Wondering what’s on this weekend in Canberra? Here are 40+ things to do
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Not sure what to do this weekend in Canberra? We’ll just leave this here.
Plenty is happening around town that the whole family will enjoy!
Special Events and Festivals
Bungendore Harvest Festival
The Bungendore Harvest Festival is back for another year! Celebrating the integrity and freshness of the region’s local produce, cold climate food, drink and fibre, it will be jam-packed with things to see and do.
From the Saturday Festival Market to wine tastings, long lunches and more, visit the website to see what’s happening.
Friday 11 until Sunday 13 April | Various locations | southernharvest.org.au
Canberra Boatfest 2025
Displays of classic and traditional boats, equipment, on water activities and entertainment.
See the traditional boats with varnished timber, polished brass, and bright paintwork. Children will love the whistles of steam boats.
Hear the stories of owners who love these boats.
Saturday 12 April, 12 pm – 3 pm | Canberra Yacht Club, 1 Mariner Place, Yarralumla | Find out more here.
Italian festa: sotto le stelle
Savour the taste of Italy with a magical evening under the stars at the National Museum of Australia, where the sights, sounds and flavours of Italy will come alive!
As the moon rises over Canberra, enjoy live music and performances that will make you want to sing and dance the night away.
Share a delicious dinner with friends and enjoy authentic Italian dishes. Sip a refreshing glass of wine or a cocktail, al fresco, and let the evening unfold.
Explore a marketplace featuring handmade goods, artisan products and providores inspired by Italian culinary traditions. Shop local and discover unique offerings from Canberra-region growers and makers.
Take the opportunity to visit our captivating Pompeii exhibition, with sessions extended until 7.30pm. Entry costs apply.
Saturday 12 April, 4 pm – 8.30 pm | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Find out more here.
Trash Test Dummies
This award-winning circus comedy takes the household wheelie bin to new heights and delivers a dump-truck full of hilarity! With side-splitting slapstick, daring acrobatics, and dexterous juggling, these Dummies are off on an imaginative adventure that is anything but garbage.
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April | The Q, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Easter at Marketplace Gungahlin
The kids won’t be bored with this line-up of events. From the Battle of the Bunnies – where primary school students are invited unleash their artistic talents by decorating larger-than-life Easter bunny sculptures – to making bunny masks, fairy garden jars, a mini farm and more, you’ll need to book ahead to reserve your spot in these fun and free workshops!
Make sure to check out the website to see the full program.
Saturday 12 until Sunday 27 April | 30 & 33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | More information here.
Easter Holiday fun at Canberra Outlet
Canberra Outlet is offering a range of exciting and free activities these Easter holidays!
Explore the free Easter Maze, open daily from 11 am to 2 pm outside the Lindt store. Kids and families can enjoy navigating the maze while indulging in delicious Lindt chocolate giveaways. The first 50 children to complete the Easter Maze at 11 am on select dates (Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Saturday 19, and Sunday 20 April) will receive their very own cuddly Easter Bunny plush.
For fans of the beloved animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star will be making special appearances for live shows and meet and greets. From Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 April, these iconic characters will be performing at 11am and 1pm daily outside Little Amigos. And don’t miss the extra shows on Anzac Day, with performances at 1 pm and 3 pm.
To wrap up the festivities, PLAY – The Dance Company will be putting on a showcase performance on Sunday 27 April at 3pm. Featuring a blend of dance, music, and dynamic choreography, this free performance is a perfect way to end the holiday celebrations.
Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 April | Canberra Outlet, Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick | Find out more here.
The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
The first solo exhibition for this multidisciplinary, contemporary Australian artist, The Immersive World of Thom Roberts opens at the National Portrait Gallery on 12 April.
Born in Sydney in 1976, Thom Roberts’ practice is a sustained act of world building, where people, trains and buildings are intertwined with overlapping entities. In his work, and in his life, people are bestowed new identities and exist as multiple personas. Roberts himself identifies as the Country Link Express train and the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia.
His bold and distinctive style, manifest across his painting, animation, installation and performance work, features idiosyncratic motifs. Extra sets of eyes and noses and his signature ‘piano teeth’ abound, as do animals, cities, Sesame Street characters and references to fast food chains. Roberts’ personal experiences, such as managing anxiety, are also part of the story his portraits tell.
Saturday 12 April – Sunday 20 July | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Vikings Ladies Day
Join the annual Vikings Ladies Day. Guests can sip, snack, and celebrate the incredible women in Rugby while enjoying cozy garden party vibes, great company, and a refreshing drink in hand.
Tickets include premium bubbles, 4 Pines beer, the Brookvale Union range, and a delicious selection of great food.
Saturday 12 April, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Viking Park, 4 Amsinck Street, Wanniassa | Tickets here.
