Ready for the weekend? Here’s how to spend it in Canberra

Posted on 24 July, 2026

The weekend has officially arrived, and Canberra is packed with huge plans from Friday night straight through to Sunday afternoon.

Whether you’re kicking off the weekend with a fireside glass of local Shiraz, catching high-stakes NRL action, or winding down Sunday with a slow-cooked roast and live jazz, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your days off. From cosy markets and glowing lantern walks, indulgent cheese masterclasses and live rooftop beats, we’ve mapped out the absolute best ways to spend your weekend.

Here is your ultimate playbook for a stellar weekend in Canberra!

Don’t miss…

Fireside Festival 2026

It is time to start stoking the fires for the highly anticipated return of the region’s premier winter celebration. The 2026 Fireside Festival, presented by the Canberra District Wine Industry Association, is a multi-week celebration packed with diverse and captivating events designed to ignite the senses. Wine lovers can venture out to regional vineyards and venues to indulge in luxurious truffle dinners, warming mulled wine, exclusive Chef dinners, food pairings, mini wine festivals, and cozy bonfires. Picture fresh, crisp days, the sounds of live music drifting through the vines, a glass of exceptional local red in hand, and something slow-cooked and delicious on your plate by the glow of a nearby fire.

Friday 24 July until Sunday 9 August | Various regional venues and wineries | canberrawines.com.au

The Edge

Step into the high-stakes world of corporate ambition with The Edge, a gripping, full-length contemporary dance theater production. The story follows a new employee joining a prestigious corporate firm, where something feels deeply wrong from the very start. Six months in the making, this sharp, immersive, and deliberately unsettling show examines corporate dehumanization, greed, and intense psychological warfare as surveillance tightens and colleagues comply without question. Directed by Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani, The Edge brilliantly blends live, elite dance performance with cinematic storytelling and cutting-edge digital animation to ask one haunting question: how far is too far?

Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July | Erindale Theatre, McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa | thetraininggroundact.au

Luna Live: Winter Heat featuring SSJ

Get ready for a night where live music meets the dancefloor. Sydney entertainment collective SSJ is taking over Luna with live vocals, musicians, DJs, dancers and immersive performances that blur the line between concert and party.

Saturday 25 July, from 8 pm | Luna Bar, 99 London Circuit, Canberra City | lunabar.com.au

Le Cheeserie x Marble & Grain: Raclette & Cheese Masterclass

The ultimate cheese experiences aren’t found peering behind glass displays—they are the ones you taste, savor, and remember. This weekend, the culinary team at Marble & Grain is joining forces with Le Cheeserie (Canberra’s artisan cheese specialists from the Capital Food Markets) for an intimate, guided afternoon that puts extraordinary cheese front and center. This masterclass is built around a beautifully curated table, expert industry guidance, and exceptional matched wines in hand. Skip the crowds, pull up a seat, and discover the history, craft, and incredible flavor profiles of premium artisan cheeses and gooey, traditional raclette in a relaxed, sophisticated setting.

Saturday 25 July, 11.30 am–1.30 pm | Marble & Grain, 25 Mort Street, Braddon | marbleandgrain.com.au

P4Pottery Grand Opening

Discover Canberra’s newest creative space as P4Pottery Studio & Creative Hub officially celebrates its grand opening in Fyshwick! Founded by local ceramicist Nurdan, this vibrant new hub offers beginner-to-advanced pottery classes, studio memberships, and a retail shop stocked with unique handmade giftware, high-quality clays, glazes, and pottery tools. Drop by during the launch event to tour the space, meet the maker, and enjoy complimentary food and drinks as they welcome the community into their creative haven.

Saturday, 25 July, 1 pm–3 pm | Unit 13, 157 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick | p4pottery.au

Winter in the Woods

Step into a magical seasonal escape at the National Arboretum Canberra with the inaugural Winter in the Woods festival. This exciting new celebration brings together firelight, food, and forest adventures designed to warm the soul even on the crispest winter days. Visitors can explore a fantastic mix of free, self-guided activities, alongside a curated program of bookable workshops, guided tours, and First Nations-led experiences. It is the perfect excuse to rug up, gather around the crackling fire pits, and enjoy delicious treats from the outdoor food hub during the school holidays.

Until Sunday 9 August | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Rear Vision: The Holden Collection

Take a nostalgic drive through the history of an absolute Australian icon with Rear vision: the Holden collection at the National Archives. This fascinating exhibition traces Holden’s journey from a humble 19th-century saddlery to ‘Australia’s Own Car’ and its permanent impact on the nation’s economy, industrial landscape, and cultural identity. Visitors can explore historical archival records, rare artifacts, blueprints, and photographs that reveal the innovations, challenges, and people behind General Motors-Holden. Developed by the State Library of South Australia and expanded with national records, the exhibition also offers daily gallery talks.

Until Sunday 11 October | National Archives of Australia, Parkes | naa.gov.au

Antarctica

Explore the frozen continent at the National Museum of Australia through a fascinating exhibition sharing Australia’s enduring connection to the icy south. Visitors can discover over 100 years of Antarctic science, exploration, and survival through rare artefacts, historic equipment, and first-hand accounts from researchers. Immersive displays bring polar landscapes to life with blizzards and the aurora australis, teaching families about the region’s unique wildlife and environmental significance. It’s a captivating opportunity for curious minds of all ages to journey into an extreme environment right from the comfort of our capital.

Until Sunday 11 October | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au

Special Events and Festivals

Stargazing at National Arboretum Canberra

Immerse yourself in a breathtaking 90-minute stargazing experience and discover the secrets of the cosmos alongside a passionate local astronomer. High above the city lights, you’ll use state-of-the-art telescopes to observe the Moon’s rugged craters, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, nebulae, and deep-space star clusters. The evening also features a laser-guided naked-eye tour to help you navigate famous constellations, spot passing satellites, and trace the Milky Way across the sky. To keep the winter chill at bay, warm blankets, rich hot chocolate, and organic herbal teas are provided, making it an enchanting, cozy night out for stargazers aged four and up.

