The final days of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, Shirley Valentine and more: 60+ ways to spend the weekend
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This weekend in Canberra sees an impressive lineup of cultural and recreational activities across the city.
With over 60 events including the acclaimed Shirley Valentine performance and the final days of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, there’s something to suit every interest and schedule. Check out our comprehensive guide to make the most of your weekend in the capital!
Special Events and Festivals
Shirley Valentine
Natalie Bassingthwaighte in a cult 1990s one-woman stage show about self-discovery, laughter, and second chances? Say no more.
Australian pop-culture legend Natalie Bassingthwaighte is coming to Canberra to take over the stage at the Canberra Theatre Centre and you won’t want to miss this.
Until Sunday 23 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Canberra Comedy Festival
Canberra’s chuckle-fest is back with a bang for 2025 and with a lineup packed full of local and international stars, there’s sure to be plenty to tickle your funny bone.
Featuring the Gala, Guy Montgomery, Sara Pascoe, Luke McGregor, Wil Anderson, Melanie Bracewell, Lizzy Hoo, Luke Heggie and loads more, there’s something for everyone.
Until Sunday 23 March | Various locations | More information here.
Alliance Française French Film Festival
Back for its 36th year, the Alliance Française French Film Festival will once again be treating local Francophile’s to the crème de la crème of contemporary French film from the last 12 months.
Transporting you to France without needing to buy a plane ticket or dedicate hours to Duolingo, from biopics of legendary figures in French culture, to stories of l’Amour in all its forms, there’s something for everyone.
Until Wednesday 9 April | Palace Electric Cinema, NewActon | Tickets + program here.
Francophonie Market 2025
Join Alliance Française de Canberra for the Francophonie Market as they celebrate francophone cultures and countriesa.
Enjoy free food, drinks and activities from around the world – Belgium, Canada, France, Lebanon, Switzerland and Uruguay will be represented.
Grab a Francophonie Market Passport at the beginning of the market and collect stamps from every stall to try and win a special prize.
Friday 21 March, 4 pm to 6 pm | 66 McCaughey Street, Turner | Find out more here.
Hot Air Balloons: Science in Action
Soar into Science at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular!
In this interactive and exciting show, you’ll discover the fascinating science behind hot air balloons! Learn how the physics involved to create lift, explore the role of heat, air pressure, and buoyancy. See how chemistry and balloons create a mini hot air balloon using everyday materials. Perfect for curious minds of all ages, this fun and educational experience will leave you amazed at the wonders of flight. Don’t miss this chance to see science in action. Did we mention that it’s free?
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March | John Dunmore Lang Place John Dunmore Lang Place, Parkes | Book here.
Balloon Spectacular Boat Cruises
This is your chance to get together with your friends or family and experience the hot air balloons from the lake during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular!
Enjoy a relaxing two-hour cruise around Lake Burley Griffin, BYO drinks and food and enjoy front-row views of the balloons! There are only 32 tickets available for each cruise so get in quick. Visit the website for dates, and times and to book!
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March | Canberra Cruises and Parties, 8 Trevillian Quay, Jetty 4, Kingston | Book here.
Harvest Day Out at Lanyon Homestead
Celebrate the best of autumn at this special annual event! A celebration of heritage, sustainability and the season, head along to the stunning Lanyon Homestead to enjoy a full day of hands-on workshops, expert talks, live demonstrations, market stalls, and cultural experiences.
It’s a great chance to learn new skills, explore sustainable practices, and connect with local artisans, gardeners, and makers.
Saturday 22 March | Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa | Book here.
Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Held over nine days, watch in awe as the Canberra skyline turns into a sea of colour and movement thanks to the Canberra Balloon Spectacular.
Free for spectators, the balloons will inflate and launch each morning from around 6 am at John Dunmore Lang Place in Parkes before they lift off and drift across the city. For those who have braved the dawn start, there’s a hot breakfast to enjoy and plenty of opportunities to grab a great snap!
Until Sunday 23 March | John Dunmore Lang Place, Parkes | Book here.
