Friday 27th June

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: This weekend in Canberra + Lions Tour in Canberra.

⛅️ Weather: 13° and partly cloudy. Overnight low of -4°.

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👉 This Weekend in Canberra

A celebration of all things felt is happening at Rapt in Felt, Haig Park is going full circus with a party for pups and their people, and Cypher Brewing is throwing a Peruvian culture fest in Gungahlin.

Get the full rundown of weekend events.

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Coming Up: 🎄 Christmas in July

Christmas in July is a European-inspired food, wine and winter market, coming to Canberra next week from Thursday to Sunday. The list of stalls is now online, along with the entertainment program. Entry is free. Details here.

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Kids: ✂️ National Portrait Gallery Family Day

The NPG is holding its annual Family Day next Sunday, this time inspired by The Immersive World of Thom Roberts exhibition. Connect with Thom Roberts and take part in a live, interactive artwork created throughout the day. Get playful with block printing and badge-making, build a cardboard city, craft a colourful kaleidoscope, and make your own pop-out train. It's free! Details here.

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Sport: 🏉 Fanzone for Brumbies v Lions

Over 20 000 fans are expected to travel to Australia for the British & Irish Lions tour. The ACT Government hopes a good number will come to Canberra on 9 July when the Lions play the Brumbies, and has relaxed liquor-licensing laws so venues can stay open later

The Dock in Kingston will host a pre-game party celebrating 35+ years of Brumbies–Lions clashes. Mingle with past rugby greats, enjoy outdoor bars with Guinness on tap, a BBQ run by the Queanbeyan Rugby Club, a pie-eating contest, and more. You can stay to watch the game on the big screen or take a bus transfer if you've got tickets to the match. Details here.

There are still a few tickets left to the game, but it's expected to sell out—so I'd book sooner rather than later. Details here.

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Tidbits:

Second-Hand Scams: ACT Policing has issued a warning about scams when selling second-hand goods through online marketplaces, with reports of sellers handing over items without receiving payment. More.

Tuggeranong Dog Exercise Area: After community lobbying, the ACT Government has confirmed that the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area will remain open and off-leash. It had been unclear whether the area would close after the Lanyon dog park opened. The 8-hectare riverside reserve stays open for free-roaming pups, with only a thin strip along Jim Pike Avenue switching to on-leash to keep horse riders safe. New maps and signage will roll out by September.

Bridge Construction: Work on the bridge that will carry the light rail over Parkes Way begins this weekend. Parkes Way will be closed from 8pm tonight until 5am Monday, so expect detours and slow-moving traffic around City South. More.

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Classifieds

🎻 The Music of John Williams - LIVE with Full Orchestra: From galaxy-shaking Star Wars themes to the roar of Jurassic Park, the adrenaline of Indiana Jones to the magic of Harry Potter – this concert brings John Williams' greatest scores to life in a symphonic celebration of cinema. July 24/25, 7:00pm. Llewellyn Hall, ANU. Details here.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest.

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🪩 Nightlife

Electric Disco: Canberra's LGBTIQA+ magazine STUN is bringing RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 2 contestant Molly Poppinz to town for a fabulous night of disco/house DJs and drag. Happening at Shadows on Sat July 19. Details here.

Latin Night: A few weeks back, I shared details of line dancing on Thursday nights at Peacemaker Saloon—but if you're after dancing with a little extra flair, why not try Latin dancing? On the last Saturday of the month, head to the Cornerstone Pub in Gungahlin for Latin Night. Enjoy a free dance lesson at 7:30pm before hitting the floor to show off your new moves—plus, $10 margaritas all night. Details here.

Blackbird Karaoke: Blackbird Bar in the city runs karaoke on Thursday nights from 6pm. Enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails and a free lemon drop shot if you sing.

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Canberra Digest will be back on Monday. Have a great weekend!