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From the start of the Enlighten Festival to the Melanoma March, markets, Saturday and Sunday sessions and more, there’s something for everyone.
Make the most of the glorious summer weather and go explore the best of what Canberra has to offer!
Special Events and Festivals
Enlighten
Enlighten is back with a bang, baby. Don’t miss out on Canberra’s biggest festival of light, art and food as Illuminations light up some of Canberra’s most loved and iconic buildings, and the city comes to life after dark. And with plenty to see, do and eat, you’ll be kept very busy. To see the full program for the Enlighten Festival visit the website.
Friday 1 until Monday 11 March | Various locations | More information here.
ACT Wildlife Gala(h) Ball
ACT Wildlife is holding their first ever gala ball to raise funds for the precious local wildlife! Join them in celebrating their unique wildlife for their 10th anniversary during a beautiful evening at the Gandel Atrium at the National Museum of Australia overlooking the lake on the weekend of World Wildlife Day. The evening’s entertainment will include an auction (imagine having morning tea with a baby wombat), a photobooth, music, a raffle, a door prize, and other activities!
Friday 1 March | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Book here.
Dahlicious Festival
A yoga flow class among a field of dahlias, a guided dahlia tour, masterclasses, and more – this beautiful festival is a celebration of design, colour and dahlias. Running for the month of March, check out the program to see what’s happening when.
Friday 1 March until Sunday 31 March | The Commons at Pialligo, 12 Beltana Road, The Potting Shed, Pialligo | Book here.
The Desert Stars
The world’s most remote Indigenous rock band is going to rock National Gallery of Australia in a Canberra first, and you’re invited! Famous across Australia for transcending cultural boundaries, with songs infused with rock ‘n’ roll that reflects on their profound culture, The Desert Stars will be travelling 2,700km from Spinifex Country to perform at the National Gallery of Australia on Saturday 2 March as part of NGA’s Enlighten Up Late event. And that’s not all. Whilst in Canberra, the band will also play in event-style cinema at Dendy Canberra on Friday 1 March to support of their international award-winning documentary Gravel Road!
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March | National Gallery of Australia and Dendy Canberra, Canberra City | Book here.
Velvet Vice at Templo Theatre
Blending sultry performances with daring acrobatics in a modern burlesque twist, you won’t want to miss this. Celebrating contemporary circus magic and promising an unforgettable voyage into the thrilling pulse of performance art, you’ll be transported to a world where fantasy meets reality, and where passion ignites the stage.
Saturday 2 March | Templo Theatre, 19 London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
The Boorowa Show
For those seeking to escape the city this weekend but don’t have the time (or energy) to travel very far, let us introduce you to the farming village that offers a very wholesome country escape: Boorowa. And with the Boorowa Show taking place on Saturday 2 March, it’s time to hit the road and explore the best of Boorowa for yourself!
Saturday 2 March | Boorowa Showground, Ballyryan Road, Boorowa |boorowashow.org.au
Bring It On The Musical
There’s no denying that Bring It On still brings it – and now it’s making spirits soar at Erindale Theatre. But you might want to grab your pom-poms and prep your vocal cords, cause this performance has a musical twist. Presented by the Canberra Philharmonic Society (who have assembled one of Canberra’s strongest ensemble casts), the heartwarming comedy with feature a toe-tapping hip-hop score from Hamilton and In the Heights superstar Lin Manuel-Miranda – so you know you’ll be singing and dancing long after the show is over.
Until Saturday 9 March | Erindale Theatre, 115 McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa | philo.org.au
Harvest Day Out 2024
Celebrating Lanyon Homestead’s Autumn kitchen garden, and sustainable food and growing practices, this massive day is full of activities, demonstrations, talks, tours, food, music and market stalls. Promoting activities that have sustained generations of people (including preserving, pickling, seed saving and gardening practices), entry is via donation.
Saturday 2 March | Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa | More information here.
