Don’t let winter win: 56 ways to beat the Canberra chill this weekend
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Winter may have Canberra in its icy grip, but the capital is absolutely buzzing with reasons to venture out from under those blankets!
From a vibrant three-day Peruvian cultural festival complete with Pisco Punch and traditional dancers, to roller derby’s fabulous Pride bout featuring drag queen Valerie Hex, this weekend is serving up serious FOMO fuel.
Add in Grease Monkey’s epic 10th birthday bash, a reimagined baroque opera that’s been given the full LGBTQIA+ treatment, and even a circus-themed dog party in Haig Park, and you’ve got the perfect antidote to winter hibernation mode.
Trust us – your couch will still be there when you get back, but these events won’t wait for spring.
Five not to miss
Día de San Juan: A Peruvian Cultural Weekend
Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours and traditions of Peru at Cypher Brewing Co.’s three-day cultural celebration. Experience authentic Peruvian and Amazonian culture through live music, traditional dance, storytelling, and delicious cuisine in the heart of Gungahlin.
This free, all-ages festival features live bands, roving dancers, a special Peruvian-inspired lager release, signature Pisco Punch cocktails, and traditional dishes. Enjoy family-friendly activities including face painting and games, browse artisan market stalls, and don’t miss the community football match on Saturday morning.
Co-curated with local Latin American artists and cultural organisations, this celebration showcases Canberra’s diverse community spirit.
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 June – Friday from 5pm, Saturday & Sunday from 12pm | Cypher Brewing Co., 35 Hinder Street, Gungahlin | facebook.com
Canberra Roller Derby League’s annual Pride bout
Following two action packed games where the Walter Surly Griffins and the Red Bellied Black Hearts took on visiting teams Northern Beaches Roller Derby League and Sydney Roller Derby League, Canberra’s two roller derby teams will be facing off for the first time this season in Canberra Roller Derby League’s annual Pride bout!
The Pride bout is a chance for CRDL to come together, celebrate and support community and diversity and have a fun time battling it out on the track. With food, crafts, a half time performance from drag performer Valerie Hex and, of course, roller derby, this is sure to be an exciting night!
Saturday 28 June, doors open at 6pm and first whistle is at 6.30 pm | Evelyn Scott School, Denman Prospect | Tickets online at moshtix or at the door.
Ionic Athletics Grand Opening Day
Join IONIC Athletics for their exciting Grand Opening on 28 June, and experience the future of fitness in Canberra. Meet the passionate crew behind IONIC, explore cutting-edge facilities—including a sauna and ice bath—and enjoy goodies from local vendors.
Check out the LSKD pop-up shop and score new workout gear with an exclusive IONIC discount. Take on mini challenges to win awesome prizes, and don’t miss your chance to lock in a foundation membership on the day.
Saturday 28 June, 10 am to 1 pm | Ionic Athletics, Building 2, 1 Dairy Road , Fyshwick | Free to attend, register here.
Rapt in Felt 2025: Street Felt
Continuing Canberra Region Feltmakers’ tradition of showcasing the work of its members, Rapt in Felt 2025: Street Felt explores opportunities to wear and use beautifully made felt every day – on the street, at work, at home and for special occasions. CRF members continue to push the boundaries of design and use of felt combined with different fabrics, resulting in innovative and versatile garments.
For two days on 28-29 June CRF members will transform a somewhat ordinary hall into a fun and creative space where you can see, buy and experience handmade felt in all its magic. Don’t miss the Street Felt fashion parade on Saturday and mini workshops on Sunday, and enjoy browsing the Felt shop for hand-felted treasures made by CRF members.
Saturday 28 June 10 am-4 pm and Sunday 29 June 10 am-3 pm | Kambah Scout Hall, Kett Street, Kambah | canfelt.org.au
Tricks and Train Paws Party
Haig Park is going into full circus mode, with dogs taking centre stage! Featuring a professional dog trainer teaching fun tricks, there’ll be treats, live music, and a photo stage for your four-legged star.
