The Viral Food Festival, the Japan StrEAT Party and The Canberra Maze – Reimagined opening: 80+ things to do in Canberra this week
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If you’re looking for things to do in Canberra this week, you’ve picked the right article to read.
Why? Because The Viral Food Festival descends on Thoroughbred Park, Holi Festival turns Lennox Gardens into a riot of colour, SWAN? brings its raunchy, darkly funny show to Queanbeyan, and The Canberra Maze officially reopens at Yarralumla Play Station after more than a decade away. And that’s before you get to the Japan StrEAT Party, the NRL, live orchestras, international walking festivals and 70+ more reasons to get out of the house.
Here’s everything happening in Canberra.
Special Events and Festivals
Viral Food Festival
If your social media feed has been taunting you with trending street eats you haven’t tried yet, the Viral Food Festival at Thoroughbred Park is about to fix that. Running across three days in Lyneham, this massive event brings together more than 50 of the most talked-about food experiences in one place–a weekend dedicated to the dishes that have Canberrans double-tapping and making dinner plans in equal measure. Whether it’s something deep-fried, loaded, drizzled, or impossible to eat gracefully, there’s a stall with your name on it. Grab the crew, charge the phone, and eat for the ‘gram.
Friday 27 until Sunday 29 March, 5 pm–10 pm | Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham | viralfoodfestival.com.au
Japan StrEAT Party
Japan StrEAT Party rolls into Canberra this weekend, transforming Patrick White Lawns into a lively open-air celebration of authentic Japanese street food and premium beverages. Experienced Japanese chefs and vendors prepare everything fresh on-site, from classic favourites to modern creations that capture the full breadth of Japan’s vibrant street food culture. Wash it all down with a smooth, creamy Suntory Premium Malts, or explore a curated selection of sake, teas, and non-alcoholic drinks chosen to pair perfectly with the food on offer. Entry is free, but arrive hungry–with this many stalls to work through, you’ll want to come with a serious appetite.
Friday 27 until Sunday March | Patrick White Lawns, Parkes | japanstreatparty.com
Holi Festival
Lennox Gardens transforms into a riot of colour this weekend as Holi Festival Canberra returns to Yarralumla for a two-day celebration of joy, diversity, and community. Guests of all ages are invited to play with eco-friendly colour powders, dance to music from across cultures, and explore food stalls with flavours from around the world. As evening falls, the festival shifts into Holi-After-Dark, with UV and glow-in-the-dark colours creating an entirely different kind of magic. There’s also a beer garden for those who prefer to enjoy the atmosphere from a comfortable distance. Best of all, general entry is free.
Saturday 28 and Sunday, 29 March | Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla | holifestivalcanberra.com.au
Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival
Just a short drive from the city, Queanbeyan’s Town Park transforms into a spectacular celebration of global culture this Saturday, and the program is genuinely extraordinary. The Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival brings together more than 30 food stalls and over six hours of live performances, spanning Scottish bagpipes, Tibetan momos, the energetic haka of Te Rere O Te Tarakako, acrobatic Chinese lion dancing, Ukrainian folk dance, and so much more in between. Whether discovering new flavours or returning to old favourites, there’s an endless afternoon of colour, music, and community warmth waiting in Queanbeyan. Free parking is available at the Showground, just a short stroll away.
Saturday, 28 March, 10 am–4 pm | Queanbeyan Town Park, Lowe Street, Queanbeyan
MarchMingle Festival of Peace
This vibrant international festival welcomes visitors from across Australia and around the world for six days of connection, culture and global friendship. MarchMingle features challenging hikes, relaxing walks and social activities, including the Aussie BBQ Pool Party. Participants from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Mongolia, Poland, Switzerland, the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia and across Australia have already registered. The festival celebrates diversity and demonstrates that peace begins with walking and talking together around the Bush Capital. Registrations are open for participants and volunteers.
Tuesday 24 until Sunday 29 March | National Film & Sound Archives, McCoy Circuit, Acton | aussiepeacewalk.com.au
SWAN?
The dark and ugly sister to the movie Black Swan—a chain-smoking, half-swan, half-ballerina turns the tragic story of Swan Lake into a dark and raunchy rom-com. This raunchy parody of Swan Lake is a darkly funny and perfectly en pointe takedown of the patriarchy and perceived self-worth. The genre-defying one-person show fuses ballet, clown, bouffon and song, challenging audiences to consider just how much you’d change yourself for a romantic partner. And who knows, you may even get to open her box. Could you be the hero who helps her escape this living hell? Contains haze, coarse language, adult themes and nudity. Recommended for ages 15-plus.
Wednesday, 25 March, 7.30pm | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Make a difference: volunteer with Palliative Care ACT
Some of the most meaningful work a person can do happens quietly, in the spaces between medical appointments–a home visit, a conversation, a moment of genuine human connection. Palliative Care ACT is inviting Canberrans to an information session this Wednesday to learn about volunteering with people living with life-limiting illness. Volunteer coordinators will walk through the range of available roles, from home visits and aged care support to respite care at Leo’s Place and Life Stories projects, as well as the training, support, and personal qualities involved. It’s an hour that could change the direction of someone’s life–including your own.
Wednesday, 25 March, 5:30 pm–6:30 pm | Lyneham | pallcareact.supporterhub.net.au
Light the world red for myeloma
As part of Myeloma Action Month, some of Canberra’s most recognisable landmarks will be bathed in red light to mark Light the World Red–an international awareness campaign delivered in collaboration with the International Myeloma Foundation. Across the city, iconic sites including the National Carillon, Old Parliament House, the Royal Australian Mint, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and Questacon will glow in the global colour of myeloma unity and resilience. It’s a striking visual reminder of the thousands of Australians living with this complex blood cancer. Head out after dark, take a photo, and share it online.
Thursday, 26 March | Various Canberra landmarks | myelomaactionmonth.org
The Canberra Maze – Reimagined opening
A beloved piece of Canberra history returns as The Canberra Maze officially opens at Yarralumla Play Station. Originally operating in the 1980s, the Maze welcomed thousands of families, school children and visitors who explored its paths creating lasting memories. After more than a decade of planning, owner Jason Perkins has completely rebuilt the genuine Canberra icon for a new generation. The reopening marks the return of a much-loved community attraction blending nostalgia with fresh experiences for today’s families, schools and visitors. Yarralumla Play Station, already a cherished destination with mini golf, farm animals and expansive outdoor space, adds a new dimension of exploration, learning and fun. The vibrant, family-focused community morning celebrates Canberra’s heritage whilst looking toward its future as destination for education, tourism and family experiences.