Menopause Café
The monthly Menopause Cafés Canberra are discussion groups open to all ages and genders. There are no talks, experts, selling, and agendas. Topics are chosen by participants. It is for everyone who wants to talk about the menopause. The cafés are aimed at breaking down the stigma around menopause. People can come along and just listen, or join in the discussions and share their stories, experiences and questions. Hopefully, people leave with a clearer sense of the impact of the menopause on those who are experiencing it, alongside their families, and friends.
Book: This is a free event but spaces are limited. Reserve your place via rb.gy/bpcpvi
Saturday 2 March from 2 pm-3.30 pm, Café Stepping Stone, 8 Hawdon Place, Dickson | Click here for more information
Future AV
This is a free music, arts, and community networking experience for people of all ages. From music performances, to fire and roving performances, workshops, panels, an art gallery and projection mapping, think of it as an educational celebration of Canberra’s amazing creative potential.
Saturday 2 March | Saraton Lane, 34 East Row (in the laneway behind the building), Canberra City | More information here.
Canberra Festival Of Speed
The Festival of Speed is motorsport’s ultimate garden party. Head along to see some amazing sports cars at the Festival of Speed Canberra, a two-day celebration of the world’s most glamorous vehicles. You’ll be able to get up close to 300 of the rarest cars and bikes in the world as they cruise through the purpose built exhibition circuit.
Saturday 2 March | Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham | More information here.
Holi Festival
Love colour? This is for you. The Festival of Colours is a vibrant, family-friendly, two-day celebration where you can play with eco-friendly colour powders, tossing them into the air and painting each other in joyful hues. All about embracing happiness through colour, with music and performances from various cultures adding to the festive atmosphere, the Festival of Colours is free (that’s right, FREE) and there will also be plenty of DJ beats, fun activities and a range of stalls to explore.
Saturday 2 March | Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes | More information here.
Suitcase Rummage
There are no tents, no tables, no racks, no overheads and most importantly, no elitism – this is your local community market, without the hassle! All you need to do is pack your suitcase with your pre-loved wares and/or handmade creations and sell straight out of your suitcase. It’s as easy as that! And for those doing a little bit of shopping, you never know what treasures you’ll find…
Saturday 2 March | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | More information here.
C is for Cure – Dementia Trivia Night Fundraiser
Fundraising to assist young Australian scientists with their PhDs to find the cure for Dementia and Parkinson’s, this fun trivia night fundraiser is themed all things C. Hosted by 2CC’s Stephen Cenatiempo, with surprises, and over $2800 worth of raffle and lucky door prizes, this will be a night to enjoy and remember!
Saturday 2 March | Canberra Deakin Football Club, 3 Grose Street, Deakin | Book here.
Melanoma March Canberra
On Sunday 3 March, the Canberra Melanoma March will be taking steps (literally) around
Black Mountain Peninsula to support life-saving research into melanoma. Coordinated by a small group of volunteers who have close connections to melanoma patients – or who are melanoma patients themselves – along with the all-important (and yummy) bake sale, this year there will also be merchandise available, dog treats, coffee, and barbeque facilities. Just make sure to slip, slop, and slap before you hit the track.
Sunday 3 March | Black Mountain Peninsula Park | More information here.
Markets
Hartley Hall Markets
Over 200 stalls with food, locally grown vegetables and fresh produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, children’s toys, arts and crafts, unique gifts and more? We’ll be there. The Hartley Hall Markets are back for another month and it sounds fantastic. Make a day of it and stroll among the trees, stay for lunch and enjoy the fresh air, live entertainment and children’s activities.
Sunday 3 March | Hall Showground, Hall Street, Hall | More information here.
Little Burley Markets
Offering a diverse array of multicultural foods, much-loved beverages and brunchables, beautiful blooms, locally made art, fashion, photography and homewares, artisanal bread, delectable pastries, seafood, smoked charcuterie, truffles, meats, puppy treats, and much more, you’ll be able to find plenty of goodies at this bespoke lakeside market
8 am – 1 pm Saturday | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Haig Park Markets
Moments away from Lonsdale street’s boutiques and cafes, the Haig Park Village Markets will delight your senses with delicious cuisines, tasty treats, beautiful blooms, fresh produce, delectable charcuterie and artisan products. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a picnic whilst feasting your senses on the culinary delights on offer or to browse the fabulous local handmade design stalls.