Sunday 29 June | Haig Park, top of Mort Street, Braddon | facebook.com
Food and Wine
Grease Monkey’s 10th Birthday Bash
Join Grease Monkey as they celebrate a decade of delicious burgers and good times with their signature style birthday bash. Dance to live music from 2pm, sip on all-day slushies, and groove to throwback 2015 playlist hits between sets. Enjoy special beverage deals throughout the day while indulging in their famous burger menu that started it all.
This classic “Greasy” celebration promises the perfect combination of nostalgia, great food, and live entertainment in the heart of Braddon. Come hungry, leave happy, and help toast ten years of burger excellence.
Sunday 29 June, from 2 pm | Grease Monkey, 19 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | greasys.com.au
Seasonal Ayurveda Cooking Workshop
Learn to prepare and eat a delicious, healthy, balanced meal based on Ayurvedic principles. This interactive workshop covers making ghee, seasonal ingredients, six Ayurvedic tastes, and includes a recipe handbook.
Sunday 29 June | Flow and Food Yoga & Ayurveda, 253 Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham | flowandfood.com.au
So France – So Good
This annual celebration honours the richness of French cuisine and the creativity of those who keep French gastronomy alive in Australia. Join the festivities by registering your activities or events to celebrate that special je ne sais quoi that makes French cuisine irresistible.
Until Wednesday 2 July | Various locations | sofrance-sogood.com
Markets
Capital Region Farmers Market
Sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra. Speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Haig Park Village Markets
Browse delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities. It’s the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Stage and Screen
The Beauty Queen of Leenane
Experience Martin McDonagh’s darkly comedic masterpiece in this intimate production by Free-Rain Theatre. Set in a rural Irish cottage, this powerful play follows plain, middle-aged Maureen and her manipulative mother Mag as they navigate isolation, hope, and sabotage when romance finally enters Maureen’s life.
Director Cate Clelland brings together a stellar local cast including Alice Ferguson, Janie Lawson, Bruce Hardie, and Robbie Haltiner in this quietly devastating black comedy that explores the malevolence of people living hopeless lives. Don’t miss this brilliant two-week run of work from one of Britain and Ireland’s greatest living playwrights.
Wednesday 25 June to Saturday 5 July | ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au
Promise and Promiscuity
Penny Ashton’s collaboration with Jane Austen celebrates the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. It’s a hilarious one-woman show tackling all of Austen’s characters with song, dance and appalling cross-stitching.
The award-winning romp through the 1800’s Regency period is impeccably penned by Ashton and hilariously performed, cleverly weaving in biting modern references with characters who are boldly created in the likeness of Jane Austen’s heroes and heroines.
Wednesday 25 June – Sunday 29 June | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, City | thestreet.org.au
Meteor Shower by Steve Martin
Corky and Norm are excited to host Gerald and Laura at their home in the valley outside Los Angeles to watch a once-in-a-lifetime meteor shower. But as the stars come out and the conversation gets rolling, it becomes clear that Gerald and Laura might not be all that they appear to be.
Over the course of a crazy, starlit dinner party, the wildly unexpected occurs. The couples begin to flirt and insanity reigns. Martin, using his trademark absurdist humour, bends the fluid nature of time and reality to create a surprising and unforgettably funny new play.
*Contains adult themes 15+
Saturday 26 June – Saturday 5 July at 7.30 pm. Matinee performance at 2 pm on Saturday 5 July | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Robert Pearson’s Comedy Variety Show
Join one of The Four Kinsmen’s great characters for comedy variety at its best. A comedy magician, singer, comedian, dancer, impressionist and more, supported by young vocalist Kaitlin Nihill.
Friday 27 June | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | bit.ly
Story Time: There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe with Professor Chris Ferrie
This is an intimate, interactive reading exploring everything in the universe from biggest to smallest with a quantum demo. It’s ideal for five to nine-year-olds and anyone with a fascination with the universe!
Saturday 28 June | Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
HSBC Spanish Film Festival 2025
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Spanish and Latin American cinema as this acclaimed festival returns to Canberra. This year’s curated selection promises to captivate audiences with compelling storytelling from across the Spanish-speaking world. The festival’s crown jewel is the Australian premiere of “El 47,” a critically acclaimed drama that swept five Goya Awards, showcasing the very best of contemporary Spanish filmmaking. Film lovers can also experience “Baby,” an emotionally charged Brazilian drama that explores family dynamics, and “Ocho (8),” a sweeping romantic epic that traces love across eight transformative decades. Each screening offers subtitled viewing, making these international treasures accessible to all cinema enthusiasts seeking sophisticated entertainment.