Collage, Scrapbooking & Junk Journalling Event
This is an exciting Canberra craft event, hosted by the Scrap Society! You will be able to scrapbook, junk journal or collage alongside other crafty people, and your ticket will include dinner, sweet food and drinks, as well as custom craft materials, stickers, collage paper, a postcard and more.
Feel free to bring along your own journal and materials to personalise your experience, or you can purchase a journal with your ticket. This is a chance to be creative and meet new people in a welcoming environment!
Sunday 23 March, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Sanctuary, 17 Brockman Street, Narrabundah | More information and tickets here.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally of Canberra
Rev your engines for this premier motorsport event! The opening round of the Australian Rally Championship, spectating is free, with a dedicated Rally Village located in Kowen Forest including food trucks and kids entertainment!
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March | Various locations | More information here.
Canberra Electric Vehicle Drive Day
Thinking about swapping to an EV or want to take one for a test drive? This EV Drive Day offers you the opportunity to test drive an EV for free and learn everything you need to know about owning one.
As well as test drives, there will be a food truck, information stalls, a wide range of display vehicles, and even activities for the kids! It is free to attend the event, but bookings are required to test drive an EV.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March | Sutton Road Training Centre, 441 Sutton Road, Majura | Register here.
Markets
The Little Burley Market
The Little Burley is back!
Offering a diverse array of multicultural foods, much-loved beverages and brunchables, beautiful blooms, locally made art, fashion, photography and homewares, artisanal bread, delectable pastries, seafood, smoked charcuterie, truffles, meats, puppy treats, and much more, you’ll be able to find plenty of goodies at this bespoke lakeside market.
Saturday, 9 am | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Capital Region Farmers Market
This market is a community project run by the Rotary Club of Hall, the only rural Rotary Club in the ACT.
Head along to browse over 100 stallholders who bring their freshly picked, grown, and hand-crafted produce. Speak to a stallholder and ask them where their produce comes from – you’ll be surprised what you’ll learn and pick up cooking storage, and usage tips!
Saturday, 7 am – 11.30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | More information here.
Haig Park Village Markets
The Haig Park Village Markets runs every Sunday in the beautiful leafy grounds of Haig Park, Braddon.
This farmers and foodie market will delight your senses with delicious cuisines, tasty treats, beautiful blooms, fresh produce, delectable charcuterie, and artisan products. Plus you’ll discover locally handmade crafts including jewellery, art, natural body care, unique homewares, hand-poured candles, children’s apparel, pooch wares, and more. Plus, there’s live music, an artists’ table, face painting, and more!
Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | More information here.
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 Ave, 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, and pet treats.
Sunday 8 am–11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com
Food and Wine
Seasonal Ayurvedic Cooking
Join Tracey each season for a delicious, healthy, balanced lunch at Mandala Studio where you’ll learn about the Ayurvedic principles.
Exploring a simple and natural approach to living that helps you bring balance and feel ease and harmony in your body and mind, you’ll cook a balanced vegetarian-based seasonal lunch using local, fresh, whole ingredients.
Sunday 23 March | Mandala Studio, 253 Northbourne Avenue, G06, Lyneham | Book here.
Stage and Screen
Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!
Don’t miss the live stage debut of Gabby’s Dollhouse, the global preschool sensation from DreamWorks Animation.
The hit mixed media series follows the fun adventures of Gabby, as she unboxes a brand-new surprise in every episode before jumping into a fantastical world full of adorable cat characters that live inside her magical dollhouse. Take the kids along for a good time!
Saturday 22 March | AIS Arena Adelaide, 26 Leverrier Street, Bruce | Book here.
The House of Bernarda Alba
Opening 19 March at ACT Hub Kingston, The House of Bernarda Alba is a fresh adaptation by Karen Vickery (assisted by Andrea Garcia) of a Spanish classic by Federico Garcia Lorca.
Written in the mid-1930s, it is widely believed to be the first play featuring only female characters. This new adaptation vividly brings to life the cloistered,
claustrophobic world of Spanish women on the brink of the Spanish Civil War and the fascist takeover.