8:30 am – 2 pm Sunday | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta and pet treats.
8 am–11.30 am Sunday | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com
Old Bus Depot Markets
With more than 100 stalls (including your old favourites), you’ll have the chance to shop for a brilliant variety of Australian-made, handcrafted and premium products. Sneak a walk around the foreshore while you’re down there.
9.30 am – 2.30 pm Sunday | Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Food and Wine
Luna Saturdays
Have you been to Luna yet? On Saturdays watch the bar transform for an evening where intrigue and luxury intertwine. There will be Cabaret Dancers, DJs and more! Book online or walk in.
Saturday 2 March | Luna, 99 London Circuit, City | More information here
Regional Italian Lunch at Two14
Indulge in an exceptional three-course culinary journey that will take your tastebuds to Italy. Curated by talented Head Chef, Federico Pitasi, every dish features authentic ingredients from Italy’s iconic Campania region. Think: Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, Scialatielli Granchio E Limone, Red Snapper All’ Acqua Pazza and more!
Saturday 2 March | Restaurant Two14, 214 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | Book here.
Summer Wine Tasting: Italian Varieties
Calling all wine lovers, there’s a fun afternoon of wine tasting being held at the beautiful and historic Main Hall at Gorman House. You will enjoy six wines – all Italian varieties – produced by Aussie wineries, plus a savoury bite to eat by Nibble and Nourish. P.S. your pregnant and non-drinking friends can join too and enjoy two Altina La Vie En Rose!
Saturday 2 March | Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Main Hall, Braddon | Book here.
Sunday Soirée
Live music, a Bentspoke pop-up bar and gourmet food and drink offers…what’s not to love? Head along to the Hyatt Hotel for a relaxing Sunday afternoon that will have something for the whole family. Perfect for friends, families and couples looking for a chilled Sunday afternoon catch-up, book ahead or walk in on the day!
Sunday 3 March | Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book here.
Stage and Screen
The Importance of Being Earnest
This is a gender-bending, steampunk, cabaret version of the classic Oscar Wilde play (basically, if you like the wine and not the label, this show is for you). Telling a story of love, mystery, and dual identities, don’t miss this wildly funny comedy on the out-of-touch and frivolous high society folks.
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March | Australian Capital Theatre Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | Book here.
Bandaluzia Flamenco meets Tango Piazzolla
Two worlds collide in this beautiful music and dance filled show. Bandaluzia Flamenco, led by ARIA nominated Flamenco guitarist Damian Wright, brings a uniquely Flamenco perspective to the Argentine Tango music of Astor Piazzolla. Expect to be left in awe.
Saturday 2 March | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City | Book here.
The Ukulele Man: The Story of George Formby
This award-winning show from the 2023 Sydney Fringe Festival is coming to Canberra to tell the story of Northern English wartime entertainer and ukulele legend George Formby. From the youngest ever jockey to England’s most popular film star, and from a troubled marriage to a premature death, George Formby touched the hearts of millions… and when he died, more than 150,000 people lined the route of his funeral procession. It remains the largest funeral there has ever been for a show business personality…and a story worth knowing.
Saturday 2 March | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | Book here.
Music
Day One
Some of Australia’s top live electronic acts; OK EG (Naarm), Hybrid Man (Naarm) along with many more incredible producers and DJs are coming to Canberra! Bigger and better than ever, Day One will see some amazing live electronic acts gather together for an afternoon full of , 90s trance, dubbed-out house, techno and more.
Saturday 2 March | Gang Gang Cafe, 2 Frencham Place, 4, Downer | Book here.