Saturday, 28 March, 10 am | Yarralumla Play Station | yarraps.com.au
Relay For Life 2026
The AIS Athletics Track transforms into a sea of colour and community spirit as Relay For Life returns for 2026. This overnight, festival-style event brings Canberrans together to recognise cancer survivors, support those currently facing cancer and honour loved ones lost. Teams walk, run or dance laps in a continuous 24-hour relay, symbolising that the fight against cancer never stops. With live entertainment, activities and plenty of camaraderie, it’s a powerful and uplifting way to stand united and raise vital funds for cancer research and support services.
Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 March, 10 am | AIS Athletics Track and Field Centre, Masterman Street, Bruce | relayforlife.org.au
Over 30’s Club presents: Ultimate Girly Party
The Over 30’s Club is back, and this time it’s all about the anthems. Canberra’s favourite grown-up night out returns to 88mph on 28 March with an evening dedicated to the songs that defined a generation–think Madonna, Britney, Beyoncé, and Whitney, delivered with maximum confetti and minimum late-night suffering. Expect massive singalongs, huge giveaways, and all the big girlie moments, wrapped up at a very civilised 9 pm. Get glammed up, round up the crew, and prepare to belt out every word. This is clubbing for the rest of us–all the fun, none of the struggle to get home.
Saturday, 28 March, 5 pm–9 pm | 88mph, Canberra | fixr.co
UPSTAGEING
Australia’s first large-scale creative ageing arts festival celebrates the artistic expression of older Canberrans across 10 days. The festival spans multiple venues throughout the city, featuring visual arts, theatre, dance, music, fashion, craft, storytelling and film. With performances, exhibitions, workshops and community-led events, UPSTAGEING challenges stereotypes and demonstrates that creativity, growth and connection continue at every age. The program showcases both artistic excellence and grassroots engagement, offering opportunities to participate or simply experience the vibrant contributions of the senior community.
Until Sunday 29 March | Various locations | cotaact.org.au
Africa Festival In The Park
A vibrant celebration of African culture, community and creativity unfolds in Commonwealth Park. The open-air festival brings together live music, dance, fashion, food and arts from across the African continent. Guests can explore colourful market stalls, enjoy authentic African cuisine and experience non-stop live performances throughout the day. The family-friendly atmosphere creates opportunities to engage with diverse cultural expressions and traditions. From traditional performances to contemporary African music, the festival showcases the richness and diversity of the continent’s creative heritage in an accessible outdoor setting.
Saturday 28 March, 10 am–8 pm | Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, Parkes | africa2australia.com
Arty Farty Paws Party
Canberrans, grab your four-legged muse and head to Haig Park this March for the Arty Farty Paws Party–a celebration of creativity, community, and the kind of unconditional inspiration only a dog can provide. In partnership with UPSTAGEING Canberra, this outdoor event brings the bohemian spirit to Braddon’s favourite green space, with a nod to art world legends reimagined for the canine crowd. Here’s a fun fact worth knowing: two or more hours of creative activity per week is genuinely linked to better health outcomes. Combine that with quality time with your pooch, and this Saturday morning feels practically medicinal.
Saturday, 29 March, 10 am–12 pm | Haig Park, Braddon | inthecity.com.au
Canberra Girls Get Active Day
The ACT’s largest FREE multi-sport day for women and girls. Canberra Girls Get Active Day is back, bringing together women and girls from across the ACT for a high-energy, FREE multi-sport experience.
Whether you’re trying sport for the first time or already love the game, this is your chance to get active, try something new and connect with your community. There are more than 10 sports to try – Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, AFL, Rugby League, Hockey, Soccer, Cricket and more).
The first 200 kids receive a free tennis racquet, there are free seated massages by CBR Massage, giveaways and prizes, kids activities (face painting, glitter tattoos), a Sausage Sizzle, OMG! Decadent Donuts, free Hot Shots tennis and POP Tennis, and a live DJ.
Sunday, 29 March, 10–12 pm | Canberra Tennis Centre, Lyneham | eventbrite.com
Leonardo da Vinci–500 Years of Genius
This immersive journey of discovery and wonder is created in collaboration with Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. Located atop the old Federation Centenary Fountain adjacent to Parkes Place lawns, the experience brings history to life in a way that captivates audiences of all ages. Leonardo da Vinci–500 Years of Genius inspires curious minds with an exploration of the greatest genius who has ever lived. Falling during the Enlighten Festival as a featured event, the activation offers a unique cultural experience. Tickets are limited with strong numbers expected, so early booking is recommended to secure preferred times.
Until Sunday 29 March | Patrick White Lawns, Parkes Place West, Parkes | immmersedevents.com
Live program at the National Film and Sound Archive
Experience three unforgettable celebrations of Australian screen culture at the NFSA. Families can enjoy an interactive silent film event featuring 1927 classic Fatty Finn, brought to life with live original music by CJ Shaw and The All Sorts, complete with hands-on activities for kids. Marking its 40th anniversary, Malcolm returns for a special courtyard soirée with a live performance of its soundtrack by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble and Q&A with director Nadia Tass and producer David Parker. Puffs of Smoke pairs rare silent shorts with a live score by acclaimed composer Phillip Johnston, illuminating the creativity and innovation of Australia’s silent film era.
Sunday, 29 March | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Plan ahead for…
& Juliet
All the world’s a stage. This one’s yours. What if Juliet’s story didn’t end with Romeo? What if she had the chance to live, to love, and to write a new chapter – one that was truly hers?
Free-Rain Theatre Company presents & Juliet – the smash-hit musical that reimagines Shakespeare’s most famous heroine with a vibrant new future and a pop-powered twist. Set to an electrifying soundtrack of global anthems from legendary songwriter Max Martin, this award-winning production bursts with songs you already know and love, including… ‘Baby One More Time’, ‘Since U Been Gone’, ‘Roar’, ‘I Want It That Way’, ‘It’s My Life’, and ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling!’
With a witty and heart-filled script by Emmy®-winning writer David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), & Juliet is unapologetically theatrical and endlessly entertaining. Renaissance meets pop royalty, heartbreak meets empowerment, and Shakespeare shares the stage with Anne Hathaway. Don’t miss this explosive, feel-good sensation as Free-Rain Theatre Company brings one of the world’s most celebrated new musicals to Canberra!
