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September 24

Hello Canberra,

This is a previous issue of the Canberra Digest newsletter.

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📆 Today: It’s Wednesday, 24 September.

⛅️ Weather: 19° and partly cloudy.

🌸 Spring School Holidays Guide

The spring school holidays are looking busy with a huge number of events coming up. Instead of listing them all in one email, I’ve put together a page with plenty of fun things for families to do, including lots of free options. It’s a big list—so I’ll keep sharing highlights in the Digest over the next couple of weeks.

Get the full Spring School Holidays Guide

This Weekend: 🏰 Queanbeyan Medieval Fair

The annual Queanbeyan Medieval Fair returns to the Showgrounds this weekend. Watch knights battle it out in the jousting and combat arena, explore the medieval village to learn about daily life, and browse the market for a range of medieval and modern crafts. Details here.

🍺 Oktoberfest in Canberra

Prost, Canberra! Oktoberfest celebrations are brewing all over town:

Harmonie German Club: Inside and outside, you’ll find food and beverage stalls, dining areas, markets, live entertainment, German party games, fun activities, cool competitions and a host of German traditions to get you into that wunderbar Oktoberfest spirit. It’s happening 24-25 October. Details here.

Capital Brewing: Eight German-style biers, live oompah from the Pork Knuckle Brass Band, and bratwursts from The Brathaus at Capital Brewing’s taproom in Dairy Road on 12 October. Details here.

Brew Nation: Enjoy warm, soft pretzels and a large range of Bavarian brews on tap available at Brew Nation and Dear Prudence in the city. Perfect for an after-work drink this Friday! Details here.

Badger and Co: The uni pub is serving up Jagerschnitzel, Schweinebauch, Cheese Kransky Hot Dogs and more, all paired with German brews. On now until 27 September. Details here.

Lighthouse Pub: Oktoberfest is coming to the Lighthouse Pub in Belconnen this Sunday. There’ll be a hotdog eating contest, a yodel off, stein holding competition and Oktoberfest trivia. Details here.

Something to do: 🧶 Arts and Crafts for Adults

Painting Picnic: MoAD is hosting a painting picnic with local artist Ineka Voigt, set amongst the historic Rose Gardens at Old Parliament House. The workshop, designed for adults of all abilities (including complete beginners), will guide you every step of the way—from composition to colour mixing, painting techniques to finishing touches. Details here.

Maine + Mara Jewellery: Join MAINE+MARA at Floriade for a colourful, spring-inspired jewellery experience where you’ll design and create your own earrings. No experience needed, and all tools are provided. Details here.

Turn Scraps into Treasures: In this playful textile workshop by Craft + Design Canberra, you’ll turn discarded threads and leftover fabrics into whimsical sculptural orbs. Explore embroidery stitches like the French knot and bullion stitch, experiment with layering and composition, and turn your orb into a brooch, earrings or a keepsake. Details here.

Build a Scandinavian Bench Seat: Canberra Women’s Shed runs regular hands-on courses for women, including this one where you’ll build a Scandinavian bench seat over four engaging sessions. Each two-hour workshop focuses on essential woodworking techniques, making this series perfect for beginners and those looking to refine their skills. Details here.

Terrarium Workshop: In this 1.5-hour workshop, you’ll build your own miniature rainforest in glass. Learn about the art and science of terrariums while layering natural materials, selecting plants that thrive in humid, low-light conditions, and designing a lush, self-sustaining ecosystem to take home. This workshop is run by Holly, who has just started her small business GlassGardeningCo. Details here.

Make a Mini Twined Basket: In this workshop by Canberra Spinners and Weavers, you’ll learn the basics and make a gorgeous mini twined basket to keep. Absolute beginners and intermediate weavers are welcome. Details here.

Something to do: 🎶 ArtSound’s Music Quiz

Think you know your music trivia? Put your knowledge of hits from the '50s to the '90s to the test at ArtSound’s Quiz Night, hosted once again by quizmaster Brian Leonard. Details here.

🎥 Film and Screenings

Serial Spring: Arc Cinema presents a series of irreverent Friday night films featuring chilling tales of serial killers that challenge and unsettle audiences. Curated and hosted by drag artist and culture warrior Venus Mantrap, each event includes a pre-screening introduction and live performance. Coming up this week is a close encounter with Hannibal the Cannibal in the 1991 sleeper hit The Silence of the Lambs. Details here.

Gang Gang Movie Night: “I do not often attend free film screenings. They are, more often than not, overcooked affairs, heavy on novelty and light on substance. Yet, from time to time, one encounters something remarkable. On this Wednesday evening, Gang Gang dares to present Ratatouille, a film that reminds us that greatness may be found in the most unexpected of places… yes, even in a rat. Guests are invited to arrive early and secure a seat (bean bags, naturally). Dinner will be served, along with themed snacks, crafted to complement the screening. One need not be a gourmand to appreciate the experience. One need only arrive hungry for food, for film, and perhaps for a little wonder.”—posted verbatim as their event description seemed more fun than what I was writing. Details here.

YUMI: The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canberra, in cooperation with the Climate Change Authority (CCA) and the ANU Film Group, is screening YUMI next Monday evening. Never before seen in Australia, YUMI tells the inspiring story of law students Solomon, Vishal and Romabeth, who set out from the University of the South Pacific as part of a movement to take climate change to the International Court of Justice through the United Nations—to save their home islands from extinction. Details here.

Classifieds

✨ Time Out Just For You - Stress Reset – Half-Day Meditation Retreats: Kingston (this Saturday 27th) & Hawker (11 Oct) Take a morning just for you. Step away from the noise and discover (or refresh) simple, yet very effective, science-backed meditation practices - that calm your nervous system, ease stress, and restore clarity. Led by an experienced local facilitator. Ready to reset? Just $69. Get info & tickets now

🖋️ Women Writers’ Workshop, Unleash Your Voice: 1 October, 9am-1pm, Pearce Community Centre. Ever feel too embarrassed to share your writing? Your words matter. Join us in a space where your story is safe to bloom. Gain clarity and confidence to write and sell with integrity. Connect with others reclaiming their voice. Led by local accredited Writer’s Mindset Coach, Helen McCandless. Details here.

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