Super Rats – Romanian Folk
This award-winning group creates a mesmerizing and authentic feast for the ears. Expect some crazy fast tunes that will get everyone ready to dance, plus songs on a whole range of topics, from unbounded love and a fiery desire to the wildlife of a Bucharest gangster, secret tips for horse-stealing and the enigmatic recipe for eternal life!
Saturday 2 March | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Superbloom
Experience a musical Superbloom in a captivating journey inspired by nature’s miracles at the Wesley Music Centre. A program of rare works for unaccompanied voices that draws parallels between the stark beauty of the arid desert and the lush abundance brought by the wet season, in this show acclaimed Australian-American soprano and composer Jane Sheldon makes her Guest Directorial debut. Don’t miss out!
Sunday 3 March | Wesley Music Centre, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Exhibitions
Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour
This exhibition of acclaimed Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira, Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour, charts the artist’s career, revealing the power of his painting and the potency of his words. Showcasing Namatjira’s burgeoning artistic practice, this major exhibition brings together paintings, works on paper and moving image from public and private collections nationwide, the exhibition will also feature a selection of watercolours from the national collection by the artist’s great-grandfather and critically acclaimed Western Arranda artist, Albert Namatjira.
Saturday 2 March until Sunday 21 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
New Work
This exhibition by Martin Paull showcases finalists from the Blake Prize and Mission to Seafarers prize, such as ‘Assassination of a Saint’ and ‘The Drowned and the Saved.’ Exploring everything from allegorical themes, to bushfires, and haunting urban scenes of Canberra at night, this collection of miniature paintings are a unique artistic experience.
Until Sunday 17 March | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Book here.
Absurd Frontier
In this exhbition by Nathan Hughes, he navigates the poignant absurdity of human folly and hydrocarbon hubris using mixed media to create a showcase that deals with loss, regeneration, and socio-ecological anxiety. Head along and get ready to question the moral implications of perception.
Until Sunday 17 March | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Book here.
Captcha
Directed by Mathew Francis, this film is a hypnotic journey through a mysterious facility, where a test subject undergoes a series of strange stimulus and response evaluations, inciting uncertainty about his own humanity. Originally conceived as a graduate project at the University of Canberra, the film has received recognition at the prestigious Academy Award-qualifying 39th St Kilda Film Festival, securing the Best Sound accolade at the 28th Canberra Short Film Festival. Additionally, it stood as a finalist in the 2023 Melbourne Cineverse Film Festival.
Until Sunday 17 March| M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Book here.
Cold Collations
This is a solo exhibition by Susan Chancellor where she explores how abstract paintings and small ceramic sculptures arranged in playful groupings (collations) can energise a space and tantalise the viewer with contrasting colours, scales, surface textures, positive and negative spaces and gestural marks. Don’t miss the opening of this fantastic exhibition!
Until Sunday 17 March | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Book here.
Alchemy
Alchemy is an exhibition which captures the ‘golden’ moments of the journey of 15 artist’s as they heal hearts and weave magic through a network of arts-based projects in response to the Black Summer Fires. Working on a series of cross disciplinary projects to build community connection across south-east Australia, their projects were creative and diverse with a focus on bringing about increased hopefulness and enhancing community spirit. The official opening will be a chance to meet some of the artists who will be performing dance, music and poetry readings.
Until Sunday 17 March | The Queanbeyan Hive Gallery, 274 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | Book here.
Life Drawing: Lee Crisp
Presented at the Belconnen Arts Centre, in this exhbition, Lee Crisp looks at the contemporary lives of women from the perspective of the embodied subject. Drawing from life experience as an artist and her love of art history, Lee is reclaiming the female nude as her own by exploring agency, strength, sensuality and sexuality as lived by mature women.
Until Sunday 24 March | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Interwoven 7
Interwoven 7 brings together basketry and textile artists from the Canberra region and the NSW South Coast. Using a range of fibre traditions, combining natural, synthetic and recycled materials, artworks have been created using twining, coiling, looping, stitching and assemblage to reinterpret fibre art from functional vessels to sculptural forms. Born of an idea by artist Gabrielle Powell, this is a beautiful fusion of traditional and experimental works.