Friday 24 and Saturday, 25 July, 6.15 pm–7.45 pm | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Kambah winter lantern walk

Kambah SEEChange and the Kambah Community Group present the Kambah Winter Lantern Walk, an evening event combining craft and an outdoor walk through the Kambah parklands. Lantern making begins at 4.30 pm at the DiversityACT Community Hub, next to the Kambah Adventure Playground, where materials are provided to make and decorate lanterns fitted with battery-operated candles. From 5.30 pm, participants walk into the parklands towards the Kambah Woolshed, led by a local historian and former Scout leader. A shorter 800-metre circuit suits younger children, while a longer 1500-metre route continues further. Hot chocolate and marshmallows follow. The event is free; all ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday 25 July, 4.30–6.30 pm | DiversityACT Community Hub, 8 Laidlaw Place, Kambah | facebook.com

Great Gatsby Gala

Put on your finest feather boas, flapper dresses, and sharp suits, and let the team at Hotel Kurrajong transport you back to the roaring 1920s. The Great Gatsby Gala is a night of pure glitz, glamour, and vintage entertainment. Guests will begin the evening with a themed 1920s cocktail and gourmet canapés on arrival, followed by an elegant two-course meal and a generous three-hour beverage package. Providing the spectacular soundtrack for the evening are their friends from the Canberra City Band—Canberra’s finest 20-piece swing orchestra—accompanied by energetic, show-stopping live dance performances from the Canberra Swing Katz.

Saturday 25 July, 7 pm–11 pm | Hotel Kurrajong, 8 National Circuit, Barton | hotelkurrajong.com.au

SpringOUT Fundraiser

SpringOUT with a night dedicated to community, celebration and giving back. This event will raise funds for Canberra’s beloved Pride Festival, helping keep queer stories, voices and visibility front and centre. Every drink, every donation and every cheer helps strengthen the community.

Saturday 25 July, doors open 8 pm | ChiChiz, Sydney Building, 32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | events.humanitix.com

Birthing Kit Assembly Day

The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast (ZCCB) is calling on locals to lend a hand for a powerful humanitarian cause at their annual Birthing Kit Assembly Day. Volunteers will work together to pack 3,000 vital birthing kits destined for remote and disadvantaged regions worldwide where access to safe childbirth resources is severely limited. Funded by the ZCCB and organized in partnership with Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BKFA), these simple yet highly effective kits drastically improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Whether you can spare one hour or the full morning, this community-driven event welcomes families, workplaces, individuals, and service groups to come along and make a tangible, life-saving difference.

Saturday, 25 July 9.30 am–2 pm | 102 Wattle Street, O’Connor | Free entry (registration encouraged) | humanitix.com

Celebration of Motorsports: Bathurst Legend Cars

Get up close and personal with some of the most iconic performance cars in Australian history at Ollies’ Garage. This intimate public vehicle display features a dedicated “Celebration of Motorsports” showcase spotlighting legendary Bathurst race cars alongside spectacular models from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and more. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see these incredible vehicles in person and learn exactly which makes and models achieved ultimate success at Australia’s most famous race circuit. It is the perfect, easy-going weekend outing for dedicated car enthusiasts and families alike, with supervised children under 12 entering completely free.

Saturday 25 July, 9 am–12 pm | Ollies’ Garage, Unit 1, 72 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick | olliesgarage.com.au

Platypus Month

Discover one of Australia’s most unique, magical wildlife experiences during Platypus Month across the stunning Upper Murrumbidgee region. Running from late July through August, this annual celebration shines a spotlight on the iconic, elusive platypus through a diverse calendar of guided walks, citizen science surveys, family activities, expert talks, and local film screenings. The local waterways are home to highly active, healthy platypus populations, and the month offers a rare opportunity to join guided dawn or dusk platypus-spotting walks at picturesque river corridors. It’s an authentic outdoor adventure perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, and wildlife photographers looking to connect with local conservation teams.

Saturday 25 July until Monday 31 August | Various regional waterways and locations | act.waterwatch.org.au

Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival

Experience the cosy winter charm of the Southern Highlands as the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival returns for its fifteenth year. Located just 90 minutes from Canberra, this beloved cultural highlight brings together some of the nation’s finest literary talent across four days of inspiring conversations, panels, and events. Held at the beautiful Berkelouw Book Barn in Berrima and Bowral’s iconic Empire Cinemas, the 2026 lineup features incredible authors like Miles Franklin winner Siang Lu, legendary actor Bryan Brown, Alice Pung OAM, and Bri Lee. From elegant black-tie literary dinners to fascinating deep dives into history, media, and artificial intelligence, it’s the perfect winter escape for local book lovers.

Until Sunday 26 July | Various Venues, Southern Highlands | humanitix.com

Play Outside Day: Zoomies Paws Party

Canberra winters might showcase a crisp morning air, but that is the perfect excuse to head outdoors with your favorite furry friend. Haig Park is hosting a special Play Outside Day: Paws Party Edition designed to get you and your pooch moving. Round up your two- and four-legged family members for a morning packed with games and zoomies. Dog owners can challenge friends to a round of badminton, pickleball, cornhole, basketball, or giant outdoor board games while pups burn off energy with structured dog agility activities. You can also get creative with pawsome craft workshops, listen to live music from local favorite Wayne Kelly, and lap the Haig Park Village Markets to refuel with delicious food and artisan treats.

Sunday 26 July, 10 am–12 pm | Haig Park (Top of Mort Street), Braddon | inthecity.com.au

Warm Trees

Canberra winters are famously crisp, but the National Arboretum is finding a wonderfully creative way to warm the soul this season. The popular annual ‘Warm Trees’ installation is returning to colour the landscape, transforming the local forests into a vibrant outdoor art gallery. Made possible by the incredible dedication of hundreds of local volunteers, this community-focused event wraps the trees in beautiful, handmade warmth.