Until Saturday 29 March | 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | Book here.
The Moors
Written by Jen Silverman and directed by Joel Horwood, The Moors was inspired by the lives of the Brontë sisters and is full of dark melodrama, and repressed desires.
Until Sunday 12 April | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Building 3.3, Fyshwick | Book here.
Autumn Film Series
Looking for a cosy escape this autumn? The National Film and Sound Archive has just announced an autumn film series that’s not to be missed. Enjoy their curated program of recent releases and revived classics, from high art to guilty pleasures. There’s something for everyone!
Check out the full program online.
Until Sunday 1 June | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
The Great Kimberley Wilderness
Be transported to one of the world’s most breathtaking and pristine landscapes in The Great Kimberley Wilderness – a 35-minute virtual reality experience narrated by Luke Hemsworth.
Guided by scientists and traditional owners, this journey crosses stunning coastlines and majestic gorges, venturing deep into these timeless lands. Soar over the thundering King George Falls, explore the remarkable striped sandstone domes of the UNESCO-listed Purnululu National Park, and travel back more than 350 million years to the Devonian Reef, uncovering the ancient geology that has shaped life as we know it.
This experience reveals the history, geology, culture and wonder of the remarkable Kimberley wilderness, which has been nearly two billion years in the making.
Daily, every hour from 9.15 am to 4.15 pm | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | Find out more here.
Music
Emily Wurramara
Renowned for her mesmerising and enchanting performances, Emily Wurramara is an esteemed and award-winning artist, who grew up between Meanjin (Brisbane) and the Northern Territory.
Honored with six Queensland Music Awards and the prestigious AMP Tomorrow Maker award, you can catch her in concert for one night only in Canberra.
Saturday 22 March | The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
An Evening with Bob Geldof
As the 40th anniversary of Live Aid approaches (one of the world’s most iconic charitable events), don’t miss Bob Geldof, a true icon whose impact spans music, activism, and global change.
You’ll experience a unique blend of live storytelling with intimate acoustic performances of his favourite songs revealing the backstory of a multi-faceted and enduring career. Secure your spot now for a night of inspiration, music, and storytelling!
Saturday 22 March | Royal Theatre, 31 Constitution Avenue, City | Book here.
Children’s Concert: Scratchers and Pluckers
Do you have young ones who are curious about music but don’t have the attention to sit through a full concert? Take them along to this 30-minute show!
It will introduce them to the magic of the violin, viola da gamba, harp, and harpsichord, and there will even be pre-concert concert catering!
Sunday 23 March | Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Pluckers and Scratchers
Showcasing the unusual sound world of the violin/d’amore, gamba, harp, and harpsichord, music lovers need to book this ASAP.
With special guest artists Laura Vaughan and Hannah Lane, you’ll discover compositions from the Early Baroque period by Buxtehude, Becker, Lawes, Jenkins, Jarzebski, Lawes, Pandolfi, and more!
Sunday 23 March | Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Exhibitions
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Laying it all on the table by Hanla Art
A playful display by Canberra artist, Hannah Neville, exploring her signature love of native florals and backyard birds. Always enjoying a play on words, Hannah’s exhibition portrays a series of unlikely table settings and draws on bold colours and striking stripes to represent the courage of creatives when revealing their work.
Hannah’s inspiration derives primarily from her local surroundings; observations of stark white gums against lively green canopies and stormy summer skies or a happy encounter with a Crimson Rosella in her front yard, but her love of a pun or rhyme also features – ‘Lemon zest and sulfur crest’ anyone?
Until Monday 17 March | Front Gallery Cafe – Shop 1 84 Wattle Street, Lyneham Shops | More information here.
Inhabited
Presented by Gungahlin Arts, Inhabited is an exhibition featuring works by eight artists who live or work in the Gungahlin region: Tilly Davey, Angela Deka, Remus Douglas, Sue Hewat, Fatmata Kamara, David Liu, Anael Lukban and PAW.
