Hello long weekend: here’s what’s happening in Canberra
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Another long weekend is here and all we can say is…thank goodness.
After three very long working days, here’s how you can spend your well deserved weekend in Canberra!
Special Events and Festivals
Dansonfest 25
Featuring Boudicca, Local Resident Failure, Amends, Steel City All Stars, and more, Canberra’s favourite punk festival – Dansonfest – is returning to The Baso.
An annual punk rock music festival dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Sofer Schreiber, this year it will be headlined by two powerhouses from Naarm/Melbourne: Bodyjar and Press Club. Grab your tickets now!
Saturday 26 April | The Baso, Belconnen | Book here.
The Great Treat Hunt Paws Party
The Great Treat Hunt Paws Party is taking over Haig Park! Think of it as Easter for dogs, complete with treat-filled eggs will be hidden all over the park, with new drops every 30 minutes.
There will also be live music from Wayne Kelly on the keys, a pop-up from Woof Love, and Easter bunny props ready for photo ops!
Sunday 27 April | Haig Park, top of Mort Street, Braddon | facebook.com
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 11 am and 1 pm 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 3 pm. Featuring a blend of dance, music, and dynamic choreography, this free performance is a perfect way to end the holiday celebrations.
Until Sunday 27 April | Canberra Outlet, Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick | Find out more here
Capital Plein Air Festival
Experience the art outdoors at Australia’s premier east coast plein air event, where artists bring Canberra’s autumn colours to life. Watch acclaimed artists including Warwick Fuller and Leon Holmes capture iconic locations from the National Arboretum’s stunning vistas to Lake Burley Griffin’s tranquil shores.
Until Sunday 27 April | The National Arboretum, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | capitalpleinair.com
Make Art, Eat Cake!
In this workshop, you can have your cake and eat it too! Partnering with The Front Gallery in Lyneham, you’ll join award-winning artist and qualified visual art teacher Marianne Mettes for a fun and relaxing morning exploring texture, colour and creativity — all while enjoying coffee and cake.
Learning layering, print-making techniques and rubbings using acrylic paint and coloured pencils, you’ll walk away with your own framed artwork!
Monday 28 April | 1/84 Wattle Street, Lyneham | Book here.
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
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.
Saturday 26 April | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, 30 Barrine Drive, Parkes | canberracellardoor.com.au
High Tea in the Atrium
Looking for something different to do on a Saturday? How about enjoying the leafy setting of the Atrium at the Pavilion on Northbourne? Head along to sample the delectable treats, bottomless prosecco and soothing teas.
Saturday 26 April | Atrium Restaurant and Bar, 242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson | Book here.
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
ATL Screening: Away
Michael Gow’s classic Australian play explores themes of loss and change as three mothers deal with their own personal grief during a beach holiday in the summer of 1967. Set against a backdrop of war and social revolution, relationships are pushed to the edge as secrets are exposed.
Saturday 26 April | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | ticketing.humanitix.com
Elsie’s Film House
Elsie’s Film House is a pop-up cinema lounge and bar that screens retro favourites from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, from cult classics to arthouse and international films.
Offering a cozy movie night experience, Elsie’s also hosts weekly community nights offering diverse communities a safe and inclusive space to connect. Elsie’s will be hosting movie nights for different migrant communities as well. Keep an eye out to see what’s coming up!
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm | 180 London Circuit, City | Book here.
Autumn Film Series
Looking for a cosy escape this autumn? The National Film and Sound Archive has just announced an autumn film series that’s not to be missed. Enjoy their curated program of recent releases and revived classics, from high art to guilty pleasures. There’s something for everyone!
Check out the full program online.
Until Sunday 1 June | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
Music
Across Space and Time
Wesley Lunchtime Concert series is presentsingaccomplished pianist Stuart Long in a wonderful program of memorable movie themes, including from The Piano, Schindler’s List, and Cinema Paradiso. You’ll also hear some timeless piano masterpieces by Satie, Einaudi, Piazzola and Glass!
Wednesday 23 April | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Tulips & Triumphs: A Celebration with Mirusia
A concert filled with beautiful music, Dutch classics, musical theatre, and more! Celebrate heritage, harmony, and beautiful music with internationally acclaimed soprano Mirusia Louwerse at the Harmonie German Club! \
You’ll enjoy Dutch classics like Tulpen Uit Amsterdam, the magic of musical theatre with Queenie van de Zandt and the hilarious comedy of Jan van de Stoool.