Our city’s visitors and locals alike can explore more than 17 different forests across the spectacular grounds, spotting bright, hand-knitted scarves adorning everything from the towering trees on Dairy Farmers Hill to the miniature branches in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. The surrounding ‘Winter in the Woods’ program offers plenty of opportunities to rug up by the firelight, enjoy toasted marshmallows, and sip rich mulled wine under the stars.

Until Sunday 9 August | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Food + Drink

Christmas in July Buffet

Experience the absolute magic and culinary indulgence of a traditional Northern Hemisphere Christmas within the heritage-listed walls of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Settle in for a luxurious, grand buffet dinner experience featuring classic festive dishes prepared to absolute perfection. Diners can load their plates with an array of premium roasts, signature seasonal sides, decadent sauces, and traditional holiday desserts complete with all the gourmet trimmings you would expect from a five-star hotel. Perfect for a memorable family gathering or an elegant date night, the atmosphere is warm, festive, and sophisticated. Please note that table reservations are strictly essential to secure your spot.

Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July | Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | hyatt.com

Whisky Live Canberra

Whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs are invited to step into a guided journey through flavor, craft, and history as Whisky Live returns to the capital. Hosted at the University of Canberra Refectory, this premium event allows ticket holders to sample an unlimited array of drams from top-tier distilleries across Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Australia, the USA, and beyond. Your ticket includes a tote bag complete with a Whisky Live branded tasting glass, a detailed printed tasting guide, a pen to mark your favorites, and complimentary high-quality hot and cold food selections to enjoy between tastings. Guests can also attend free expert masterclasses, sample rare vintages at the Rare & Old Bar, and purchase bottles at exclusive event prices.

Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July | The Refectory, Building 1, University of Canberra, Bruce | whiskylive.com.au

Christmas in July Banquet at natural nine

Escape the chilly air and indulge in a specially curated festive feast right in the heart of the city. The talented culinary team at natural nine has crafted a mouthwatering Christmas in July banquet menu that seamlessly blends authentic Shanghainese flavors with classic holiday favorites. Gather your friends or family for either a decadent lunch or dinner session to sample standout dishes, including succulent grilled sesame lamb chops, finishing on a sweet note with a spectacular sticky date pudding served alongside fried ice cream.

Saturday 25 July | natural nine, Casino Canberra, 21 Binara Street, City | casinocanberra.com.au

Chef’s Table Lunch: Flavours of Rome

Join Head Chef Federico Pitasi for an intimate, deeply authentic Chef’s Table lunch celebrating the timeless culinary traditions of Rome. Designed as a shared, long-table experience, all 30 guests are seated together at one beautifully dressed table with all courses served to share—creating a relaxed, convivial atmosphere that is distinctively Roman. The feast begins with delicious house-made focaccia and classic Supplì al Telefono. Guests will then indulge in Rome’s iconic pasta trilogy: Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, Maccheroni alla Carbonara, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana, before finishing with a decadent shared Tiramisu. Throughout the afternoon, Chef Federico will sit with the table to share the history and kitchen secrets behind each dish.

Saturday 25 July, 12 pm–2 pm | Restaurant Two14, 214 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | restauranttwo14.com.au

French-Inspired Perigord Truffle Dinner

Celebrate the peak of winter truffle season with an exquisite four-course dining event hosted at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong. Executive Chef Bradley Howden will present a rustic menu inspired by the famous Périgord region of France—an area renowned globally for its rich truffle heritage and hearty winter gastronomy. Utilising classic French culinary techniques, the menu is carefully crafted to highlight and enhance the earthy aroma and complex flavour profile of fresh, ACT-grown truffles. It offers a warm, authentic, and luxurious dining experience that brings the culinary magic of rural France straight to the Southside.

Saturday, 25 July, 11 am–2 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, Greenway | cscc.com.au

Introductory Wine Appreciation

Learn the absolute basics of wine in a fun, completely fuss-free, and friendly environment at the Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre. Hosted by Canberra Cellar Door, this introductory class provides a relaxed gateway into the world of wine and the thriving Canberra wine district. Over two hours, you’ll discover the essential elements of wine profile characteristics, how different varieties are made, and the fundamental principles of food and wine pairing. Best of all, you’ll put your new knowledge to the test by tasting your way through a hand-picked, premium selection of quality local Canberra wines. Gather your favorite people for an afternoon of great conversation and plenty of laughs.

Sunday 26 July, 1 pm–3 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, Parkes | canberracellardoor.com.au

The Promenade Café’s Sunday Roast

Escape the Sunday blues and embrace a beautiful new winter tradition in the elegant surrounds of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. The Promenade Café is throwing open its doors to serve up a spectacular, winter-warming Sunday Roast. Guests will be greeted by a wonderful sense of nostalgia, with fireplaces crackling in the historic lounges and the promise of exceptional, warm hospitality.

It is the perfect excuse to gather your closest friends and family for a classic cosy meal, featuring a traditional roast with all the trimmings. For a truly perfect finish to the weekend, you can stop by Speaker’s Corner Bar on your way out to enjoy a fireside cocktail or a premium whiskey. Spaces are bound to fill up fast for this comforting winter experience, so booking a table ahead of time is highly recommended.

Until Sunday 30 August | The Promenade Café, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | hyatt.com

Après QTea High Tea

As the winter chill settles over the capital, Canberrans looking for a cosy alpine escape don’t need to head all the way to the snowy slopes. The gorgeous QT Lounge is teaming up with the sweet geniuses at Space Kitchen to transform their sky-high venue into a winter wonderland filled with après-ski indulgence. It is the perfect excuse to gather your favourite local friends for a sophisticated afternoon of elevated comfort food and stunning city views.