Featuring textiles, painting, woodwork, mixed media, ceramics and more, this exhibition begins to uncover some of the breadth of practice that is happening in our community.
Inhabited aims to contribute to a dialogue that centres Gungahlin as a creative and vibrant district where artists are considered an integral part of the fabric of our geographic identity.
Until Sunday 23 March | Studio Studio, 57 Dacre Street, Mitchell | Find out more here.
History: Solo Exhibition by Martyn Thompson
Head along to the Canberra Glassworks to see the stunning works of cross-disciplinary artist Martyn Thompson.
Reimagining his ceramic vessels in glass, blending nostalgia and modernity through a tactile, painterly approach, this exhibition has been curated by Aimee Frodsham, the exhibition integrates his new glasswork with textiles, furniture, and objects from his studio.
Until Sunday 23 March | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Waves of Kinship
This is a new photo-based work by Polish-born Kamberri/Canberra-based artist Marzena Wasikowska.
Inspired by fieldwork and studio meditations on the built environment, waterscapes and global warming, as well as her immediate family, works in this exhibition have been created with support from a Capital Arts Patrons’ Organisation (CAPO) grant.
Until Sunday 23 March | Platform, 19 Furneaux St Manuka | More information here.
Celebrate Gungahlin: Young Voices
This exhibition features artworks and documentation from the 2024 Celebrate Gungahlin Festival.
Local artists Megan Daley and Pinal Maniar worked with children and their families to create masks, banners, and props for the inaugural festival parade. Showcasing the documentation of the process and the parade, as well as highlights from Our Town: A Celebrate Gungahlin Community Exhibition, head along to support over 100 young people who live, work or play in the Gungahlin region.
Until Sunday 23 March, 10 am – 4 pm | The Nook, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Escape. Control. Delete. by Kristie Watts
In Australia, more than one in three women have been physically and/or sexually assaulted. Every week a woman is murdered by her current or former partner. Escape Control Delete is a process and conceptual-based installation that makes the statistics of violence against women in Australia visible.
Each blacked-out key represents a woman in the community creating an unavoidable visual representation of words heard and reports read about the increasing statistics of women in Australia affected by abuse.
Until Sunday 23 March, 10 am – 4 pm | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
TILT by Alex Asch and Mariana del Castillo
This is the final exhibition in a two-year collaboration between artists Alex Asch and Mariana del Castillo.
Exploring ideas around identity, memory, belonging, and ownership, through colonisation, migration, and displacement the two artists enter the conversation from opposite ends. Head along to see it for yourself.
Until Sunday 23 March, 10 am – 4 pm | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
3000 days … and counting …
Esteemed Australian botanical artist Sharon Field is waging a personal protest against global warming. And in doing so, she is creating a monumental piece of art.
Setting herself a challenge to create a draw/painting for 3000 days on a series of scrolls, she is making Australia’s own version of the Bayeux Tapestry (the historic 11th Century tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England and measuring approximately 68 metres).
Providing a visual record of the plants the planet is in danger of losing, you can see it at the Belconnen Arts Centre.
Until Sunday 23 March, 10 am – 4 pm | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Neither Here Nor There by Liz Faul
Liz Faul was born in Canberra and grew up here. And that’s what inspires her work.
Conveying her feelings about Canberra and how it’s changed over the years, in this exhibition, she uses repeated motifs to express her memories of growing up here — the Burley Griffin map, the photographs of familiar places, and silhouettes of the family at different times. It combines painted papers, recycled printed materials, found papers and her illustrations on canvasses or boxes.
Until Sunday 23 March, 10 am – 4 pm | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
The Bald Archy Prize 2025
Get ready for Australia’s leading satirical art extravaganza, the Bald Archy Prize! Born in 1994 as a whimsical take that more serious competition, this prize throws open its canvas to artists of every stripe, inviting them to unleash their creativity in portrait paintings teeming with humour, dark satire, light comedy, or caricature.
