Top 10 Things to do in Canberra Sat 28 Feb & Sun 1 March
10 – 2020 Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition
Check out a display of over 50 bonsai, suiseki and related items created by Canberra and visiting inter-state artists. The display will highlight the breadth and diversity of the use of Australian plants in the art of bonsai and include some from personal collections. Visitors can attend demonstrations, join guided walks, vote for their favourite bonsai, enter raffles and more!
Saturday February 29, 9:30am – 4pm and Sunday March 1, 9:30am – 4pm
Australian National Botanic Gardens
www.cbs.org.au
Cost: Adult $5, Concession $3, Kids under 12 free
9 - Canberra Kids Market
Canberra Kids Market is the place to find new, handmade and pre-loved, clothing, toys, books, games, accessories and equipment for babies, toddlers and young ones. Plenty of stalls to explore and great bargains to be had. You'll find quality treasures for 0 to 12-year-old girls and boys, including designer labels and big-name brands.
Sunday March 1, 10am – 3pm
Fitters Workshop, Kingston
www.canberramarkets.net.au
Cost: free entry
8 - Summer Samba
It’s time for a party full of Brazilian music and dance: Summer Samba! There will be many attractions, including a Samba de Gafiera class, a performance by the Glamourosas from Subsdance Dance Studio and a Sambrazuca Band performing authentic samba music live. There’ll also be a face painting/make-up station to get into full Samba mode.
Saturday February 29, 7:30pm – 11pm
Ainslie Football and Social Club
https://www.facebook.com/events/607167876736078/
Cost: $20
7 - Shannons Wheels 2020
This is a not to be missed car display event! Shannons will be hosting the one and only "Gentleman" Jim Richards and will have his TCM Falcon Sprint on display. Meet the legend and get up close to one of his amazing classic race cars! The Wheels car show has something for everyone, with displays of cars from all over the world and from every era, as well as caravans, trucks, race cars, electric cars, supercars, and more.
Sunday March 1, 10am – 3pm
Queanbeyan Showground
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/events/shannons-wheels-2020/
Cost: entry by gold coin donation (proceeds go to Cancer Council ACT)
6 – Enlighten Festival
Over 17 days in March the nation’s capital will shine bright with culture and creativity. The Parliamentary Triangle and city precinct will be transformed into a vibrant arts precinct with free performances and exclusive events. Snap the perfect picture of architectural projections at our national attractions, then explore as they open their doors after dark. Enjoy other events including the Balloon Spectacular, Symphony in the Park, Skyfire, the Night Noodle Markets and more!
February 28 – March 15
Various Canberra locations
https://enlightencanberra.com/
Cost: check website for details
5 – Marty's Memorial Charity Cruise
Marty was diagnosed with diabetes at 9 years old and sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 30. This is what motivates all those working behind the scenes of the cruise to prevent any other families having to go through what Marty’s family did. Last year, organisers were blown away with over 400 cars and bikes raising over $12,000. The cruise will meet at the Kuttabul Place Carpark before heading to Gundaroo showgrounds via Sutton for the Show'n'Shine. Raising money for JDRF Australia.
Sunday March 1, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Kuttabul Pl, Acton
https://www.facebook.com/events/203810640775638/
4 – CBR Fair
Visitors will be presented with new ideas and concepts, incorporating some of Canberra & the surrounding regions market leaders in weddings, events, travel and lifestyle. The Fair will incorporate sensory & abstract elements with a blend of the arts in venues, catering culinary delights, pop up cart treats, photographic gallery, fashion and beauty trends, live music and entertainment, decor styling, as well as travel and lifestyle – designed to help you create your perfect occasion!
Sunday March 1, 10am – 3pm
Thoroughbred Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/424130951819447/
Cost: Adults $22, Children under 10 free
3 – Twilight Tunes
Corin Forest is going bigger than ever for their final Twilight Tunes this Sunday! The incredible Brass Knuckle Brass Band will be there to help celebrate the end of what has been a rough summer. Local firies from the Tidbinbilla Fire Brigade will be invited to receive donations collected from Corin’s live music events over the summer and from attendees. Enjoy their famous wood-fire pizzas, local wines and beer, and with the alpine slide running until late, this is not a night not to miss!