Guests will be treated to a spectacular tiered stand showcasing savoury delights like a rich split pea and smoked ham soup alongside earthy wild mushroom croquettes. The sweet side of the mountain features freshly baked scones piled high with mountains of rosewater cream and strawberry jam, all topped off with a spiced mulled cider and a flowing white chocolate fountain. For those wanting a little extra indulgence, a roving cake trolley features toasted s’mores and chocolate caramel snowballs.

Until Saturday, 29 August | QT Lounge, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City | qthotels.com

The Brunch Club at Capitol Bar & Grill

There is nothing quite like a lazy weekend morning to reset the soul, and Capitol Bar & Grill is flipping the script on your average breakfast routine. The Brunch Club is introducing an unapologetically luxurious, all-day dining concept designed for food lovers who believe the weekend deserves a bit of theatrical flair. It is a long, decadent celebration of bold flavours that will make you want to cancel the rest of your daily plans.

The kitchen is serving up elevated favourites, from fluffy buttermilk pancakes to classic cheeseburgers slathered in a special secret sauce and savoury miso-grilled salmon. The star of the show is undoubtedly the interactive Bloody Mary cart in partnership with Ketel One Vodka. Guests can watch bartenders build their custom cocktail right before their eyes, choosing from an outrageous lineup of garnishes like crispy bacon, blue cheese olives, dill pickles, and even fresh mussels.

Until Sunday 30 August | Capitol Bar & Grill, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City | qthotels.com

Bourbon Street Sunday Jazz

Bring the soulful sounds of New Orleans straight to your winter weekends! Every single Sunday evening, Molly transforms into Bourbon Street, showcasing a fantastic, rotating lineup of local brass bands playing loose, soulful Crescent City swing. It is the absolute perfect way to escape a cold Canberra night and close out your weekend in style. You can order a delicious cheese and charcuterie platter, sit back in the cosy hidden bar, and sip on a specialised bourbon cocktail from the NOLA-themed menu. Follow the music down Odgers Lane to find the secret door.

Until Sunday 30 August, 6 pm–10 pm | Molly, Odgers Lane, Wooden Door, City| molly.bar

Markets

Capital Region Farmers Market

This farmers’ market is iconic for a reason.

Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.

It will make you appreciate your Saturday morning shopping trip in a whole new way.

Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au

Old Bus Depot Markets

Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building, you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.

Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.

Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au

Southside Farmers Markets

This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta, pet treats and more.

Sundays, 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra

Haig Park Village Markets

Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.

It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.

Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au

Sport and Wellness

NRL & NRLW Double Header

Get ready for an action-packed Saturday afternoon as a spectacular Canberra Raiders rugby league double-header arrives at GIO Stadium. First, the NRLW squad will look to take down the Cronulla Sharks, followed immediately by the NRL side facing off against the Wests Tigers in a crucial clash. It shapes up to be an unmissable day of top-grade sport that will have the whole city on the edge of their seats. Be sure to arrive well before kickoff to experience the iconic, show-stopping Viking Clap tradition to cheer on both sides as they run onto the field. Off the pitch, GIO Stadium will turn completely green with plenty of family-friendly activities, interactive zones, and entertainment around the ground, making it a perfect day out for die-hard fans and first-timers alike.

Saturday 25 July, 12.45 pm–6 pm | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | Paid | raiders.com.au

Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence Jr.

One of the biggest and most highly anticipated fights in modern Australian boxing history is finally locking in, and Casino Canberra is broadcasting every single second live and loud. Head into the premier Onyx Sports Lounge to watch American superstar Errol Spence Jr. travel Down Under to challenge reigning Aussie champion Tim Tszyu in the ultimate cross-continental showdown. Catch every heavy punch, tactical clash, and potential knockout on the lounge’s massive, state-of-the-art screens surrounded by an unbeatable live stadium atmosphere. Grab a drink, settle into a premium viewing spot, and watch history unfold. Please note Onyx Sports Lounge is strictly an 18+ venue, and valid ID is mandatory for entry.

Sunday 26 July, 12 pm–5 pm | Onyx Sports Lounge @ Casino Canberra, 21 Binara Street, City | casinocanberra.com.au

Music

Rooftop Roots & Reggae: Winter Edition

Celebrate original local music, community, and culture at Rooftop Roots & Reggae, taking over Level 2 of ‘Blank Cultural Platform’—one of Canberra’s newest independent arts and cultural hubs. This unique urban rooftop showcase brings together three of the ACT’s leading roots acts to highlight the depth of the local reggae and dub scene. Catch powerhouse headliners This Way Orkestra with their blending of afrobeat, ska, and jazz, alongside the uplifting roots grooves of long-time favorites Kopasetic, and the deep basslines of Agency Dub Collective. Between live sets, top local DJs and selectors will keep the positive vibrations going from the afternoon straight into the evening.

Saturday 25 July, 4 pm–10 pm | Blank Cultural Platform, 131 City Walk, City | humanitix.com

The Wolfe Brothers Live

Australian country rock legends The Wolfe Brothers are hitting the road on their biggest and most ambitious live tour yet. Their latest smash-hit album, Australian Made, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Aussie Country Chart and famously snagged a whopping five Golden Guitar Awards—including Album of the Year and Group of the Year. This brings their career total to an incredible 15 Golden Guitars, officially cementing them as the most awarded country rock group in Australian history. Renowned for their high-energy, killer live performances, the brothers will be mixing new hits with crowdsourced fan favorites across their seven studio albums. The legendary evening will kick off with special guest artist Abbie Ferris.

Saturday 25 July, 7.30 pm–10.30 pm | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | humanitix.com

Luna Live: Winter Heat featuring SSJ

Sydney’s highly renowned entertainment collective, SSJ, is coming to the capital for one spectacular night to bring the heat to Luna Bar. This immersive live music event is entirely unique to the city, featuring roaming vocalists and a live saxophonist moving directly through the crowd to transform the venue into a high-energy party. Blending live instrumentation with talented club DJs, infectious crowd interaction, and non-stop feel-good party anthems, it delivers the pulse of a major metropolitan nightlife experience right to the heart of Civic. Tickets include a specially themed Winter Heat cocktail on arrival to set the tone for an unforgettable night out.