Now, entering its 29th year in 2025, the Bald Archy Prize beckons artists to carry forward the rich tradition of revelling in laughter while basking in the beauty of art. The exhibition kicks off in Canberra before embarking on a tour across various venues in Eastern Australia, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Until Sunday 23 March | Watson Arts Centre (Canberra Potters), 1 Aspinall St Watson | More information here.
Mumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla – From the darkness into the light
The Gurindji Freedom Banners retell the story of the historic Wave Hill Walk-off in 1966.
The ten iconic banners will be on display to tell the Gurindji account of the ‘walk-off’, which was led by Vincent Jurlama Lingiari AM with Gurindji, Ngarinyman, Mudburra, Bilinara and Walpiri workers from Wave Hill Station, located in the Victoria River District on the northern edge of the Tanami Desert. This strike was a response to the unfair working and living conditions for Aboriginal people under the station’s management; Vestey’s Group.
Until Friday 28 March | ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, Corner Liversidge St & Ellery Crescent, Acton | More information here.
Grainger Gallery presents three captivating exhibitions by female artists
“Lost and Found” by Penelope Boyd features masked young heroines in dreamlike landscapes, borrowing from Old Masters techniques to create eerie, post-gothic worlds.
Sally Kent’s “The Blooming” reimagines female mythological figures through hand-built porcelain, celebrating feminine power and knowledge through lush imagery of flowers and serpents.
Award-winning artist Narelle Zeller returns with “Through My Eyes,” continuing her exploration of human adornment through detailed oil paintings that evoke emotion and narrative. All three artists have received national and international recognition for their work.
Until Sunday 30 March | Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | More information here.
Visible but Intangible: A print exchange portfolio
Visible but Intangible: A print exchange portfolio brings together 38 works by Sydney Printmakers at Megalo Print Studio. The theme Visible but Intangible invites an exploration of the interplay between what we can see and what remains beyond the reach of our perception.
We often find ourselves grappling with ideas, emotions and phenomena that are not easily defined yet these intangible elements shape our experiences and our understanding of the world. Through this collaborative portfolio, 38 members of Sydney Printmakers have approached this theme with diverse techniques and interpretations, each bringing their own perspective to the idea of what is visible but intangible.
Until Saturday 29 March | Megalo Print Studio, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | megalo.org
2025 Emerging Contemporaries
Emerging Contemporaries is Craft + Design Canberra’s prestigious award exhibition celebrating the next generation of designers and makers.
In this showcase you’ll see works by early career artists from leading local institutions, including the Canberra Potters Society, Canberra Institute of Technology, and the ANU School of Art + Design, highlighting the diverse talent shaping the future of craft and design.
Until Sunday 5 April | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, City | More information here.
My unStill Life
My unStill Life by Cam Michael delves into the interplay between work and home life, celebrating the value of the familiar. Through a series of small, intricately crafted rooms, he recreates spaces that reflect parts of his home and studio.
Drawing on his experiences with disability, caring, and LGBTIQ+ identity and using glass, textiles, wood, and found objects, he reimagines everyday items distorted by memory.
Until Sunday 5 April | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, City | More information here.
The Omega Series
The Omega Series by Pamela Irving re-contextualises discarded objects and materials into new forms. In it, she uses sardine tins to create her Omega characters.
It’s a play on the essential omega 3 vitamin and the Greek letter Omega, representing the end, the ultimate limit.
Until Sunday 5 April | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, City | More information here.
Moonsnake
Thinking about possible connections between the moon and snakes, Steven Holland brings together a recent series of yellow-snake dream drawings with a selection of his bronze Serpent sculptures that were created over several decades.
Designed to coincide with the Chinese New Year, Luna Year of the Snake in 2025, this exhibition is free to visit.
Until Saturday 5 April | 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | More information here.
Unconditional
This is a mixed-media examination of loves in many forms, from the joyful, to the painful, life-affirming, difficult at times, but invariably unconditional.
Reflecting the multi-faceted qualities of love, in terms of media used as well as subjects, it shows various expressions of love and argues that we are all different yet united by emotions.
Until Saturday 5 April | 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | More information here.
