October 13

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It’s Monday, 13 October. The Australian Masters are coming to Canberra + this week's highlights.

☀️ Weather: 21° and sunny. While still windy this week, it shouldn’t be as blustery as the last. Later in the week, temperatures are set to hit the high 20s!

📆 This Week in Canberra

Highlights coming up this week:

Great Big Bulb Dig: Buy a bag (proceeds support charity) and fill it with bulbs from this year’s Floriade to take home. Bags can be purchased today and double as the entry ticket. Details here.

Windows to the World: 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 Sale: 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: 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: 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.

CBR Fit Expo: 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.

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

Vegan State of Mind: Glebe Park will host A Vegan State of Mind—a community event celebrating plant-based living and sustainable choices. The day includes live music, talks, and market stalls alongside activities for all ages. Details here.

CSO Live at Lanyon: Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy an afternoon of jazz, soul, and timeless classics with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra ensemble in the picturesque setting of Lanyon Homestead. Details here.

Calthorpes’ House Open Day: 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.

Sake Festival: Kanpai & Canapés 2025 is coming to Canberra this weekend. Enjoy a three-hour tasting journey featuring over 100 of Japan’s most celebrated sakes and fruit liqueurs, paired with a selection of canapés. Details here.

Clothing the Loop: The day-to-night festival features sewing and textile art workshops, panel discussions, a giant clothes swap, a local designer fashion parade, and performances addressing fast fashion and waste. It’s happening next Saturday at the Dairy Road precinct. Details here.

Googong RFS Open Day: The Googong Rural Fire Service Open Day is for the young and young-at-heart. Climb the big fire trucks, have a go at the hoses, try on the firies’ emergency gear—plus there will be a petting zoo, face painting, and a sausage sizzle from the Rotary Club. Details here.

Frenzy: Canberra's Micro Wine Festival - A coming together of wine, spirit and beer producers in Canberra annually to drive connection and community. Details here.

Coming Up: 🏃‍♀️ Canberra Times Fun Run

The Canberra Times Fun Run is back on 2 November. Take on a fast, flat course past iconic landmarks like the Old and New Parliament Houses in your choice of four distances: the AIMS-certified Runner’s World Half Marathon and 10K, or the 5K and 2K events. After your run, unwind in the lively event village with entertainment and a kids zone. Details here.

Further Afield: 🚜 Murrumbateman Field Days

Get a taste of rural life just a short drive from Canberra at the Murrumbateman Field Days—bringing together more than 300 exhibitors showcasing their products and the local region. From pig racing and K9 displays to antique farm machinery and gumboot throwing, it’s two days packed with fun. Details here

📰 Tidbits

Australian Masters Games: A big welcome to all the athletes competing in the Australian Masters Games. It begins this Saturday and runs for a week. This is the 20th edition of the Games, which will see over 7,000 participants competing in more than 50 sports. Canberra last hosted the Masters in 2003.

Cause: 🍰 Cake O’Clock

Join Fearless Women for Canberra’s first-ever bring a cake, share it around event—a sweet afternoon raising funds to help girls and young women in Canberra live life fearlessly. Cake O’Clock brings the community together to share delicious creations (with a dash of friendly competition), connect with others, and celebrate the joy of giving. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or simply a cake enthusiast, this is your chance to be part of something warm, welcoming, and meaningful. It’s happening this Saturday at Strathnairn Arts. Details here.

Supported By:

🎻 DroneArt: Immerse yourself in a magical evening where classical music meets cutting-edge technology. Beneath the starry sky, a talented quartet will perform masterpieces while a breathtaking drone show turns the air into a canvas of light and colour. A unique experience not to be missed. Details here.

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