Until Wednesday 2 July | Palace Electric Cinema, 2 Phillip Law Street, NewActon| spanishfilmfestival.com
Music
The Painted Orchestra
A vibrant celebration of music that paints pictures through sound, performed by the talented young musicians of the Canberra Youth Orchestra. Presented by Music for Canberra.
Friday 27 June, 7–8:30 pm | Overture Hall, Orana Steiner School, Weston | events.humanitix.com
These Precious Hours: Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas reimagined
Canberra Qwire (proudly LGBTQIA+) will make a 1689 opera fabulous with the help of Canberra’s finest musicians. Themes of queer love, loss and heartache shine through their reimagining of Henry Purcell’s baroque opera, Dido & Aeneas, supported by an ensemble including the exceptional Ellery String Quartet.
Led by Callum Tolhurst-Close (Sweet Charity, The Boy from Oz, National Opera Chorus), dynamic soloists including soprano Rachel Mink, tenors Andrew Barrow and Oscar Balle-Bowness will mesmerise first-timers and seasoned operati alike. After performing the opera (60 mins, in English, with subtitles), Qwire’s 100+ singers will offer the contemporary musical response they’re Canberra-famous for.
Saturday 28 June, 7 pm –9.30 pm | Llewellyn Hall (ANU), Building 100, William Herbert Place, Canberra | premier.ticketek.com.au
The Oriana Chorale, conducted by Dan Walker, presents Musica Domestica (or Diary of a Remote Worker in Thirteen Chapters).
Ever wondered what your work-from-home day would sound like in choral form? Wonder no more – join Oriana Chorale as they explore the music of the mundane with the incredible Sally Whitwell.
From coffee jitters to rage-inducing emails, and featuring an original composition by our 2025 composer-in-residence, Aija Draguns, enjoy a whimsical, relatable and spectacular musical deconstruction of our everyday lives.
The concert features work composed by Sally herself, as well as Michael Nyman, Samuel Barber, Eric Whitacre, and of course a couple of surprises.
Sunday 29 June, 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm | The Street Theatre (Street 3), Childers Street, Canberra City | thestreet.org.au/shows/oriana-chorale
Running in the Shadows – Fleetwood Mac
Australia’s premier and longest-running tribute to Fleetwood Mac exploring their extensive five-decade catalogue. From Peter Green hits through Rumours to Tango In The Night and Stevie Nicks solo material, you’ll hear it all.
Saturday 28 June | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com
These Precious Hours: Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas reimagined
Canberra Qwire (proudly LGBTQIA+) will make a 1689 opera fabulous with the help of Canberra’s finest musicians. Themes of queer love, loss and heartache shine through their reimagining of Henry Purcell’s baroque opera, Dido & Aeneas, supported by an ensemble including the exceptional Ellery String Quartet.
Led by Callum Tolhurst-Close (Sweet Charity, The Boy from Oz, National Opera Chorus), dynamic soloists including soprano Rachel Mink, tenors Andrew Barrow and Oscar Balle-Bowness will mesmerise first-timers and seasoned operati alike. After performing the opera (60 mins, in English, with subtitles), Qwire’s 100+ singers will offer the contemporary musical response they’re Canberra-famous for.
Saturday 28 June, 7 pm –9.30 pm | Llewellyn Hall (ANU), Building 100, William Herbert Place, Canberra | premier.ticketek.com.au
Exhibitions
Grace Gladdish: Higher Ground
Acclaimed Tasmanian artist Grace Gladdish brings her stunning solo exhibition Higher Ground to Suki & Hugh Gallery, showcasing hand-painted linocut prints that capture the rugged contours and rocky terrain of highland environments. Working from her studio in Mt Wellington’s foothills, Gladdish creates striking hybrids that masterfully balance bold linocut forms with delicate watercolour gestures.
Her refined process combines relief printing with watercolour painting, creating textural richness and vibrant compositions that appeal to lovers of both printmaking and the natural world. This respected artist regularly exhibits with Tasmanian collective nowhereprint and has received national recognition including awards from the Bay of Fires Art Prize and National Contemporary Art Prize.