Sunday March 1, 4pm – 7pm
Corin Forest
https://www.facebook.com/corinforestresort/
Cost: free entry
2 - Night Noodle Markets
As part of Enlighten, visitors can enjoy authentic Asian eats at the Night Noodle Markets, with 25 stalls to choose from! Work up an appetite exploring the architectural projections before tucking into insta-worthy dishes. Among the favourites – Poklol x Puffle’s KFC puffle, Gelato Messina’s Phuket Bucket, Superbao’s fried chicken bao-ger, Flying Noodles’ Fist of Fury, The Pham Sisters’ vegan spring roll Vietnamese salad and more!
February 28 – March 9
Reconciliation Place
https://enlightencanberra.com/program/canberra-night-noodle-markets/
Cost: free entry
1 – ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show
Get ready to be entertained, excited and educated at the ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show! It features more than 150 attractions, 5000 animals, 450 trade displays and 1500 competitors. Get in fast to buy your favourite showbags, have a go at sideshow alley, try the wild rides, grab a dagwood dog, the list goes on! There’s something for the whole family.
Friday February 28 – Sunday March 1
Exhibition Park
https://www.canberrashow.org.au/
Cost: Family $50, Adult $20, Child $12, Concession $12, Student $12
Top 10 Things to do in Canberra Sat 22 & Sun 23 February
10 - Three Sixty Fashion Market
The Three Sixty Fashion Market sells new and recycled fashion for stylish and selective shoppers. You'll find quality garments of all sizes and styles, shoes, handbags, accessories and more. Stallholders sell vintage, retro and pre-loved fashion that is far too good to just chuck in a bin. While it’s about value, there’s also a strong focus on ecological sustainability.
Sunday February 23, 10am – 3pm
The Fitters Workshop
https://canberramarkets.net.au/news/for-the-fashion-conscious/
Cost: free entry
9 - Shakespeare by the Lakes III: A Midsummer Night's Dream
One of Shakespeare’s most loved comedies will transform the Patrick White Lawns in front of the National Library. Wander past, find a place, grab a glass of champagne, a cup of coffee and some delicious food from the onsite Food Trucks or get a big group together, bring your picnic blankets and baskets, and soak up the serenity. It’s part of Lakespeare and Co’s mission to make high-quality theatre more accessible.
Saturday February 22, 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Patrick White Lawns
www.lakespeare.com
Cost: free
8 - Canberra Cuddle Party
A fun and structured social event that creates a safe place to give and receive hugs in a friendly setting, where you can also meet new people! Once cuddles start, participants will stay in a big group or separate to cuddle one on one. You don’t have to cuddle at all, you can simply sit and join the conversation. There are big soft toys available for your comfort, but if you have your favourite, take it with you! Everybody leaves filled with oxytocin!
Saturday February 22, 6pm – 10pm
Monash, ACT
https://mytouchtherapy.com/canberra-cuddle-party
Cost: $45
7 - Canberra Memory Walk & Jog
Head alone to Lake Burley Griffin foreshore to cover those kilometres and raise some dementia-beating dollars! It’s a great way to get active, take in Canberra’s centrepiece and make the world of difference for people living with dementia.
Sunday February 23, 7am – 11am
Lake Burley Griffin
https://www.memorywalk.com.au/event/canberra
Cost: Adult $48, Child $36, Senior $36, Family $140, Juniors are free
6 - BarkFest
A free, fun and unique afternoon for dog lovers! There’s lots to see and do including dog stalls, pop-up bars, a doggie diner, doggie-themed cocktail menu for the humans, paparazzi red carpet arrivals, pawlympics, drag queens and rescue dogs parade, live music and more! Have fun with your four-legged friends while also raising awareness and funds for Canberra’s pet rescue services.
