Friday 2nd May

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: What's on this weekend + Free comic books.

☀️ Weather: 19° and sunny, with morning frost.

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📆 This Weekend in Canberra

This weekend, there's a Star Wars concert at the Carillon, an open day at Tuggeranong Homestead, the Urban Wine Walk, and much more.

Get the full rundown of weekend events.

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🍫 Canberra Eats

This week's food news:

Uptown: There's a new restaurant on Lonsdale Street! Uptown has taken over the space where Lonsdale Roasters used to be. It's spread over two levels, with a bakery and bar downstairs and a bistro-style restaurant upstairs. Details here.

Knafeh in Canberra: In late 2023, a Dubai chocolatier showcased the "Can't Get Knafeh of It" chocolate bar on their TikTok—with a creamy pistachio filling and shredded phyllo dough, or kataifi. 150 million views later, the viral sensation has become known as the "Dubai Chocolate Bar". Food & Wine magazine even crowned pistachio the “flavour of 2025” off the back of the craze.

I've seen some Dubai Chocolate-inspired flavours pop up in Canberra. Studio Cocoa, a local chocolatier, makes a Pistachio Crunch Block inspired by the Dubai Bar. Wildflour in Fyshwick, never shy about jumping on a good trend, has put Knafeh Pancakes on their menu. And The Bakehouse in Mitchell has created the "Dubai Donut"—featuring house-made pistachio paste mixed with toasted kataifi pastry, placed inside a fluffy doughnut with dark chocolate ganache and dusted with gold! Do you know of any other Dubai-inspired dishes?

Cinco de Mayo at Peacemaker: Peacemaker Saloon in Braddon is hosting a Cinco De Mayo Marg-sterclass. Taste the Patrón range, then get behind the bar to learn how to craft the ultimate Margarita. Includes bottomless nachos. Details here.

Le Cheeserie x Rizla: An afternoon of wine and cheese on a crisp autumn day? Sounds pretty good to me! Rizla on Lonsdale Street is once again hosting Le Cheeserie for a wine and cheese pairing masterclass. Details here.

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This Weekend: 🛍️ A New Market in Coombs

This weekend will be the first edition of the Vibe Coombs Market. Held at the community centre, it features over 20 stalls from across the Canberra region, with food and drink options and face painting for kids. The market also supports women through the Days for Girls organisation. Details here.

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This Weekend: 🦸‍♀️ Free Comic Book Day

This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day! All the major publishers have printed comics specifically for the occasion—Spider-Man, Transformers, Superman, Conan the Barbarian, Minecraft, Megaman, Boruto, and dozens more to choose from. In Canberra, Impact Comics is taking part, and there'll be a number of creators to meet as well. Details here.

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🌸 Mother's Day in Canberra

Since first including a list of Mother's Day events a couple of weeks ago, I've come across many more—so I've pulled them all together in one post. Details here.

I'm also planning to put together a collection of experiences and activities to do with Mum on Mother's Day—including plenty of free options. If you've got any ideas, let me know!

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Classifieds

🎻 Beethoven's Violin: Experience Beethoven's legendary Violin Concerto LIVE with full orchestra, guest soloist Anna da Silva Chen and conductor Carlo Antonioli. Don't miss your chance to see this masterpiece brought to life by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. May 14/15, 7:30pm. Llewellyn Hall, ANU. Details here.

🎶 Vinyl Records Sale: new/mint and used original LPs. Private sale of 15 crates of retro music from the 1930s–1980s: Pop, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Soul, Funk, R&B, Blues, Reggae & more. Saturday 3 May, 10am–3pm at Dickson Community Market (outside Library/Woolworths, under shelter). All cards accepted. Enquiries: Julian – [email protected]

🇮🇹 Gala Dinner - An Evening in Italy: It's time to say "arrivederci" to the 2025 'Viva Italia in Canberra' festival at its final event, 'Gala Dinner - An Evening In Italy', at the Hotel Realm Ballroom for a truly delicious three-course Italian meal, featuring live opera, a DJ and auction. Happening Saturday, May 10. Details here.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest

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Tidbits:

Spilt Milk is Back: After being cancelled last year, no one was sure if the music festival would be making a comeback. But good news—Spilt Milk is returning to Canberra on December 13 this year. The lineup has yet to be released, but big names are expected to headline. Tickets go on sale May 8. Details here.

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Canberra Digest will be back on Monday. Have a great weekend, and don't forget to vote tomorrow!