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 11 - Sunday 12 October.
🏴 Canberra Highland Gathering
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.
🌏 Windows to the World at Floriade
Before next weekend’s Windows to the World event, where embassies around Canberra open their doors to the public, there’s a lead-in showcase at Floriade this weekend. Enjoy traditional performances, sample authentic food and drinks, and explore exhibits featuring traditional clothing and cultural displays. Details here.
🐶 Dogs’ Day Out at Floriade
Treat your pup to a day out among the flowers. This Sunday, the final day of Floriade, the festival welcomes dogs for a day of fun with dog-specific retail vendors and dog-friendly programming on stage and throughout the park. Details here.
🔔 Chime In
The Carillon is holding a concert 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 Markets
Held on the bike path in O’Connor, the Sly Fox flea market features vintage and second-hand books, clothes, jewellery and more, plus local crafts, food and drink. Details here.
🎸 The National Vintage Guitar Expo
A celebration of vintage and rare acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, and accessories from around Australia, held each year in Canberra. Details here.
🎨 Canberra Colour Frenzy Run
A non-competitive fun run where participants of all ages can walk, skip, hop or jump their way through the course. There’ll be a bubble machine, obstacles, and of course, colour stations that shower participants with bursts of powder. Details here.
🎂 Ten -%!@ing Years
Smith’s Alternative is celebrating 10 years under the current management. There’s a weekend of live music plus a day of free entertainment and fun this Sunday at the Floral Frock Fringe Festival. Details here.
🌿 Open Gardens Canberra
Explore The Traveller’s Garden in Florey and Jinka Falls in Hawker as part of Open Gardens Canberra’s spring program. Details here.
🎈 Kids in Care ACT Community Fun Day
Kids in Care ACT is holding their annual Toyworld Community Fun Day this Saturday at Toyworld in Fyshwick. There’ll be a free sausage sizzle, visits from ACT Policing, Kenny Koala, and the ACT Rural Fire Service, a colouring-in competition, and 10% of sales will be donated to Kids in Care. Details here.
Sport: 🏑 Chill vs Pride
The Canberra Chill get their 2025 Australian Hockey One League season underway at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneman this Saturday when they take on the NSW Pride. Details here.
Last Chance:
Floriade: It’s the final weekend of Floriade. Dogs’ Day Out is on Sunday and the Great Bulb Dig on Monday. Details here.
Mr Squiggle: There are just a couple of days left to see Mr Squiggle and Friends at the National Museum. Great for all ages—the exhibition features over 300 objects that bring to life the world of Mr Squiggle and showcase the work of one of Australia's greatest puppeteers. Entry is free. 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
- TEN *%!@ING YEARS @ Smith’s Alternative
- The Mean Times (rock) @ Dissent
- Kevin Borich Express (blues) @ The Zeppelin Room
- Dallas Frasca (Led Zeppelin tribute) @ The Baso
Saturday
- Acopia (electronic/pop) @ Gang Gang
- TEN *%!@ING YEARS @ Smith’s Alternative
- This Way Orkestra @ Dissent
- Guinness Stone @ Witness Protection Studios
- Daysend (metal) @ The Baso
Sunday
- Lily B (indie/pop) @ Dissent
- Porpoise Spit (pop/rock) @ Smith’s Alternative
- Lounge Baby @ Irish Club
- Floral Frock Fringe Festival @ Smith’s Alternative
- Bob Log III @ Smith’s Alternative
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