Tuesday 31 March to 26 April | The Q, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Markets
Woden Seniors Big Book Fair
Over 25,000 books are for sale at quality prices, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, comics and graphic novels. The President’s table features old and collectable books for collectors. Beyond books, jigsaws, DVDs, CDs and games are available. Watercolours painted by members of the Woden Seniors’ Art group are also for sale. The book fair has become a destination for book lovers seeking variety and value. The range of items ensures something for different interests and ages, from casual readers to serious collectors looking for specific titles or editions.
Friday 27 until Sunday 29 March | Woden Seniors, 12 Corinna Street, Phillip | wodenseniors.org.au
Capital Region Farmers Market
This farmers’ market is iconic for a reason.
Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
It will make you appreciate your Saturday morning shopping trip in a whole new way.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building, you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Haig Park Village Markets
Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.
It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sunday 18 and 25 January, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta, pet treats and more.
Sunday 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra
Food and Wine
Agostinis CIN CIN Dinner Series – Lazio Region
Agostinis introduces the CIN CIN Dinner Series, a quarterly celebration of Italy’s most iconic regional cuisines. The series begins with a four-course shared-style dinner spotlighting the Lazio region, curated by Roman-born Culinary Director Francesco Balestrieri. Hosted in Il Camino at Agostinis, the evening will bring the flavours of Italy to Canberra, showcasing traditional dishes and regional techniques inspired by Francesco’s hometown.
Wednesday 25 March, 6.30 pm | 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston | eventbrite.com.au
St Hugo Wine Dinner at Tuggeranong
St Hugo Wines, one of the Barossa’s most elegant wineries, presents an exclusive four-course wine dinner. The curated dining experience features matched St Hugo wines, including their iconic Shiraz, showcasing the depth and character of Barossa Valley winemaking. Executive Chef Bradley Howden has designed a seasonal menu highlighting distinctive Barossa produce, thoughtfully paired to complement each wine. The evening offers an opportunity to experience premium Barossa wines alongside dishes specifically created to enhance their characteristics, in a refined dining setting.
Thursday 26 March, 7 pm –9.30pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, Corner Pitman & Holwell Street, Greenway | cscc.com.au
Canberra Made Series – The Canberra Distillery x Fudgemental Tasting Experience
Join The Canberra Distillery X Fudgemental for an hour of delicious indulgence in a Spirits and Chocolate Experience at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre this Saturday 28 March.
The class matches beautifully handcrafted vegan chocolate fudge with The Canberra Distilleries award winning gins, liqueurs and whisky. Texture, flavour, balance, what more could you want?
Saturday 28 March, 11 am–12 noon and 1–2 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors Centre at Regatta Point | events.humanitix.com
Sicily – regional Italian lunch at Restaurant Two14
If a long Sicilian lunch sounds like the perfect way to farewell March, Restaurant Two14 is setting the table. The Taste of Italy dining experience returns with a five-course celebration of Sicily’s sun-ripened produce, bold aromas and rich culinary heritage. Expect dishes like crispy squid ink polenta with crema di baccala and seared scallop, busiate trapanesi, swordfish and cannoli Siciliani, with optional wine pairings available. It’s a delicious way for Canberrans to linger over beautiful food and good company in the heart of Braddon.
Saturday, 28 March, 12:30 pm–3 pm | Restaurant Two14, 214 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | restauranttwo14.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.
ACT Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs
The rivalry continues when the ACT Brumbies face the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium. Featuring a double header, the Wallaroos will open their 2026 international campaign against Fijiana, looking to retain the Vuvale Bowl after last year’s historic hard-fought test in Suva. The Brumbies will strive to continue their winning streak at home against the Waratahs in this classic match-up from across the border. Don’t miss any of the action, with plenty of entertainment on and off the field throughout the evening of rugby.
Friday 27 March, 5–9.30 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | brumbies.rugby
Walk to Work Day
Walk to Work Day returns for its 27th year, championed by the Pedestrian Council of Australia and supporting Black Dog Institute in 2026. The initiative shines a spotlight on the powerful mental health benefits of regular walking, reinforcing that simple, everyday actions can play a meaningful role in reducing stress, lifting mood and improving focus and connection at work. Research shows that walking for an hour a day can reduce the risk of major depression by up to 26 per cent. Participants can walk all or part of their commute, get off public transport early, organise lunchtime walks, host walking meetings or take regular movement breaks. Individuals, teams and organisations can register and fundraise to support Black Dog Institute’s research, education programs and digital mental health tools.
Friday, 27 March | walk.com.au
Mingle Marathon
Experience Australia’s international marathon walking event—a 42.2-kilometre journey where running is not allowed. Participants are bused to the start, then walk back to finish at the National Film and Sound Archive. The event offers an accessible alternative to running a marathon, combining physical achievement with social connection and natural beauty. Walkers navigate scenic bushland while chatting with fellow participants from around the globe. The terrain presents challenges, and participants spend longer on their feet than in a traditional marathon, making it a rewarding test of endurance without intensive running training.
Saturday, 28 March, 6.30 am–5 pm | National Film & Sound Archives, McCoy Circuit, Acton | aussiepeacewalk.com.au
YOGA-W-ME
YOGA-W-ME is an outdoor community yoga experience at Pialligo Estate, delivered under the charity WITH-ME and designed to strengthen the mind-body connection in a welcoming setting. Suitable for seasoned practitioners and curious newcomers alike, each session includes a yoga mat, hydration from Wallaby Water, and a post-session coffee from The Griff. With limited spots available and a track record of filling fast, early booking is essential.
Saturday, 28 March, 8.30 am–9.30 am | Pialligo Estate, Pialligo | @yoga_w_me_
Aussie Peace Walk
Lace up and join walkers from around the globe as the Aussie Peace Walk returns to Canberra. This two-day international walking festival, the grand finale of MarchMingle, invites participants to explore the sights and sounds of the Bush Capital on a range of distances. From relaxed 7-kilometre strolls to marathon-length challenges, there’s an option for every age and fitness level. Complete 24 kilometres or more across the weekend and earn a commemorative medal or year bar. It’s a celebration of community, connection and discovering our city on foot.
Saturday, 28 March, 7 am–9 pm | National Film & Sound Archives, McCoy Circuit, Acton | aussiepeacewalk.com.au
Raiders v Sharks
Green machine fans, this one’s for you. The Canberra Raiders face the Cronulla Sharks in Round 4 of the NRL season at GIO Stadium, clashing for the first time since the 2025 Finals series. Expect plenty of energy as the Raiders look to defend their home turf, with the Viking Clap echoing around Bruce. Beyond the on-field action, family-friendly activities and game-day entertainment make it a great afternoon out for die-hard supporters and first-timers alike. It’s footy season in Canberra – and the atmosphere is electric.