Friday 16 February until Thursday 28 March | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Atmo-Spheres: Francis Kenna
Francis Kenna is a Kamberri/Canberra based interdisciplinary artist, who engages a number of different media to explore our experience of space and perception, temporality and the body. In this exhbition, Francis a takes transitory states of atmosphere as a place to begin questions around the mutability of space and humanity’s own experience.
Until Thursday 28 March | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
The Benefit Of Doubt: Fran Romano and Zoe Slee
This exhibition is an experimental project, exploring the idea of self-doubt. Working collaboratively, Zoe Slee and Fran Romano are focusing on concepts of self-doubt, self-image and related preconceptions and biases. But they are being exhibited with a twist: they have each chosen what the other puts up for display.
Until Thursday 28 March | The Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Lines Of Sight by Patsy Payne and John Pratt
Lines of Sight by Patsy Payne and John Pratt is the outcome of three years worth of phone conversations and postcard dialogues mostly at a distance of 1,100 kilometres between Darkinjung and Ngunnawal country. The focus of this exchange is a particular zone of the environment between Gulaga and the ocean on the rugged south coast of NSW, in Yuin country.
Until Thursday 28 March | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Valda Johnson; Meandering Around the Murry
At Strathnairn Arts this exhibition presents a new body of work by contemporary painter Valda Johnson, depicting scenes from the Murray River and focusing on the patterns and shapes that emerge from the landscape. It’s a beautiful exploration of the differences in landscape and seasons between the Murray from Mildura near Tintaldra, NSW, down to Yarrawonga in Victoria.
Until Sunday 24 March | Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Sport
Adventure Hike and Champagne Breakfast
They had us at champagne. Start your day off right with a beautiful hike with stunning views of the Murrumbidgee River and the Brindabella Mountain Range before indulging in a champagne breakfast. Savour delicious treats and raise a glass of bubbly to celebrate your adventure! Perfect for all fitness level, this is a fundraising event and all profits will be used to support Lions Youth Haven’s programs, providing education and day programs for disadvantaged, disengaged and disabled youth.
Saturday 2 March | Lions Youth Haven, 244 Kambah Pool Road, Kambah | More information here.
Canberra Girls Get Active
This free community event is aimed at inspiring, energising and empowering young women to be more active. Giving women and girls the opportunity to try out a number of sports (as well as enjoy some free massages from CBR Massage, roaming characters, face painting, tunes from a local DJ and much more), this is open to all ages.
Sunday 3 March | Canberra Tennis Centre, 1 Riggall Place, Lyneham | More information here.
Workshops, webinars and more
Vincent Namatjira In Conversation with Lisa Slade and Bruce Johnson-Mclean
Held at the National Gallery of Australia and online, join the first Indigenous artist to win the Archibald Prize, Vincent Namatjira, in conversation with Lisa Slade (Assistant Director, Art Gallery of South Australia) and Bruce Johnson-McLean (Weirdi, Birri-Gubba peoples, Assistant Director, First Nations Engagement and Head Curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery of Australia). They will be discussing his paintings of important figures, ideas about power, politics and history that inform his work and more.
Saturday 2 March | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | Book here.
Neon Sign Making at Canberra Glassworks
Heat and stretch your very own authentic neon sign in this one-of-a-kind weekend class. This two day workshop will teach you how to stretch, heat, and shape glass tubes into basic curves and forms. You’ll learn the basic principles of neon production and demonstrate each of the processes of Neon required to leave with a finished neon sign or design to take home. No previous experience is required!
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | Book here.
Glass Blowing Experience at Canberra Glassworks
Try your hand at glassblowing in this unique one-on-one class! You can choose to blow your own glass vessel or bird in this one-of-a-kind glass blowing experience with the guidance of a skilled glass blowing teachers. Suitable for people aged 16 years and over, why not give it a try?
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | Book here.
Source: hercanberra.com.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