Saturday 26 April | The Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | Book here.
Exhibitions
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.
“The Beauty of Nature”: Capturing the Wonder of Flora and Fauna Through Art
“The Beauty of Nature” is a Flora and Fauna Group exhibition showcasing the talents of six Canberra-based artists united by a passion for the natural world.
Working with a wide variety of mediums, from pencils to oils, the artists draw inspiration from nature’s incredible diversity of plant and animal life across the globe. Many artworks are drawn from personal experiences with the subjects, particularly in Australia and Africa.
Their work reflects both a deep appreciation of nature and their concern for its conservation.
Exhibiting Artists: Gillian Bellas, Cobie Brinkman, Jeff Isaacs, Leigh Murray, Nyree Mason and Jo Tanton.
Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 April and Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 May | The Old Barn Gallery, 18 Beltana Road, Pialligo
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.
Studio Notes
A Group Exhibition featuring Jenna Caspari, Olivia Goodbee, Jessica Guthrie, Fiona Hiscock, Sarah McGrath, Nicole Reed, Regine Schwarzer, Anne Smerdon, Kate Waanders, Madeliene Winch, Studio Notes is a celebration of the artist’s most intimate space – the studio.
This group exhibition brings together a collection of works that begin in solitude, in the quiet corners of creative practice where light falls softly across a table, objects are lovingly arranged, and time seems to bend around the act of making. Studio Notes invites you to experience these works not just as finished pieces, but as echoes of the artists’ private worlds.
Until Sunday 11 May | Grainger Gallery, Dairy Road, Fyshwick | Find out more 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
pivot/al
This is an Offsite exhibition presented at the SLA Display Village and Innovation Precinct in Whitlam. Featuring a selection of artworks and functional ware for a domestic context, you’ll see works from Cassie Abraham, Luke John Matthew Arnold, Gemma Brown, Madeline Cardone, Bailey Donovan, Skye Jamieson, and Isabelle Mackay-Sim.
Until Sunday 27 July | SLA Display Village and Innovation Precinct, 3 Klaus Moje Street, Whitlam | 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
The Silent Reset
Step away from the noise and disconnect to reconnect in this two-and-a-half-hour immersive experience featuring silent yoga, meditation, mindful eating, and a reflective letter-writing exercise. By the end of the event, participants will have released built-up stress and discovered clarity and calm.
Saturday 26 April | Balanced Yoga, 39 Jardine Street, Kingston | eventbrite.com
ACT Brumbies vs Hurricanes
In an Anzac Weekend Round, the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies host the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium. The Brumbies will look to repeat their winning ways over the Hurricanes in 2025. Be a part of the action and settle in for a night of footy!
Saturday 26 April | GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce | brumbies.rugby
GWS Giants vs Western Bulldogs
Get ready for an exciting showdown at Manuka Oval, as the GIANTS take on the Western Bulldogs in a thrilling AFL clash. With both teams eager to make their mark early in the season, fans can expect high-paced action, intense competition, and plenty of memorable moments.
Saturday 26 April | Manuka Oval, Manuka Circle, Griffith | gwsgiants.com.au
Canberra Raiders vs Dolphins
The Dolphins will make their very first appearance at GIO Stadium, having joined the NRL in 2023. Canberra has claimed two straight golden-point victories over the Phins, creating a close rivalry between the pair. Be there to watch two of the competition’s speedsters battle it out in this family-friendly time slot.
Sunday 27 April | GIO Stadium Canberra, Battye Street, Bruce | raiders.com.au
Workshops and Programs
Wet Collodion Photography Workshop
This intensive one-day workshop will give you hands-on experience in the 19th-century wet collodion photographic process. Participants will learn the process of sensitising plates, correct exposure and development, and will create their own Tintype wet collodion plates on black aluminium.
Saturday 26 April | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Book Launch: Elizabeth Cameron Dalman: Nature Moves – A Dance Practice in and of Nature
Head along for a special dance event celebrating Elizabeth Cameron Dalman’s book Nature Moves, which documents Elizabeth’s philosophy about creating dance works in and of nature and presents in text and images many of her significant choreographies.
During the event, there will be a short dance performance and a short address by Dr Cathy Adamek, director of Ausdance ACT.
Sunday 27 April | Green Square, Kingston | Book here.