Saturday 25 July, 8 pm–11.59 pm | Luna Bar, London Circuit, City | lunabar.com.au

Kirin J Callinan Live

Worse Records and Select Music present an extraordinary, highly avant-garde night of live music as the unpredictable Kirin J Callinan takes over Downer. For this special “The Squeeki Wheel (Gets The Grease)” tour, iconic international guests ESCAPE-ISM will be joining Kirin live in concert for their first and only time ever in Australia. Fronted by the legendary Washington D.C. author, filmmaker, rock & roll philosopher, and master provocateur Ian Svenonius alongside Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist and choreographer Sandi Denton, it promises a performance unlike anything else. Rounding out the experimental bill are Sydney’s self-proclaimed worst, RFOP, making this a must-see for fans of boundary-pushing independent music.

Sunday 26 July, 6.30 pm–10 pm | Gang Gang Cafe, 2 Frencham Place, Downer | humanitix.com

Stage and Screen

Live Radio Play: The Wind in the Willows

ArtSound Radio Theatre returns to the intimate, 67-seat Mill Theatre for a joyful, live adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows. Adapted by Bart Meehan, this unique performance invites the audience to experience storytelling being built in real time. Watch as talented local actors gather at microphones while live foley and sound effects are created right before your eyes. Follow the heartwarming and chaotic adventures of Mole, Ratty, wise old Badger, and the irrepressible, motorcar-obsessed Mr. Toad as their beloved riverbank and Wild Wood are brought vividly to life through pure sound, music, and imagination.

Saturday 25 July | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Building 3.3, Fyshwick | milltheatreatdairyroad.com

Movie Marathons at the NFSA

Warm up your winter weekends by losing track of time in the cozy warmth of Arc Cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive. Designed for immersive, back-to-back viewing, these extended movie marathon sessions pair iconic cinematic trilogies with comfort food and drinks from the onsite bar and deli. This weekend, cinema lovers can dive into fractured memories and space-time mind benders with Christopher Nolan’s Memento, Inception, and Interstellar. It is the ultimate communal, big-screen film event for cold winter days.

Saturday 25 July | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche

Everyman Theatre presents 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, a comedy by Andrew Hobgood and Evan Linder, directed by Jarrad West. Set in 1956, the play follows the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein as their annual quiche breakfast is interrupted by Cold War anxieties and a series of unexpected revelations. The production blends satire, audience interaction and physical comedy across a fast-paced 90 minutes, and features Crystal Mahon, Steph Roberts, Meaghan Stewart, Sian Harrington and Ylaria Rogers.

Until Saturday 1 August, various times | ACT Hub, Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au

Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival

Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in the rich storytelling of the Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival as it returns to Palace Electric. This year’s formidable lineup showcases incredible new cinema from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden set against breathtaking landscapes. Film lovers can look forward to a spectacular mix of powerful dramas, dark comedies, and a special 60th-anniversary screening of Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece, Persona. It is the perfect excuse to settle into a plush cinema seat with a warm drink, support international cinema, and explore profound cultural insights from across the globe.

Until Sunday 2 August | Palace Electric Cinema, NewActon Nishi, 2 Phillip Law Street, City | nordicfilmfestival.com.au

The Glass Menagerie

Step into a beautifully fragile world of memory and illusion with Canberra REP’s latest theatrical production, The Glass Menagerie. Directed by Geoffrey Borny, this amateur production of Tennessee Williams’ classic masterpiece trades grit for magic, using wryly humorous memories, music, and striking visual effects to underscore the narrative. Set during the late 1930s Great Depression, the story follows Tom’s guilt-ridden reflections on his family: his mother Amanda who lives vitally in a romanticized past, his sister Laura who retreats into a comforting world of miniature glass animals, and the sudden arrival of a hopeful gentleman caller. It stands as a moving tribute to the survival mechanisms and fragile illusions we build just to give life meaning.

Until Saturday, 8 August | Canberra REP Theatre, Acton | canberrarep.org.au

NFSA’s Winter Film Series

Take a cinematic journey through time and space in the Winter Film Series at Arc Cinema.

From mind-bending time travel and fractured narratives to intergalactic adventures, alien encounters and cosmic odysseys, join us for stories stretching across eras and into the far reaches of the universe.

Whether you’re drawn to contemplative tales or epic escapism, you can explore worlds reshaped by technology, desire and chance.

Until 31 August | NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au

Talks and Workshops

Winter in the Woods: Southern Forest Bus Tours

Explore the sweeping landscapes of the National Arboretum in complete warmth and comfort aboard an accessible, one-hour guided bus tour. Accompanied by friendly and knowledgeable guides, you’ll go behind the scenes to learn about the history, vision, and conservation purpose driving this world-class site. The journey takes you through iconic forests and lesser-explored southern plantings, uncovering what makes these rare, endangered, and culturally significant trees so extraordinary. It is an easy-going, weather-proof, and accessible way for visitors of all ages to experience the Arboretum’s winter beauty without braving the cold on foot.

Friday 24 and Saturday, 25 July | National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Christmas in July Print Workshop

Get into the festive spirit with a premium, hands-on workshop celebrating local creative talent. In this exclusive Canberra Made Series collaboration, the design team from Egg Picnic joins forces with the technical printmakers of Megalo Print Studio for a 2.5-hour screen-printing session. Participants will receive personalized design guidance and expert printing support to create a high-quality, unique linen tea towel and tote bag to keep or gift. To complete the experience, you’ll be treated to a custom festive spiced hot chocolate created exclusively for the workshop by the neighboring Walter Café. Free parking is included.