Open Gardens Canberra
Visit the open gardens ‘Tea Gardens’ in Ngunnawal and ‘Merryway’ in Reid this April. Entry is free to the community gardens at Cook and Whitlam. For private gardens, there is a $10 entry fee for non-member adults that helps fund community grants and a horticultural scholarship.
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April | Various locations | opengardenscanberra.org.au
Paws n’ Paintz
Paws n’ Paintz brings together two of life’s joys – painting and puppies! Pop along for a unique interactive experience that explores the magic of painting and paws-itivity. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows for the therapeutic benefits of creativity through painting combined with the warm and fuzzies from playing with adorable puppies.
As you paint, little furry friends will leisurely roam around the room, offering a lending paw with your artwork and lots of puppy cuddles, kisses, and of course, lots of puppy breath!
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just looking to try something new, this event is perfect for all skill levels, all age and all abilities.
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, various times | Kind Canberra, Dairy Road, Fyshwick | Tickets here.
The Canberra Times Marathon Festival
Experience the oldest city marathon in Australia with five different distances that showcase the scenery of Australia’s Capital City. Choose from the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5.4km, or Kids’ 2km fun run, all starting near Old Parliament House.
Sunday 13 April | John Dunmore Lang Place, King George Terrace, Parkes | solemotive.com
LEGO Donation Day
Have some unused LEGO sets? Take them along to the LEGO donation day at Goodies Junction (Mugga Lane) on Sunday 13 April. All LEGO donations will go toward the Roundabout Canberra Great LEGO Sale on May 10, with proceeds supporting the core services of Roundabout Canberra. Plus, Roundabout Canberra will host a BBQ while the kids (and adults!) get creative at our LEGO building tables, set up in a designated area inside the venue. It’s a chance to relax, connect, and build something special together.
Sunday 13 April, 10 am – 2 pm | Goodies Junction, Mugga Lane
Markets
Marymead’s Autumn Garage & Plant Sale
A cool crisp breeze is starting to flow through Canberra which means it’s time for Marymead’s Autumn Garage & Plant Sale.
Discover a unique range of pre-loved vintage items such as clothes, books, music and much more!
Saturday 12 April, 9 am – 1 pm | Marymead, 255 Goyder Street, Narrabundah | More information here
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
The Little Burley Market
Enjoy this waterside Saturday market featuring multicultural cuisines, chef-created desserts, fresh pastries, beautiful blooms, handmade jewellery, artisan pottery and more. Take the kids for free arts and crafts while taking in magnificent lake views.
Saturdays, 9 am-2 pm | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.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 Ave, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Food and Wine
Canberra Cellar Door
Explore a thoughtfully curated selection of local wines that changes with the seasons at this pop-up in the Canberra and Region Visitor’s Centre. Taste wines from multiple local wineries, discover the stories behind regional varieties, and purchase your favorites.
Saturdays 12 April | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, 30 Barrine Drive, Parkes | canberracellardoor.com.au
Stage and Screen
NFSA Weekend Documentaries
Drop in for free Australian documentaries offering windows into key moments in our history and culture. The current program includes “Bombora – The Story of Australian Surfing,” “A Calcutta Christmas,” “Harder than Everest,” and “Broken Journey, Mending Dreams.”
Every Saturday and Sunday | National Film and Sound Archive Theatrette | nfsa.gov.au
Infamous Cabaret Cirque
It’s time to run away to the circus. Coming to Canberra from Friday 11 April until Saturday 3 May, you’ll be transported to a bygone era of elegance and charm as you step inside the enchanting Spiegeltent.
Giving you the chance to experience circus and cabaret in a way that’s truly unparalleled, at this show you’re not just a spectator; you’re a participant in this unique fusion of styles and atmospheres. Sede you there?
Until Saturday 3 May | Under the Spiegeltent, Gungahlin | infamous.net.au
Idiocracy – Film Screening
Joe Bauers, an average guy with no exceptional traits, wakes up 500 years in the future after a hibernation experiment goes wrong. He finds himself in a dystopian world where humanity’s collective intelligence has plummeted, leaving him the smartest person alive. Don’t miss this biting satire that’s as laugh-out-loud funny as it is disturbingly prescient.
Sunday 13 April | The B, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
From Page to Screen: NFSA Book Club
Join the National Film and Sound Archive and Canberra Writers Festival for screenings and discussions exploring book-to-film adaptations. Upcoming features include “Jurassic Park” with author Chris Flynn, “Rabbit-Proof Fence” in 4K, “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” and more.
Sunday 13 April | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | bit.ly
Music
Ben Lee
Following the release of his acclaimed solo album “This One’s For the Old Headz,” Ben continues his never-ending tour of Australia. These shows, presented by Belco Arts and Smiths Alternative, promise a mix of pure spontaneity and indie pop classics.
