Friday 6th December

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: Fare free Fridays begin today + Free doughnuts

🌦️ Weather: 33°. A 60% chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. A slight chance of a thunderstorm.

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Something to do: 🎅 Santa Run

The Santa Run is back for a second year. Put on a Santa hat and take part in the evening 5km bridge-to-bridge run/walk with all proceeds going to Running for Resilience and Rise Above Canberra. Tickets are $10 (includes a Santa hat), and there will be prizes for best-dressed plus entertainment afterwards at The Jetty. The event is open to both runners and walkers, and dogs are welcome to take part. Details here.

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🚌 Fare Free Fridays Begin Today

Public transport will be free on Fridays starting today! Tapping on and off using your preferred payment method (debit/credit card, Apple Pay, MyWay+ Card etc.) is still required, but you won't be charged a fee.

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Coming Up: 🏏 Big Bash League

The Big Bash is coming back to Canberra. Sydney Thunder will be playing two matches at Manuka Oval. The Thunder will open their Big Bash campaign in Canberra on December 17 against Adelaide. Details here.

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New: 🛍️ Wurrumay Collective

There's a new store on Lonsdale Street in Braddon. The Wurrumay Collective is owned by Gomeroi woman Natasha Kaiser and stocks products from nearly 40 Indigenous-owned, made and run labels. You'll find it in the Branx building. Details here.

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Coming Up: 🕺 Silent Disco

After a string of sell-out events worldwide, Silent Discos In Amazing Spaces brings its dance party to the National Museum of Australia. There will be three DJs simultaneously playing three uniquely themed DJ sets. You'll receive a pair of wireless headphones that let you enjoy the music and seamlessly switch between the different DJ sets. Details here.

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Eats: 🍩 Free Doughnuts at Lukumades

Lukumades specialises in creating hand-crafted Greek doughnuts with a modern twist—featuring indulgent toppings like pistachio spread, melted hazelnut sauce, crushed Oreos, and melted Biscoff. They are opening today on Bunda Street in the city. To celebrate the opening, the first 50 customers in line will receive a free tray of doughnuts. Details here.

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Sport: 🚴 Black Mountain Hill Climb

This weekend, professional cyclist Jay Vine, winner of the King of The Mountains classification at the Vuelta a España and UEA Team Emirates World Tour Pro, will be returning to Canberra to compete in the Black Mountain Hill Climb. It's not often a World Tour pro competes in a local cycling event in Canberra! Riders will race from the base of Black Mountain Drive to the top of the car park. Black Mtn Drive will be closed for the race on Saturday. Details here.

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👉 This Weekend in Canberra

This weekend, Gungahlin Homestead is holding a rare public open day. The AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market is happening in Acton, and Carols by Candlelight is happening in Commonwealth Park.

Get the full rundown of weekend events here.

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Tidbits:

Drone Show Returns: The Australia Day weekend drone show will be returning in 2025 for a series of shows featuring over 600 drones lighting up the night sky with displays of Australian native flora, fauna and history.

Mobile Drug Testing: Researchers from ANU have created Australia's first mobile drug-checking machine. The highly accurate mobile machine will be able to go where the demand is, such as music festivals, to prevent drug-related tragedies from occurring. More.