Saturday 28 June until Tuesday 15 July | Suki & Hugh Gallery, 38A Gibraltar Street, Bungendore | sukihugh.com.au
Step into the Limelight 2025
Now in its 19th year, Step into the Limelight 2025 invites you to Enter the Unknown – a bold and imaginative exploration of mystery, curiosity, and possibility through the eyes of Canberra’s K–12 public school artists.
Across M16’s three gallery spaces and Chutespace, Step into the Limelight highlights the talent, imagination, and diverse perspectives of the next generation of artists while celebrating the value of creative learning in education.
From abstract interpretations of space and time to deeply personal reflections on change, fear, and discovery, these works showcase the incredible creativity and courage of young people stepping into new territory.
Expect a dynamic and diverse collection of paintings, sculpture, digital art, textiles, and mixed media pieces that push the boundaries of what is familiar and celebrate the beauty of the unexpected.
Until Sunday 29 June | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Over and Around, A Poem, A Sculpture
This collaborative exhibition by Julia Higgs with Peter Searles explores the aesthetics of line and aims to foster new inquiries into multimodal forms of expression and response, using both visual art and poetry. Over and Around, a Poem, a Sculpture will be accompanied by a poetry reading in the gallery on Sunday 29 June, 2 pm.
Until Sunday 29 June | PLATFORM, 9 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Lindy Lee
Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists. This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper.
Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment, and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever-evolving and ambitious practice.
Until Tuesday 1 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
The beautiful place where we live by An Pan
Canberra based artist An Pan’s Australian landscape exhibition is a true record of the natural scenery of the cities and countryside he has lived and visited in the past 35 years. From these paintings you can see Australia’s unique natural scenery, historical buildings and human culture.
Until Sunday 6 July | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
GW Bot: Portrait of a landscape
For the past four decades artist GW Bot has been based in Canberra, specifically in Belconnen, and has worked in the surrounding landscape of the Monaro plateau, the remnant grasslands of Canberra and the Murrumbidgee River corridor. Her work views nature and landscape as active collaborators.
Until Sunday 6 July | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
HABITAT – An Open Printmaking Exhibition
Printmakers from throughout Australia are being invited to respond to the theme of what HABITAT means to them. Explore the beauty of these precious ecosystems, suburban, industrial, and other built landscapes. All finalist works will be eligible for selection in the AUD500 People’s Choice Award.
Until Sunday 6 July | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Rendering the Invisible by Igor Kochovski
The exhibition revolves around the themes of seeing and transforming – a certain fascination with the physical world in which the visible coexists and is in constant dialogue with the invisible, gave impetus to the works and formed the common thread between them.
Until Sunday 6 July | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Gestures of Retribution
Gestures of Retribution by Amy Carkeek, a Brisbane-based artist and researcher whose work investigates the contradictory nature of photography, the commodification of images and objects, and the manipulation of everyday language
Until Saturday 12 July | photo access, 30 Manuka Circuit, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
The River Report
The River Report by Natalie Davey, a multidisciplinary artist from Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, whose video work is a five-day map of when the normal Yitilal (wet season) turned into a major disaster displacing the local communities.
Until Saturday 12 July | photo access, 30 Manuka Circuit, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
The Lodge by Amala Groom
The Lodge is the third moving image work in Amala Groom’s Raised by Wolves series. Filmed on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, The Lodge engages with Groom’s history of direct action at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and ceremonial rites of passage within and without the halls of Parliament House spanning the past 20 years from activist to advocate to artist.
The work references David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and its White and Black Lodges, reinterpreting them as the indivisible duality of ‘light’ and ‘dark’—a dynamic embodied by Canberra’s historical and political landscape.
Until Saturday 12 July | 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Am I in your way by Racquel Ormella
Am I in your way? extends Raquel Ormella’s career-long focus on the visual cultures of protest and resistance. This exhibition takes as its starting point the position of Canberra Contemporary at the centre of the Parliamentary Triangle as a site to consider past and present formations of national identities.
