What's On This Weekend in Canberra
By: Anthony Feint
16th January 2025
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 is: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of January.
🪁 Kite Flying Festival
Grab a picnic, pack a rug, and head to the Patrick White Lawns for the Kite Flying Festival. In addition to kite flying, enjoy jumping castles, food and drink stalls, face painting, and a DJ Details here.
🚞 Train Rides to Bungendore
The Canberra Railway Museum is been running rail motor rides to Bungendore. The leisurely return journey takes you on a scenic ride through the stunning Molonglo Gorge, as well as winding tunnels and towering bridges. Details here.
🚗 Ollies’ Garage Classic Car Display
Ollies’ Garage is a rotational classic car display in small museum-like showroom in Fyshwick. Come and see Australia’s best classic cars and memorabilia featuring everything from muscle cars to English and German classics. Details here.
Kids: 🔦 Sea of Light
Use a UV torch as your paintbrush to paint, stencil, and steer ships that leave glowing paths of light in their wake. Details here.
Kids: 🦖 DinoFest
Meet the life-size walking Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus, and Carnotaurus, plus lots of cute baby dinosaurs when Black Mountain Peninsula takes a step back in time for DinoFest. Details here.
Kids: 🩰 Storytime Ballet
Be enchanted by The Sleeping Beauty, an interactive Storytime Ballet experience for children aged three years and older. Details here.
Kids: 🐍 Snakes Alive!
Get up close and enjoy live displays, feeding and handling of snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, crocodiles and more fascinating animals at the week-long Snakes Aliveexhibition at the National Botanic Gardens. Details here.
Comedy: 🤣 Lil Mama’s Comedy Night
Come along to Lil mama's on the Kingston Foreshore for an hour of fun and laughs with some of Canberra's finest comedians. Details here.
🍺 Dickson Taphouse Battle of the Brewers
Dickson Taphouse is proud to present the long awaited finale of The Battle of the Brewers. Come down on the day for a plethora of fantastic beers from some of Australia's finest independent craft breweries, Bar games & hourly giveaways all to the background of local live music inside and outside the venue all day! Details here.
Exhibition: 🌋 Pompeii
See the National Museum's blockbuster exhibition Pompeii, which features over 90 objects discovered in the ancient city, as well as immersive audiovisuals bringing to life the historic disaster. Details here.
🍿 Sunset Cinema
Mufasa and Better Man are screening this weekend at Sunset Cinema—the pop-up outdoor cinema at the National Botanic Gardens. Details here.
Author Talk: 🎸 30 Year’s of Triple J
Comedian and writer Tom W Clarke will be discussing his latest book Shoulda Been Higher: A Celebration of 30 Years of Triple J's Hottest 100 at Dickson library this Saturday. Details here.
🎥 Hot Summer Nights at the NFSA
Throughout January, the NFSA will screen classic films. Before each screening, relax in the heritage courtyard with live music, cold drinks, and good vibes. Details here.
🐼 Panda Party Expansion Launch
Panda Party is a pick-up-and-play card game created in Canberra by husband-and-wife duo Ana Andreska and Darko Andreski. This weekend, Panda Party is unveiling a new booster pack expansion at Good Games in the city. Join the event to learn how to play, meet the creators, and win prizes. Details here.
🎪 The Great Moscow Circus
Don’t let the name fool you, the Great Moscow Circus is actually an Australian production featuring performers from around the world. The all-new extreme show includes BMX and scooter riders, trampoline acts, Russian swings, daredevil motorcycle cage riders, and aerial performers. The circus tent is set-up on Mawson Playing Fields. Details here.
Markets This Weekend in Canberra
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.
The Old Bus Depot Markets: The OBDM run every Sunday on the Kingston Foreshore. Details here.
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.
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.
The Little Burley Market is taking a break and will be back in Autumn
Live Music This Weekend
Friday
- John Kennedy and The New Originals (alternative) @ Smith’s Alternative
- Turning Tables Return Party (electronic) @ Shadows
- Bennetts Grove / At Last: Broadcast / bodyshirt (punk/alternative) @ Dissent
- Positive Feedback Loop (indie) @ Canberra Irish Club
- Future Static (metal) @ The Baso
- Transit Dolls / Carnival Road / Kicking Pigeons (rock) @ Pot Belly
- Rhiz and Pete (country) @ Smith’s Alternative
- Tilt Trio (jazz/blues) @ Dickson Taphouse
- Nick Rigby @ The Jetty
- Modern Relics @ Rose Cottage
Saturday
- KA-TOUR @ The Baso
- Hydrating Session @ The Baso
- Tim McNally / Calvin Orosa @ The Jetty
- A Night of Brasilian Music @ Live at the Polo
- Phoenix 5 @ Burns Club - Anna Ransom + Tom RV @ Ainslie Football Club
Sunday
- Merak Machine (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
- Neon Honey @ Dickson Taphouse
- Eden Plenty @ Old Canberra Inn
- Keedi Jade @ The Jetty
- The Blooz Band (blues) @ Canberra Bowls Club
Discover More Events Happening This Weekend in Canberra
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