Sunday, 29 March, 4:05 pm–7:05 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | raiders.com.au
Myeloma Australia’s My Greatest Walk Canberra
Every week, more than 50 Australians receive a myeloma diagnosis–and Myeloma Australia’s My Greatest Walk invites Canberrans to walk in solidarity with every one of them. Now in its fifth year, this national fundraising event gathers those living with myeloma alongside families, friends, colleagues, and medical professionals for a 4km walk around Lake Burley Griffin, starting near the Yarralumla Gallery. Each registration is $30 and includes a commemorative t-shirt, while every dollar raised supports Myeloma Australia’s vital research and advocacy work. This is a morning about community, connection, and the quiet power of showing up for one another.
Sunday, 29 March, 8.30 am–11 am | Yarralumla Gallery, Yarralumla | myeloma.org.au
Hale Wellness–Reset, Restore & Reconnect
This thoughtfully curated wellness experience nourishes the body, encourages deep relaxation and supports wellbeing through every stage of life. The day begins with 45 minutes of restorative yoga followed by a 45-minute soundbath immersion where gentle rhythmic tones quiet the mind. A mindset and intention-setting session offers space to reflect and realign, followed by morning tea. Dr Jung Le Qui presents an empowering women’s health session on metabolic wellbeing and navigating hormonal change. After a nourishing lunch in the Brassey gardens, an intimate RATIONALE masterclass explores UV damage with live VISIA skin analysis and introduces the upgraded #3 The Brilliance Tinted Serum SPF50-plus with guided application.
Sunday, 29 March, 8.30 am–4 pm | Hale Gym & Day Spa, Barton | eventbrite.com
Music
Bernard Fanning–Tea & Sympathy Anniversary Tour
One of Australia’s most celebrated singer-songwriters takes his celebration of 20 years of Tea & Sympathy around Australia, playing all songs from the album and more. The tour follows the sold-out anniversary show at QPAC in Brisbane where Fanning performed Tea & Sympathy in full for the first time in twenty years, coinciding with today’s release of 20th Anniversary editions of the album. The QPAC show sold out within two minutes of tickets going on sale. Joining Bernard are special guests Sam Cromack from Ball Park Music and Georgia Mooney from All Our Exes Live in Texas.
Monday, 24 March, 7–10.15pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Chamber music: wind and brass
The Wesley Lunchtime Concert series returns this Wednesday with the Royal Military College’s Wind and Brass Chamber Ensembles in a program that moves effortlessly between traditional and modern repertoire. From early twentieth-century wind writing to contemporary jazz influences, and the timeless melodies of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, these ensembles showcase just how expressive and versatile wind and brass chamber music can be. Held at the intimate Wesley Music Centre in Forrest, tickets are $15 and include the program and refreshments–making it one of Canberra’s most civilised ways to spend a Wednesday lunch hour.
Wednesday, 25 March, 12.40–1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, Forrest | trybooking.com/DIJJK
SPARK, BLOOM! Percussion meets K-Pop
After her exhilarating performances of Dances with Devils in 2023, star percussionist Claire Edwardes returns to the CSO for a new collaboration. Inspired by the National Museum of Australia’s upcoming K-pop exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave, Claire is joined by charismatic South Korean jazz vocalist Sunny Kim. The program fills the Gandel Atrium with brilliant colours and electrifying rhythms, featuring Holly Harrison’s Creature Feature, percussion miniatures from Ella Macens, Bree van Reyk and Katy Abbott, two premieres including a new CSO and NMA co-commission, and an improvisation for voice and percussion. Presented by Jessica Cottis. Approximately one hour duration.
Thursday, 26 March, 6.30pm | National Museum of Australia, Gandel Atrium | cso.org.au/concerts/spark-bloom
Daniel Champagne
One of the world’s most dynamic guitar and vocal shows is coming to town. Expect jaw-dropping guitar skills, songs that carry the heart away and the stories of a troubadour that will stay with you long after the last note rings out. A Daniel Champagne show is not just a concert—it’s an experience. His performances combine technical virtuosity with emotional storytelling, creating an intimate connection with audiences. The guitar work showcases exceptional skill while the songwriting and vocal delivery resonate on a deeper level, all woven together with engaging between-song narratives.
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, City | thestreet.org.au
Allman Brothers Experience
The Brothers Downunder replicates the authentic sound of the Allman Brothers songbook, featuring leading blues rock royalties from the Australian music scene. Geoff Achison fronts on vocals and guitars, performing classics including Whipping Post, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Jessica, Blue Sky and Statesboro Blues. The band features renowned jazz-blues drummers Rosscoe Clark and Greg Ohlback, jamband guitar sensation Ben Chakravorty, John Tweed Williams on keys and Hammond organ, Dario Moconja on bass, David Armstrong on Latin percussions, and Eric Betts on blues harp. They recreate the legendary live improvised jams and unmistakable twin guitar sounds.
Friday 27 March, 7 pm –11 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com
National Capital Orchestra launches RESONATE 2026
The National Capital Orchestra, under Artistic Director Louis Sharpe, announces its 2026 season RESONATE—a bold four-concert program celebrating music’s power to ignite energy, foster connection and move audiences. The season opener Ignite on 29 March features Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto performed by Mia Stanton, Saint-Saëns’ monumental Organ Symphony with Marko Sever and Sonic Boom by Australian composer Natalie Williams. Spanning classical masterworks, contemporary Australian composition, video game soundtracks and dance-inspired orchestral favourites, RESONATE invites audiences to experience music deeply felt and shared. The NCO is a two-time recipient of Critics Circle Awards from Canberra CityNews recognising artistic excellence.
Sunday, 29 March | Snow Concert Hall, Red Hill | cso.org.au
Our Stories
Canberra Choral Society’s latest offering is the kind of concert that reminds audiences why live music matters. Our Stories, presented as part of the inaugural UPSTAGEING Canberra festival, weaves together choral works exploring memory, identity, belonging, and the quiet power of being heard. Directed by Dan Walker and featuring soprano Rachel Mink, baritone Alasdair Stretch, a string quartet, and pianoforte, the program draws on works by Bill Douglas, Sting, Ola Gjeilo, Morten Lauridsen, Joni Mitchell, and more. Each piece reflects something true about shared human experience–an invitation to find your own story in the music.