This Is Studio&
Studio&’s debut exhibition as a collaborative, celebrating two years of making together.
In it, works are reflective of the diversity, interests and skills being honoured at Studio&. It’s a wonderful reminder the power art has in personal expression and community building and demonstrates that art exists in the exchange, process, collaboration, providing access to and noticing in everyday life.
Until Saturday 5 April | 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | More information here.
The Fraudulent Isotopic Analysis by Visyaya Hoffie
Visaya Hoffie’s painting series reflects on shifting notions of identity, belonging and place. As inherited understandings of physical connection to materials, people and place are challenged, altered and at times denied, our relationships to materiality and imagery also shift; traditions become contested, overlaid, reconnected, integrated and transformed through new propositions.
Until Sunday 6 April | Platform, 19 Furneaux St, Manuka | More info here.
Jonas Balsaitis: Analogue
Jonas Balsaitis: Analogue is a survey exhibition of paintings, prints, and experimental films by Australian artist Jonas Balsaitis.
The exhibition re-considers the artist’s use of ‘imaging systems’ in light of contemporary developments in data imagery and digital technologies. Particular focus is given to the translation of Balsaitis’ paintings into film, highlighting the artist’s dedication to find a new, more experimental mode of experience in a pre-digital age.
Until Saturday 12 April | Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, Building 29, Acton | More information here.
BLAZE 2025
Canberra Contemporary’s eagerly awaited emerging artist showcase, BLAZE, returns to present the dynamic and diverse voices of Kamberri/Canberra’s rising creative talents.
Featuring six exciting artists at the beginning of their careers, BLAZE offers an insight into the evolving art scene of the region and exhibits bold, thought-provoking works across installation, painting, photography and sculpture.
Featuring the work of Sophia Childs, Sophie Dumaresq, Gabrielle Hall-Lomax, Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan, Brennan O’Brien and Jessika Spencer.
Until 17 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au
Anne Dangar
Get lost in a world of swirls, squares, lines, and colours at the NGA’s free Anne Dangar exhibit.
This iconic Australian artist played an important part in bringing modern art to Australia in the twentieth century, and this exhibit allows locals a chance to browse her ceramics, paintings, archival material, and more in this major retrospective exhibition celebrating her life and art.
Until Sunday 27 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Ethel Carrick
The National Gallery of Australia is continuing its focus on celebrating the work of all women artists, with its major exhibition Ethel Carrick. Post-impressionist art lovers will be excited to see 140 pieces by Carrick, in the first retrospective of her work for nearly half a century.
What’s even better? Entry is free, so you can visit as many times as you want!
Until Sunday 27 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Experience the wonder of two decades of award-winning nature photography as a new exhibition opens at the National Archives of Australia. 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year celebrates the winning entries from each year since its inception.
Conceived in 2004 by Dr. Stuart Miller AM, the competition aims to stoke the public’s fascination with the natural world and provide a platform for emerging and established photographers alike to showcase the remarkable flora, fauna, and landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea.
Until Sunday 27 April | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | More information here.
Pompeii
If seeing Pompeii in Italy is on your bucket list, mark your calendars for this one! The National Museum of Australia is showing its Pompeiiexhibit, featuring over 90 discovered objects from the ancient city before Mount Vesuvius erupted. This display in Canberra will be the first time some of these objects have been seen outside Europe!
Visitors will be taken into the exhibit with an engaging atmosphere created by large-scale digital projections and captivating soundscapes. Expect to see recovered jewellery, sculptures, pottery, frescoes, and other objects once used by this civilisation.
Until Sunday 4 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | Book here.
Mint-60
As a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Royal Australian Mint, there is a display of never-before-seen objects from the national coin collection – including Roxie, who was Australia’s first coin packing robot. On display until 12 May, so make sure you head in to check it out!
Until Sunday, 11 May | Denison Street, Deakin | ramint.gov.au
Lindy Lee
Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists. This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper.
Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment, and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever-evolving and ambitious practice.