Saturday 25 July, 10 am–12.30 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, Barrine Drive, Parkes | visitcanberra.com.au

Story Dogs on Sunday

Families are invited to drop into the library foyer on the last Sunday of the month for a paw-sitive, relaxed reading experience with the Story Dogs program. Designed to make reading fun and help children build confidence, the session connects young readers with trained volunteers and their calm, accredited dogs. Young people aged 7 to 12 can sit down, enjoy a range of stories, and pat the friendly pups just outside the Library Bookshop. Small children under 7 are also very welcome to join the fun and meet the dogs under parental supervision. No bookings are required; simply show up and enjoy.

Sunday 26 July, 11 am–12 pm | National Library of Australia Foyer, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au

Book Club at NFSA

Explore how culturally significant books are reimagined for the silver screen with a unique monthly book club experience hosted by the National Film and Sound Archive and 666AM ABC Radio Canberra. Led by ABC presenter Alice Matthews and Canberra author Rhiân Williams (co-hosts of The Afternoons Book Corner Book Club), this series dives into the fascinating relationship between classic stories across page and screen. Audiences can tune in to ABC Radio Canberra on Fridays to discover the monthly book choice, secure a ticket to watch the cinematic adaptation on the big screen at the NFSA, and stick around for a lively, interactive post-screening discussion. Advanced bookings are highly recommended as sessions frequently sell out.

Sunday 26 July | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton | nfsa.gov.au

Exhibitions

Distant blues, from a little closer

Olivia Gates presents Distant blues, from a little closer, her first solo exhibition. The exhibition explores losing, loss and being lost, alongside moments of love and joy interwoven through these experiences. Works were developed during Gates’ residency at M16 ArtSpace this year, marking her return to textiles after a decade-long focus on glass. Rather than seeking resolution, the pieces hold grounding memories and hope for an imagined life, sitting with the pull between leaving something unknown and letting it become familiar.

Friday 24 July to Sunday 16 August | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au

Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize 2026

PhotoAccess presents the Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize 2026, an exhibition and competition open to photographers worldwide across all experience levels. The show brings together new work in contemporary photo media, presenting a range of approaches and perspectives within the medium.

Thursday 16 July to Saturday 15 August, 10 am–4 pm | photo access, Manuka Arts Centre, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au

Neil Lade’s Mixed Up

Ainslie-based artist Neil Lade presents Mixed Up, an exhibition spanning four decades of his painting and sketching practice, at Q Gallery. Lade began drawing in his early teens, balancing art alongside a career in journalism and family life before turning to it more fully in retirement. The show brings together works from the early 1980s to the present, including pen and ink sketches, pieces combining ink with acrylic colour, and larger abstract works on canvas and board. His imagery moves between surreal, comical and dreamlike scenes, often blending real and imagined landscapes. Lade’s work has featured in solo and group exhibitions, and in private collections in Australia and overseas.

Friday 24 July to Thursday 6 August | Q Gallery, 13a Edgar Street, Ainslie | q-gallery.com.au

Tracks North

Follow a beautiful, creative passage through the Australian landscape with Tracks North, the latest solo exhibition by artist Val Johnson. Showing at the Strathnairn Arts Homestead Galleries, this stunning collection traces her travels from Melbourne aboard the Overland train, continuing north to Darwin on the iconic Ghan. Along the way, Johnson masterfully captures the shifting terrain and atmospheric light of Alice Springs and Katherine Gorge, translating her memories into richly observed oil paintings. Viewers are warmly invited to travel alongside the artist through the vast interior and lush wetlands of the Top End.

Until Sunday, 26 July | Strathnairn Arts Homestead Galleries, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | strathnairn.com.au

Country Knows My Name

Embrace a powerful artistic exploration of identity and heritage this winter at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Country Knows My Name is a moving solo exhibition by Ngarigo Monaro / Moneroo artist Gail Neuss. Each featured artwork reflects a deep, visceral relationship with Ngarigo Country (Kunama Namadgi/Snowy Mountains), beautifully translated onto the canvas through an expressive use of colour, line, and fluid movement.

The collection stands as a beautiful tribute to culture, ancestors, and the ancient knowledge permanently held within the land. By seamlessly blending contemporary artistic practice with deep-rooted tradition, Neuss’s pieces speak volumes about belonging, inner strength, and cultural continuity. This exhibition offers a stunning reminder that Country is far more than just a physical place—it is family, teacher, home, and the ultimate path forward. It is an ideal, reflective exhibition to pair with a crisp afternoon walk through the surrounding native gardens.

Until Sunday 26 July, 9.30 am–4.30 pm daily | Visitors Centre Gallery, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | visit.anbg.gov.au

Embodied Trauma

Step into M16 Artspace to experience Embodied Trauma, an extraordinary and deeply moving exhibition by talented contemporary artist Keziah Craven. Developed through collaborative, ethics-approved research, this thought-provoking showcase utilises stunning wearable art to translate the complex lived experiences of sexual assault survivors into powerful sculptural forms. Foregrounding resilience, agency, and the profound strength of embodied storytelling, the collection offers a unique visual and tactile language for processing trauma. Please note that this exhibition contains references to sensitive themes that some viewers may find distressing. It opens alongside two other magnificent local solo exhibitions this July.

Until Sunday, 26 July | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au

Friends by Anna Bonshek

Anna Bonshek’s evocative new sculpture installation, Friends, invites audiences to pause, reflect, and appreciate the magnificent presence of natural materials. Showing at M16 Artspace, these striking works are beautifully crafted from locally harvested Ironbark, SheOak timber, sandstone, and volcanic bush rock. Inspired by the rich complexity of the forested bush ecosystem, the exhibition speaks deeply to themes of existence, connection, and togetherness. By exploring natural cycles and human rhythms, Bonshek creates a rich archive of shared memory that turns the inexplicable into something comforting and familiar. It is a must-see for local art lovers.