Sunday, 29 March, 5 pm–6:30 pm | James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | events.humanitix.com
Romance sublime: Lorina Gore
Art Song Canberra welcomes back one of Australia’s most celebrated sopranos, Lorina Gore, for an evening of Romance Sublime. Joined by well-loved Canberra accompanist Anthony Smith, Lorina brings her Helpmann and Green Room award-winning artistry to the intimate setting of Wesley Music Centre. The program centres on Strauss’s Opus 10, featuring beloved works Zueignung (Dedication) and Die Nacht (The Night), alongside songs by Quilter, Sondheim and more. A Canberra School of Music alumna who has graced opera stages nationally and internationally, Gore is equally at home in grand opera as she is in the warmth of an intimate recital.
Sunday, 29 March, 3 pm | Wesley Music Centre, Forrest | trybooking.com/DIRJY
IGNITE: National Capital Orchestra 2026 season opening gala
Canberra’s own National Capital Orchestra kicks off its 2026 season in spectacular style with IGNITE, a program that truly lives up to its name. The concert opens with Sonic Boom, a vibrant fanfare by Australian composer Natalie Williams, before welcoming Canberra-born violinist Mia Stanton home to perform Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto–a genuine homecoming moment for local music lovers. The afternoon crescendos with Saint-Saëns’ breathtaking Organ Symphony, filling Snow Concert Hall’s magnificent acoustics to glorious effect. Under Artistic Director Louis Sharpe, this is the kind of afternoon that reminds Canberrans why live orchestral music is truly something to treasure.
Sunday, 29 March, 3 pm | Snow Concert Hall, Red Hill | nco.org.au
Our Stories
Proudly presented by Canberra Choral Society as part of the inaugural Upstaging Canberra festival, Our Stories is an exciting choral event with storytelling at its heart. Directed by Dan Walker, featuring the CCS choir, soloists Rachel Mink (soprano) and Alasdair Stretch (baritone), and a string quartet and pianoforte. The program explores memory, identity, belonging and what it means to be heard through works including Deep Peace, Fields of Gold, Luminous Night of the Soul and Sure on this Shining Night. Shaped by the idea that everyone carries a story worth sharing, the concert forms a rich portrait of community through music and shared experience.
Sunday, 29 March, 5 pm – 6 pm | James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | events.humanitix.com/ccs-our-stories
Stage and Screen
The Alphabet of Awesome Science
Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet. Professor Lexi Con’s curated collection features one favourite word for every letter, with each word providing Professor Noel Edge with a jumping-off point for 26 quirky scientific demonstrations that squish and squirt, float and fly, erupt and explode. This dad-joke quipping, prank-pulling pair of polished professors deliver an immersive hour of carefully crafted alphabetical, scientifical chaos. The performance is equal parts explosive, messy, spectacular, hilarious, fascinating and gross—award-winning entertainment that combines big words with mind-blowing science surprises.
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Trans Day of Visibility at the NFSA
The NFSA marks Transgender Day of Visibility in partnership with A Gender Agenda with a special screening of John Cameron Mitchell’s fearless and iconic Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Born on the New York stage before becoming a cult cinema landmark, the film follows Hedwig–a gender-queer East German rock singer chasing recognition and emotional closure across America. Part concert movie, part mythic road film, it’s powered by Stephen Trask’s extraordinary songs and Mitchell’s unforgettable central performance. A Sundance double-winner for Audience and Director’s Awards, Hedwig remains a defining, joyful, and defiantly alive work of queer cinema.
Saturday 28 March | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
No Regrets: The Edith Piaf Story
Nikki Nouveau presents the intriguing life and times of legendary Parisian artist Edith Piaf through song and story. Delivered in French and English, this spellbinding romantic show features classic numbers including Padam, La Vie En Rose and Non Je Ne Regrette Rien. The narrative weaves a tale of passion, tragedy and triumph, taking audiences on a musical journey from Piaf’s earliest days singing on street corners through to the peak of her career as the toast of Paris and New York, and her tragic untimely death. A must-see for lovers of all things French and little sparrow fans.
Saturday 28 March, 7.30 pm –9.30 pm | The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Almost, Maine: A Luminous Celebration of Love
One of the most produced plays in the world comes to Belco Arts for a strictly limited season. Mockingbird Theatre Company presents Almost, Maine by John Cariani, directed by Zac Bridgman. On one unforgettable winter’s night beneath shimmering northern lights, residents of Almost, Maine find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected ways. In a town so remote it almost doesn’t exist, strangers become soulmates, long-time partners rediscover each other and broken hearts are mended in surprising, even magical fashion. Tender, funny, whimsical and quietly devastating, it’s a play about the courage to love boldly, missed chances and second chances, reminding us that even the smallest moment can alter the course of a life.
Until Saturday 28 March | The Mockingbird Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au/almost-maine
Live Radio Play: The Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton
The Mill Theatre tries something deliciously different with a live radio play performed and recorded in front of an audience. The Dear Departed is a wickedly funny one-act comedy adapted for live radio performance. The play skewers middle-class respectability as two selfish sisters descend into chaos over inheritance, furniture and the convenient assumption that their elderly parent has become a burden. Sharp, absurd and gleefully unkind, this joyous comedy exposes how quickly moral values crumble when money is involved. It’s a rare chance to witness a radio play being made before your eyes.
Saturday 28 March | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | milltheatreatdairyroad.com
Ireland: The Voyage
From the producers of Celtic Illusion comes a theatrical experience that’s part concert, part time machine. Ireland: The Voyage sweeps audiences through centuries of Irish history–from ancient Celtic mysticism and Viking invasions to the spiritual transformation brought by St Patrick–through the power of live music, world-class Irish dance, and stunning visuals. At the heart of it all is vocalist Giselle O’Meara, whose voice carries the full emotional weight of the journey, accompanied by musicians direct from Ireland playing traditional instruments. Passionate, cinematic, and deeply immersive, this is a show that puts the spirit of Ireland right in the Canberra Theatre stalls.
Sunday, 29 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Alliance Française French Film Festival Canberra
From psychological thrillers and coming-of-age dramas to timeless masterpieces and comedic interludes, 38 films showcase the richness and diversity of French storytelling in a programme that reflects the extraordinary vitality and diversity of French cinema.
The Festival remains deeply committed to championing women on screen and behind the camera, celebrating new talents alongside cinema legends, and offering films that move, surprise and inspire. More than ever, the festival is a celebration of French storytelling in all its richness, openness and emotion.
Until Wednesday 8 April | Palace Electric Cinema Canberra, Phillip Law Street, NewActon | To view the full program or to secure tickets, visit affrenchfilmfestival.org.
