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October 1

Hello Canberra,

This is a previous issue of the Canberra Digest newsletter.

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📆 Today: It’s Wednesday, 1 October. I've put together a curated list of the best events coming up in October + Yankee Hat Walking Track has had some upgrades.

💨 Weather: 17° and windy. Mostly sunny.

📅 October in Canberra

There’s so much going on in October—here’s my curated list of October highlights:

Floriade Continues (Until 12 Oct): The spring festival continues—don’t miss Dogs’ Day Out on the final day of Floriade and then take part in the Great Bulb Dig where you can take home a little piece of the magic. Details here.

NightFest (2-5 Oct): Explore Floriade’s Dark Side at NightFest, running Thursday to Sunday. Floriade will be illuminated by a dazzling display of lights, with a live entertainment program headlined by acclaimed Australian artists Ella Hooper and Josh Pyke. Details here.

Canberra Circus Festival Market Day (4 Oct): Chifley Oval will come alive with street performances, circus workshops, roving entertainment, food and drink, and handmade goods. Details here.

Canberra Highland Gathering (11 Oct): The Canberra Highland Gathering is an Australian take on the traditional Scottish Highland Games. Pipe bands will descend on the capital, the Kilted Warriors competition will feature strongmen competing in the caber toss and atlas stones, and this year the National Town Crier Championships will be part of the event. Details here.

Chime In (11 Oct): Listen to Canberra’s bells in performances featuring didgeridoo, marimba, saxophone, and music from the Beatles, Disney & Pixar, musicals, and new compositions. A jazz band will also perform in Kings Park. Kids can enjoy carillon-inspired arts and crafts and face painting. There will be food vendors, or bring a picnic by the lake. Details here.

Sly Fox Market (11 Oct): Canberra’s most laid-back market, held on the bike path in O’Connor. Browse through vintage and second-hand books, clothes, jewellery and more, plus local crafts, food and drink. Details here.

The National Vintage Guitar Expo (11 Oct): A celebration of vintage and rare acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, and accessories from around Australia, held each year in Canberra. Details here.

Windows to the World (18 Oct): Embassies in Canberra will open their doors to the public, offering the chance to explore international architecture, gardens, culture, and traditions without leaving the capital. Details here.

Native Plant Spring Sale (18 Oct): The Australian Native Plant Society is holding its spring sale at the Botanic Gardens, with 7,000 Australian native plants and more than 250 different species. All plants are locally grown and selected to suit Canberra and the surrounding region. Details here.

Canberra International Riesling Challenge (18 Oct): Explore the largest collection of Riesling in the Southern Hemisphere. Each year, leading producers send their wines to Canberra to compete in the Riesling Challenge, and once the judging is complete, the doors open for a four-hour public tasting. Details here.

St John’s Community Fair (18 Oct): This year marks the 180th anniversary of St John’s. The fair will feature rides, a live reptile display, plenty of food and drinks, performances from local singers, the Canberra Pipes and Drums, and displays from the Church Bellringers and the Canberra Regional Medieval Society. Details here.

Darts Premier League in Canberra (18 Oct): The biggest darts tournament in Australia and New Zealand is coming to Canberra. Eight of the top players will battle it out at the AIS Arena. Details here.

CBR Fit Expo (18-19 Oct): The Canberra Fitness Expo brings together six live sports—including ACT’s Strongest Man and Woman, natural bodybuilding, and CrossFit—plus 40+ health and fitness vendors, over 500 athletes, and thousands of fans for two days of action, inspiration, and community. Details here.

ACT Jigsaw Puzzle Competition: Compete for bragging rights and offical state ranking at the ACT Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. There are singles and pairs events. Details here.

Calthorpes House Open Day (19 Oct): Step inside a genuine time capsule at Calthorpes House. The open day includes free tours of the house (bookings required), a walking tour on Mugga Way, children’s vintage craft activities, and a coffee cart with fresh lamingtons. Details here.

Canberra Writers Festival (22-26 Oct): A vibrant springtime program of masterclasses, author talks, panel discussions, workshops, and book launches will be set against the backdrop of some of Australia’s most iconic national institutions. Details here.

Canberra Caravan Lifestyle Expo (24-26 Oct): Start planning your next adventure at the Canberra Caravan Lifestyle Expo at EPIC, showcasing recreational vehicles, outdoor gear, food and wine displays, and holiday destinations. Details here.

Canberra Nara Candle Festival (25 Oct): A celebration of the sister-city relationship between Canberra and Nara, Japan—based on the much larger candle festival held in Nara. Expect Japanese art, culture, performances, activities for all ages, and the park illuminated with 2,000 candles. Details here.

SciFright at Questacon (31 Oct): This Halloween, Questacon opens after dark for an adults-only SciFright—featuring creepy science, the Liquid Fright-rogen show, parasites and plagues, cane toad dissections in Q Lab, a Halloween dance floor, and themed cocktails from Atomic Café. Dress to impress (or terrify).

La Fiesta (25 Oct): Canberra's Latin American Festival returns with live bands, DJs, dancers, street food, art, and hands-on workshops—all packed into one afternoon and night. Details here.

📰 Tidbits

Woods Reserve Upgrade: Woods Reserve, located on the banks of Gibraltar Creek near Gibraltar Falls, will be closed from 1 November for an extensive upgrade. Walking trails will be improved and new safety infrastructure installed at the falls. The campgrounds will also get new BBQs, camping areas, showers, and parking. Woods Reserve and the Gibraltar Falls walking track are expected to reopen in mid-2026.

Have Your Say on the New Aquatic Centre: The ACT and Federal Governments are planning a new aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park, featuring a 50-metre lap pool and splash-play areas. Public consultation has begun, and feedback is invited. Details here.

Around Canberra: 🥾 Yankee Hat Walking Track

Fancy a walk this weekend? The Yankee Hat Walking Track has had an upgrade. After the 2020 bushfires, which burned more than 80% of Namadgi National Park, the Yankee Hat Ngunnawal rock art site was closed at times for the construction of a new fire-safe viewing platform. The old wooden platform was removed—thankfully before the latest bushfires—as it posed a fire risk to one of the region’s most significant cultural sites. The new steel platform will be officially opened tomorrow, and the track now features a new metal bridge and raised metal walking platforms—it’s one of the ACT’s best walks! Details here

Classifieds

✨ Recharge & Rebalance – Half-Day Meditation Retreat: (Hawker – 11 Oct). Gift yourself a morning to pause, breathe, and reset. In this calming half-day retreat, you’ll learn (or deepen) practical, science-based meditation skills that ease stress, support resilience, and bring clarity to your busy mind. Guided by an experienced Canberra facilitator. Take the step towards calm — just $69. Get info & tickets now.

DroneArt Show: Immerse yourself in a magical evening where classical music meets cutting-edge technology. Beneath a candlelit sky, a talented quartet performs masterpieces while a breathtaking drone show turns the air into a canvas of light and colour. Details here.

🎸 Live Music This Weekend

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Sunday

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