Until Sunday 26 July | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au

Guide to Surreal Urbias

Investigate the fascinating boundary between the real and the imagined with Guide to Surreal Urbias, a beautiful solo exhibition by Eliott June O’Dowd. Displayed at M16 Artspace, this unique collection is an ode to growth, observation, and memory. Through an impressive selection of paintings and mixed-media textile sculptures, the artist masterfully reinterprets the vibrant shapes and colours observed in the natural world. Driven by creative intuition, the abstract, contrasting, and loosely figurative works offer a physical shape to the artist’s inner ponderings, making it a compelling highlight of Canberra’s winter arts calendar.

Until Sunday 26 July | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au

Group Exhibition: Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Jordan Benson

A remarkable cross-cultural dialogue opens at Canberra Glassworks in Kingston, bringing together Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre artists Vanessa, Kathy, Dellina and Raelene Inkamala from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) alongside Melbourne-based artist Jordan Benson. The exhibition celebrates the enduring watercolour legacy of Albert Namatjira while placing it in conversation with Benson’s contemporary approach to traditional stained glass techniques. Together, they explore light, colour and transparency across two very different mediums – an expansion of their celebrated collaboration for the National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia. A genuinely special and culturally rich exhibition.

Until Sunday 26 July | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com

Through the Window: Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Jordan Benson

A rich cross-cultural dialogue opens in the main gallery at Canberra Glassworks in Kingston, expanding on a celebrated collaboration first seen at the National Gallery of Australia’s National Indigenous Art Triennial. Artists Vanessa, Kathy, Dellina and Raelene Inkamala from Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) bring the enduring watercolour legacy of Albert Namatjira into conversation with Melbourne-based Jordan Benson’s contemporary approach to traditional stained glass techniques. Together they explore light, colour and transparency across two very different mediums, sharing skills and stories in an exhibition that honours culture while engaging boldly with the present.

Until Sunday 26 July | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com

Flutterbry: Worlds Beyond Waste

Worlds Beyond Waste invites viewers into a surreal ecosystem built entirely from discarded plastic laundry hamper lids.

Flutterbry transforms everyday waste into mesmerising sculptural forms that feel both organic and architectural, creating a world suspended between the deep ocean and the outer cosmos.

The exhibition will be visible 24/7, offering a different experience by day and by night, with creative lighting and dramatic shadows bringing the works to life.

Based in Canberra, Flutterbry is a visual artist also known to many locals as the former owner of the iconic Toast Bar nightclub (2001–2007).

Until Monday 17 August | Canberra Museum + Gallery, Civic Square | cmag.com.au

Ngurumbang-dhi Fashion Exhibition

Discover Ngurumbang-dhi, a striking collection by First Nations fashion label Corella & Crow, founded by talented designers Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley. On display in the Window Gallery at Belco Arts, these beautiful works were originally created for the 2025 Country to Couture runway. Exploring the deep connection between fashion, Country, and community, the collection highlights slow fashion processes, upcycled textiles, and stunning hand-worked surfaces. Through specialiSed dyeing, mark-making, layering, and reconstruction, each garment speaks beautifully to cycles of renewal and environmental care, honoring the stories and relationships that shape First Nations creative practice.

Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

My Country, My Connection exhibition

Experience Full Circle, a deeply personal solo exhibition by a proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman at the Belconnen Arts Centre. This evocative showcase explores the artist’s unique journey and enduring cultural links, having been fortunate enough to live on both her grandmother and grandfather’s traditional countries for most of her life. Now living on beautiful Yuin Nation country—a place where her mother also lived for two decades while maintaining her traditional connections—the artist brings these three distinct regional relationships full circle through her creative practice. Step into the Pivot Gallery to witness this beautiful celebration of identity.

Until Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

Ngiaga Art Exhibition

Step into the West Gallery at Belco Arts to experience Ngiaga, an extraordinary collaborative exhibition of mixed-media works created by First Nations artists. Grounded in spirituality, Country, and genealogy, this deeply autobiographical series explores the interconnected stages of life through ten powerful themes, including birth, heritage, society, and purpose. Each piece draws beautifully from lived experience and cultural knowledge, showing how we move through the world both as individuals and as part of a collective experience. Audiences are warmly invited to witness, reflect, and connect with this stunning, interwoven cultural map.

Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

Yawarj Mara Young Men’s Art Exhibition

Belconnen Arts Centre proudly presents the Yawarj Mara – Strong Pathways Young Men’s Group Art Exhibition. Led by proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri man Mitchell Daley, this vital program regularly engages over forty Aboriginal young people aged ten to eighteen from across North Canberra. Because creative arts are a core part of their program, this unique showcase in The Nook highlights beautiful artworks and cultural artifacts designed by the participants. Reflecting individual and collective journeys, identity, and connection to culture, these rare works aim to inspire the next generation with strength, vision, and a lasting legacy.

Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au

Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country

One of the most ambitious exhibitions to open at the National Gallery of Australia this year, Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country showcases major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the APY Lands, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide. These large-scale paintings depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa–the law and cultural stories–that lies within, rendered sometimes in explosions of colour, sometimes in muted, contemplative palettes. From the beginning of the APY art movement, these artists have embraced monumental works as the ultimate expression of cultural freedom. The result is an exhibition that is genuinely epic in both scale and significance.

Until Sunday, 23 August | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | nga.gov.au

Tamara Henderson: The Gardener’s Bar

Tamara Henderson presents The Gardener’s Bar, an exhibition centred on compost as material, method and model of transformation within her practice. Drawing on processes of decomposition and regeneration, Henderson builds an ecology where sculpture, painting, film and sound emerge through shared cycles of accumulation, decay and renewal, guided by four recurring archetypes: The Gardener, The Director, Light and Sound. First realised in London in 2023, the work responds to Henderson’s Kamberri/Canberra shed and operates as a site of cultivation, production and exchange. New glass panels for this iteration were produced at Canberra Glassworks. The exhibition is accompanied by a newly commissioned collection of texts by Henderson’s collaborators.