NFSA’s Autumn Film Series
Reality meets imagination this season at the National Film and Sound Archive. The Autumn Film Series presents powerful storytelling and big-screen spectacle, inviting audiences to question reality, explore new perspectives and enjoy cinema that lingers after credits roll. Magic realism, social realism and Cinema Verité explore the tension between fantasy and reality. Community-focused festivals and partnerships include the Sign on Screen Film Festival presenting sign language cinema, Upstaging Canberra screenings, Trans Day of Visibility with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Book Club at NFSA, First Nations stories, CLIPPED Music Video Festival, documentaries, Science.Art.Film series and Cult Classics. Varied dates throughout autumn.
Until Sunday 31 May | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Workshops
Paint It Slow
Paint It Slow invites you to slow down and focus on one painting over four weeks, developing depth, intuition and your creative voice. Work on one major painting, allowing it to develop slowly and intuitively with guidance from tutor Eliott O’Dowd. This course focuses on depth rather than speed—refining composition, colour and detail while learning to trust the painting process and your own creative voice. All materials are supplied.
Saturday 28 March | Q Gallery, 13a Edgar Street, Ainslie | eventbrite.com.au/e/paint-it-slow-march-painting-course-tickets
Craft + Design Canberra Artist-in-Residence Open Day + Workshops
Join this creative open day and workshop program at Ready-Cut Cottage in Namadgi National Park. The special Open Day features hands-on workshops with Craft + Design Canberra Artists-in-Residence Jeffrey Sarmiento, Julie Bartholomew and Lea Durie. Enjoy artist-led workshops and hear about the inspiration and interpretation of the park’s environment and history. Engage with acclaimed artists and gain insight into their creative processes in this unique heritage setting within the national park. The intimate cottage location provides an atmospheric backdrop for learning about how artists respond to landscape, environment and history through their creative practice and material exploration.
Saturday 28 March, 10 am–3 pm | Ready Cut Cottage, Old Boboyan Road, Rendezvous Creek, Tharwa | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Basket Cases – Social Weaving Sessions
Connect with others through craft. BYO project to work on. There’s no pressure to achieve here, just an opportunity to set aside time for making over a cuppa and a chat.
Basket Cases is not a formal workshop; there will be a skilled facilitator on hand for some extra support if you need it. Additional materials (raffia, needles etc) can be purchased for a fee (subject to availability). Times alternate between morning and afternoon.
Last Saturday of each month | Sessions are held across roving locations across Canberra – check the Humanitix link for details | events.humanitix.com
Fortnightly Crafternoon @ Strathnairn
Pop along every Sunday fortnight for a free afternoon of creativity and community at our Strathnairn cafe. Our Crafternoon sessions are the perfect escape into the world of arts and crafts. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this event is for you!
Sunday 29 March, 2 pm to 4 pm | Café Stepping Stone, Gullifer Street, Strathnairn | More information here.
Talks and programs
Economic Impact of Myeloma Report Launch
For too long, myeloma has remained one of Australia’s most under-recognised and underfunded blood cancers. Myeloma Australia is changing that with the launch of a landmark Economic Impact of Myeloma in Australia report, developed in partnership with HTAnalysts. This special event at Parliament House brings together Members of Parliament, medical and scientific advisors, community advocates, and industry partners to shine a light on the full human and financial cost of the disease. Attendance is free and open to the public–registration is essential for those who want to be part of this important national conversation.
Tuesday, 25 March, 8.15 am–10.30 am | Parliament House | events.humanitix.com
Braidwood Open Gardens
One of the region’s most beloved events makes a welcome return–but this time in the most beautiful season of all. The Community Bank Braidwood Preschool Open Gardens arrives in autumn for the first time, offering fresh perspectives on some of Braidwood’s most admired private gardens, including several never before opened to visitors. From grand heritage estates to intimate domestic retreats, the program is curated to inspire gardeners of every persuasion. All proceeds support the Braidwood Preschool. Pick up a multi-garden pass and make a weekend of it–Mona Farm opens on Sunday only, from noon.
Saturday 28 and Sunday, 29 March, 10 am–4 pm | Various locations, Braidwood | braidwoodgardens.com.au
Storytime with the Story Dogs
Join the National Library on the last Sunday of each month for a paw-sitive reading experience with the Story Dogs program. Trained volunteers and their accredited dogs create a nurturing environment where children can enjoy a range of stories in a relaxed setting. This unique program makes reading fun, helping children enjoy books and become confident, lifelong readers. Young people aged 7 to 12 are invited to enjoy stories and pats as they sit with a friendly reader and attentive dogs just outside the Bookshop in the Library foyer. Very small children under 7 can listen to stories and pat the dogs with parental supervision. No bookings required, simply turn up. Each session runs approximately one hour.
Sunday, 29 March, 11 am–12 pm | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Exhibitions
Carte Postale en Pastel
Canberra artist Melissa Hammond invites you to step a little closer and discover France through a new lens. Her debut solo exhibition, Carte Postale en Pastel, opens at the Gallery of Small Things in Watson on 26 March – an intimate collection of A5 oil pastel works inspired by time spent at the Château Orquevaux Artist Residency and in Paris with Studio Escalier Art School.
Each piece is designed like a postcard, opening a small portal into everyday and extraordinary French moments rendered in creamy, luminous oil pastels.
Thursday 26 March | Gallery of Small Things, 27 Wade Street, Watson | galleryofsmallthings.com
THE WEATHER AND WHAT IS by Olive Burgess
This exhibition makes central a lesbian experience within a world shaped by dualisms—mind/body, nature/culture, windy/still, useful/redundant, productive/wasted, man/woman, hetero/not. Printmaking, photography and sculptural materials hold subject Burgess’ garden as kin, alongside her body.
Full, generous, focused, and sensual, The Weather and What Is opens space for a re-imagining of intimacy, ecology, history, and embodiment beyond dominant cultural frames.
Friday, 27 March—Sunday, 26 April | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Forrest | canberracontemporary.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.
Friday, 27 March–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.
Friday, 27 March–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.
Friday, 27 March–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.
Friday, 27 March–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.
Friday, 27 March–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.
Friday, 27 March–Sunday, 17 May | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Sculpted By Lifestyle
Craft + Design Canberra presents ceramic works by Lee Nelms reimagining the seven sins through an Australian cultural perspective. The exhibition features “before” and “after” pieces exploring how behaviour is shaped by experience, consequence and time. Hand-built and altered wheel-thrown ceramic forms incorporate expressive marks and creature-like features representing flaws, humour and vulnerability. Nelms works across various clay types fired in electric, oil and wood kilns. Her practice focuses on the human face and sculptural expression, translating emotional experiences into physical forms. The exhibition runs from mid-February through late March.