Sunday February 23, 3pm – 7pm
QT Canberra
https://www.facebook.com/events/537137910234803/
Cost: free
5 - Rainbow Paws Trivia Night
Do you love all things 80s? Was the 90s your favourite decade? Or are you more of a 00s lover? No matter which decade is your jam, you are invited to an awesome trivia night filled with questions from the three most amazing decades, ranging from politics to movies to fashion. Dress up and dance the night away while also supporting the pets of Canberrans doing it tough.
Saturday February 22, 7pm – 10:30pm
Raiders Belconnen
Cost: $25
4 - Flicks for Fire Relief
Head along for a screening of “Birds of Prey” with all money going towards the bushfire appeal, through the St Vincent de Paul Society. After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord, Black Mask in Gotham City.
Saturday February 22, 1pm arrival for 1:30pm screening
Hoyts Woden
https://flicksforfirerelief.eventbookings.com
Cost: $20
3 - Hunter Reid Fun Run & Walk
Take part in this great community event to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House and remember Hunter Reid and his battle with cancer, as well as other children battling childhood diseases. It’s a Superhero theme with some very special guests! Registration opens at 7:30am with the 7km walk/run around the lake starting at 9am!
Sunday February 23 from 9am
Lake Tuggeranong
https://www.facebook.com/events/2604681042983059/
Cost: $10 entry
2 - Gunning Show
A traditional country show with lots to see and do! Head along to see the horses, dogs, shearing, alpaca, yard dogs, cattle competitions, and of course the Championship Dog Show. Check out the patting paddock, chainsaw demonstrations, reptile shows, face painting, showbags, trotting races on the Saturday and more.
Sunday February 23
Copeland St, Gunning
http://www.gunningshow.com.au/
Cost: Family $25, Adults $10, Under 18’s $5, Pensioners $5
1 - Multicultural Festival
Try food from every corner of the world with hundreds of stalls! There’s also live music and dance performances across several stages. Highlights include the street parade and headline acts – Aussie singer-songwriter Vanessa Amorosi, former Masterchef winner Adam Liaw and Canberran Liv Li. An amazing celebration of our multiculturalism! Avoid parking and take the bus!
Friday February 21 – Sunday February 23
Civic
https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/
Cost: free entry
Top 10 Things to do in Canberra Sat 15 & Sun 16 Feb
10 - Marymead Monster Garage and Plant Sale
Grab some bargains at the Marymead Monster Garage and Plant Sale! Check out the range of plants, books, toys, clothing and bric-a-brac – with all proceeds going to Marymead.
Saturday February 15, 9am – 1pm
255 Goyder St, Narrabundah
9 – BCS Early Childhood Centres’ Open Day
If you’re a parent or carer searching for a quality education and care centre for your child, this is your chance to explore all that BCS has to offer. Visit their learning environments, meet the educators and see how Belconnen Community Service’s early childhood centres could be for your family.
Saturday February 15, 10am – 2pm
Belconnen Early Childhood Centre, Bruce Early Childhood Centre and Ginninderra Early Childhood Centre
Cost: free
8 - Icon Water presents: A Day at the Lake
Reconnect with Canberra’s most well-known aquatic location, Lake Burley Griffin, and all the activities it has to offer! There’ll be water activities, Paddle Hub Kayak come and try, live entertainment, supervised free swim, face painting, jumping castles, arts and crafts, Lions Belconnen BBQ lunch, CPR awareness demos, prizes and giveaways, a mega lucky dip and more!
Sunday February 16, 10am – 1pm
Black Mountain Peninsula
Cost: free
7 - Free Tennis Open Days
The Canberra School of Tennis is hosting FREE Open Days in Tuggeranong and Weston Creek. Head along to try programs including ANZ Hot Shots for kids, Fitbit Cardio Tennis for adults & Social Tennis for all. All juniors who enrol for term 1 tennis lessons will get a free junior racquet, shirt and drink bottle.
