier work created embodied experiences of landscape through en-plein air painting, while current pieces translate themes of sublime versus grotesque and depictions of sin.
Until Sunday, 17 May | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.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 Sunday 17 May | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Extra Padding
‘Extra Padding’ is the third iteration of an ongoing project exploring quilting and textile art. In this exhibition, the threads of the quietly contemplative, the technically attentive, and the mysterious weave together with the radical, the interpersonal, and the exploratory.
Until Sunday 24 May | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Forrest | canberracontemporary.com.au
Pigment, Powder, Wax, Sand
Artists Dionysia Salas, Jacqueline Bradley, Roslyn Lemoh and Merryn Lloyd present Pigment, Powder, Wax, Sand at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Born from years of friendship and shared creative dialogue, the exhibition brings together four distinct practices that run in parallel yet resonate with one another in quiet, material ways.
Since 2019 the artists have met regularly to discuss their work, and this exhibition reflects that ongoing conversation–a shared site where works, ideas and vulnerabilities sit side by side. A panel discussion with all four artists takes place on Saturday 2 May at 1:30 pm. Free entry.
Until Friday 13 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery | tuggeranongarts.com
There and Back Again – Peter Bitmead
Peter Bitmead presents There and Back Again at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, an exhibition exploring his return to Canberra after 14 years farming in rural Tasmania. Working across printmaking, painting and ink, Bitmead examines the differences and surprising similarities between these two environments, past and present. The work reflects a circular journey encompassing several themes, both current and historical, united by underlying global concerns such as climate change. An artist talk on Saturday 16 May at 1:30 pm offers a chance to hear more about the ideas behind the work. Free entry to the gallery.
Until Friday 13 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery | tuggeranongarts.com
Nature Speaks – Vladimir Gottwald and Kate Shaw
Nature Speaks at Tuggeranong Arts Centre pairs stone sculptures by Vladimir Gottwald with a large-scale drawing by Kate Shaw. Gottwald’s works are fashioned from found black limestone, shaped by nature over time into expressive zoomorphic and anthropomorphic forms. Shaw’s expansive drawing serves as a counterpoint to the sculptural pieces, creating a dialogue between two- and three-dimensional responses to the natural world. The exhibition sits alongside the centre’s other current shows, Pigment, Powder, Wax, Sand and There and Back Again, as part of TAC’s autumn gallery program. Free entry.
Until Friday 13 June | Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery | tuggeranongarts.com
BLAZE
BLAZE is an exciting group exhibition at Canberra Contemporary, featuring 8 emerging artists from the Kamberri/ Canberra region and beyond. Working across diverse mediums to address various themes ranging from identity and autonomy to the significance of today’s algorithmic culture and its effect on socialisation – the artists in BLAZE signal an exciting direction in contemporary visual arts practices today.
Until Saturday 20 June | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.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
Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country
One of the most ambitious exhibitions to open at the National Gallery of Australia this year, Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country showcases major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the APY Lands, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide. These large-scale paintings depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa–the law and cultural stories–that lies within, rendered sometimes in explosions of colour, sometimes in muted, contemplative palettes. From the beginning of the APY art movement, these artists have embraced monumental works as the ultimate expression of cultural freedom. The result is an exhibition that is genuinely epic in both scale and significance.
Until Sunday, 23 August | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | nga.gov.au
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
Wangka Wakaṉutja: the story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre
Between 1979 and 1990, the Papunya Literature Production Centre produced hundreds of illustrated bilingual books–funny, moving, extraordinary documents of Pintupi-Luritja language and culture, guided by community Elders who were also pioneers of the Western Desert art movement. Many of those books have been held in the National Library’s collections ever since, and this landmark new exhibition finally brings them to life. Featuring stories, drawings, photographs, manuscripts, and oral histories drawn from multiple collections, it’s a profoundly significant celebration of Aboriginal literary culture, collective creativity, and the remarkable human effort to keep language alive across generations.
Until Sunday, 11 October | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/wangka-wakanutja
Hop In! an immersive world of play
Canberra Museum and Gallery launches one of its most delightful exhibitions this April–and it’s designed for the youngest visitors. Hop In! turns the familiar family home inside out, shifting rooms in scale and perspective to invite children aged 3–12 to move, build, crawl, splash, and imagine in surprising new ways. Stretch out beneath a sky of clouds, create secret worlds under oversized furniture, or wander through reimagined kitchens and backyards where creativity has completely taken over. At the heart of the experience is Bunny Dearest, a gentle guiding companion created by artist Beci Orpin.
Until Sunday, 11 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
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: Clover Dining. Credit: Ben Calvert.