Until Saturday, 28 March, 2026 | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, City| craftanddesigncanberra.org
Catherine Kingham | Light Journeys
Light Journeys is a reflective exhibition by Canberra-based artist Catherine Kingham, inspired by dawn walks through familiar suburban landscapes. Created during the quiet hours of early morning, the works explore light as a symbol of resilience, gratitude and renewal, shaped by lived experience of illness, loss and recovery. Blending place with inner emotional landscapes, the exhibition invites visitors to slow down and see the world afresh through moments of stillness and transformation. Kingham’s practice demonstrates how daily observation and personal experience can inform artistic expression, creating work that speaks to both specific and universal experiences of healing and noticing.
Until Sunday 29 March | Strathnairn Arts Homestead Gallery 2, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | strathnairn.com.au
Flora – Ruth Ju-Shih Li
Grainger Gallery presents Flora, a new exhibition by Taiwanese-Australian artist Ruth Ju-Shih Li, whose sculptural works explore memory, transformation and the fragile beauty of the natural world. Working across materials including porcelain, wax and clay, Li creates intricate forms inspired by flowers, birds and organic structures, reflecting cycles of renewal, impermanence and cultural connection.
Visitors can join the artist for drinks and an artist talk at the opening event, offering insight into her practice and the ideas behind the exhibition’s delicate and meditative works .
Until Sunday 5 April 2026 | Grainger Gallery, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited
A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited explores love, identity and resilience within Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ community. In 2017, photographer Jane Duong and producer Victoria Firth-Smith created Queerberra to document queer Canberrans during the national postal vote on marriage equality. Over 100 portraits captured moments of pride, exhaustion, defiance and hope when love itself was publicly debated. Eight years later, this exhibition returns to those portraits to reflect on personal growth, community strength and the enduring power of love. The exhibition invites visitors to consider progress made and work remaining in the city that voted yes more strongly than any other in Australia.
Until Saturday, 5 April | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Traces
Tuggeranong Arts Centre presents work by five artists with connections to Ngunnawal and Ngambri land. Alexander Sarsfield, Bridget Baskerville, Clementine McIntosh, Gemma Brown and Sarah Murray work across ceramics, textiles, printmaking, drawing, weaving and community-based practices. The exhibition explores material processes and connections to place and people. Brown utilises experimental processes with industrial waste and commercial ceramic materials. Baskerville submerges metal plates in bodies of water to create corrosion marks. McIntosh uses site-responsive techniques including buried textiles and plant dyes. Sarsfield shares Māori culture through communal raranga weaving practices. Murray creates large-scale gestural paintings challenging colonial landscape ideals through embodied experiences of place.
Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Bean Soup
Canberra glass artist Bailey Donovan presents an immersive exhibition centred on recurring glass bean forms. The installation includes blown sculptures, wall-mounted works and colour compositions exploring relationships between domestic craft, queer identity and glass’s expressive nature. Donovan’s signature bean shapes embrace irregular silhouettes and uneven contours, offering alternatives to traditional glassblowing aesthetics focused on symmetry and technical refinement. The work references domestic textiles including gingham and crochet through cane work, colour overlays and patterning techniques. Bean clusters vary from small collectible-sized pieces to larger abstract blown forms arranged in compositions referencing kitchen jars and fabric scraps. The exhibition celebrates material exploration through humour and comfort.
Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
The Long Look
Five printmakers who met at the Canberra School of Art Printmaking Workshop in the late 1990s reunite for an exhibition celebrating innovative practices. Cecile Galizzo, G.W. Bot, Lizzie Hall, Craig Cameron and John Pratt share material-based approaches where etching plates and woodblocks become artworks, metal becomes drawing, and repetition transforms into methodology. The exhibition references deep consideration needed during uncertain times, bringing together old friends to celebrate making art. Works in wood, metal and paper distil years of observing and inhabiting natural landscapes and internal landscapes of myth and memory. The exhibition functions as a conversation between artists reflecting their longstanding friendships.
Until Friday, 11 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
DEEP END BY AMY CLAIRE MILLS
Deep End is an immersive sensory installation inviting exploration through touch, sight, and sound. The project explores the concept of accessible and adaptive ‘third spaces’. Third spaces, beyond home and work, are informal social environments that foster community and connection (Oldenburg, 1989).
However, for many Disabled people, third spaces often default to medical environments like doctors’ waiting rooms and outpatient clinics. Public pools have long served as adaptive third spaces existing somewhere between the social and the medical. Deep End invites you to wade into a future in which care, access, and disability culture are embedded in the design from the very beginning.
Until Sunday 12 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au/current
WATER BY HANDS ON STUDIO
The artworks in Water have been developed by artists from Hands On Studio, Canberra, whose practices foreground process, material engagement, and embodied ways of making.
Through diverse approaches and mediums, the artists examine water as a mutable substance that exists across multiple states — liquid, solid, and vapour — and across varied registers of meaning. Rain, sea, ice, and tap water are considered not only for their physical properties, but for the social, political, and environmental contexts in which they are encountered.
Until Sunday 12 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au/current
In Bloom
In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, you will discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The show is a weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that includes much-loved and lesser-known works from the collection. See socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, doctors and politicians who are all unified by their accompanying floral markers.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 years of Independence
Bilong Papua New Guinea marks the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence and the birth of a new nation on September 16, 1975. The National Gallery holds the largest collection of Papua New Guinea urban art outside the country. Each of the works selected for Bilong Papua New Guinea presents a story, reflecting on cultural heritage, historical moments, the influence of ancestors, Christianity, kastom, societal changes and new technologies.
Until Sunday 19 April | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
5th National Indigenous Art Triennial
The National Indigenous Art Triennial brings together commissioned work by established and emerging First Nations artists from across Australia. Artistic Director Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples), one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, leads this iteration. After the Rain presents new immersive projects resonating with ideas of rebirth and cycles of cleansing, celebrating inter-generational legacies and cultural warriors of past, present and future. Made possible through the continued generosity of Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters, the Triennial creates an important platform for art and ideas. Following its Kamberri/Canerra presentation, After the Rain will tour nationally.