Until Tuesday 1 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
KULATA TJUTA: TIRKILPA
Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project.
Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. On show at the National Gallery of Australia head along to see the large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations that incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.
Resonance – Art as the Voice of Nature
This exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) showcases art from the NatureArt Lab teaching team and community, nature journals and natural history objects collected over our eight years of operation.
Celebrating the richness of biodiversity and the deep connections between art and the natural world, the exhibition extends beyond visual art, incorporating community engagement, school programs, and international nature tours spanning Borneo, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador, and Peru.
Until Sunday 27 July | 176 London Circuit, City | More information here.
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers
Showcasing the best of Australian photojournalism, the National Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive.
Tracing the art of photojournalism from its infancy to the highly illustrated news stories you know so well today, the free exhibition explores how the pioneers of press photography in Australia developed their storytelling skills.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | More information here.
Sport and Wellness
Saturday morning Yoga with Atmaraga Yoga
Interested in embarking on a yogic journey? Join Nandhini Nagaratnam on Saturday mornings for an hour long class focused on strength, flexibility, health and well-being.
Held in the Lennox Gardens, we dare you to name a better way to kick off the weekend than with a general-level yoga class by the lake. Classes may be cancelled due to bad weather, so make sure to register with your contact details by emailing yogaatmaraga@gmail.com. Each class costs $20 (payment can be made in advance, or in cash on the day) and you’ll need to bring a mat!
Saturday 22 March | Lennox Gardens, Flynn Drive, Yarralumla | Register with your contact details by emailing yogaatmaraga@gmail.com
ACT Brumbies Women vs Queensland Reds
Go along to watch the ACT Brumbies Women host the Queensland Reds at Viking Park this March.
There will also be plenty of entertainment on and off the field!
Saturday 22 March | Viking Park, 4 Amsinck Street, Wanniassa | Book here.
Canberra United vs Sydney FC
The Canberra United are facing the Sydney FC in a thrilling showdown that’s not to be missed.
Go along to cheer on Canberra’s local team!
Saturday 22 March | McKellar Park, Walkley Place, Mckellar | Book here.
Canberra Kids Triathlon
The Canberra Kids Triathlon 2025 promises a day filled with fun, fitness, and adventure for children aged seven to 12!
Held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, participants will start with a swim in a state-of-the-art pool, followed by a bike ride through the AIS fields, and finish with an exciting run through the heart of the venue. The event is open to both experienced athletes and first-time participants, so everyone can give it a try.
Sunday 23 March | Australian Institute of Sport, Leverrier Street, Bruce | More information here.
UCI Continental Series Rounds and Junior World Series: Mountain Bike Cross Country and Downhill
This is the highest-profile UCI mountain bike event in Canberra since the 2009 World Championships!
Open to everyone, riders from around the world will race to gain national ranking points and showcase their skills. Head along to watch emerging talent compete at a high level!
Sunday 23 March | UC Stromlo Forest Park, Dave McInnes Road, Stromlo | More information here.
Workshops and Programs
Introduction to Large Format Photography Workshop
Learn the basics of large format photography, from camera knowledge and theory to creating detailed contact prints of your images in the darkroom.
Open to all levels of photographic experience, perfect for beginners through to experienced image-makers, you’ll find out about the basics of making beautiful images utilising a technical camera and a historical process.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | Book here.
Book Launch: The Ariana Treasure Series by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern
International award-winning author Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern is visiting The Book Cow for a special launch event for her new children’s series, Ariana Treasure.
Go along and celebrate the release of Book 1, The Missing Book and Book 2, The Secret Ingredient!
Saturday 22 March | 47 Jardine Street, Kingston | Book here.
Waste to Art Workshop at Play Day
Take the kids to this session of Play Day, where they will learn how ordinary objects found in the home or discarded to waste can be turned into art!
The aim of the workshop is to look at ‘waste’ with a fresh and playful lens. Participants will walk away from the workshop with new skills and a new perspective on what is waste, and what can be art.
Sunday 23 March | Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | More information here.
Feature image: @snapsbysal