In this current moment of charged international and national relationships through conflict and brinkmanship, the work looks at the ways political protestors use their bodies as direct forms of passive disruption. In an environment where attitudes towards legitimate disruption and protest are changing, Am I in your way? is a timely exploration of an emerging criminalisation of ‘inconvenience’.
Until Saturday 12 July | 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
KULATA TJUTA: TIRKILPA
Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project.
Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. On show at the National Gallery of Australia head along to see the large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations that incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.
Safari Art – Neil Sloan
Journey through East Africa with Queanbeyan artist Neil Sloan’s vibrant collection of works on paper. “Safari Art” captures the raw energy of travel and cultural exchange through expressive printmaking, collage, drawing, and journaled musings created on-site during his African travels.
These layered works reflect connections with local communities, diverse landscapes, and wildlife, serving as both vivid snapshots and deep personal reflections of the region’s richness. Sloan, a Megalo Print Studio member and two-time Molonglo Prize winner, balances abstraction and realism in this compelling solo exhibition exploring responsive arts practice.
Until Saturday 19 July | Rusten House Arts Centre, 87 Collett Street, Queanbeyan | qprc.nsw.gov.au
The Faces of Caring
A vibrant and heartwarming Textile & Fibre Art exhibition from local charity Good Omen Goodeze (GOG), this exhibition showcases the extraordinary creativity of GOG members from across the ACT and beyond, featuring everything from bold yarn installations to whimsical soft sculptures, and intricate pieces rich with personal meaning.
What started as small stitching circles in lounge rooms has grown into a thriving creative movement bringing people together through craft, connection and kindness.
Visitors are invited to explore the display and enjoy morning tea alongside artists and members from GOG’s various meetups across the region. The exhibition is part of GOG’s ongoing mission to foster wellbeing, creativity, and community connection through crafting.
Until Sunday 20 July | The Link, Ginninderry – 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | goodomengoodeze.org.au
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers
Showcasing the best of Australian photojournalism, the National Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive.
Tracing the art of photojournalism from its infancy to the highly illustrated news stories you know so well today, the free exhibition explores how the pioneers of press photography in Australia developed their storytelling skills.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | More information here.
The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
This is the first solo exhibition for this multidisciplinary, contemporary Australian artist opens at the National Portrait Gallery. Showcasing over 100 works spanning his prolific, decade-long career, the exhibition features painting, installation and animation, as well as major new work, inviting audiences to consider the world through his eyes.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
Precarious Proximity
An exploration of the dynamic relationship between glass and porcelain by artists Jo Victoria, Robyn Campbell, and Julie Bartholomew. The exhibition celebrates the interplay of solidity and openness, reflection and refraction, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and environment through contrasting materials.
Until Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Resonance – Art as the Voice of Nature
This exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) showcases art from the NatureArt Lab teaching team and community, nature journals and natural history objects collected over our eight years of operation.
Celebrating the richness of biodiversity and the deep connections between art and the natural world, the exhibition extends beyond visual art, incorporating community engagement, school programs, and international nature tours spanning Borneo, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador, and Peru.
Until Sunday 27 July | 176 London Circuit, City | More information here.
Reflection: 50 Years of the Australian Honours System
Discover the remarkable story of Australia’s honours system through a fascinating exhibition at the Royal Australian Mint. “Reflection” celebrates five decades of recognizing extraordinary Australians, featuring original medal sketches by Stuart Devlin, finished medals, and commemorative coins from the National Coin Collection.
Explore the journey from design concept to final recognition, including the 2003 Volunteers Fine Silver Proof Set, Afghanistan Medal displays, and stunning wattle-themed collectibles. This free exhibition honors over 500,000 Australians who have contributed to our nation’s spirit.
Now open | Royal Australian Mint, Deakin | Free entry | ramint.gov.au
Wish You Were Here – Community Exhibition
Discover the beauty and uniqueness of Canberra’s South through this community exhibition curated from an open call for small works. Local artists reflect on the Tuggeranong Valley and South Canberra environment, sharing what makes their region special through diverse artistic expressions.
From everyday joys to memorable moments, this collection celebrates the things that bring delight to those who live, work, and visit this vibrant part of the capital. A heartfelt tribute to community connection and place, showcasing the artistic talent flourishing in Canberra’s southern suburbs.