Saturday February 15, 1pm – 3pm
Weston Creek Tennis Club and The Pines Tennis Club
http://www.csot.com.au/
Cost: free
6 - Canberra BeerFest
BeerFest will take festival-goers on a journey of beer and food discovery - exploring rare brews, beer/food pairing and exclusive festival brews, ciders, cocktails and boutique spirits from around the country, direct from the brewers. There’ll also be delicious food, comedy and live entertainment headlined by Aussie electronic dance group Art vs Science.
Saturday February 15, 1pm – 8pm
Commonwealth Place
https://www.facebook.com/events/920390628362162/
Cost: General Admission $42.26
5 - Open Air Cinema
Make a night of it under the stars at American Express Openair Cinemas! Head along to Patrick White Lawns for an array of alternative entertainment, live music and DJ performances before the latest and greatest feature films light up the big screen. Showing this final weekend is Jumanji: The Next Level and The Gentlemen.
On till February 16
Patrick White Lawns
https://www.openaircinemas.com.au/canberra
Cost: General Admission $20, Concession $17, Prime Video Lounge $42, Group Pass $70
4 – Beyond The Blaze
A massive call out to the Bungendore and surrounding districts to stand together and support those in need after the recent bushfires. Performing on the day local legends Hayley Jensen and Brewn, Ingrid Mae and Chalkie White, Stewart Barton, Jessica Ferris, Wallace Mair and the J Waygood Band. All proceeds will be donated to the local RFS and the Salvation Army Fire Fund.
Sunday February 16, 1pm – 7pm
Lake George Hotel
https://www.facebook.com/events/462558371362719
Cost: $25 plus booking fee, children under 12 are free
3 - Brumbies vs Highlanders
The Brumbies hope to make it 11 home wins in a row, when they take on the Highlanders at GIO Stadium this weekend. The Brumbies Super W side also kick off their campaign on Saturday, as part of a double header, starting at 4:35pm. Both teams would love a strong vocal crowd to cheer them on!
Saturday February 15, 7:15pm
GIO Stadium
https://brumbies.rugby/
Cost: tickets from $12
2 - ShowRoom Canberra
Design, build, make, furnish, fix, landscape, decorate, buy, sell or enjoy. The Showroom Canberra has all the home inspiration you need. Showcasing 100+ professional and quality design, build and lifestyle products and services, it's a great day out for the whole family!
Saturday February 15 and Sunday February 16
Exhibition Park
https://theshowroomcanberra.com.au/
Cost: free
1 - UC Capitals vs Melbourne Boomers
The UC Capitals secured home court advantage after finishing second on the ladder and will now face the third-placed Melbourne Boomers in a best of three semi-final series. Having only lost one game at home this season, Canberra is notoriously the toughest road trip in the league with the crowd known as the Capitals’ “sixth player”. Let’s show them how it’s done here in the nation’s capital!
Sunday February 16, doors open 4:30pm, main game 5:30pm
AIS Arena
http://wnbl.basketball/uc-capitals/
Cost: tickets from $20
Top 10 Things to do in Canberra Sat 8 & Sun 9 Feb
10 – Free Tennis Open Day
The Canberra School of Tennis is hosting a FREE Open Day at Gold Creek Country Club. Head along to try programs including ANZ Hot Shots for kids, Fitbit Cardio Tennis for adults & Social Tennis for all. All juniors who enrol for term 1 tennis lessons will get a free junior racquet, shirt and drink bottle.
Saturday February 8, 1pm – 3pm
Gold Creek Country Club
http://www.csot.com.au/
Cost: free
9 – Kulture Break Open Day
Be a part of a great vibe, trial classes and styles for free and meet Kulture Break's coaches for 2020. Grow your sense of wellbeing through dance! Kulture Break's Ambassador Timomatic will make an appearance. Join him at the meet and greet and make sure you register for a chance to win one of 20 passes to an exclusive workshop with him!
Saturday February 8, 9am – 1:30pm
Gold Creek High School
https://www.facebook.com/events/583886539115189/
Cost: free
8 – Bushfire Fundraiser
A chance for locals to show their support to those affected by the bushfires. A fundraiser kicks off at Hotel Queanbeyan this weekend to raise money for the NSW RFS, particularly the Palerang and South Coast regions. There’ll be raffles with great prizes, live music and a live auction! Organisers hope to raise $30,000.