Saturday 12 April | The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Water and Spirit
Free-flowing music for flute, piano and cello, inspired by water, breath, spirit and song. The program includes Debussy’s “Syrinx,” Amy Beach’s “Water-Sprites” Pastorale, Carl Maria von Weber’s “Shepherd’s Lament,” and Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Variations and Rondo on “Schone Minka.”
Sunday 13 April | Albert Hall, Yarralumla | cso.org.au
Exhibitions
Jonas Balsaitis: Analogue
Jonas Balsaitis: Analogue is a survey exhibition of paintings, prints, and experimental films by Australian artist Jonas Balsaitis.
The exhibition re-considers the artist’s use of ‘imaging systems’ in light of contemporary developments in data imagery and digital technologies. Particular focus is given to the translation of Balsaitis’ paintings into film, highlighting the artist’s dedication to find a new, more experimental mode of experience in a pre-digital age.
Until Saturday 12 April | Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, Building 29, Acton | More information here.
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.
Saturday 12 April until Sunday 20 July | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
BLAZE 2025
Canberra Contemporary’s eagerly awaited emerging artist showcase, BLAZE, returns to present the dynamic and diverse voices of Kamberri/Canberra’s rising creative talents.
Featuring six exciting artists at the beginning of their careers, BLAZE offers an insight into the evolving art scene of the region and exhibits bold, thought-provoking works across installation, painting, photography and sculpture.
Featuring the work of Sophia Childs, Sophie Dumaresq, Gabrielle Hall-Lomax, Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan, Brennan O’Brien and Jessika Spencer.
Until 17 April | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | canberracontemporary.com.au
Anne Dangar
Get lost in a world of swirls, squares, lines, and colours at the NGA’s free Anne Dangar exhibit.
This iconic Australian artist played an important part in bringing modern art to Australia in the twentieth century, and this exhibit allows locals a chance to browse her ceramics, paintings, archival material, and more in this major retrospective exhibition celebrating her life and art.
Until Sunday 27 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Ethel Carrick
The National Gallery of Australia is continuing its focus on celebrating the work of all women artists, with its major exhibition Ethel Carrick. Post-impressionist art lovers will be excited to see 140 pieces by Carrick, in the first retrospective of her work for nearly half a century.
What’s even better? Entry is free, so you can visit as many times as you want!
Until Sunday 27 April | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Experience the wonder of two decades of award-winning nature photography as a new exhibition opens at the National Archives of Australia. 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year celebrates the winning entries from each year since its inception.
Conceived in 2004 by Dr. Stuart Miller AM, the competition aims to stoke the public’s fascination with the natural world and provide a platform for emerging and established photographers alike to showcase the remarkable flora, fauna, and landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea.
Until Sunday 27 April | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | More information here.
Pompeii
If seeing Pompeii in Italy is on your bucket list, mark your calendars for this one! The National Museum of Australia is showing its Pompeiiexhibit, featuring over 90 discovered objects from the ancient city before Mount Vesuvius erupted. This display in Canberra will be the first time some of these objects have been seen outside Europe!
Visitors will be taken into the exhibit with an engaging atmosphere created by large-scale digital projections and captivating soundscapes. Expect to see recovered jewellery, sculptures, pottery, frescoes, and other objects once used by this civilisation.
Until Sunday 4 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | Book here.
Constellations by Robin Fox
Constellations is an unmissable immersive audiovisual experience in which sound, light, and space collide.
Internationally recognised, Australian-based audiovisual artist Robin Fox will transform The Gallery at the NFSA into a splendour of sound and light, with sixty crystal balls suspended from the ceiling, acting as target points for white laser lights that explode and refract on impact – splitting into a colourful cornucopia of light and sound. See you there?
Until Sunday 4 May | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | More information here.
Nudes
In Nudes, artist Skye Thompson reimagines the overlooked material of 8mm home films—transparent leader, light leaks, and physical blemishes—as a space for reflection and repair. Drawing from her family archive, Thompson collages these fragments into delicate compositions that explore memory, the body, and the politics of visibility.
Until Saturday 10 May | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Light | Intersection
Light | Intersection is a site-specific exhibition exploring the role of light in photography and architecture. Proposing a new way of considering and experiencing photography in Canberra’s rich architectural history of Brutalism, visitors will have a uniquely perceptual encounter.
Until Saturday 10 May | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Mint-60
As a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Royal Australian Mint, there is a display of never-before-seen objects from the national coin collection – including Roxie, who was Australia’s first coin packing robot. On display until 12 May, so make sure you head in to check it out!