Until Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
True: Kevin Gilbert (1933-1993)
Celebrate the life and legacy of Kevin Gilbert through this powerful exhibition of prints and poetry marking what would have been his 92nd year. Featuring images and poetry created during his lifetime alongside works edited for the first time, this tribute explores Gilbert’s core themes of spiritual presence and cultural survival.
Through lino prints, poetry, and photography, witness how Gilbert’s work enhanced the cultural survival of his people against colonial oppression. A moving testament to an artist, writer, and activist whose vision continues to inspire and educate.
Until Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
From Country – Rechelle Turner & Megan Daley
Experience the deep-rooted connection to Country through this collaborative exhibition by Megan Daley (Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri) and Rechelle Turner (Wiradjuri). “From Country” explores timeless stories, heritage, and identity through the lens of their artistic partnership that also birthed their fashion label, Corella & Crow.
This celebration of Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri cultures invites audiences to experience layers of belonging, wisdom, and spirit that inspire their creative journey. Discover how landscapes, cultural knowledge, and ancestral connections shape and sustain contemporary Indigenous artistic practice.
Until Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie
Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie marks the first time works from this internationally significant collection will be seen in Australia. The exhibition presents a journey through the dynamic changes in European and Australian art in the twentieth century. Don’t miss it.
Until Saturday 21 September | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts
Play and create in The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts, a dedicated interactive space created by artist Sanné Mestrom. Building on artistic dialogues initiated by the exhibition Cézanne to Giacometti, Mestrom transforms abstract cubist forms into a playable adventure.
Until Saturday 21 September | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Camel trains to steel wheels
Explore a colourful chapter of Australia’s history at National Archives’ exhibition Camel trains to steel wheels: life on the Trans-Australian Railway.
This exhibition features fascinating archival records, photos and footage that captured the events and challenges from the railway’s first 60 years, including its impact on First Nations people.From the construction effort and its diverse workforce to the unique lives of communities that sprang up along the line, this is a must-see exhibition for those who revel in Australia’s railway history through time and place.
Until 19 October | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
Celebrating 100 years of Mount Stromlo Observatory, this interactive exhibition highlights groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and the vibrant community of scientists and families behind them. Features immersive installations, historical objects, and interactive activities perfect for all ages.
Until 16 November | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Taglietti: Life in Design
Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019), a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti’s birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia’s most original architects.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
In Bloom
In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, you will discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The show is a weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that includes much-loved and lesser-known works from the collection. See socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, doctors and politicians who are all unified by their accompanying floral markers.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Workshops, Talks and Programs
Introduction to Large Format Photography Workshop
Learn the basics of large format photography over a weekend, from camera knowledge to creating detailed contact prints in the darkroom. Understand 4×5 film and develop your first images in this crash course open to all levels.
Saturday 28 June – Sunday 29 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Decal Decoration | Sarit Cohen
Participants can join artist Sarit Cohen at Craft + Design Canberra for a hands-on workshop creating their own personalised porcelain cup. Inspired by the geometric designs of the Art Deco movement, Sarit will guide attendees through composition, colour, and pattern concepts, and demonstrate step-by-step decal application on pre-made bisque-fired cups.
Saturday 28 June | Craft + Design Canberra, 1 North Building, 180 London Circuit, City | events.humanitix.com
Winter Tales presents Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC
Join National Cyber Security Coordinator Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC as she reflects on her life and work. This event is held in association with the National Foundation for Australian Women with afternoon tea following.
Sunday 29 June | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Memorials and meanings
Learn about memorials along Anzac Parade and Lake Burley Griffin’s northern shoreline on this guided, slow bike ride. Discover who made and designed them, and why they honour various services and people.
Sunday 29 June | Playing Fields Cafe, Allara Street, 2/33, City | canberrabybike.au
Creative Connections: Paint + Sip
At Her Table and The Creator’s Cove invite women to a vibrant Paint & Sip afternoon in Canberra. 🎨 This guided session includes all materials, a delicious afternoon tea and a welcoming space to connect through creativity and conversation with other women. No experience needed.
Sunday 29 June, 2pm – 4:30pm | Sanctuary Canberra, 17 Brockman Street, Narrabundah | athertable.com.au