Saturday February 8, 2:30pm – 6:30pm
Hotel Queanbeyan
https://www.facebook.com/events/384478499033936/
7 - Chinese Lantern Festival
The Australia China Friendship Society will hold performances of Chinese music, dancing, martial arts and a Lantern Parade. Take a picnic and enjoy a family evening by the Lake. Lanterns will be available for purchase. In case of rain or thick haze the Festival will be cancelled – please check the website on the day.
Saturday February 8, 6:15pm – 9pm
Beijing Garden, Yarralumla
Cost: free
6 - Lifeline Canberra Bookfair
Check out the wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including rare books and collectables, children’s books, textbooks and foreign language books. You’ll also find magazines and pamphlets, sheet music, comics, maps and atlases, talking books, records and CDs, DVDs, games and jigsaws. Grab some bargains and help raise money for Lifeline Canberra’s crisis support service!
February 7 – 9
Exhibition Park
https://www.lifelinecanberra.org.au/bookfair/
Cost: gold coin entry
5 - Open Air Cinema
Make a night of it under the stars at American Express Openair Cinemas! Head along to Patrick White Lawns for an array of alternative entertainment, live music and DJ performances before the latest and greatest feature films light up the big screen. Showing this weekend is Spies in Disguise and Jumanji: The Next Level.
January 11 – February 25
Patrick White Lawns
https://www.openaircinemas.com.au/canberra
Cost: General Admission $20, Concession $17, Prime Video Lounge $42, Group Pass $70
4 – Bushfire Appeal 12 Hour Dance Marathon
The dance community is coming together to make a change! The 12 hour dance marathon is organised by Subsdance, in collaboration with Jumptown Swing, STOMP, Phish and Phreak Productions, the Chachettes, Captavitae Photography and more. Every dollar raised through classes, sponsorship and donations will go to helping rebuild. Take part in 45 minute dance classes across two studios, with a timetable of everything including samba, afro, swing, jazz, cabaret and more. Once it’s wrapped up, there’ll be a FREE dance party!
Saturday February 8, 10am – 10pm
Subsdance Dance Studio, Kingston
https://www.facebook.com/events/828254414303505/
Cost: $5 dance classes
3 - Australian Blues Music Festival
Showcasing the best of emerging and established Aussie blues talent, the line-up includes acoustic and electric acts with a range of styles from the roots of blues music, to the music that has been influenced by blues. Seven pubs and clubs in Goulburn will feature over 25 incredible acts, including headline entertainment by Backsliders, Kate Lush Band and Liza Ohlback. It’s been changed to a FREE event so those affected by the bushfires can enjoy an escape. There will be door donations, with proceeds going to the bushfire appeal.
February 7 - 9
Various locations in Goulburn
https://www.facebook.com/austbluesfest/
Cost: door donation
2 - Rise Above Cancer Convoy
In a special tribute, RFS volunteers will lead this weekend’s Rise Above Cancer Convoy. It’s set to head off early in the morning on Sunday, February 9, in Beard, near Queanbeyan, before departing at 9.30am to arrive at the Exhibition Park in Canberra. It wraps up with a family fair at Exhibition Park, which will include live entertainment, kids activities, amusement rides and plenty of food outlets. Help raise money and awareness for Rise Above - Capital Region Cancer Relief, so they can help over local cancer patients.
Sunday February 9 from 9:30am
Exhibition Park
https://convoy.riseabovecbr.org.au/
Cost: free
1 - Raiders Fan Day
A chance for Raiders fans to meet the team! With the season just over a month away, the team will continue preparations with an open training session, while family friendly activities take place. After training, fans will get to hear from players and coaches in live on field interviews, before the first signing session. Zango will also give free ice-cream to the first 200 fans.
Saturday February 8 from 9am
Raiders Belconnen
https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2020/02/03/raiders-fan-day/
Cost: free