Until Saturday 29 August | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT | canberracontemporary.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

2XX People-Powered Radio: Celebrating 50 Years

For five decades, 2XX has carried the distinct voices, grassroots politics, and community stories of the capital over the airwaves. This winter, the Canberra Museum + Gallery (CMAG) is marking this massive milestone with a brand-new exhibition celebrating Canberra’s very first community radio station and the passionate people who shaped it. Tracing its evolution from its early beginnings as Radio ANU in 1976 to a modern broadcasting pillar, the exhibition brings together archival audio, vintage equipment, photographs, and vibrant, screen-printed posters made in collaboration with Megalo. Visitors can even step back in time inside a faithfully recreated 1970s and 1980s radio studio to listen to historic broadcast excerpts. It is a nostalgic, physical celebration of local music, multicultural programming, and the independent media movements that helped define modern Canberra.

Until Sunday 6 September | Canberra Museum + Gallery, Civic Square |  cmag.com.au

Wangka Wakaṉutja: the story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre

Between 1979 and 1990, the Papunya Literature Production Centre produced hundreds of illustrated bilingual books–funny, moving, extraordinary documents of Pintupi-Luritja language and culture, guided by community Elders who were also pioneers of the Western Desert art movement. Many of those books have been held in the National Library’s collections ever since, and this landmark new exhibition finally brings them to life. Featuring stories, drawings, photographs, manuscripts, and oral histories drawn from multiple collections, it’s a profoundly significant celebration of Aboriginal literary culture, collective creativity, and the remarkable human effort to keep language alive across generations.

Until Sunday, 11 October | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/wangka-wakanutja

Hop In! an immersive world of play

Canberra Museum and Gallery launches one of its most delightful exhibitions this April–and it’s designed for the youngest visitors. Hop In! turns the familiar family home inside out, shifting rooms in scale and perspective to invite children aged 3–12 to move, build, crawl, splash, and imagine in surprising new ways. Stretch out beneath a sky of clouds, create secret worlds under oversized furniture, or wander through reimagined kitchens and backyards where creativity has completely taken over. At the heart of the experience is Bunny Dearest, a gentle guiding companion created by artist Beci Orpin.

Until Sunday, 11 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au

Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light

Questacon presents an interactive exhibition exploring the science of light through 13 hands-on exhibits. Visitors can experiment with light refraction, colour blending, shadow manipulation and reflection across multiple activity stations. The exhibition demonstrates how light travels, reflects and refracts, alongside displays of tools humans have developed to harness light. Activities include bending light, using sensors to create music, and working with lenses. The exhibition is designed for hands-on engagement with scientific concepts. Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light is a Museums Victoria Touring Exhibition running until November 2026.

Until Sunday, 22 November | Questacon–The National Science and Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au

Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’

Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’ celebrates the year’s best political cartoons.

Featuring established and emerging cartoonists from across Australia, this exhibition highlights the significant contribution they make to cultural and political debates through witty, insightful and often poignant satirical drawings.

This year our Behind the Lines theme is the cinema, acknowledging that, like some of our favourite movies, 2025 has been full of thrills and spills, romance and heartbreak, with plenty of unexpected plot twists. Australia’s cartoonists and illustrators have tackled many of the issues that made news, including the federal election, the cost of living, energy policy, interest rates, housing security, the economy, climate change and stories from overseas.

Until December 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au

Gurindji Freedom Banners 

A powerful new exhibition commemorating the pivotal 1966 Wave Hill Walk-off opens at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Gurindji Freedom Banners: Mumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla–From the darkness into the light unites all ten hand-painted banners for the first time in years, telling the story of when Gurindji and neighbouring peoples, led by Vincent Lingiari AM, walked off Wave Hill Station on 23 August 1966.

Their demands for fair working conditions and return of traditional lands sparked landmark change, leading to the first handback of Aboriginal land in 1975 and paving the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. The textile banners were created in 2000 by 35 Gurindji people, many walk-off participants, with one recently recreated after going missing.

Now showing until late 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au

Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures

Step into a vibrant, near-future Australia where once-impossible technologies transform how we live, work, and play. Questacon’s latest immersive gallery, Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures, makes the complex world of quantum physics accessible, playful, and incredibly fun.

Developed in collaboration with Canberra illustrator Paul Summerfield, the exhibition brings tomorrow’s tech to life through colorful, highly detailed illustrations, giant airborne sculptures, and a mesmerizing cloud chamber that reveals the invisible world of tiny particles. Along the way, visitors can meet the pioneering Australian researchers who are harnessing the unique behaviors of quantum objects to solve some of the world’s most critical challenges. From un-hackable communications and personalized medicine to ultra-responsive prosthetics, you’ll discover how a quantum future promises to make ordinary lives extraordinary.

Open daily through 30 June 2027 | Gallery 8, Questacon, Parkes | questacon.edu.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

Yarning: Sharing Stories, Celebrating Culture

Explore Yarning, a vibrant new exhibition at Australian Parliament House showcasing the creative voices and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students from across the nation. Featuring artworks from over 70 young artists, the display showcases entries from the Yarning competition exploring themes of Country, identity, family, and reconciliation—including the three winning pieces. Located in the public area on the Level 1 Senate side, this inspiring collection offers a powerful platform for young First Nations storytellers.

Open daily until February 2027 | Australian Parliament House, Capital Hill | aph.gov.au

Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years

Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years is a permanent portrait exhibition celebrating 50 years of women as residents at John XXIII College. Featuring fifty alumni, the exhibition pairs portraiture with personal reflections to capture the evolving experience of women across five decades. Photographed by ANU School of Art graduate Bronte Morel across Australia and internationally, each work is set in a location of personal significance. Together, the collection forms an intergenerational narrative of leadership, identity and community, recognising the enduring contribution of women to the College and beyond.

Permanent exhibition, open 9 am–5 pm daily | Front foyer, John XXIII College, 51 Daley Road, Australian National University, Canberra | johnxxiii.anu.edu.au

Feature image via Canberra Wines.