January 31 2025 | CanberraDigest

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It’s Friday, January 31. Apologies to the singles—this one’s heavy on Valentine’s Day events.

☁️ Weather: 28° and cloudy

This is a previous issue of Canberra Digest. Get Canberra news, events, culture and more sent to your inbox every morning. Subscribe for free.

👉 This Weekend in Canberra

This weekend, there are Lunar New Year celebrations in Dickson, ghost stories in Kingston, a summer party in Strathnairn and much more happening around Canberra.

Get the full rundown of weekend events here.

Something to do: 💖 Love in the Capital

She Shapes History runs history walking tours around Canberra. Back by popular demand after last year’s sold-out Heritage Festival, Love in the Capital returns for Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day. Explore Canberra’s hidden romantic history—power couples, secret love affairs, and everyday romances that thrived despite government policies. Details here.

🌹 Valentine’s Day Eats Under $100pp

While most of Canberra’s top restaurants offer special menus for Valentine’s Day, they can be quite expensive, and you do pay a premium for dining out on the 14th. But there are some cheaper options available. Here are some great restaurants in Canberra with Valentine’s Day menus under $100pp.

Wakefields: Valentine’s Day dinner at Wakefields in Ainslie is $60pp and includes various antipasti, a choice of two pastas, and a Limoncello tiramisu. Details here.

Lazy Su: For $100pp, enjoy Lazy Su’s popular “Feed Me” menu along with bottomless drinks. Lazy Su will also be serving special “Love” cocktails on the night. Details here.

Pialligo Estate: Enjoy a three-course meal for $89pp, with mains including an eye fillet, saffron risotto, or house-made spaghetti with king prawns. Details here.

Peonee: Modern Australian restaurant Peonee is offering a four-course $95pp set menu on Valentine’s Day.

Bar Rochford: The city wine bar and restaurant is offering a $100pp set menu on Valentine’s Day. While the exact menu details aren’t available, it’s likely to be similar to their standard three-course plus dessert set menu. Details here.

Kivotos: Braddon Greek restaurant Kivotos has a $99pp six-course set menu, which includes a glass of Greek sparkling rosé on arrival. Details here.

Carlotta: The new Italian restaurant Carlotta is offering an $89pp set menu for Valentine’s Day, with the option to add premium elements like oysters and lobster. Details here.

Mercure Canberra: The Courtyard Restaurant is offering a $99pp three-course deal, which includes live entertainment from Leisa Keen and a drink on arrival. Details here.

Something to do: 🎨 Paint Your Partner

For a fun date night, come along to Paint Pinot in Braddon to “Paint Your Partner”. It’s accompanied by good wine and yummy food. Absolutely no artistic talent is required! Details here.

Classifieds:

Bookings Are Open for studioMAP Art Classes for Children & Teens Painting, drawing & illustration from 6-18 years old. After school and Saturday classes. Term 1 commences on February 3. Book Now & details : studiomap.com.au

studioMAP, established in 1995, is a fully equipped and professionally staffed art studio located in Studio 3, M16 Artspace / Community Visual Arts Centre, Blaxland Griffith ACT.

Cause: Gift of Life Walk

The Gift of Life Walk aims to raise awareness and open up conversations about organ and tissue donation. Take part in a long or short walk around the lake on February 25. Details here.