Until Sunday 11 May | Denison Street, Deakin | ramint.gov.au
Meander by Katie-Ann Houghton and Arum by Tom Fereday
Two aligned and timely exhibitions – Meander by Katie-Ann Houghton and Arum by Tom Fereday – mark the final chapter in Canberra Glassworks’ three-part design series. Timed to coincide with Salone del Mobile (Milan Design Week) and Melbourne Design Week, the exhibition series positions Canberra as a world-class centre for contemporary glassmaking and design, demonstrating that both the works and the facility stand confidently on the global design stage. Though distinct in approach, Meander and Arum both showcase material intelligence, refined form, and the extraordinary potential of glass when shaped with deep craft knowledge and design intent.
This dual exhibition celebrates the power of glass as a material for contemporary design while highlighting a vital national agenda: the importance of supporting Australian-made, investing in micro-manufacturing, and nurturing the skills and infrastructure needed to keep exceptional design and production onshore.
Until 26 May | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | Find out more here.
Lindy Lee
Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists. This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper.
Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment, and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever-evolving and ambitious practice.
Until Tuesday 1 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
KULATA TJUTA: TIRKILPA
Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project.
Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. On show at the National Gallery of Australia head along to see the large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations that incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.
Resonance – Art as the Voice of Nature
This exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) showcases art from the NatureArt Lab teaching team and community, nature journals and natural history objects collected over our eight years of operation.
Celebrating the richness of biodiversity and the deep connections between art and the natural world, the exhibition extends beyond visual art, incorporating community engagement, school programs, and international nature tours spanning Borneo, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador, and Peru.
Until Sunday 27 July | 176 London Circuit, City | More information here.
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers
Showcasing the best of Australian photojournalism, the National Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive.
Tracing the art of photojournalism from its infancy to the highly illustrated news stories you know so well today, the free exhibition explores how the pioneers of press photography in Australia developed their storytelling skills.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | More information here.
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.
Our Home
Coinciding with the Heritage Festival, local artist Alex Lynn’s solo exhibition celebrates the beauty of everyday moments and the serenity of familiar landscapes across our region through a series of intimate oil paintings.
Alex’s work focuses on the urban-infused landscapes of Queanbeyan and its surroundings, capturing the essence of places Alex feels a deep connection to. His paintings reflect the calming atmosphere and stunning light of the region, offering viewers a chance to pause and visually immerse themselves in scenes from daily life – blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.
Until Saturday 24 May | Rusten House Art Centre, 87 Collett Street, Queanbeyan | Find out more here.
FAKE & FAMOUS
FAKE & FAMOUS invites local artists to reinterpret some of history’s most famous artworks. This diverse collection of work spans painting, collage and sculpture, offering fresh perspectives on well-known masterpieces from artists like Monet, Frida Kahlo, and Van Gogh, among others.
Participating artists have taken on the exciting challenge of reimagining iconic works—some creating near-identical replicas, while others offer abstract or conceptual interpretations. The exhibition explores themes of homage, parody, and artistic transformation.
Until Saturday 24 May | Rusten House Art Centre, 87 Collett Street, Queanbeyan | Find out more here.
Djara
Djara reveals the profound connection between First Nations peoples, stars, sky, and Country. Through storytelling, dance, song, and a captivating audio-visual experience, this exhibition brings together leading artists, traditional custodians, and astrophysicists to share millennia-old knowledge.
Until 8 June 2025 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Beyond Measure: Expanding the Sky
Beyond Measure presents multidisciplinary artworks that challenge and expand perceptions of the cosmos. Featuring photography, installation, and digital technology, it explores our relationship with space, shaping our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Until 8 June 2025 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
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.
Sport and Wellness
Flow Cook Connect
Get a valuable introduction to holistic health concepts with Yoga Teacher Tracey Murray. This complete day of self-care offers an authentic Yoga and Ayurveda experience, including a morning yoga practice, hands-on Ayurvedic cooking, a nourishing lunch, and education on creating balanced meals for calm and harmony.
Saturday 12 April | Mandala Studio, 253 Northbourne Avenue, G06, Lyneham | flowandfood.com.au
Canberra United vs Wellington Phoenix
Head to McKellar Park for the Ninja A-League Round 22 match as Canberra United takes on Wellington Phoenix. Come out and be part of the action, cheering Canberra’s local team on to victory!
Sunday 13 April | McKellar Park, Walkley Place, McKellar | canberraunited.com.au
Workshops and Programs
Young Rangers Program
This is a program, provided by ACT Parks Rangers, for young nature enthusiasts between the ages of seven and 15 who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the natural environment! Children are invited to join a Ranger or other special guests, to explore a variety of nature-based topics, make friends, and ask as many questions as they like.
Sunday 13 April, 10 am – 12 pm | Jerrabomberra Wetlands Office, 2 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | actparks.bookeasy.com