Until Saturday, 26 April 2026 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
The hidden world of the small – beautiful, powerful or vulnerable
The Hidden World of the Small examines the often overlooked. Seven artists from the Tin Shed Art Group pull focus onto the minute details of life, finding the power and beauty in tiny, quiet subjects.
Through a range of mediums, the group navigates the tension between beauty and power on a small scale, uncovering moments that usually stay hidden in plain sight.
See how the smallest subjects can tell the biggest stories.
Until Monday 27 April | Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave
An exhibition exploring Korea’s cultural journey to global influence through 250 objects from the V&A in London. The exhibition spans film, fashion, drama, beauty and music–from BTS to aespa, Squid Game to Parasite, glass skin to bibimbap. Visitors can discover the powerhouse behind Korea’s dramatic cultural transformation and the vibrant world of K-culture as it continues to sweep across the globe. The exhibition examines how creativity, collaboration and cultural ambition shaped Korea’s contemporary identity.
Until Sunday, 10 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au
In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists
Celebrate Australian innovation at National Archives’ latest exhibition in Canberra, In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists. Explore the history of Australian invention, from First Nations creativity to 150 years of patents, designs and trademark registrations.
See life-changing inventions, iconic designs and household brand names with original design drawings and trademarks from the national archival collection alongside their real-life counterparts.
Australians from all walks of life have pursued their ideas in the laboratory, at the drafting table and in the humble backyard shed. Learn about the innovators behind advances such as the baby capsule, spray-on skin and the stump-cam. Discover the origins of everyday products and national icons such as the Victa lawnmower, Hills Hoist and ‘goon bag’.
From pedestrian crossing buttons to dual flush toilets, see how the Australian Government played a vital role in supporting inventions and designs that you regularly see, hear, use – and flush. Spark your own imagination and be inspired by stories of bold dreams, determination and Australian ingenuity.
Until 17 May | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Good Neighbour
Belconnen Arts Centre presents an offsite group exhibition at SLA Display Village and Innovation Precinct, Whitlam, curated by Brooke McEachern. A printmaker, glass blower, ceramist, mark maker and knifemaker come together celebrating local makers and quiet creative lives unfolding around us. Estelle Briedis, Hugo Curtis, Jacky Lo, Isobel Rayson and Dan Venables live and work in our neighbourhoods as familiar dog-walkers, corner café regulars or simply good neighbours. Through functional objects and considered craftsmanship, the exhibition presents works feeling personal and lived-with, as though gathered over time from friends and neighbours. The collaboration highlights the creative talent existing within everyday community spaces, making visible the artistic practice happening in homes and studios throughout Canberra’s suburbs.
Until Sunday, 13 July | SLA Display Village, Whitlam | belcoarts.com.au
Trent Parke: The Christmas tree bucket
Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas. The series showcases Parke’s distinctive and acclaimed visual style and his skilful use of light and colour, to transcendent effect.The Christmas tree bucket is a candid, unsettling and often absurd portrait of family life—centred on the chaos, rituals and contradictions of the suburban Australian Christmas. It is a fond, insider’s view—sharp but affectionate—and one that the participants, after initial bemusement, actively embraced.
Parke draws from the legacy of postwar American photography while retaining a distinctly personal visual language, using light and colour to transform the everyday. The resulting photographs are both intimate and theatrical, sometimes hilarious, sometimes poetic and haunting. The exhibition also features a small selection of work from Parke’s black-and-white series Minutes to midnight 2003‒04 and a number of his handmade concertina photobooks, which he sees as a central part of his practice.
Until Sunday 6 September | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light
Questacon presents an interactive exhibition exploring the science of light through 13 hands-on exhibits. Visitors can experiment with light refraction, colour blending, shadow manipulation and reflection across multiple activity stations. The exhibition demonstrates how light travels, reflects and refracts, alongside displays of tools humans have developed to harness light. Activities include bending light, using sensors to create music, and working with lenses. The exhibition is designed for hands-on engagement with scientific concepts. Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light is a Museums Victoria Touring Exhibition running until November 2026.
Until Sunday, 22 November | Questacon–The National Science and Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’
Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’ celebrates the year’s best political cartoons.
Featuring established and emerging cartoonists from across Australia, this exhibition highlights the significant contribution they make to cultural and political debates through witty, insightful and often poignant satirical drawings.
This year our Behind the Lines theme is the cinema, acknowledging that, like some of our favourite movies, 2025 has been full of thrills and spills, romance and heartbreak, with plenty of unexpected plot twists. Australia’s cartoonists and illustrators have tackled many of the issues that made news, including the federal election, the cost of living, energy policy, interest rates, housing security, the economy, climate change and stories from overseas.
Until December 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au
Gurindji Freedom Banners
A powerful new exhibition commemorating the pivotal 1966 Wave Hill Walk-off opens at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Gurindji Freedom Banners: Mumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla–From the darkness into the light unites all ten hand-painted banners for the first time in years, telling the story of when Gurindji and neighbouring peoples, led by Vincent Lingiari AM, walked off Wave Hill Station on 23 August 1966.
Their demands for fair working conditions and return of traditional lands sparked landmark change, leading to the first handback of Aboriginal land in 1975 and paving the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. The textile banners were created in 2000 by 35 Gurindji people, many walk-off participants, with one recently recreated after going missing.
Now showing until late 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay showcases two of Australia’s leading fashion designers: Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, in conversation with international, multidisciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979).
The iconic and vibrant early designs of Kee and Jackson from the 1970s and early 1980s were directly inspired by the dynamic legacy of Delaunay, who was a member of the School of Paris and co-founder of Orphism, an art movement noted for its use of intense colours and abstract, geometric forms. As well as working in traditional mediums such as painting and printmaking, Delaunay’s practice also included textile, fashion, and theatre design.
For Jackson and Kee, who were beginning their shared journey in creating clothes as works of art, the discovery of Delaunay was revolutionary. This powerful display feature a rarely-seen collection of Kee and Jackson’s garments from their archives and are shown with the National Gallery’s collection of Delaunay’s prints, drawings, textiles and costumes.
Showing now | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
National Library of Australia Treasures Gallery
The National Library has millions of books, and the Treasures Gallery answers the frequently asked question, ‘Where are they’. They also collect other items. From maps and manuscripts to photographs and paintings, the Treasures Gallery is where you can find highlights from their vast physical and digital collections. Behind-the-scenes videos, pages from William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice from the First Folio, a cedar bookcase carved by Dorothea Mackellar, photographs from the nation’s photo album, and a display of The Wiggles’ websites from 1997 to today from the Australian Web Archive are among the new additions.
Until December 2030 | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au
