This Weekend in Canberra
Here's what's happening this Weekend in Canberra. This page is updated weekly with a curated collection of the best things to do in Canberra this weekend including markets and live music. New weekend events get added throughout the week.
📆 This Weekend: Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 October.
🌏 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.
🔔 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.
🌿 Native Plant Sale
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.
🍶 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.
🎯 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.
💪 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.
👗 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.
🏠 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.
🌸 SpringFest
Tuggeranong Uniting is hosting a Sustainable Spring Fair. There will be children’s activities including craft and a treasure hunt. SeeChange Tuggeranong is hosting stalls and activities focused on eco-friendly living. The Repair Café will be on hand to fix bikes, sharpen knives and garden tools, mend clothing, and offer expert advice on plant care. There will be pre-loved clothing, book, plant and baked treats stalls and much more. Details here.
🇵🇸 Miftaah
MIFTAAH PRESENTS an evening of music, dance, poetry and food celebrating Palestinian resistance and culture. Come from 3pm to enjoy markets run by local ceramicists, painters, jewellery makers, mehndi/henna artists, suitcase rummage enthusiasts and MORE As we venture into the evening soak up poetry, live sets, dabke and djs by our entrancing musicians and performers. 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.
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
More Markets This Weekend in Canberra
Capital Region Farmers Market: Canberra's largest farmers market, with over 100 stalls offering fresh produce, including fruit and veg, baked goods, meat, seafood and more. It runs every Saturday morning at EPIC from 7am to 11:30am. Details here.
Haig Park Village Markets: The markets are held in Haig Park every Sunday from 8am to 2pm. You'll find a mix of fresh produce, baked goods, handmade products and food and drink stalls. Details here.
Old Bus Depot Markets: Visit the landmark Sunday market inside the Old Bus Depot building on the Kingston Foreshore for food and drink, plants, handmade items and more. Details here.
Southside Farmers Market: The Southside Farmers Market is held every Sunday morning at Canberra College in Phillip. Details here.
Jamison Trash and Treasure: Runs every Sunday in Belconnen. As well as pre-loved and vintage items, you'll find fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, honey, and plants. Details here.
🎸 Live Music This Weekend
Friday
- Guilty Conscience @ Fun Time Pony
- The Bushwackers (country) @ Smith’s Alternative
- Khan (metal) @ The Baso
- Live Hip Hop Band Night @ Smith’s Alternative
- Mac the Knife (punk) @ Dissent
- ZoiC Danns / Hope Held Hostage / Machine Break / Reset the Fire @ Pot Belly
Saturday
- Shaun Kirk @ Shadows
- WYNDFALL (metal) @ The Baso
- The Pearl Jam Experience @ The Baso
- Reggae Riddimz @ Smith’s Alternative
- Mouseatouille (alternative) @ Dissent
Sunday
- The Smith Street Band (indie/rock) @ The Baso
- Sylvie (indie/rock) @ Gang Gang
- Ben Drysdale & Niall Howe (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
- Reliqa / Future Static @ The Baso
- Suzie So Blue @ Smith’s Alternative
- Carr / Mackintosh / Plumb @ Smith’s Alternative
- Jesse Wright / Growing Alder @ Dissent
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